Germany continues to accept Ukrainian refugees, helping them to build their lives in this European country. Today, Ukrainian refugees in Germany receive substantial financial assistance and have easier access to the labor market. Find out how to enjoy temporary protection privileges and other conditions of stay in Germany

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What changes in German legislation regarding refugees have taken place over the past six months and what you should pay attention to when planning a move to Germany in 2024 - read on.

Rules for entering Germany

Ukrainians can enter Germany without a visa. However, they are allowed to stay in the country without registration for up to 90 days, after which they must apply for temporary protection status.

A biometric passport is also not required for entry, but is recommended. It is enough to have an ID card or passport, or a birth certificate for children.

Earlier we wrote that Germany has extended the simplified entry rules for Ukrainians.

Thus, starting from May 27, 2024, the following categories of refugees can enter Germany for the first time and stay in the country for 90 days without a visa and other standard conditions of stay in Germany

- citizens of Ukraine who resided in Ukraine as of February 24, 2022;

- third-country nationals who were in Ukraine as of February 24, 2022, provided that they had a permanent residence permit (not a temporary one) in force on that day;

- citizens of Ukraine who were outside Ukraine as of February 24, 2022.

These entry rules will be valid for Ukrainians until December 31, 2024.

Important: These criteria are not the same as those for which Germany grants temporary protection, namely the grounds for entry and for the first 3 months of stay in the country. The grounds for temporary protection are not checked at the German border.

You can get detailed navigation in Germany by following this link.

There are currently no quarantine measures for entering Germany in connection with the Covid-19 epidemic.

What documents can I use to enter Germany?

The special page of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees states that from March 5, 2024, the following persons have the right to enter Germany without a visa

- citizens of Ukraine with a biometric passport;

- third-country nationals who have received international or equivalent international protection in Ukraine;

- persons holding a Ukrainian ID-card of the 2015 model (valid no later than 23.02.2025). This document is recognized for crossing the border and staying in Germany (and other EU countries) for 90 days within 180 days.

How do I get to Germany?

You can get to Germany by long-distance train from Poland, the Czech Republic, or Austria.

It is recommended to arrive at the three main train stations - Hanover, Cottbus and Berlin, as this is where you can get help quickly and easily. There are also free buses from these stations to refugee centers and other cities throughout Germany.

Please note that after arriving at your destination, you will no longer be able to use free public transportation, as it was canceled on June 01, 2022. Also, as of September 1, travel in the country has become more expensive.

Important! The German government warns that upon arrival in the country, you may meet people who will offer you free accommodation or other support and may take advantage of your difficult situation. Therefore, we advise you to be careful not to get into cars with strangers and never give them your documents. Only contact volunteers at arrival centers and use public transportation. In case of emergency, call the police or 110.

Where to seek asylum in Germany?

You should start registering in Germany at an arrival center or initial reception center, which operates in each federal state. Here you can also find temporary housing, social and medical assistance, and food. The center will issue you a certificate of arrival.

Please note! Registration at an arrival center is not an application for refugee status.

If you need accommodation, you can get it at the reception centers of the federal states, subject to availability. Private accommodation is also available for Ukrainians, i.e. you can stay with relatives, friends or rent a house on your own.

Germany has a fairly high level of quality of life, healthcare and support services. It is also equal throughout the country, so there is no difference between living in a city or a village. Therefore, we recommend that you do not avoid registering in small towns or rural areas, as there is a wider choice of housing and equal conditions for employment and education.

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How to obtain temporary protection in Germany

In order to obtain temporary protection status, social benefits and housing assistance, Germany requires a biometric registration procedure. The conditions of registration may differ depending on the federal state.

You can find the nearest registration office by postal code by clicking here. Usually, appointments are made on a first-come, first-served basis; in some cities, you can make an appointment via an online form or by sending an e-mail.

Prepare all the necessary documents - usually a passport or birth certificate for children, a residence permit, a residence permit or the address of your temporary residence. After your application is processed, you will be granted temporary protection status (Aufenthaltstitel), which is not refugee status. The residence permit does not have as many restrictions as refugee status and, importantly, you will keep your Ukrainian passport.

Which states in Germany accept refugees from Ukraine

Registration of Ukrainian refugees and their subsequent allocation to places of residence takes place in initial reception centers (so-called refugee camps).

Currently, Ukrainians can go to the centers in the following federal states:

Berlin. The Tegel Refugee Center (former airport) is the largest initial reception center in Germany, from where people are distributed throughout the country. You can get inside only by a special bus, if you are traveling by car, you will need to leave it in the parking lot and enter the center only by bus. Contact information for the center can be found here.

Baden-Württemberg. At present, the only reception centers in Baden-Württemberg are those that distribute to other states, including Bavaria, Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate.

Bavaria. Munich (Dachauer Str. 122a, 80637 München) - from the refugee camp, people are distributed throughout Bavaria. Please note that pets are not allowed in this camp.

Hesse. Gießen (Rödgener Straße 59-61, 35394 Gießen Ankunftshalle) - accepts everyone, but only those who do not have close relatives in Hesse are distributed. As a rule, they are distributed to Bavaria.

There are also refugee distribution centers in Germany:

North Rhine-Westphalia. Bochum (Gersteinring 50, 44791 Bochum Erstaaufnahmeeinrichtung).

Saarland. Lebach (Schlesierallee 17, 66822 Lebach).

Thuringia: Eisenberg (Jenaer Str. 49, 07607 Eisenberg) - accepts if there are places. They can refuse to accept.

Schleswig-Holstein. Neumünster (Haart 148, 24359 Neumünster) - the camp accepts and distributes to other reception centers;

Social and financial assistance to refugees in Germany

Financial assistance to refugees in Germany is called Bürgergeld and is provided by the employment offices.

All able-bodied persons, as well as their family members who have no or little income, are eligible for this assistance. Currently, the standard amounts of this allowance are as follows (for 1 month):

-For single persons/single parents - EUR 563;

-For married couples, for one partner - 506 euros;

-For adults aged 18-24 without a partner or family - 451 euros;

-For teenagers aged 14-17 - 471 euros;

-For children aged 6-13 years - 390 euros;

- For children under 5 years old - 357 euros.

So, for example, if a family consisting of a mother and two children aged 6 and 14 can receive 1424 euros per month.

In addition to the standard allowance, children and adolescents also receive a fixed monthly allowance of 20 euros.

Interesting! You can also count on assistance for the purchase of school supplies - 130 euros in the first half of the school year and up to 65 euros in the second half.

You can read more about financial support in Germany in our article.

To receive refugee benefits in Germany, you must first fill out forms at your local employment center. You can also send an application to the relevant employment center online on the website of a particular employment center, by e-mail or by regular mail.

If you need to travel to Ukraine, we have prepared information on how to visit relatives without losing your benefits.

Where to look for a job in Germany?

Before you start working, we recommend that you make sure that you have all the documents and have a work permit in Germany. The best way to look for a job is through local employment services (Jobcenter). Before the search, you will be able to provide the specialist with your diplomas and certificates, as well as fill out a questionnaire and provide information about your work experience.

To search for a job online, we recommend using the Federal Employment Agency's job exchange.

The Jobcenter also provides the following services:

-Cover the costs of German language courses;

-Counseling on career opportunities and coaching services

-Training for a new profession for 2-3 years

-help with creating a resume and writing cover letters;

-Advise on entrepreneurial activities or self-employment in Germany, in some cases even provide start-up capital.

We also talked about the basic rules of employment and the most popular professions in Germany earlier.

You can also find a job in Germany on these resources:

jobcenter-ge.de

arbeitsagentur.de

jobleads.com

europa.jobs

stellenanzeigen.de

adeccojobsforukraine.com

germany4ukraine.de

Education in Germany for refugees

Children arriving in Germany are entitled to attend kindergarten or school free of charge. To register, we recommend that you contact the youth welfare office or social service in your region of residence within the first few weeks after arrival.

Also, Ukrainian refugees in Germany can easily enroll in German universities or continue their studies there. Some higher education institutions in Germany even allow you to study for free or provide other support.

Medical services for refugees in Germany

Ukrainians who have been granted temporary protection status automatically receive health insurance, as the employment center pays for it. This means that you can seek medical care for free, except for medical services that are not covered by insurance.

Ukrainians who have arrived in Germany under the rules of the visa-free regime with the EU countries do not have health insurance, so we advise you to take out an insurance policy - this is a guarantee of your safety and a calm stay outside Ukraine. In order to avoid troubles abroad and to be calm for yourself and your loved ones, Visit Ukraine recommends taking out health insurance in advance.

For those traveling to Germany by car

If you are planning to travel to Germany by your own car, take care of purchasing the appropriate insurance policy - the Green Card.

A Ukrainian driver's license is valid in Germany and its holders are exempt from the need to carry a translation.

Also, for those who are planning a trip to Germany or already reside in the country, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with some of the rules for which you may be fined in the country.

Just a reminder. From now on, men liable for military service abroad may not be issued a driver's license, and here's why.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Ihor Usyk is the Head of Legal Department at Visit Ukraine

On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can get legal advice on migration law. Our lawyers will answer all your questions and, if necessary, help you collect, submit and receive the documents you need. You can order a specialist consultation or full legal support by following this link.