Who is responsible for...? - Right of residence for foreigners
Right of residence for foreigners
In order to enter the territory of and take up residence in the Federal Republic of Germany, foreigners generally only require a recognised and valid passport or alternative identification and a residence title. The Department of Foreigners in Dresden grants or extends the residence titles for foreigners who live in the City of Dresden or who enter the Federal Republic of Germany and take up residence in Dresden, or intend to do so. Under the Residence Law (AufenthG) a residence title can be granted in the following forms:
- Entry visa
- Residence permit
- Permanent residence permit
- Permission of permanent residence-EC.
Please note: In September 2011, the new electronic residence permit (eAT - elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel) replaces residence permits in form of the old stickers, residence cards and permanent residence cards as well as replacement ID cards. The eAT provides the electronic functions for in Germany living foreigners which are also part of the new personal identity cards for German citizens.
Inside the eAT there is a contactless chip with biometric information (photo and after completing the sixth year of life two fingerprints), the auxiliary terms (conditions) and personal data. In addition, the chip contains the electronic proof of identity and the ability to use an electronic signature. Citizens of the European Union and Swiss citzens as well as their family members are only affected by the changes if the current right of residence falls under the German Residence Act and a residence permit in form of a sticker is held.
Citizens of the European Union and Swiss citzens an their family members that benefit from the European freedom of movement are not affected by the changes.
The former residence permits in the passports and passport substitute papers remain valid at maximum until 31st August 2021 before they need to be changed into electronic residents permits.
To apply for a residence permit a prior appointment is needed - please take a note of the information regarding appointments:
For further information concerning the eAT, please see the following information brochures of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees:- Information brochure eAT Albanian (*.pdf, 289 KB)
- Information brochure eAT Amharic (*.pdf, 340 KB)
- Information brochure eAT Arabic (*.pdf, 307 KB)
- Information brochure eAT Chinese (*.pdf, 3629 KB)
- Information brochure eAT English (*.pdf, 3422 KB)
- Information brochure eAT Farsi (*.pdf, 309 KB)
- Information brochure eAT French (*.pdf, 3421 KB)
- Information brochure eAT German (*.pdf, 3337 KB)
- Information brochure eAT Hindi (*.pdf, 803 KB)
- Information brochure eAT Jananese (*.pdf, 3623 KB)
- Information brochure eAT Korean (*.pdf, 3637 KB)
- Information brochure eAT Paschtu (*.pdf, 419 KB)
- Information brochure eAT Portuguese (*.pdf, 3378 KB)
- Information brochure eAT Russian (*.pdf, 3440 KB)
- Information brochure eAT Serbian (*.pdf, 285 KB)
- Information brochure eAT Spanish (*.pdf, 3419 KB)
- Information brochure eAT Tamil (*.pdf, 307 KB)
- Information brochure eAT Thai (*.pdf, 1449 KB)
- Information brochure eAT Tigirnya (*.pdf, 3477 KB)
- Information brochure eAT Turkish (*.pdf, 3417 KB)
- Information brochure eAT Vietnamese (*.pdf, 3546 KB)
Under the EU Freedom of Movement Law (FreizügG/EU), special regulations apply for citizens of the European Union, Swiss nationals and their family members.
- Entry
- Residence permit
- Permanent residence permit
- Freedom of movement of citizens of the European Union and Swiss citizens
- Inviting foreigners