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Find out what happens to my residence permit

Why a German residence permit is not a lifetime guarantee: leaving Germany, losing the basis for residence, income, a passport, violations, and duties toward the Ausländerbehörde.

  1. I’m planning to leave Germany
  2. Deregister and arrange documents
  3. Find out what happens to my residence permit

We do not have a complete guide for this situation yet, but these resources will help you get started.

Start here

Articles that directly answer the selected question.

How You Can Lose a German Residence Permit: Reasons, Deadlines, and a Checklist for Protecting Your Status Why a German residence permit is not a lifetime guarantee: leaving Germany, losing the basis for residence, income, a passport, violations, and duties toward the Ausländerbehörde. Open article

What to do step by step

Individual actions and stages to complete.

How to Leave Germany Properly: Checklist for Abmeldung, Residence Permit, Contracts, and Benefits A practical checklist for leaving Germany: deregistration, notifying the Ausländerbehörde, rent, insurance, bank, Jobcenter, school, and contracts. Open article Leaving Germany: A Checklist for Deregistration, Contracts and Taxes A practical checklist before leaving Germany: cancellation notices, deregistration, broadcasting fees, insurance, rent, bank accounts, cars, mail, taxes, and residence permits. Open article

Important notes

Risks, exceptions, and common mistakes.

How Not to Lose Your Residence Permit in Germany: 5 Mistakes That Put Your Status at Risk Open article Permanent Residence in Germany: Requirements, Timelines, and Documents for a Niederlassungserlaubnis A breakdown of permanent residence in Germany: Niederlassungserlaubnis, Daueraufenthalt-EU, standard requirements, shortened timelines, documents, and application through the Auslanderbehorde. Open article

What else may help

Articles that provide additional context.

How to Keep Your Residence Permit in Germany: What the Ausländerbehörde Checks A practical overview of the conditions for keeping and extending a German residence permit: residence, absences abroad, income, passport, work, study, family, and communication with the Ausländerbehörde. Open article Abmeldung in Germany Before Departure: How to Deregister When is deregistration required in Germany, how do you obtain an Abmeldebescheinigung, which contracts need to be terminated, and what are the risks of leaving without deregistering? Open article