Staying in germany without residence permit?

Question

We know that people should have a residence permit, but since there are no border controls, entrance or exit, does it really matter? Maybe it's only important if you want to work, or study, etc. But if a person has his own income, and health insurance from elsewhere, would there be any problem? I, and a couple of friends are thinking of buying one of those cheap houses in Saxony or Thueringen.

Answer 1

you could probably get away with it, but they are going to ask you for your permit when you go for the taxes. And you only really need a permit like you said if you want to work or study over there. If it's more like a vacation home, I dont think there is a problem.

Answer 2

You need a residency permit if you want to stay in Germany and are not an EU citizen.

If you stay in Germany without a residency permit, you will be banned from entering Germany, regardless whether you own property in Germany or not.

Getting a residency permit is easy, as long as you have your own income and sufficient health insurance. (Unfortunately for you the health insurance must be German, it cannot be from elsewhere.) If you are still young, private health insurance starts from 50 EUR per month, for people in their 50's it is around 300+ EUR per month.

In order to support yourself, you'll be asked to show proof of a monthly income of appr. 400 EUR plus cost of health insurance and rent. (Rent in your case would be mortgages you might pay on the home.) For two people (ie a couple) it would be around 650 EUR per month plus health insurance and rent.

If you can show this, getting a residency permit should be a piece of cake for a US-citizen.

If you want more information, feel free to contact me via email. I might be able to walk you through the process. (Please give your nationality and some background on what you have done so far in your life.)

Answer 3

No you can't. Only for 3 months as a tourist that's all.

Answer 4

I moved to Germany and was a few days over the 3 month limit, and they were VERY unfriendly at the auslanderamt (foreigner office). OK, they always are unfriendly, but they were even more because I was there too long. If you stay there without the legal documents.. it will just make more problems than what you normally have to go through to get the residency permit in the 1st place.  I suggest doing it the legal way.

Answer 5

Be sure that it is ok before you go ahead and buy a house that you might later need to give up because of your visa status.

You will need a permit and the best way forward for you is to contact immigration services.

Answer 6

There is a problem, and that is the German law, which does not tolerate foreigners without the proper documentation. Houses attract a yearly tax, and at the latest that would be when they find out that you are an illegal alien. It would probably end in you being deported and barred from the country, the same as if you were living illegally in the US.