German citizenship for Ukrainians: when refugees will be able to apply

Soon, a significant number of refugees from Ukraine will have completed the five-year residency requirement, which opens the door to German citizenship. However, German authorities are seriously concerned about a potential system overload, whilst legal experts are debating the validity of Paragraph 24. Find out about the key requirements, the chances of obtaining a passport, and the risks to the immigration system

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From spring 2027, Ukrainians who have been in Germany since the start of the full-scale war will have reached the standard five-year residency period required to obtain a German passport. According to the publication Welt, the prospect of mass naturalisation is already forcing German local authorities to prepare for a sharp surge in applications.

There are currently around 1.3 million Ukrainian citizens living in Germany. A significant proportion of them are considering the possibility of staying in the country permanently, particularly given that the future of temporary protection beyond March 2027 remains unclear. According to Engelhard Mazanke, head of Berlin’s Immigration Office, around a third of working-age Ukrainians are already officially employed and paying social security contributions, making them a huge group of potential applicants for citizenship.

German citizenship under Section 24: is there a right to a passport

Legal uncertainty remains the key issue for those wishing to naturalise. Currently, there is no single interpretation in German law as to whether temporary protection status (Section 24 of the Residence Act) grants the right to apply for citizenship.

Jan Schneider, Head of Research at the Expert Council on Integration and Migration, emphasises that direct naturalisation solely on the basis of temporary status is ruled out under current regulations. However, the authorities are empowered to consider individual cases at their own discretion, and a change of status from temporary to work permit opens a direct path to a passport.

Due to these legal nuances, regions are assessing the situation differently. In the districts of Lüneburg (Lower Saxony) and Stormarn, plans are already underway to expand staff numbers to process future applications from Ukrainians. At the same time, representatives from Ulzen and Flensburg state that they do not expect a surge in applicants, as they consider Paragraph 24 insufficient grounds for issuing passports.

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What will happen to Ukrainians in Germany after 2027: the risk of authorities becoming overwhelmed

The Association of German Cities is seriously concerned that the immigration authorities will not be able to cope with the looming bureaucratic wave. An internal document from the Committee on Legal Affairs notes that the relevant authorities are already working at the limits of their capacity.

The additional demand from Ukrainian refugees, who will all reach the required length of residence in 2027 at the same time, could trigger a systemic collapse. In Berlin, the issue of the expected rise in applications and the potential ‘final overload’ on the authorities has been actively raised and discussed since early 2025, in an attempt to find staffing and legal solutions before the critical deadline.

Moving to Germany, extending legal status, obtaining a residence permit or preparing for citizenship - all these procedures require a careful approach and knowledge of current legislation.

Visit Ukraine lawyers provide professional assistance to Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad, supporting clients on migration, visa and documentary issues. Specialists will help you assess your prospects, prepare the necessary package of documents and avoid common mistakes when interacting with government agencies.

Get individual advice today and confidently plan your future in Germany.

Reminder! The reform of the health insurance system in Germany has provoked a sharp reaction from hospitals, which are warning of potential financial risks and a decline in the quality of medical care. Find out exactly what is changing and why Ukrainians should arrange health insurance in advance before travelling to Germany to avoid high costs in the event of treatment.

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