Where can you travel with a German residence permit?

So you have your German residence permit, and want to go abroad? Find out where you can travel with your German residence permit, and what the rules are.

Bas

3 minute read

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Updated on 14 Nov 2024

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Living

So, you’ve managed to secure your German residence permit, but you need to travel abroad. You don’t want to risk losing your hard-earned permit, so let’s take a look at the rules surrounding travel while holding a German residence permit.

Although you can travel with a German residence permit, you won’t have the same freedom as a German citizen. German residence permit holders can travel within the Schengen area. The process of converting your residence permit to German citizenship can take 5 to 8 years, but it’s worth it to secure your German passport. Germany’s passport is one of the most powerful passports in the world.

The countries you can visit with a German residence permit include any of the 26 countries within the Schengen zone. German residence permit holders can travel freely in the Schengen zone for the duration of their visa or permit. While there’re no border checks in the Schengen zone, you’ll need to bring your passport and residence permit along with you in case you encounter any police along the way.

Remember that the Schengen zone and the European Union aren't the same thing! Check if the country you’re planning to visit is part of the Schengen agreement before you travel—you might need a visa.

There’re countries that aren’t part of the EU but are a part of the Schengen zone. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are part of the Schengen zone. So, you are free to travel to these countries without a visa as long as you hold a German residence permit!

Can you travel outside the Schengen zone with a German residence permit?

If you have a residence permit that allows you to stay for more than 3 months, you’ve probably got one that allows you to work in Germany or to volunteer in Germany. These permits are generally valid as long as the employment contract they are depending on.

Until you get your German passport, your ability to travel outside of the Schengen zone depends on your current passport. If your nationality requires a visa to get into a country, that’s still the case when you travel outside of the Schengen zone with a German residence permit.

Can I travel if my German residence permit is about to expire?

Generally, your visa or permit needs to be valid for longer than the duration of your travels. If your permit's due to expire within your travel period, you should wait until you have confirmation that your application has been accepted for processing before you travel. Schengen customs agents have access to this information, so they will be able to see that you have an application in process and will allow you to continue your travels.

Within the Schengen zone and a few other EU countries, you’re free to travel for up to 90 days within a six-month period.

If you’re leaving the Schengen zone and plan to come back through a different Schengen country, you need to be able to prove that Germany is your final destination.

Keep in mind that to apply for German citizenship, you need to live in Germany at least 180 days of the year!

What if I’m away for too long?

If you’re away for too long, or you leave Germany for a reason that's ‘not of a temporary nature’, then your permit can expire or be revoked. Being away for too long, in this case, means leaving the country without re-entry within 6 months. There can be exceptions to this rule, as the length of time can be adjusted by the German immigration authorities.

So, if you’ve a good reason, such as taking care of your elderly parents, working as an aid worker, being sent abroad while working for a German company or studying at a German university and taking part of an exchange program for multiple semesters. If you’re a Blue card holder who came to Germany as a specialised worker, you can leave Germany for a period of up to 12 months as long as you consult with the German immigration office before your departure.

Additionally, your permit can be revoked if Germany determines that you’re leaving for reasons that aren't of a temporary nature. In other words, if the authorities determine Germany is no longer your primary country of residence, they might revoke your permit.

Reasons for this could be moving your family to a different country, taking up long-term employment in a different country or selling/leaving your German property. You could try to keep your permit by making regular trips back to Germany, but German judges have rules against people doing this in the past.

Now you know how travelling with a German residence permit works, gute Reise!