Free movement of EU and EFTA citizens and their family members 
You are a citizen of a member state of the European Union, i.e. an EU citizen, or you are a citizen of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland (EFTA states) and live in Bremen or would like to live here? You would like to apply for a residence card as a family member?
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Basic information
EU citizens and citizens of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland (EFTA states) have the right to freedom of movement in Germany. You therefore do not need an application or permit to enter and stay in Germany.
In principle, you can prove your right to freedom of movement with your national passport from your country of origin or your identity card. Proof of the right to freedom of movement has no longer been issued since 2013. An application or a visit to the Bremen Migration Office is therefore no longer necessary, but also no longer possible.
However, if you not only want to visit Germany/Bremen but also live here, you must be working, studying or training in Bremen or you must be a relative of a person entitled to freedom of movement.In this case, it is sufficient for you to register your place of residence at the Citizens' Registration Office in order to reside here legally.
However, family members of EU or EFTA citizens who are not themselves citizens of these countries require a residence card if they wish to live in Germany/Bremen.
As soon as you have been working, studying or training in Germany/Bremen for five years, you and your family members can apply for a permanent residence permit or permanent residence card from the Migration Office. This does not apply to Swiss nationals. You can apply for a settlement permit.
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Procedure
Residence card:
If you would like to apply for a residence card for third-country national family members, please send us the following documents by post:
- An informal written application with a brief description of your current situation
- For spouses: copy of the marriage certificate of the EU or EFTA citizen
- For children: birth certificate
- A copy of your national passport
- A copy of the EU or EFTA citizen's national passport/identity card
- A confirmation of registration from you and your family member
- Proof of your family member's right to freedom of movement (e.g. current employment contract, proof of salary, proof of other gainful employment, pension insurance history, permanent residence certificate, proof of sufficient resources and health insurance).
If we require further documents, we will write to you. If we are able to issue you with a residence card, we will send you an appointment.
Permanent residence permit:
If you would like to apply for a permanent residence permit, please send us a copy of the following documents by post:
- An informal written application with a brief description of your current situation
- Your current employment contract
- A current pension insurance history (can be found under "Further information")
- Your last payslip
If we require further documents, we will write to you. If we can issue you with a residence card, we will send you an appointment.
If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to mailto:ref20@migrationsamt.bremen.de with your question, your telephone number and when we can best reach you. -
Competent Department
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Migrationsamt
- 0421 361-88630
- Stresemannstraße 48, 28207 Bremen
- office
@migrationsamt. bremen. de
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Aufenthalt
- +49 421 361-88630 (montags bis donnerstags von 08.00 Uhr bis 12.00 Uhr)
- Stresemannstraße 48, 28207 Bremen
- office
@migrationsamt. bremen. de
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Fees / Costs
We will inform you about the amount of the fees in our invitation letter
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Deadlines & processing time
What deadlines must be paid attention to?
As a third-country national family member, you require a residence card if you wish to stay in Germany for longer than three months.
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More Information
This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.
The official information in German is complete and correct. 05.11.2025