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I am a foreigner and plan to set up a start-up exporting Germany made goods under self-employed category in Germany. I understand there is a residence permit (3 year limited) is needed for myself to run the biz on site. After the first 3 years of residence permit I will most likely to apply for a German settlement permit with my business goal realised (section 21 subs. 4 Residence Act). Apart from the mentioned above, I wonder if there are any other requirements I have to meet to get the settlement permit? For example, I will have frequent travels inside and outside EU to run the business and not be likely to have total 36-month staying in Germany. Is there a minimum stay period required during the first 3-year residence permit to apply a settlement permit?

Antwort

As a general rule, a residence permit expires 6 months after departure from Germany. A longer term may be allowed on application, if the stay abroad serves the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany. This is the case, for example

• for a stay abroad as a development aid worker,
• if you stay abroad as a family member of a German diplomat,
• if you study in Germany and must stay abroad for one or two semesters at a foreign university,
• if you work abroad for an international company based in Germany.
• For personal advice, please contact the foreign authority (Ausländerbehörde) at your residence place in Germany

Source: Michaelle Nintcheu
Projekt „Make it in Germany“
Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln e.V.
Februar 2017

Tips from the editor:

• BMWi-Business start-up portal: English version
• Germany Trade & Invest: Investment Guide to Germany
• German Federal Central Tax Office: Foreign Investors Help Desk