Residence permit in Germany: what is the difference between Aufenthaltstitel and Fiktionsbescheinigung
Ukrainians who arrived in Germany must obtain the status of temporary protection - Aufenthaltstitel or Fiktionsbescheinigung in order to legally stay in Germany. What is the difference between these documents?
Fiktionsbescheinigung is an internal temporary document that confirms that you have applied for and are waiting for an Aufenthaltstitel. You will not be able to get an Aufenthaltstitel right away, because the certificate is printed at the Federal Printing Office in Berlin, and this process can take several weeks.
Fiktionsbescheinigung is issued immediately after submitting the application, it can be a separate document or a stamp in the passport. The Federal Office for Refugees even advises asking the Migration Service to issue a Fiktionsbescheinigung as proof of a valid application for temporary protection.
From the moment you receive the Fiktionsbescheinigung, your stay in Germany is legal.
Also, please note that Fiktionsbescheinigung is not the same as confirmation of registration or arrival. The application for Fiktionsbescheinigung and Aufenthaltstitel is submitted to the migration service after you have registered, decided on the region of residence, and found housing.
A temporary certificate is issued free of charge.
Is it possible to work and receive social support with a Fiktionsbescheinigung certificate?
This document gives the right to work. The Migration Service makes an entry regarding the work permit directly in the certificate. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Germany has approved for citizens of Ukraine to fill in the appropriate line with the wording "Permitted to work".
The Fiktionsbescheinigung certificate also entitles you to attend language courses and apply for unemployment benefit II (Arbeitslosengeld II).
Restrictions on departure
However, the owners of the Fiktionsbescheinigung certificate have a certain limitation, because this document is internal and is valid only on the territory of Germany. With it, you can travel around Germany, but you can only travel to other EU countries or Ukraine within the framework of your existing visa-free visa.
That is, in order to leave, a Ukrainian must have a biometric passport and must not exceed the period of stay in the EU under the visa-free regime - up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
When you received an Aufenthaltstitel residence permit, according to the rules, it may become invalid if:
• you have permanently left Germany;
• you have not been in Germany for more than six months.
This means that with an Aufenthaltstitel you can go abroad and to Ukraine, but not longer than six months.
Please note that if your Fiktionsbescheinigung expires, and you still haven't received your Aufenthaltstitel, we advise you to write a letter or contact the Migration Service in person 2-3 weeks before the expiration date, they will either extend the validity of your Fiktionsbescheinigung or issue an Aufenthaltstitel.
We will remind you! You can find out about the rules of entry and residence in Germany, as well as financial support, education, medical services and much more in our material at the link.
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The simultaneous stay of visitors in the hotel lobby not more than one person per 10 square meters of serviceable area is allowed.
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