Following the start of the full-scale war, Germany has granted eligible displaced people temporary protection under Section 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG). This status allows residence and work in Germany, with support available subject to eligibility. A common question is: what longer-term options exist, and when does changing residence status make sense?
This article explains how to assess a possible change from Section 24 to another residence permit for employment, university, vocational training or business. This is general information; discuss the consequences in your case with the foreigners authority or an immigration lawyer.
🛂 What does Section 24 provide, and must you change it?
Section 24 AufenthG is the basis for temporary protection for eligible groups. An asylum application is not required to obtain this protection. Key features include:
- For Ukrainian nationals, Section 24 permits valid on 1 February 2026 are automatically extended until 4 March 2027; check that the rule covers your circumstances
- Work as authorised by your document; check for “Erwerbstätigkeit erlaubt”
- Social support subject to eligibility; report income and changed circumstances to the responsible agency
- Access to education and healthcare under the applicable rules
Points to consider:
- Permanent residence is not automatic; eligibility under Section 26(4) and other provisions requires separate assessment
- Future residence depends on the law in force and your individual grounds
- The duration of temporary protection is governed by EU decisions and national rules
- A German permit does not automatically authorise employment or long-term residence in another EU country
👉 Therefore, compare available options early and retain your current protection until the consequences have been assessed. Section 24 does not itself require an immediate change; multiple titles may sometimes be possible where their combination is not legally excluded.
🔁 Which residence routes should you examine?
1. Section 18g — EU Blue Card: a change requires particular care
Who it may suit: Professionals with suitable qualifications and a qualifying job. Section 19f restricts a direct change while temporary protection applies; agree the sequence with the authority.
Core conditions:
- Normally €50,700 gross annually in 2026, or €45,934.20 for eligible reduced-threshold categories subject to additional conditions
- A qualifying degree or another legally accepted qualification; certain IT professionals may qualify through experience
- Appropriate health insurance
- The exclusions under Section 19f must be resolved before issuance; do not give up Section 24 on your own without an agreed lawful route
✅ Potential benefit: Family reunification and a specific settlement route when all conditions are met
2. Sections 18a and 18b — skilled employment
Who it may suit: Recognised vocational qualifications (Section 18a) or an eligible academic qualification (Section 18b)
Core conditions:
- A specific offer of qualified employment
- Required recognition or comparability of qualifications; authorisation for a regulated profession
- There is no universal €2,600 monthly threshold: employment conditions, living costs and special rules, such as first entry after age 45, must be checked
- Health insurance and sufficient means of support
✅ Potential benefit: A possible independent residence basis; a change is not automatic and some rights may differ from Section 24
3. Section 16b — university study: consider the Section 19f exclusion
Who it may suit: Applicants entering university. Study is also possible with Section 24; changing to Section 16b is not compulsory and is legally restricted during temporary protection
Core conditions:
- Admission and compliance with university requirements
- Proof of funding at the current required level through an accepted method, not necessarily only a blocked account
- Appropriate health insurance
- Education, language and insurance documents
✅ Potential benefit: Residence is tied to study; subsequent job searching is possible under the relevant rules. Compare the effects on benefits and work rights beforehand
4. Section 16a — vocational training (Ausbildung)
Who it may suit: People with a vocational training place. Section 16d concerns qualification recognition, not ordinary vocational training
Core conditions:
- A training contract or admission to the training institution
- German normally at B1; specific exceptions and the institution’s requirements must be checked
- Education documents required by the chosen programme
- Sufficient funding, accommodation and insurance
✅ Potential benefit: Dual training is generally paid; school-based programmes differ. After successful completion, employment routes including Section 18a can be assessed
5. Section 21 — business and freelance professions
Who it may suit: People planning self-employment. Section 24 with “Erwerbstätigkeit erlaubt” may already permit this; separate professional licences still need checking
Core conditions:
- A business plan with income and expense projections
- For the entrepreneurial route, economic interest or regional demand and a positive impact from the project
- Secured financing and living costs
- For freelance professions, suitable qualifications, any required authorisation and credible client prospects
✅ Potential benefit: Entrepreneurial and freelance conditions differ. Settlement after three years under Section 21(4) is conditional and does not automatically extend to all freelancers
6. Sections 25 and 26 — no automatic change after two years
Two years under Section 24, employment or study alone do not establish eligibility for Section 25 or permanent residence. Section 25 concerns specific humanitarian grounds; Section 26(4) allows settlement subject to its conditions, including applicable Section 9 requirements.
📌 To choose a route, obtain individual clarification from the foreigners authority or an immigration lawyer. A decision in someone else’s case cannot be assumed to apply to yours.
📋 Which documents may be needed?
- A valid passport or another document accepted by the authority, plus your current permit
- An employment or training contract, or university admission
- Qualifications, certificates and required recognition evidence
- Evidence of income, funding, accommodation and insurance
- Health insurance
- An explanation of the purpose of the change if requested
- A biometric photograph in the format required by the authority
- The current application form for the chosen residence title
⏳ How do you prepare a change from Section 24?
- Check eligibility, restrictions on combining titles and effects on work, family and benefits
- Contact the foreigners authority and submit the necessary application in good time, accounting for the actual validity of Section 24; booking an appointment alone is not an application
- Complete the forms and provide documents for the specific route
- Obtain proof of submission and clarify residence, work and travel rights while the case is pending
- Receive the new document and check its restrictions if the application is approved
⚠️ Important: clarify in advance whether you can apply in Germany and what lawful sequence is required. Section 19f is particularly relevant to university study and the Blue Card; do not leave Germany or surrender protection based on generic internet advice!
🧭 How can Alman Visum help?
The team at Alman Visum helps Ukrainian nationals prepare for their next step:
✅ Exploring employment, training or internship options
✅ Preparing for a contract or invitation without guaranteeing a residence permit
✅ Organising documents for the selected application
✅ Preparing questions for the foreigners authority; individual legal assessment is provided by an authorised professional
✅ Preparing documents for qualification assessment and recognition
📞 Contact us:
🌐 https://almanvisum.com
📧 info@almanvisum.com
📱 WhatsApp: +49 176 64335685
✅ What to remember
Changing from Section 24 to another residence basis is an individual decision with different requirements and consequences. Start by checking your rights and available routes. Protection duration, employment, education, income and family circumstances must be considered together; exploring alternatives does not require immediately giving up Section 24. Alman Visum can help organise your preparation and documents for further assessment.
