Foreigners' affairs
Service description
Legal provisions for foreigners arise from international agreements, European Union law and national law. In national law, the Residence Act regulates entry, residence, gainful employment and the promotion of integration of foreigners in Germany.
The Residence Act does not contain any conclusive regulations for the residence of a foreigner in Germany. Where a legal offence is not linked to a person's status as a foreigner, the general laws apply. Foreigners must comply with the legal requirements and prohibitions in the same way as nationals.
Entry is only permitted if it is in accordance with the Residence Act and the associated legal provisions.
Integration is the right and duty of foreigners living here permanently. Efforts to integrate foreigners are supported by a basic integration programme (integration course).
Regulations in other laws remain "unaffected". The Residence Act is therefore to be understood as a regulation of "general aliens law", which must take a back seat to the more specialised regulations. The following are examples of more specialised regulations: Freedom of Movement Act/EU, Asylum Procedure Act, Act on the Legal Status of Homeless Foreigners in the Federal Territory (HAG), Armed Forces Residence Act.
Who should I contact?
The local immigration authorities are the district authorities and independent cities. There you can find out details about entry and residence.
The supervisory and appeals authority is the State Administration Office.Legal basis