Immigration & bureaucracy glossary

Permission associated with entry for a particular purpose. It is not the same document as every residence permit.

An umbrella term for legal forms of residence permission.

A purpose-based, time-limited residence title with conditions shown on the document.

An indefinite residence title available only when the relevant conditions are met.

A residence title for qualifying highly skilled employment; current eligibility must be checked officially.

A route for eligible people seeking qualified employment, with specific conditions and limits.

The local authority responsible for many residence matters after arrival.

Registering your residential address with the local municipality. It does not grant immigration status.

A local service office that commonly handles address registration and municipal documents.

Evidence issued after address registration; store it safely.

Confirmation of move-in issued by the responsible housing provider for Anmeldung.

A document that can evidence a continuing or deemed residence position while an application is pending; its effect depends on the legal basis marked.

The process of obtaining German citizenship when all applicable conditions are met.

Usually refers to a statutory health-insurance fund, though context matters.

A lifelong personal identifier used by tax administration and payroll. It is not the same as every tax number.

A household-based contribution for public broadcasting, subject to official exemption and reduction rules.