When can I apply for a Niederlassungserlaubnis?

It depends which provision applies to you. The calculator implements §§ 9, 18c and 19c of the Aufenthaltsgesetz, which carry different qualifying periods — a Blue Card holder with the required German reaches settlement considerably sooner than the general five-year rule.

Does my German level change the date?

For several of these provisions, yes — the shorter periods are conditional on a stated language level, not merely helped by it. Where that is the case the calculator says so rather than quietly applying the shorter period.

Which text is this from?

The Aufenthaltsgesetz as published by the Bundesministerium der Justiz, read on 15 August 2026. The link above goes to § 9; the other provisions are on the same site.

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Date projection

Germany settlement and citizenship date calculator

Projects your settlement permit and naturalisation dates by route, showing exactly how much time B1 German buys you and where the pension condition bites.

Create a free account to use this calculator

The grid, the source and the method are above — this is the tool that runs them against your own answers.

A free account is enough. We do not charge to calculate, and your answers are not stored against your account.

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What this grid asks

The criteria below are the ones the published grid scores, grouped the way the authority groups them. They are restated here from the source linked above, so you can see what the calculator will ask before you start.

Your permit

Which permit do you hold?: EU Blue Card · Skilled worker with a recognised qualification · Graduate of a German university · Self-employed · General residence permit (§ 9)
Date your first German residence permit began: Yes or no

German

German language level: None · A1 · A2 · B1 · C1 or above

Conditions

Months of statutory pension contributions completed: 0–600
Is your livelihood secured without public funds?: Yes or no
Do you have an exceptional integration achievement?: Yes or no

Notes and caveats

A secured livelihood without recourse to public funds is a condition of the settlement permit, so no date can be projected until it is met.
Since June 2024 Germany allows dual citizenship — you no longer have to give up your existing nationality.
The immigration authority assesses integration, language and livelihood itself. These dates are the earliest the clock allows, not an approval.

Common questions

When can I apply for a Niederlassungserlaubnis?: It depends which provision applies to you. The calculator implements §§ 9, 18c and 19c of the Aufenthaltsgesetz, which carry different qualifying periods — a Blue Card holder with the required German reaches settlement considerably sooner than the general five-year rule.
Does my German level change the date?: For several of these provisions, yes — the shorter periods are conditional on a stated language level, not merely helped by it. Where that is the case the calculator says so rather than quietly applying the shorter period.
Which text is this from?: The Aufenthaltsgesetz as published by the Bundesministerium der Justiz, read on 15 August 2026. The link above goes to § 9; the other provisions are on the same site.

Fursa is an independent information service, not a law firm or a registered immigration adviser. These tools implement published rules; they are not legal advice and they do not decide anything.