Make a declaration of commitment to pay the costs of a foreign person in Germany

You can submit the declaration of commitment at the Foreigners' Registration Office or online.

When you submit the declaration of commitment at the immigration office:

• An official, nationally standardised form is used to submit your declaration of commitment, which is provided by the Foreigners' Registration Office or Citizens' Registration Office and completed on the basis of your details and supporting documents.
• You must provide the foreigners authority with the required data in advance in the form specified by it.
• As part of the procedure, the Foreigners' Registration Office will check your creditworthiness, i.e. the extent to which you are financially capable of providing for your guest's livelihood or fulfilling any financial obligations that may arise at a later date. To do this, you must provide evidence of your financial situation.
• If the Immigration Office has all the documents and assesses your creditworthiness as sufficient, the Immigration Office will accept your declaration.
• You pay the administrative fee. If the declaration of commitment is not recognised, you must pay a processing fee of the same amount.
• You must sign the declaration of commitment in the presence of a member of staff from the Foreigners' Registration Office.
• You will receive the original of the declaration of commitment to pass on to the guest and use in the visa procedure. A duplicate remains with the foreigners authority.
• The proceedings are thus concluded.
• You are bound by your declaration for a period of five years from the date of entry of your guest.

If you submit the declaration of commitment online:

You submit the online form electronically to the relevant immigration office. You have two options:

1. complete electronic processing of the procedure (with electronic authentication):

• You read the information carefully
• If you do not understand the information, you cannot submit the declaration online. In this case, please contact the relevant immigration office in person.
• You confirm that you have understood the information.
• Open the online form and log in to the Bund user account if you are a natural person and wish to submit the declaration as a private individual.
• Follow the instructions for authentication using the activated online ID function (eID function) of your ID card, your ID card (EU nationals) or your electronic residence permit
• You log in to the organisation account if you wish to submit the declaration as a representative of a company, association or other organisation and have power of representation.
• Follow the instructions for authentication using the ELSTER certificate of your company or organisation.
• Some of your personal data is automatically transferred to the form.
• You provide information about your creditworthiness.
• You provide information about your guest or guests.
• You upload proof of your creditworthiness or the creditworthiness of the company, association or organisation you represent.
• As a representative for a company, association or other organisation, upload the power of attorney.
• You can choose whether you would like the certificate to be sent to you by post or whether you would like to collect it in person from the Foreigners' Registration Office.
• You pay the administration fee online and the postal charges if you wish to receive the documents by post.
• You click on "Send".
• You have made a legally binding declaration.
• The foreigners authority will send you the certificate in paper form by post.
• The proceedings have ended.
• You are bound by your declaration for a period of five years from the date your guest enters the country.

2. partially electronic processing of the procedure (online preparation, without electronic authentication):

• You read the information carefully.
• If you do not understand the information, you cannot submit the declaration online. In this case, please contact the relevant immigration office in person
• You confirm that you have understood the information.
• You provide information about yourself or, in the case of representation with power of attorney, for a company, association or organisation.
• You provide information about your creditworthiness.
• You provide information about your guest or guests.
• You upload proof of your creditworthiness or the creditworthiness of the company, association or organisation you represent.
• As a representative for a company, association or other organisation, upload the power of attorney.
• You pay the administration fee online.
• You click on "Send".
• You have prepared the declaration of commitment electronically.
• To collect the certificate, you must go to the Foreigners' Registration Office and sign the certificate by hand in the presence of an employee of the Foreigners' Registration Office and receive it in paper form.
• The proceedings have ended.
• You are bound by your declaration for a period of five years from the date your guest enters the country.

You submit the declaration of commitment to the foreigners authority or the embassy or consulate abroad.

• As the person making the declaration, you must be legally competent and have reached the age of 18.
• If you represent a natural or legal person, you must have and present a power of attorney or proof of your authorisation to represent.
• You must submit the declaration of commitment to the foreigners authority at the foreign guest's future place of residence.
• If you do not know your guest's future place of residence, you must submit the declaration of commitment to the Foreigners' Registration Office.
  • at your main place of residence or
  • the registered office or head office of your company or organisation.
• You must be in a financial position to cover the living expenses and any costs incurred by the foreign guest or guests. The assessment of your creditworthiness depends on the number of persons living in the household or persons liable to pay maintenance, the number of declarations of commitment submitted and the purpose of the stay.

• Identity card or passport
• ID card with online ID function (for online submission)
• eID card (for online submission)
• Residence permit
• Electronic residence permit (for online submission)
• For representation: Power of attorney
• Proof of own financial situation and solvency
  • for employed persons: for example, bank statements, salary statements or salary certificates, proof of income, proof of pension
  • for self-employed persons: for example, a certificate from the tax consultant about the net income or an extract from the trade register or a printout from the commercial register

• § Section 47 Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)

• § Section 68 (1) and (2) Residence Act (AufenthG)
• § Section 66 (2) Residence Act (AufenthG)
• § Section 67 Residence Act (AufenthG)
• General Administrative Regulation on the Residence Act on Section 68
• § Section 5 (1) Residence Act (AufenthG)
• Article 21 Visa Code
• Article 6(1c) of the Schengen Borders Code

Appeal (if admissible) or legal action before the administrative court against the decision of the immigration authority that the declarant's financial capacity has not been substantiated or proven.

You can obtain the form for the declaration of commitment from the Foreigners' Registration Office.

In the case of a written application and online preparation, a personal appearance at the authority is required.

The declaration of commitment cannot be revoked.

• Information on the declaration of commitment from the Federal Foreign Office

• Declaration of commitment Acceptance
• Natural or legal persons undertake to provide for the living expenses of one or more foreign persons invited by them during their stay in Germany.
• Prerequisite:
  • Economic performance (creditworthiness)
  • Credit check by the authority.
• Persons who have submitted a declaration of commitment must pay for all costs incurred by them in Germany, including the costs of any medical treatment and repatriation to their home country, in cases where invitees are unable to finance their stay with their own funds.
• The obligation applies for five years from the date of entry of the foreign national.
• The declaration of commitment serves as proof of fulfilment of the economic requirements for the issue of a residence permit or a Schengen visa.
• The declaration of commitment only applies to invitees from third countries.
• Countries that belong to the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are not third countries.
• Declaration online with electronic proof of identity or in writing.
• Responsible: Aliens authorities of the future place of residence of the person(s) invited. If the place of residence is not known, the foreigners authority in whose district the declarant lives or is based is responsible. The declaration of commitment can also be submitted to a foreign embassy or consulate.

Hessian Ministry of the Interior, for Security and Homeland Defence

• Make a formal obligation in Saxony-Anhalt

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