die Aufenthaltskarte, -n
residence card
Definition & meaning
Aufenthaltskarte means residence card. It is an official document that confirms a person’s right to reside in a country. In Germany, the term is commonly used for a card issued to certain non-EU family members of EU citizens who live in Germany.
The precise legal meaning depends on the country and the person’s circumstances. The card serves as evidence of a residence right; it does not necessarily create that right by itself.
Grammar & word origin
- Gender: feminine — die Aufenthaltskarte
- Plural: die Aufenthaltskarten
- Parts: Aufenthalt (“stay” or “residence”) + Karte (“card”)
- Aufenthalt is related to aufhalten , meaning “to stay” or “to hold up.” The compound literally means “residence card.”
Synonyms & antonyms
There is no exact everyday synonym; the alternatives can refer to different legal documents:
- Aufenthaltstitel — “residence permit” or “residence title.” This is a broader legal term for authorization to reside; it is not necessarily the same specific card.
- Aufenthaltserlaubnis — “residence permit.” This usually refers to a particular type of residence authorization, rather than to the card discussed above.
There is no direct antonym. A contrasting term in some contexts is Ausreisepflicht [?](vocabuo://word/Ausreisepflicht], meaning an obligation to leave the country, but it describes a legal status rather than the opposite of a card.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Die Aufenthaltskarte muss bald verlängert werden.noun
The residence card must be renewed soon.
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