More than 30 percent of refugees from Ukraine who chose European Union countries for temporary residence are now in Germany. According to the latest data, this is about 1.3 million people. The figure is significant and therefore it is not surprising that many people are now worried about their future in this country. Will they be able to stay in Germany, or will they have to find another state when the war ends? This topic is very important and therefore it is necessary to consider all its aspects in more detail so that people from Ukraine have a better understanding of future prospects.
There are several ways to legalize residence in Germany for Ukrainians:
It is worth looking at each of these examples in more detail so that refugees from Ukraine have a better idea of how they can stay in Germany if the need suddenly arises.
One of the easiest ways to obtain a residence permit in Germany is through employment. If people have completed special German language courses and officially got a job that matches their qualifications and the needs of the labor market, then no one will deport such refugees. In this case, the most important thing is to obtain an agreement with the employer in Germany.
This may be overwhelming for some people from Ukraine, but studying at German universities or vocational schools is also a route to obtaining a residence permit even after the end of the war. In this case, refugees are issued a student visa, which allows them to stay within the country for the full period of study, and after completion, this period can be extended. To do this, it is worth applying for a work visa or other forms of permission to reside in this country.
One of the most interesting ways to obtain permission to stay in Germany is to open your own business. However, people from Ukraine should be prepared for certain tests, since in this case they will have to fulfill several important conditions:
This option is primarily suitable for people who are ready to be economically active for a long time.
Very often, refugees have close relatives who live in Germany. If they do this legally, then they can apply for family reunification. This will significantly simplify the registration process and will allow you not to return to Ukraine after the war, but to stay in this country for a long time.
This method concerns not so much people who are interested in refugee status in Germany for Ukrainians, but rather highly qualified workers who are able to obtain an EU Blue Card. To issue this document, you need to fulfill a few simple conditions:
Such a card gives the right to long-term residence and work within the countries of the European Union.
It is currently unknown whether the temporary protected status for Ukrainians will be extended after the end of the war. However, Germany has already shown its readiness to support refugees, and it is likely that new programs will be developed or existing ones will be extended.
According to surveys, a significant part of people from Ukraine – approximately 65 percent of people – want to stay in Germany even after the end of the war. This is due to the economic opportunities, security and integration into the social system of the country that local authorities have provided them with.
If it so happens that a citizen of Ukraine who has been living in this state for more than three years, having legal authority, has the right to apply for a permanent residence permit in Germany, provided that there is a stable source of income, social insurance and a high level of knowledge German language.
Excellent conditions have been created for refugees from Ukraine to stay on the territory of this state – financial assistance, housing, access to medical services, the opportunity to get an education and access to the labor market. There are separate integration programs in Germany, language courses and social programs.
Due to possible changes in the ruling party, a new refugee law in Germany is expected to be introduced in 2025. They will provide for reductions in social benefits for those individuals who refuse to work. There is no exact information yet on how much the new rules will affect people who moved here and have no desire to return to Ukraine, as details will become known closer to the election date.
