In Germany, spouses of skilled workers with permanent status may obtain a permit in three years — The Local Germany

In Germany, the husband or wife of a qualified skilled worker may apply for a permanent residence permit after three years in the country if their partner already holds such a permit under Section 18c of the German Residence Act. Marriage to a holder of a work visa or an EU Blue Card alone is not sufficient: the applicant must also work at least 20 hours per week.

As The Local Germany reports, the rule has been in force since 2024 and allows applications for a Niederlassungserlaubnis — a German permanent residence permit — after three years instead of the usual five.

Requirements for the applicant

The shortened procedure is available to people whose husband or wife already has a permanent residence permit under Section 18c. This provision covers qualified skilled workers, including people who meet the requirements for an EU Blue Card.

The applicant must have held a German residence permit for at least three years and live together with their husband or wife or registered partner. The partner’s working hours do not count toward meeting the applicant’s own employment requirement. Therefore, this option may not be suitable for those who care for children at home, study without working, or work fewer than 20 hours per week.

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Other conditions and application submission

The household must demonstrate that it can support itself, has health insurance and adequate housing. There must also be no public-security grounds that would prevent the permit from being issued.

Applicants are generally required to have German language skills at B1 level and basic knowledge of the country’s legal and social system, confirmed by a language examination and the Leben in Deutschland test. Unlike the general five-year route, this procedure does not require proof of 60 months of pension contributions.

The application is submitted to the local foreigners’ authority, the Ausländerbehörde. Documents that may be required include a passport, a valid residence permit, proof of the partner’s status under Section 18c, evidence of cohabitation, and documents relating to employment, income, insurance, housing and language skills.