Germany — Make it in Germany / BAMF
Germany settlement & citizenship date calculator
Enter your residence permit, German level, and residence start date to see your earliest settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) and citizenship (Einbürgerung) dates. The qualifying periods come from Make it in Germany; the dates are indicative planning estimates, not an authority decision.
Earliest settlement (Niederlassungserlaubnis)
15 October 2025
21 months after 15 January 2024
Earliest citizenship (Einbürgerung)
15 January 2029
5 years after 15 January 2024
- • Settlement (Niederlassungserlaubnis): 21 months — EU Blue Card with German B1.
- • Citizenship (Einbürgerung): 5 years — Standard: 5 years lawful habitual residence with B1 German.
- • Both also require a secure livelihood without welfare dependency, adequate housing, and no serious criminal record. Settlement on most routes needs compulsory pension contributions; citizenship needs the naturalisation test and a commitment to the free democratic basic order.
- • Since 27 June 2024, Germany permits multiple citizenship — you generally no longer have to give up your previous nationality to naturalise.
- • These are indicative planning dates only. Your actual residence record, language certificates, contributions, and the authority’s decision determine eligibility — confirm the current rules with Make it in Germany / your local Ausländerbehörde.
Worked examples
Typical profiles run through the same calculator above.
| Profile | Route & start | Settlement | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU Blue Card holder, B1 German, arrived 15 Jan 2024 | EU Blue Card · 15 January 2024 | 15 October 2025 | 15 January 2029 |
| EU Blue Card holder, A1 German, arrived 15 Jan 2024 | EU Blue Card · 15 January 2024 | 15 April 2026 | 15 January 2029 |
| Skilled worker, B1 German, arrived 1 Mar 2023 | Skilled worker (vocational / academic) · 1 March 2023 | 1 March 2026 | 1 March 2028 |
| High achiever, C1 German + special integration, arrived 1 Mar 2023 | Skilled worker (vocational / academic) · 1 March 2023 | 1 March 2026 | 1 March 2026 |
| Other residence permit, B1 German, arrived 30 Jun 2022 | Other residence permit · 30 June 2022 | 30 June 2027 | 30 June 2027 |
| EU Blue Card holder, C1 + integration, granted 29 Feb 2024 | EU Blue Card · 29 February 2024 | 29 November 2025 | 28 February 2027 |
Dates are produced by the calculator above from the published qualifying periods. They assume the livelihood, contribution, and language requirements are met — they do not by themselves grant settlement.
About this calculator
Germany’s path runs from a time-limited residence permit, to a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis), to citizenship by naturalisation (Einbürgerung). The 2023 Skilled Immigration Act shortened settlement for EU Blue Card holders (21 months with B1 German, 27 with A1) and skilled workers (36 months), and the citizenship law in force since 27 June 2024 cut standard naturalisation to 5 years (3 with special integration and C1) while permitting multiple citizenship. This tool does the date arithmetic over those periods; it does not assess livelihood, pension contributions, housing, or the naturalisation test.
Primary source
Make it in Germany — Settlement permit
https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/living-permanently/settlement-permit
Last checked: 2026-06-05.
FAQs
How long until I can get a German settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis)?
EU Blue Card holders qualify after 21 months with German B1, or 27 months with A1. Skilled workers with a recognised vocational or academic qualification qualify after 36 months (with B1 German and 36 months of pension contributions). The general settlement permit under §9 takes 5 years.
How long until I can become a German citizen?
Under the law in force since 27 June 2024, naturalisation is possible after 5 years of lawful residence with German B1. An accelerated 3-year route applies if you show special integration achievements (excellent work or study, civic engagement) and C1 German. Germany now also allows multiple citizenship.
Do settlement and citizenship use the same clock?
Both are counted from the start of your lawful residence, but they are separate decisions with separate requirements. You do not need a settlement permit before naturalising — an EU Blue Card or another permit that can lead to permanent residence is enough, provided you meet the residence, language, livelihood, and test requirements.
Does this calculator confirm I will get settlement or citizenship?
No. It is date arithmetic over the published qualifying periods, not an authority decision. You must also prove a secure livelihood, pension contributions, adequate housing, the relevant language level, and (for citizenship) the naturalisation test and a commitment to the free democratic basic order. Always confirm with Make it in Germany or your local Ausländerbehörde.