A valid German residence permit (or national visa) lets you travel to the other Schengen countries without a visa and come back to Germany. The rules change when your permit is being renewed or has just expired.
Travel within the Schengen area
- With a valid German permit and your passport you can visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- That's for visits. Living or working in another Schengen country needs that country's own permit.
- Travel outside Schengen follows the destination country's visa rules for your nationality.
Travelling on a Fiktionsbescheinigung
If your permit expires while you're waiting for an extension, the immigration office gives you a Fiktionsbescheinigung. Whether you can leave and come back depends on the legal basis ticked on page 3:
| Ticked | Travel |
|---|---|
| § 81 Abs. 4 (your previous permit continues to apply) | You can leave and re-enter Germany and travel within Schengen, with your valid passport. |
| § 81 Abs. 3 (your stay is treated as permitted) | Don't leave Germany. The certificate doesn't entitle you to re-enter. |
Long absences
A residence permit can lapse if you leave Germany for more than six months, or for a reason that isn't temporary. If you'll be away for long, ask the immigration office for written permission before you go. Blue Card holders and their families can generally stay away for up to 12 months.
Common questions
Can I travel while my first residence permit is being made?
If your visa is still valid, yes. If the visa has expired and you only have a Fiktionsbescheinigung, see the table above.
Sources
Rules and amounts change. Check the official source before you rely on a figure.