How Long Can You Stay Outside Germany Without Losing Residency?

Whether you are a student, skilled worker, or business person in Germany, you cannot go back to your country for a longer period without compromising your visa status. If you stay outside Germany for a longer period, it will affect the validity of your residence permit.

Duration of Staying Outside Germany for Certain Permit Types

Here are the requirements for staying outside Germany for different visas. 

EU Blue Card Holder

Blue Card holders and their family members can stay outside Germany for less than 12 months without affecting its validity.

Settlement Permit (Permanent Visa) Holder

Your visa permit remains valid if you are/have;

• spouse
• registered partner of a German national
• making a joint statement of continuing marriage
• partnership while abroad.
• 60 years or older and have legally resided in Germany for 15 years, returning within 12 months.
• legally stayed in Germany for 15 years and have sufficient means to stay without any financial help from the State after re-entry.

EC Settlement Permit Holder

It will expire if you live in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, or outside the European Union for more than 12 consecutive months (for prior holders of a Blue Card: for more than 24 successive months). It will also expire if you live in another EU Member State (with the exception of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark) for more than six consecutive years.

Notifying Foreign Office of Extended Stay Abroad

If you are not sure how long you would stay outside Germany, communicate it to the Ausländerbehörde (Foreign office). Staying abroad for a longer period might affect your re-entry into Germany, so it is important to inform your Local Ausländerbehörde.

Rules of Longer Stay Outside Germany

Here are the rules if your stay outside Germany is longer:

Advance Intimation

Whenever you plan to stay abroad, you need to inform the Foreigners Office well in advance by providing a written statement and mentioning the valid reasons for your stay abroad. You must also give proof of sufficient means of subsistence, health insurance coverage, expenses related to housing, or any additional documents if required.

Residence Title Expiration

Reason of your stay abroad must be strong otherwise your residence permit will expire. Each visa type has some time limit set by the Foreigners Office after which your visa will be invalidated. 

Re-Entry Certificate for a Residence Permit

Once you share a solid reason of being absent from Germany, foreign office will access the case. If your reason is not valid, they will reject it. Otherwise you will get a Re-Entry certificate which will be good for your residence permit or bluecard. Apply for your re-entry certificate well in time so you can get it in time.

Final Thoughts

It is important to understand the rules of longer absences to maintain your residence permit in Germany. Never forget to communicate it with the Foreigners Office, and get a re-entry certificate well in time. Follow the rules to ensure that your stay abroad goes smoothly and your visa status doesn’t affect.