Bleiberecht

Bleiberecht is a term used in German-speaking countries to describe a legal entitlement to reside in a country for an extended period or permanently, regardless of citizenship. It covers various forms of residence, from temporary or long-term permits to permanent status, and can also arise through asylum or refugee protection that allows a person to stay.

Legal pathways to Bleiberecht vary by country but typically include asylum or refugee status, subsidiary protection, family reunification, and residence based on work or study. In many systems, obtaining Bleiberecht is connected to integration measures, such as language requirements or employment prospects, and to the condition that the person poses no threat to public order or security. The status may be temporary or become permanent after predefined periods of lawful residence.

In Germany, Bleiberecht is discussed in the framework of the Aufenthaltsgesetz (Residence Act) and the option of Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent settlement permit), which can be pursued after years of legal residence. Austria uses its own set of residency and asylum laws to determine Bleiberecht, while in Switzerland the term is common in public discourse about residence and integration. The European Union addresses a related concept through directives on long-term residence, which set a common framework for third-country nationals who have legally resided for extended periods, though implementation differs among member states.

Debates about Bleiberecht focus on balancing humanitarian protection and integration with migration control, welfare concerns, and security. As a core element of migrant policy, Bleiberecht shapes individuals’ ability to live, work, and participate in society.