By submitting a declaration of sponsorship, a third party undertakes vis-à-vis a foreigners authority or a foreign mission to pay for the living expenses of a foreigner in order to help the foreigner to stay in Germany if the foreigner does not have sufficient funds.

The sponsor can be a natural or legal person (e.g. company, charitable organization).

If the obligation arises, all public funds used for the foreigner's living expenses, including housing and care in the event of illness or need for care, must be reimbursed. This usually also includes the costs of departure or, if applicable, deportation costs.

The declaration of commitment does not constitute an obligation towards the invited foreigner. The declaration of commitment enables government agencies to make financial claims against the sponsor if costs are incurred due to the foreigner's stay that are not based on contributions (e.g. social welfare costs, but not pension or unemployment benefit if the foreigner has paid contributions for these).