German permanent residence (PR, settlement permit or Niederlassungserlaubnis) lets you live, work and study in Germany. You can get permanent residence after 21 to 60 months in Germany.
It’s better than a residence permit because…
- It’s permanent. You don’t need to renew it.
- It’s flexible. It’s not tied to your income or occupation.
- It’s more trusted. It’s easier to get credit or a mortgage.
It’s not as good as German citizenship because…1
- You can’t vote in elections.
- If you leave Germany for a long time, you lose it.
- You can still get deported.
How to apply for permanent residence