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Stay of Ukrainians in Germany
Here you can find out everything about temporary protection for Ukrainians in Germany.
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in which cases temporary protection applies to Ukrainians
How to apply for a residence permit in Berlin according to § 24 AufenthG
Everything about the Mass Migration Directive Directive 2001/55/EC
all rights and obligations during an extended stay of Ukrainians in Germany
1. Temporary protection for Ukrainians
2. Who can obtain a residence permit according to § 24 of the Residence Act?
3. Temporary protection for Ukrainians in Berlin
3.1 Allocation decision LAF Berlin
3.2 Required documents for temporary protection
3.3 Rights and obligations with temporary protection (TPS)
4. Extension of temporary protection for Ukraine
5. FAQ Ukraine Residence § 24
6. Conclusion: Ukraine Residence § 24
1. Temporary protection for Ukrainians
The war in Ukraine has led to over one million Ukrainian citizens fleeing to Germany (see Statista on migration to Ukraine since February 2022 ). Many of them have received a residence permit under Section 24 of the German Residence Act (so-called " Temporary Protection (TPS)" ). This was originally granted until March 4, 2025. However, due to various decisions by EU member states, the temporary protection has been extended several times. But what does this mean in practice? Do Ukrainians have to extend their residence permits? What rights do they have in Germany? Can Ukrainians obtain an EU Blue Card? Is it possible to transfer temporary protection from Poland to Germany? Here you will find all the important information.
Section 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) is the German implementation of the EU Mass Influx Directive ( 2001/55/EC ). It allows for the swift and unbureaucratic granting of temporary protection status to refugees from Ukraine – without an individual asylum procedure. Temporary protection (TPS) in Germany is a consequence of previous mass refugee situations. For example, the German migration authorities were massively overwhelmed by the influx of refugees from Syria in 2015, so this time the administrative procedures for Ukrainians have been significantly simplified.
2. Who can obtain a residence permit according to § 24 of the Residence Act?
According to EU Directive 2001/55/EC and Section 24 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG), Ukrainian nationals, in particular, can be granted protection status if they lived in Ukraine before February 24, 2022 (or were resident there and were temporarily abroad, e.g., on vacation). Stateless persons and third-country nationals who were refugees or under international protection in Ukraine can also invoke Section 24 of the Residence Act. Furthermore, temporary protection also applies to family members of these groups (spouses, children, parents, other close relatives).
3. Temporary protection for Ukrainians in Berlin
In Berlin, applications for temporary protection for Ukrainians are submitted online via the State Office for Immigration (LEA) . In other cities, Ukrainians must submit their applications to the local immigration office. In Berlin, temporary protection can only be granted if you have already received an allocation decision from the State Office for Refugee Affairs (LAF) or another reception center in Germany for placement in Berlin. You must therefore obtain this allocation decision before contacting the State Office for Immigration.
3.1 Allocation decision LAF Berlin
The application for temporary protection can then be submitted via the online portal of the State Office for Immigration once the allocation decision has been received. You will receive a PDF document confirming your application. This document certifies your legal right to remain in Germany and your right to work until your scheduled appointment. After submitting your online application for temporary protection, you will be sent an email with an appointment date. Due to the very high number of refugees from Ukraine, it may take some time before you receive this appointment. Please bring the completed "Application for a Residence Permit" and all required documents to your appointment.
3.2 Required documents for temporary protection
The following documents are required to apply for temporary protection in Berlin:
Allocation decision for distribution to Berlin
Passport or Ukrainian identity card
Certificate of your online application for refugees from Ukraine
If you are traveling with your family, you will also need to submit birth certificates and a marriage certificate (if available).
3.3 Rights and obligations with temporary protection (TPS)
Persons with a residence permit according to § 24 AufenthG have extensive rights in Germany:
Work permit and employment opportunities
Family reunification (but without parental reunification)
Applying for various social benefits
Travel within the EU and, if applicable, relocation to other EU countries
Compared to other nationalities, Ukrainians in Germany are therefore significantly privileged . However, without fulfilling further requirements (e.g., a permanent employment contract), long-term residence in Germany is difficult. In particular, it is not possible to apply for naturalization with a residence permit according to § 24 of the Residence Act (see § 10 para. 1 sentence 1 no. 2 of the Nationality Act).
4. Extension of temporary protection for Ukraine
The German Transitional Residence Ordinance for Ukraine ( UkraineAufenthÜV ) regulates the automatic extension of residence permits for Ukrainians. Residence permits issued under Section 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG), which were previously valid, remain automatically valid. Since this regulation has already been extended several times, it can be assumed that this will continue as long as Germany officially supports Ukraine in the war against Russia. Nevertheless, Ukrainians with temporary protection should endeavor to apply for a different residence permit ( change of purpose ) in order to no longer be dependent on the political decisions of the German government. A residence permit for employment purposes (e.g., Section 18b of the Residence Act) is particularly suitable for such a change.
5. FAQ Ukraine Residence § 24
What is the temporary protection under Section 24 of the German Residence Act for Ukrainians?
Temporary protection (§ 24 AufenthG) grants Ukrainian refugees a right of residence in Germany based on the EU Mass Influx Directive, without the need to undergo an asylum procedure.
How will I find out if the temporary protection will be extended?
The EU announces on its website whether a further extension decision has been made. Most recently, temporary protection was extended until March 4, 2026 (see EU Decision 2024/1836 ).
Is it possible to transfer from Poland to Germany using a Ukrainian TPS (Transfer Program Service)?
Yes, Ukrainians with temporary protection in Poland are allowed to enter Germany and apply for a residence permit. However, some authorities require them to first renounce their protection status in the other EU country.
Can I travel within the EU with a residence permit under Section 24 of the German Residence Act?
Yes, short trips within the EU are visa-free, but longer stays require registration in the destination country. It should also be noted that border officials sometimes refuse entry without a valid residence permit (even though this is often unlawful).
How much does it cost to obtain a residence permit for temporary protection in Berlin?
The granting of a residence permit for temporary protection is free of charge.
Is it still possible to apply for a visa in Kyiv?
No, the German embassy in Kyiv has not processed any visa applications since the outbreak of war. The embassy in Warsaw, Poland, has been responsible for visa applications from Ukraine since the outbreak of war.
How long does it take for Ukrainians to obtain a residence permit in Berlin?
If an electronic residence permit needs to be issued, the application process in Berlin currently takes about 5 to 6 weeks.
6. Conclusion: Ukraine Residence § 24
On this page, you learned about the special rights that apply to Ukrainian citizens in Germany if they can invoke the Mass Inflow Directive (Temporary Protection (TPS)). This is the case if you were residing in Ukraine (or had a residence there) on February 24, 2022. With a residence permit under Section 24 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG), you may also be eligible for a Blue Card (see article "Blue Card with Section 24 AufenthG "). If you are not considered a Ukrainian refugee, the usual residence options are available to you (e.g., work visa or educational migration ).
Further Information
List of Sources (Paywall)
[1] Lower Saxony Refugee Council, Residence prospects for people who have fled from Ukraine, as of 06.03.2025
[2] becklink 2028540, Ukrainian refugees to continue benefiting from special rules in the EU, report from 29.09.2023, beck-aktuell editorial team