Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have been forced to leave their homes and seek refuge abroad. Germany was one of the first countries to open its doors to Ukrainian refugees, offering them temporary protection, social assistance, housing and employment opportunities. However, due to certain circumstances, some of the refugees decided to return to their homeland, and some of them come to Germany again, facing the question: how to restore their temporary protection status? The answer to this question lies in understanding the legal intricacies of German law, especially regarding the length of stay outside the country and the conditions for re-registration.
IA “FACT” reviewed in detail the process of restoring temporary protection, the requirements of German legislation and the necessary steps for those who decided to return to Germany a second time.
General aspects of temporary protection in Germany
Temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees in the European Union was introduced on the basis of the EU Directive 2001/55/EC, which provides the possibility of rapid granting of temporary asylum without individual consideration of each refugee’s case. The purpose of this directive is to provide operational support and protection in cases of mass migration arising from military conflict or humanitarian disaster.
In Germany, this directive was adapted in the form of a temporary residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis), which gives Ukrainians access to such services as:
- social assistance;
- medical care;
- access to the labor market;
- the possibility of obtaining housing;
- participation in language and professional integration courses.
This status is usually granted for a period of one year and is automatically extended for additional periods as long as the EU-level temporary protection mechanism remains in place. But what happens if Ukrainians return to Germany after a long absence? How can I restore this status?
How to renew temporary protection after returning to Germany
If you already had temporary protection status in Germany, but returned to Ukraine and now want to use it again, you need to complete a number of administrative procedures.
1. Updating the status in the Jobcenter and migration authorities
As soon as you arrive in Germany, you need to contact the Jobcenter or the local migration authorities to update your temporary protection status. It is important to pay attention to several key points:
- Prolonged absence from Germany. If you have been absent for more than six months, German law may invalidate your temporary residence permit. This applies even if you had a plastic residence card (Aufenthaltserlaubnis). In this case, you need to contact the migration service to renew your documents.
- Renewal of social benefits. If you received social assistance from the state before your departure, you will need to re-apply for it upon your return. This assistance is provided through the Jobcenter for people of working age or through the Sozialamt for the elderly or those with other needs.
2. Registration and registration by place of residence
When returning to Germany, one of the first steps should be to renew the registration at the place of residence. In Germany, registration issues are very strict, so pay attention to the following points:
- Registration in the same place. You must register at the same address where you lived before. If you want to change your place of residence or move to another federal land, this is only possible under certain conditions, such as work or family circumstances.
- Re-registration. If during your stay in Ukraine you checked out of your place of residence in Germany, you need to register again at the local registration office (Bürgeramt) upon your return. If you don’t have a place to live, local authorities can help you find temporary accommodation.
3. Renewal of residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis)
One of the main issues when re-entering Germany is renewing your temporary residence permit. If you have been absent for more than six months, your previous residence permit may become invalid. In this case, it is necessary:
- Contact the migration service with a request for a new residence permit. This can be done in the same region where you were previously registered.
- If you have a plastic Aufenthaltstitel document, you must inform the migration service of your return and confirm your intention to live in Germany again.
4. Renewal of social benefits
If you used social support programs before leaving for Ukraine, you need to contact the Jobcenter or Sozialamt again to renew the benefits.
- Jobcenter deals with issues of social benefits for able-bodied people. If you do not have a job or need support to find a job, you may be able to get financial assistance and employment assistance.
- Sozialamt provides social benefits for the disabled, the elderly or those unable to work due to health reasons.
You may also be given housing support, help with health insurance and the opportunity to take language courses for integration.
Important nuances when returning
Germany generally accepts re-arriving Ukrainian refugees, but some key points should be noted:
- Place of residence. Many federal states have quotas for the number of refugees, so changing residence within the country can be problematic without good reason.
- Prolonged absence. If you have not notified the migration authorities of your return to Ukraine and have been absent for more than six months, restoring your status may be more difficult.
- Social support. Renewal of social benefits may take time, so it is recommended to contact the relevant authorities immediately after arrival.
Returning to Germany and renewing temporary protection is a process that requires a number of administrative procedures. The key stages are updating registration with migration services, renewing residence permit, obtaining a new residence permit and applying to social authorities for financial support.
For those who have already had temporary protection status, this process can be relatively simple, provided that all the requirements are met and the appropriate services are contacted in a timely manner. It is also important to remember that Germany continues to remain open to Ukrainian refugees and provides them with support, even if they decide to return to the country a second time.
