Avoiding scams

Paid appointments, fake job offers, "guaranteed" permits and fake authority messages – and how to check before you pay.

Typical patterns

• Paid appointments. Someone sells LEA or Bürgeramt appointments. Appointments are free; book them only on service.berlin.de or through the LEA's own channels.
• "Guaranteed" Blue Card or Ausbildung for a fee. A real job or training place comes with a contract from a named company. You never pay the employer.
• "The protection ends tomorrow – pay us to secure your status". Check the official dates on Extensions and deadlines. Permits under § 24 that were valid on 1 February 2026 continue automatically until 4 March 2027 without any application.
• Fake messages from "the Jobcenter", "the LEA" or "a Ukrainian consulate" asking for passport photos, bank data or payments by link. Authorities do not ask for payments by messenger.
• Housing scams. Never pay a deposit before you have seen the flat and signed a contract.
• Paid "translations" or "certifications" that are not needed. Ask the authority which documents it needs before you pay: Documents.

Check an offer in five minutes

1. Does the company exist? Check the address, the commercial register and the company's own website.
2. Is the contact a real company e-mail address, not a free mail account or only a messenger number?
3. Does anyone ask you for money before a contract? Then stop.
4. Look up the rule yourself on the official source named on each page of this guide.
5. When in doubt, ask a free advice centre: After arrival.

If you were cheated, you can report it to the Berlin police online. Specific scam warnings for Ukrainians in Berlin were not checked against an official list.