Germany: work out your s.25b dates

The real legal route out of having no papers in Germany is s.25b of the Aufenthaltsgesetz — a residence permit for sustained integration. This tool takes your own start date, works out when you would be eligible, and lists what should be ready at each stage. It is not a substitute for a lawyer; it is a calendar.

The date from which your continuous stay in Germany is counted That is the day you were first given a Duldung, an Aufenthaltsgestattung or a residence permit. It is on your first Duldung document. Which type applies to you?

Months required — 72 in the general case, 48 with a child In both cases the stay must be continuous. The livelihood and language conditions are waived where illness, disability or age make them impossible. The permit is granted for at most two years at a time. (Text of the law, checked 8 September 2026) § 25b Aufenthaltsgesetz — Gesetze im Internet — These periods come from the text of the law itself, checked on 8 September 2026. If your situation differs you can change the number above yourself. Were you outside Germany during this period, or was there a gap in your Duldung? Where are you from? (for the police certificate step) Optional. We never guess this from the language you are reading in.

Your dates stay in this browser. Nothing you type here is sent to us or stored on our server.

Germany: work out your s.25b dates

Germany: work out your s.25b dates

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