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Transition from §24
to a stable status
in Germany
Although §24 is set to end after 2026, every year spent
under this status counts toward permanent residence and citizenship.
Change your status now without leaving Germany.
Transition period
3-6 months
German language
depends on the employer’s requirements
Family
Can join you under your new residence status
Temporary protection
What §24 is and why it is
important to think about switching
§24 AufenthG is a section of the German Residence Act under which Ukrainians received temporary
protection after February 2022. It gives the right to live and work in Germany, but its duration is limited.
Limitations of §24:
§24 is temporary protection.
A stable type of residence permit allows the whole family to stay in Germany.
These services are not legal services and are not a substitute for them. The information is based on practical experience in relocation and immigration and on publicly available sources
Timeframe: 1-3 months
Permanent residence after 21 months
Switch to the EU Blue Card
(EU Blue Card)
For highly qualified professionals with a degree and a job offer. The fastest route to permanent residence — just 21 months with B1-level German.
Conditions:
- A relevant higher education diploma recognized in Germany
- Qualified employment with an annual salary of at least €45,934
Timeframe: 2-4 months
Permanent residence after 3 years
Switch
to a Work Residence Permit
For specialists with higher or vocational education in a qualified position
Conditions:
- Full-time employment contract for a qualified position
- Education recognized in Germany
- Salary meeting Federal Employment Agency requirements
Permanent residence after 5 years
Switch through self-employment
and freelance work
For self-employed professionals — programmers, designers, translators and consultants. Requires a business plan and stable income.
Conditions:
- Business plan and German clients
- Confirmed or stable income
- Professional qualification
Timeframe: 2-3 months
Switch
through Ausbildung
For those who are training for a new profession and plan to complete their studies after March 2027.
Conditions:
- Contract with a company
- German at B1 level or above
- Self-sufficiency
Timeframe: 1-6 months
Switch through family
reunification
For family members: parents, children, and spouses
with a stable status
in Germany.
Conditions:
- Family financial stability
- German at A1 level or above is recommended
- Health insurance coverage
10 minutes
Ready to change temporary protection to a stable residence permit?
The bot will help you understand your options and possibilities for changing status
The information is based on practical experience in relocation and immigration and on publicly available sources
Stage
Steps to complete
On your own
With us
01. Stage
Identify the available transition options (EU Blue Card, employment-based residence permit, business or family reunification)
The final choice of legal basis is confirmed by our attorney partner.
On your own: 2-4 weeks
With us: 1-7 days
02. Stage
Understand diploma recognition options
On your own: 1-6 months
With us: 4-6 weeks
03. Stage
Find the current document list and understand translations and apostilles
On your own: 2 months
With us: 2 weeks
04. Stage
Collect documents, determine the submission path, book an appointment, and submit the application and document package
On your own: 2-4 weeks
With us: 1-3 weeks
05. Stage
Prepare and send additional documents at the authority’s request. Waiting period
On your own: 1-6 months
With us: 1-6 months
06. Stage
You receive a new residence permit: a stable status independent of temporary protection. The countdown toward permanent residence continues.
On your own: Total: 5-16 months
With us: Total: 3-8 months
Main
documents
— Valid Ukrainian passport (copies of all pages) — Current §24 residence permit — Residence registration — Biometric photographs — Completed Ausländerbehörde application form
Employment documents
— Employment contract (stating the salary) — Proof of income for the last 3–6 months (if already employed) — Employer confirmation that the position meets the requirements — CV/résumé in German
Documents
education documents
– Education diploma
(original + notarized translation)
– Diploma supplement / transcript
– Education equivalency certificate from ZAB/DAB
– Professional course certificates
(if available)
Financial
documents and other items
– Health insurance policy
(short-term or permanent)
– Rental agreement
– Bank statement
– State fee: €100-120
(paid on site)
The document list above is provided as an example.
For each case, the list is individual and depends on the circumstances and place of application. It should be requested individually.
Family when changing status
– Minor children receive a residence permit through reunification when the main applicant changes status.
– A spouse can receive a residence permit for family reunification, with the right to work and run a business.
– A qualified spouse can switch to their own work residence permit independently of you.
– Family members can remain under reunification until they obtain independent permanent residence or citizenship.
– All family members under §24 can start the transition at the same time; we coordinate the whole family as one case.
Mistake
Risk
01. Waiting for §24 to expire before starting the transition process
Dependence on the political climate. Time under §24 may not be counted when applying for permanent residence and citizenship. Long queues during transition and lengthy processing.
02. Trying to change status independently without prior review and preparation, “as is”
Refusal by the Federal Employment Agency due to mismatch of position and salary, refusal to switch to a residence permit, and lost time.
03. Submitting without a strategy and hoping for advice from the immigration authority
Silence from the immigration authority and lost time due to missing application or grounds for the change.
04. Poor preparation of the document package (copies, translations, list)
Outdated document package with low-quality scans and regular translations instead of sworn translations. Significant delay in approval and transition.
05. Waiting for an indefinite contract
Lost time, because a fixed-term employment contract or business activity can be enough to switch to a stable residence permit.
How not to lose your status
§24 is not a dead end, but a comfortable start. For those who have already integrated, now is the time to switch to a stable residence permit.
since 2022
§24
status change
Stable residence permit
3-5 years total
Permanent residence
5-8 years total
Citizenship
Scenario A: employed worker
→ 2022 – relocation, obtaining §24
→ 2022-2024 – learned the language, searched for work
→ 2024 – employment
→ 2024-2026 – switch to Blue Card
→ 2026 – obtained permanent residence*
→ 2027 – citizenship planned
*regionally dependent, at officials’ discretion whether time under temporary protection counts
Scenario B: entrepreneur
2022 – relocation, obtaining §24
2022-2023 – language learning, search for business partners
2023 – business activity registration
2026 – change from §24 to business-based residence
2026 – obtaining permanent residence*
2027 – citizenship application submitted (pending)
*at the official’s discretion and depending on the region
Since 2024, Germany allows dual citizenship. You can obtain a German passport without giving up your Ukrainian one.
Required: 5 years of legal residence (§24 may count)*, German B1, self-sufficiency, and no criminal record.
Dual citizenship has been possible since 2024: Ukrainian + German, valid in both countries and across the EU.
*at the official’s discretion and depending on the region
Why BCA
Relocating the whole family to Germany. Victoria’s story
Contacting Blue Card Agency was the first step towards employment in Europe, financial independence and stability.
Updated for 2026
January 2026
Extension of §24 until March 2027
The EU confirmed temporary protection until the end of March 2026. Negotiations on further extension continue, but its terms may change.
2024-2025
Germany allowed dual citizenship
With the 2024 reform, Ukrainians obtaining German citizenship are no longer required to give up their Ukrainian passport.
2026
The EU Blue Card salary threshold has increased
In 2026, the minimum salary for obtaining a Blue Card is set at €50,700/year. For shortage occupations, it is lower: from €45,934.
2025-2026
Simplification for IT specialists without a diploma
IT specialists with at least 3 years of experience and the Blue Card salary threshold can obtain it without formal diploma recognition (§18b AufenthG).
