Criminal proceedings and the right of residence

Your right of residence determines whether and how long you can stay in Germany. This page explains the most important regulations – with a focus on what is important when dealing with the police or the legal system.

Document for download

In this document, you will find a legal overview of the following topics:

• When do I need a lawyer (specializing in criminal AND immigration law)?
• Contact with the police
• Criminal offenses related to migration and their consequences
• Effects of a criminal conviction on your residence (consequences for the asylum procedure or residence permit)
• Protection against deportation
• Legal support: who you can turn to (overview of advice centers in Berlin for questions regarding residence law and criminal law)

Please contact us if you have any questions:

• by phone: 0176 41061559 or
• by email: info@justice-collective.org