With Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382 of March 4, March 2022 establishing the existence of a mass influx of displaced persons from Ukraine within the meaning of the Mass Influx Directive 2001/55/EC, the European Union has decided to open the admission procedure for temporary protection for war refugees.

If you have fled Ukraine because of the war or if you have been legally residing in Germany for a long time and cannot return to Ukraine after your current residence permit expires due to the war, you can obtain temporary protection in Germany in accordance with Section 24 of the Residence Act.

In addition, you can currently enter Germany without a visa and stay here without a residence permit, initially for a limited period until August 31, 2022.

If necessary, you can receive state support to cover your living expenses (for example, in the form of housing, cash payments, or medical care). If you are dependent on state support (social benefits), you are generally not entitled to reside in a specific location in Germany. Your place of residence will be determined by the competent authority (assignment decision). To take up residence in a place of your choice, you must present compelling reasons (e.g., family ties).

Before receiving your residence permit, you must go through the formal registration process for refugees. During registration, your personal data (personal details, fingerprints, photo) will be recorded by a German authority.

The residence permit is usually issued for two years initially. It can be granted for a maximum of three years in total.

If there are no reasons to the contrary, the responsible immigration authority will grant you permission to pursue dependent or self-employed gainful employment, which allows you to take up any job in Germany. Please note that there are professional access restrictions in some occupations (e.g., in the healthcare sector). You can also start your own business or work as a freelancer.

In addition, you can receive counseling and placement services in accordance with SGB III from the employment agencies.

Children aged six and above have the right, but also the obligation, to attend school.

• You must declare your willingness to be admitted to Germany (that is, you must express a request for protection, for example by applying for a residence permit for temporary protection)
• You are eligible if you had your habitual residence in Ukraine before February 24, 2022, and belong to the following group of persons:
  • Ukrainian nationals and their family members,
  • Displaced non-Ukrainian nationals and stateless persons with international or national protection status in Ukraine, along with their family members.
  • Displaced non-Ukrainian nationals and stateless persons with an indefinite right of residence in Ukraine (permanent residence) who cannot return to their home country, along with their family members.
  • Displaced non-Ukrainian nationals with a temporary right of residence in Ukraine who are unable to return to their home country.
• In addition, Ukrainian nationals who have been legally residing in Germany for a long time and who, due to the war, cannot return to Ukraine after their current residence permit expires may apply for a residence permit.

The entire process is structured as follows:

• Registration: Before receiving your residence permit, you must complete the formal registration process for refugees. Registration currently takes place, for example, at reception centers or immigration offices and typically includes your name, date of birth, nationality, current address, and a copy of your identification document. In addition, your photo will be taken and your fingerprints will be recorded.
• Once registration is complete, a certificate (proof of arrival, initial registration certificate, provisional residence permit, or other confirmation) is issued, which can be submitted to the relevant social services office to apply for social benefits.
• Assignment to a Place of Residence for Social Benefit Recipients (Assignment): Subsequently, an assignment decision is generally issued, requiring you to establish your residence and habitual residence in a specific location or region.
• Registration: Register your residential address with the relevant residents’ registration office at your destination.
• Applying for a Residence Permit: To obtain a residence permit for temporary protection, you must submit an application to the immigration office responsible for your place of residence. If you already have an assignment decision, this is the location to which you have been assigned.
• Find out whether your Foreigners’ Registration Office allows you to submit your application online or provides a special application form.
• If you can only apply in person, make an appointment at the Foreigners’ Registration Office. If you apply online, the Foreigners’ Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to schedule an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be verified (please bring your documents to the appointment, preferably the originals).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken to produce an electronic residence permit (eAT card). The Foreigners’ Registration Office will commission the Federal Printing Office to produce the eAT card. Once the card is ready, you will be notified and can pick up your residence permit at the appropriate office. The eAT card must generally be picked up in person.
• If your application is denied, you will receive a notice of denial.
• Initial registration, distribution, registration with the registration office, and applying for a residence permit are separate processes—sometimes they are handled together, but this ultimately depends on the local organization. If in doubt, please ask.

• As soon as an application is filed, the immigration authorities will issue so-called provisional residence permits. These serve as a temporary solution regarding the right of residence until the actual residence permit can be issued and granted. The immigration authority will also enter “Employment permitted” on the provisional residence permit.
• If there is a need, all persons currently covered by the scope of Section 24 of the Residence Act receive benefits to cover their living expenses and medical care.
• No appeal may be filed against the placement decision; a lawsuit has no suspensive effect.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the process and be to your disadvantage. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not supplemented or corrected in a timely manner with the Foreigners’ Registration Office may result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, imprisonment for up to three years, or deportation from German territory.
• If you meet the requirements, you can generally also obtain a residence permit for the purpose of employment or training from the local Foreigners’ Registration Office.
• As an alternative to applying for a residence permit for temporary protection, every refugee has the option to file an asylum application. However, it should be noted that applying for a residence permit provides faster protection and comes with certain advantages (such as no restrictions on taking up employment and no requirement to live in initial reception facilities).

• Appeal against the decision of the Immigration Office
• Lawsuit before the court specified in the notice of decision on the appeal, if the appeal is denied

Application deadline:

Duration: 6 to 8 weeks

Note:

The application should be received by the Foreigners’ Registration Office no later than 8 weeks before the date specified in the Transitional Regulation on Residence in Ukraine.

Approximately 8 weeks.

It takes about 4 to 6 weeks for the Federal Printing Office to produce the electronic residence permit. Due to the very high number of displaced persons, it may take longer. This varies from one immigration office to another. You will receive a provisional residence permit for the transitional period. This allows you to stay in Germany until the eAT is issued.

The immigration office responsible for the applicant's place of residence is responsible for processing the application.

• A recognized and valid identity document (for example, a passport with or without biometric features, a passport substitute, identity documents from the country of origin, or a driver’s license)
• Proof of the date of entry into the Schengen Area and into Germany
• Certificate of arrival or proof of arrival (if available)
• Evidence of family relationships (marriage, birth, or adoption certificates, if available)
• Assignment decision (if available)
• Proof of current place of residence or stay in Germany
• Displaced persons who do not hold Ukrainian citizenship: Proof of valid right of residence in Ukraine
• Proof of representation (if you are acting as a representative)
• In individual cases, the Foreigners’ Registration Office may require fewer or additional documents.

From $0 to $100

Note:

Additional fees may apply for the issuance of a residence permit in the form of an electronic residence permit (eAT), which can also be used as electronic proof of identity.

No fees are charged if benefits are received. In other cases, the fee may be waived or reduced in individual cases for humanitarian reasons.

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes

Online service available: Yes