Germany is among the countries that have accepted the largest number of our Ukrainian refugees. Find out more about the rules for entering Germany from Ukraine and what a Ukrainian who has been granted temporary protection status receives

Germany accepted the largest number of Ukrainian refugees, surpassing even Poland. Currently, 1.1 million of our fellow citizens live in Germany. Ukrainians choose this country for temporary residence due to its relatively close location and high standard of living.

How can a Ukrainian legally stay in Germany? More on the advantages of the status of temporary protection and the registration procedure.

Rules for entering Germany from Ukraine

Ukrainians can enter Germany without a visa. However, it is allowed to stay in the country without registration for up to 90 days, then it is necessary to submit an application for the acquisition of temporary protection status.

What is temporary protection status in Germany?

Temporary protection status is a residence permit that allows you to stay in Germany for 1 year. In the event of a protracted war, the permit will be extended for another 2 years.

Ukrainians who left their native homes after the start of the full-scale invasion, i.e. after February 24, 2022, can apply for temporary protection status in Germany.

Also entitled to support are:

● Stateless persons and citizens of other countries who were in Ukraine under international protection or equivalent national protection until February 24, 2022.

● Family members (spouses, partners in a civil marriage, minor children and close relatives) of Ukrainians and foreigners who legally resided in Ukraine, even if they are not citizens of Ukraine.

● Ukrainians who already live on the territory of Germany on the basis of a permit, the term of which will soon expire, regardless of when they entered Germany.

● Ukrainians who left Ukraine or were in the European Union shortly before February 24, 2022 (for example, on vacation or on a business trip) and cannot return to Ukraine due to the armed conflict.

What does a Ukrainian who has issued temporary protection status receive?

In addition to legalization of residence, Ukrainians who received protection in Germany can count on social support:

● Free accommodation – an apartment, a room in a dormitory, a place in a refugee shelter.

Importantly! To receive temporary protection, it is not necessary to live in social housing. You can stay with relatives, friends or rent private accommodation.

● Financial assistance – a regular unemployment benefit payment of €502 per month. If a Ukrainian lives with his family, the amount will be slightly lower - €451 per person. Depending on their age, children receive from €318 to €420.

● Medical services – free help from doctors.

● The right to employment - You can search for a job on your own on the Internet or contact the nearest Employment Center.

● Education – children attend a German school for free.

● German language courses for adults.

The residence permit does not have as many restrictions as the refugee status, and you also have the passport of a citizen of Ukraine. Read about the differences between temporary protection status and refugee status here.

What do lawyers say? 

Igor Usyk - Head of Legal Department at Visit World

"Unlike refugee status, Paragraph 24, or temporary protection, allows Ukrainian citizens to temporarily leave their place of residence in Germany and travel to Ukraine. It is important to note, however, that persons traveling abroad for a short period of time, such as on vacation or to visit relatives, do not lose their German residency status (Aufenthaltstitel). 

Nevertheless, it should be borne in mind that the residence permit in Germany is revoked for those who stay outside the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany for more than six months. This permit may also be revoked for those who temporarily leave Germany for a "non-temporary reason," such as starting a course of study or providing long-term family care. Migration offices (Ausländerbehörde) can extend the six-month limit for absence abroad if it can be proven that a longer period of stay is limited and temporary.

However, even if you do not need to cancel your registration at the BAMF for short trips, if you are planning a trip and receive unemployment benefit II (Arbeitslosengeld II), you should inform your Jobcenter in advance. The Jobcenter must authorize your absence. Your unemployment benefit II (ALGII) will continue if your trip does not last more than three weeks. 

A total of three weeks or 21 days are allowed per year, including weekends and public holidays. If the trip lasts from three to six weeks, the Labour Office will only provide assistance for three weeks. If your trip lasts longer than six weeks, you will not be paid unemployment benefit II for the entire period. When you return, you will have to apply for ALGII again."

How to apply for temporary protection status in Germany?

Currently, not all federal states of Germany accept refugees from Ukraine. You can get help in the following regions of Germany: Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Saxony, Thuringia and Saarland. In the rest of the lands, only those Ukrainians who have close relatives living there can apply for status.

You can register at the arrival center at the following addresses:

● Ergolding – Schindlerstraße 19, 84030 Ergolding

● Messe Sindelfingen – Mahdentalstraße 116, 71065 Sindelfingen

● Gießen – Rödgener Straße 91, 35394 Gießen

● Meerane – Seiferetziger Schulweg 10, 08393 Meerane

● Suhl – Weidbergstraße 24-26, 98527 Suhl

● Lebach – Pommernstraße 1, 66822 Lebach

To obtain the status of protection, social benefits and assistance with housing, a registration procedure is carried out using biometric data:

1. Collect all necessary documents

- passport;

- birth certificate for children;

- residence permit or address of your temporary residence in Germany.

2. Visit the office of the migration service and go through the registration procedure on a first-come, first-served basis.

3. After completing the procedure, you will be issued a residence permit in Germany.

The conditions of the procedure may differ depending on the federal state.

The status of temporary protection in Germany provides Ukrainians with the necessary social support. To get complete information about protection or advice on legal ways to migrate to Germany, contact highly qualified lawyers.

Jobs in Germany: the most popular vacancies for expats - find here.

The Jobcenter for refugees in Germany: what help Ukrainians can get - read here.

Employment in Germany: how to get a work permit for a foreigner here.

Treatment abroad: do Ukrainians need health insurance in Europe?

How to properly resign from a job in Germany: stages of dismissal for foreigners.

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Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in Germany;

Legal advice for business in Germany;

Immigration lawyer services in Germany;

Travel and health insurance for foreigners in Germany;

Insurance for foreign students in Germany.

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