Staying long-term
Settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis)
| Your permit | Earliest settlement permit |
|---|---|
| Skilled worker (§§ 18a, 18b) | after 3 years with that permit, German B1, 36 months of pension contributions (§ 18c (1)); after training or study in Germany 2 years and 24 months |
| EU Blue Card | after 27 months with German A1, or 21 months with German B1 (§ 18c (2)) |
| Temporary protection (§ 24) | possible at the LEA's discretion after 5 years with a permit, if the general conditions of § 9 (2) are met, among them a secure livelihood, 60 months of pension contributions and sufficient German (§ 26 (4) AufenthG) |
The years with § 24 do not count as years with a skilled-worker permit for § 18c. They do count for § 26 (4). People who came in spring 2022 reach 5 years in spring 2027. How the LEA Berlin exercises its discretion under § 26 (4) for § 24 holders is not confirmed.
German citizenship
- Since 27 June 2024 you can keep your previous citizenship. Naturalisation is possible after 5 years of lawful habitual residence (§ 10 StAG). The 3-year fast track was abolished on 30 October 2025.
- At the time of naturalisation you need a suitable residence status. A § 24 permit is excluded (§ 10 (1) No. 2 StAG): you first need, for example, a settlement permit, a Blue Card or another permit not on the list.
- Further conditions include German at B1, a citizenship test and a livelihood without basic income support. Whether years with § 24 count fully as "lawful habitual residence" is not confirmed; ask the naturalisation office.
- On the Ukrainian side: Ukrainian rules (dual citizenship law of 2025).
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