Already in Berlin?

Changing status, staying long term, citizenship and free help.

If something changed

• Studies finished: § 20 AufenthG gives up to 18 months to look for a job matching your degree.
• Job lost: talk to LEA before the permit expires, not after. From 1 July 2026 the Bürgergeld is called Grundsicherungsgeld; entitlement depends on your permit, ask an advice centre.
• Training place lost through no fault of your own: up to 6 months to find a new one, see Ausbildung.
• Switching route (for example from Opportunity Card to a skilled-worker permit) is normally done at LEA from inside Germany.

Staying long term

• Settlement permit: § 9 after 5 years; skilled workers after 3 years with B1 and 36 months of pension contributions, or 2 years and 24 months after training or studies in Germany (§ 18c (1)); Blue Card holders after 27 months, or 21 months with B1 (§ 18c (2)).
• German citizenship: after 5 years (§ 10 StAG). The 3-year fast track was abolished on 30 October 2025. Multiple citizenship has been allowed since 27 June 2024. Russian rules on keeping Russian citizenship and on notifying the authorities: see Leaving Russia; not confirmed.

Free help in Berlin

• Willkommenszentrum Berlin – orientation in several languages.
• MBE – free advice for adult migrants.
• BEMA (Beratungsstelle für Migration und Gute Arbeit) – free advice on employment rights. Go here if you are paid less than agreed, work unpaid hours or your employer keeps your passport.