The framework conditions for your stay in Germany depend on whether you are a citizen of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, come from another country or immigrate as a late repatriate.
If you are not a citizen of a member state of the European Union (EU) or of one of the other member states of the European Economic Area (EEA), you generally need a residence document to stay in Germany. In addition to the visa for entry and subsequent short-term residence, the residence document is issued as a
- residence permit
- Blue Card – EU
- Settlement permit
- Permit for permanent residence – EU.
The residence permit issued to Swiss nationals and their family members only serves the purpose of certifying the existing right to freedom of movement. If you are a family member of an EU or EEA citizen and therefore entitled to freedom of movement, you will be issued a residence card for this purpose.