What proof should be submitted to prove actual legal residence for a period of five years or more?
From experience from a number of applicants, especially retired applications formerly holding Legitimationskarten, submission of bank statements, proof of doctor’s appointments etc. were successfully lodged with the authorities.
The BMIBundesministerium für Inneres The Bundesministerium für Inneres (BMI) / Ministry for the Interior (UK counterparty: the Home Office) is competent for public security, policing, border control as well as residency and citizenships. It is also responsible for elections and direct democracy instruments as well as the civil service in the respective provinces, as well as municipal level where they are not covered by the Federal Chancellery. advises, however, that there is no definitive list of documents since every document submitted is required to be reviewed and appraised separately.
As a rule, however, the applicant’s entry in the Central Residence Register (ZMR; Zentralmelderegister) is the source that is consulted initially. In the event that there is not a continuous residence record, or where other submitted documents create doubt about continuous residence, further proof is necessary.
In addition to the aforementioned documents, other possible documents also include confirmations of being in full-time education.
In cases where the applicant feels that they have been wrongly issued “only” a five-year residence permit, it is recommended to contact the authority without delay, in order to rule out that a clerical error has occurred. In the case that the applicant only submits documents at this stage that prove their right of permanent residence, then it will be necessary to officially appeal in order for such proof to be able to be considered.