Hello. I am British and working in Germany with a Brexit/Article 50 GBR Aufenthaltstitel. Last year I went home to the UK for a routine family visit. I was only on planning on staying for a month or so, but due to a family emergency I ended up staying almost 7 months to look after family members.
In February I traveled back to Germany and (as I had the Aufenthaltstitel) I used my passport through the EU e-gates at the airport as per normal. I resumed my job, stopped subletting my apartment and have been living normally in Germany (Berlin) since then. But recently a friend of mine mentioned that as I stayed out of Germany for more than 6 months, my Aufenthaltstitel might have become invalid??
From https://www.berlin.de/einwanderung/en/residence/brexit:
If you are not yet entitled to permanent residence, as a general rule you are allowed to be outside Germany for up to 6 months in a year. A one-time absence of up to 12 months is possible for important reasons (e.g. pregnancy, serious illness, studies).
This has me really freaked out. I didn't apply for the 12 month permit in advance as I thought I was just travelling for a quick visit. Is it possible that my residency did expire and I got a 90 day visa-free thing at the border instead (which I am now overstaying illegally)?
I'm scared of going to the Ausländerbehörde and being immediately deported or fined a massive amount for overstaying. This has completely thrown a spanner into the works – my partner and I were thinking of moving to a place just outside of Berlin and now I might need to completely leave the country. Any advice or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
by Tall_Bodybuilder6340
2 comments
Yes, your residence permit has expired if you stay longer than 6 months outside of Germany and you need to reapply.
I mean, you got no stamps… how would they know you spent more than 6 months outside?
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