Family & Other
Extending or changing your residence permit (Fiktionsbescheinigung)
For people in Germany whose permit is running out or whose situation has changed. See how to prepare and what happens while you wait.
- Before expiryapply then, and your current permit generally counts as continuingSource: Before expiry apply then, and your current permit generally counts as continuing (opens in new tab)
- €96 / €93to extend a permit by up to / more than 3 monthsSource: €96 / €93 to extend a permit by up to / more than 3 months (opens in new tab)
- €13for a FiktionsbescheinigungSource: €13 for a Fiktionsbescheinigung (opens in new tab)
Your local offices
City not listed? Find your Bürgeramt with the federal service search and your Ausländerbehörde with BAMF-NAvI, or see the guide for your state.
General information only. Check with your Ausländerbehörde.
Your local office: documents, fees, booking and waiting times are set by each Ausländerbehörde and differ from city to city. Pick your situation and city in the step finder to get a direct link to your own office, or see the local office guide for your state. You can also find your office with BAMF-NAvI or the federal service finder.
Who it's for
Requirements
- Apply before your current permit expires. Then your old permit is treated as continuing until the authority decides. This does not apply to Schengen visas. (§ 81(4) AufenthG, checked 2026-11-04)
- If you apply late, the authority may order the continuation to avoid undue hardship — not guaranteed. (same source)
- You must still meet the conditions for the permit you're applying for (see the relevant Fristfrei guide).
Documents
Depends on the permit and on your office: see the relevant Fristfrei guide for your permit type and your Ausländerbehörde's own document list.
Documents, fees and steps at your local office
Each Ausländerbehörde publishes its own document checklist, fees and booking or online-application process, so this guide doesn't copy one city's list. Pick your situation and city in the step finder for a direct link to your office's page, or open the local office guide for your state. Fees for residence permits are set nationwide in § 45 AufenthV; your office tells you the exact amount.
Fees
(§ 45 AufenthV, checked 2026-11-04)
- Extension of residence permit / Blue Card: €96 (up to 3 months more), €93 (more than 3 months).
- Change of purpose incl. extension: €98.
- New residence permit / Blue Card: €100.
- Fiktionsbescheinigung: €13. (§ 47(1) Nr. 8 AufenthV, checked 2026-11-04)
- Changing a work-related condition (Nebenbestimmung) on a permit: no fee. (§ 47(2), checked 2026-11-04)