Tolerated stay (Duldung) and residence permits for people without valid status in Germany
A Duldung is a suspension of deportation, not a residence permit. The duty to leave stays in place. People who have been tolerated for years can apply for a residence permit if they meet the conditions of section 25a (young people) or section 25b (sustained integration). The former opportunity residence (Chancenaufenthaltsrecht, section 104c) now only has a transitional rule for people who already hold it.
Moving to Germany
Practical facts for newcomers, from official sources Finance Living
Finance
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
81
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
14–45%
Income tax (national)
VAT 19%
Basic allowance EUR 12,348; 42% from EUR 69,879 and 45% above EUR 277,825 (single); solidarity surcharge of 5.5% of the tax for high earners and optional church tax.
Living
1
Happiness
#16 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Eligibility
Who it’s for: People in Germany whose status has ended, whose deportation is suspended, or who hold a section 104c permit that is ending.
Duldung: deportation impossibleDuldung
Sign in to check this route against your profileSection 60a(2): deportation is suspended as long as it is impossible for factual or legal reasons and no residence permit is granted.
Duldung: other groundsDuldung
Sign in to check this route against your profileA Duldung may be given for urgent humanitarian or personal reasons or significant public interests. It may also apply where the person's presence is useful in a prosecution for a serious crime.
Duldung does not end the duty to leaveDuldung
Sign in to check this route against your profile- Section 60a(3): the duty to leave is unaffected.
- The suspension ends on departure.
- It is revoked when the obstacles end.
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Other routes to Germany
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
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- Work permitsEU Blue Card
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