Jan Schneider, head of one of the departments of the Expert Council for Integration and Migration in Germany, urges Ukrainians to plan a long-term stay in Germany and at the same time consider the possibility of returning to Ukraine after the war. Schneider emphasizes that the country's recovery will largely depend on the working population returning and helping to rebuild the economy and infrastructure.
The EU Council recommendations, to which the expert refers, emphasize preparation for such a scenario - families should check whether their members meet the criteria for obtaining a more stable legal status through work, study or their own business. The German federal authorities are already starting to implement these approaches: regions should speed up the procedures for transferring Ukrainians from temporary protection to other types of permits that provide "long-term prospects.".
Currently, Ukrainians in Germany can:
• remain under temporary protection or
• apply for a national residence permit — you must contact the local office for foreigners.
To obtain a new status, you usually need to meet several criteria: be financially independent, have a valid Ukrainian passport and have no criminal record. For a work visa or Ausbildung, you need a recognized qualification and an employment contract - such certificates can be issued in parallel with temporary protection. For a student visa or an EU Blue Card, you usually need to abandon temporary protection and meet the requirements for a contract or recognition of a diploma.
In practice, Ukrainians often face delays due to a lack of clear information and the workload of local migration services; official authorities say there are no additional obstacles, and delays are related to checks and compliance. According to Eurostat, Germany currently hosts more than 1.2 million Ukrainian refugees, the most among EU countries; in total, more than 4.3 million Ukrainians are under temporary protection in Europe.
Expert advice and practical steps for Ukrainians in Germany: monitor changes in legislation and recommendations of local agencies, keep all documents on employment and education, contact the local Ausländerbehörde with ready-made packages of documents, and consult with migration law specialists if necessary. Planning for a legal long-term status provides more opportunities today and preserves the possibility of returning to Ukraine in the future under favorable conditions.
