How the German Fiktionsbescheinigung works

By Nicolas Bouliane

This guide explains how the German Fiktionsbescheinigung works, and how to travel with a Fiktionsbescheinigung.

What is a Fiktionsbescheinigung?

A Fiktionsbescheinigung is a temporary residence permit. It lets you stay in Germany while you wait for another residence permit.1 A Fiktionsbescheinigung is valid until your real residence permit is approved or rejected.4

For example, the Ausländerbehörde can give you a Fiktionsbescheinigung if your old residence permit expires soon, and your new residence permit is not yet approved. This allows you to travel outside of Germany while you wait for your new residence permit.

Example German Fiktionsbescheinigung
Example German Fiktionsbescheinigung

How to get a Fiktionsbescheinigung

Ask for it when you apply for a residence permit.

  • During your Ausländerbehörde appointment
    If you apply for a residence permit in person, ask for a Fiktionsbescheinigung during your appointment. Explain that you must travel outside of Germany, and that you need a Fiktionsbescheinigung for this. Bring proof of your travel plans.
  • With your residence permit application
    If you send your residence permit application by email, ask for a Fiktionsbescheinigung in your application email.
  • By email
    Email the Ausländerbehörde. In your email, explain your travel plans, and why you need a Fiktionsbescheinigung.5 Explain why this trip is important. Attach proof of your travel plans, like plane tickets or an invitation.

There is a fee of around 20€. Sometimes, you get the Fiktionsbescheinigung by post. Sometimes you must pick it up at the Ausländerbehörde.6 This can take a few weeks.

If you currently have a tourist visa, you can’t get a Fiktionsbescheinigung. You can’t convert a tourist visa to a residence permit. You must apply for a residence permit in your home country.3

Can you travel with a Fiktionsbescheinigung?

It depends. If you have a “§81 Abs. 4” Fiktionsbescheinigung, you can travel outside of Germany. You can visit countries outside the Schengen area and the European Union, then re-enter Germany.

Other types of Fiktionsbescheinigung do not let you travel outside of Germany. If you travel outside Germany, you might not be able to re-enter later.

Fiktionsbescheinigung types

There are 3 variants of the Fiktionsbescheinigung:2

  • §81 Abs. 4 AufenthG
    If you have a residence permit, and you want to renew it, or get another residence permit. It allows you to travel outside of Germany.
  • §81 Abs. 3 Satz 1 AufenthG
    If have no residence permit, and you applied for a residence permit on time. It does not allow you to travel outside of Germany.
  • §81 Abs. 3 Satz 2 AufenthG
    If have no residence permit, and you applied late for a residence permit. It does not allow you to travel outside of Germany.
German Fiktionsbescheinigung type field
The type is written on your Fiktionsbescheinigung

Need help?

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Sources and footnotes

  1. berlin.de, vonengelhardt.com ⤴

  2. §81 AufenthG, Fem.os (September 2019), Wikipedia, Berlin.de ⤴

  3. Fem.os (September 2019), reddit.com/r/germany, facebook.com, Auswärtiges Amt, gesetze-im-internet.de ⤴

  4. §81 AufenthG ⤴

  5. twitter.com, Kathleen Parker at Red Tape Translation (June 2023), Ina Bozhilova at Noah Mobility (July 2023) ⤴

  6. Kathleen Parker at Red Tape Translation (June 2023), Ina Bozhilova at Noah Mobility (July 2023) ⤴