Free movement of EU and EFTA citizens and their family members
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Migration und Integration
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?
Basic information
For EU citizens and citizens of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland (EFTA countries) there is a right of free movement for Germany. Therefore, you do not need an application or permit for entry and residence.
Basically, you prove your right of free movement by your national passport of your country of origin or your identity card. The issuance of a proof of the right to freedom of movement is no longer done since 2013. An application or a visit to the Migration Office Bremen is therefore no longer necessary, but also no longer possible.
However, if you not only want to visit Germany/Bremen, but also want to live here, you must work, study or complete an apprenticeship in Bremen or you must be a relative of someone who is entitled to freedom of movement.
In this case it is sufficient for your legal residence that you register your residence at the Bürgeramt.
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 certificate or permanent residence card at the Migration Office. This does not apply to Swiss nationals. You can apply for a settlement permit.
