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 the federal territory (i.e., you must express a desire for protection, for example by applying for a temporary protection residence permit).
• You belong to the group of beneficiaries if you had your habitual residence in Ukraine before February 24, 2022, and belong to the following group of persons:
  • Ukrainian citizens with their family members,
  • Displaced non-Ukrainian nationals and stateless persons with international or national protection status in Ukraine with their family members.
  • Displaced non-Ukrainian nationals and stateless persons with permanent residence in Ukraine (permanent residence permit) who cannot return to their home country, together with their family members.
  • Displaced non-Ukrainian citizens with temporary residence permits 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 cannot return to Ukraine after their current residence permit expires due to the war can apply for a residence permit.

The entire procedure is structured as follows:

• Registration: Before receiving your residence permit, you must complete the formal registration process for refugees. Registration currently takes place at reception centers or immigration offices, for example, and usually includes your name, date of birth, nationality, current address, and a copy of your identity document. In addition, your photograph will be taken and your fingerprints will be recorded.
• Once you have registered, you will be issued with a certificate (proof of arrival, initial registration certificate, provisional residence permit, or other confirmation) which you can present to the relevant social welfare office to apply for social benefits.
• Assignment to a place of residence when receiving social benefits (allocation): Subsequently, an allocation decision will generally be issued, which requires you to take up residence and your habitual abode 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 temporary protection residence permit, 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 place to which you have been assigned.
• Find out whether your immigration office allows you to apply online or has a special application form.
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment with the immigration office. If you apply online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents, if possible the originals, with you to the appointment).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken for the production of an electronic residence permit (eAT card). The immigration office will commission the production of the eAT card from the Federal Printing Office. Once it is ready, you will be notified and can collect your residence permit from the relevant office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.
• The initial registration, distribution, registration with the registration office, and application for a residence permit are separate processes—sometimes they are done together, but this ultimately depends on the local organization. If in doubt, please ask.

• The immigration authorities will issue so-called provisional residence permits as soon as an application is submitted. These serve as a temporary residence permit until the actual residence permit can be issued and granted. The immigration authorities will also enter "employment permitted" in the provisional residence permit.
• If there is a need, all persons covered by the scope of Section 24 of the Residence Act currently receive benefits to cover their living expenses and medical care.
• There is no appeal against the allocation 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 completed or corrected in time to the immigration office can result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, imprisonment for up to three years, or expulsion from the federal territory.
• If you meet the requirements, you can also obtain a residence permit for the purpose of employment or training from the local immigration office.
• As an alternative to applying for a residence permit for temporary protection, every refugee has the option of applying for asylum. However, it should be noted that applying for a residence permit provides faster protection and has advantages (e.g., no restrictions on taking up employment and no obligation to live in initial reception facilities).

• Appeal against the decision of the immigration authorities
• Action before the court named in the notice of objection if the objection is not upheld

Application deadline:

Duration: 6 to 8 weeks

Note:

The application should be received by the immigration office no later than 8 weeks before the date specified in the Ukraine Residence Transition Regulation.

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.

• Recognized and valid identity document (e.g., passport with or without biometric features, passport replacement document, identity documents from the country of origin, driver's license)
• Proof of the date of entry into the Schengen area and Germany
• Certificate of arrival or proof of arrival (if available)
• Proof of family relationships (marriage, birth, adoption certificates, if available)
• Assignment decision (if available)
• Proof of current place of residence or whereabouts in Germany
• Displaced persons who do not have Ukrainian citizenship: Proof of valid right of residence in Ukraine
• Proof of representation (if you are acting as a representative)
• In individual cases, the immigration office may request less or more evidence.

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