Return
Will my temporary protection expire if I return to Ukraine for a short time?
If you already have a residence permit for temporary protection in Germany, it expires :
- if you are not leaving Germany for a temporarily valid reason or
- if you are not in Germany for more than six months.
The immigration authorities can extend the six-month period before it expires, not afterwards, if you can prove that the longer absence is only temporary.
What needs to be taken into account when returning to Ukraine or moving to another country?
If you move from Germany to another country or if you return to Ukraine, please inform the foreigners authority responsible for your case. In addition, it is necessary to deregister at the registration authority. Please go to the registration authority at the earliest one week before and at the latest 2 weeks after moving to deregister. It is also possible to deregister in writing or by e-mail.
If you receive basic security benefits according to Book II or Book XII of the Social Code, or receive benefits according to the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act, you must also inform the job centre (in case of Book II of the Social Code), the welfare office (in case of Book XII of the Social Code) or the institution providing asylum seeker benefits of your departure. Also inform them when you are leaving the country.
I am a citizen of a country other than Ukraine. I left Ukraine because of the current situation there and came to Germany. Can I get help to leave Germany voluntarily and return to my country of origin?
Nationals of countries other than Ukraine who fled Ukraine after 24 February 2022 because of the war there, who are officially registered in Germany and who can return safely and permanently to their country of origin or would like to migrate onward to a different country willing to admit them can get help from the following programmes:
a) REAG/GARP
The joint federal and state programme REAG/GARP provides financial and organisational assistance to people who are willing to return to their country of origin or to move to another country that is willing to admit them [2]. Possible assistance may include payment for the cost of travel and transport, money for the journey, additional medical expenses and one-time start-up aid, depending on nationality.
b) StarthilfePlus
Depending on the country of destination, people willing to leave Germany voluntarily may also apply for assistance from the federal programme StarthilfePlus. They may receive additional start-up aid or reintegration support for housing in their country of destination. The same conditions for eligibility apply as for REAG/GARP.
c) ERRIN
Support from the European Return and Reintegration Network ERRIN is still available until 30 June 2022. The ERRIN programme offers returnees individual reintegration support through a network of local service partners in more than 30 countries of origin. Support may include the following: help upon arrival at the airport, individual advising after arrival, help with housing, vocational training, help in finding a job, help with starting a business or help with social and medical issues. An ERRIN application is submitted to a local authority, state authority or a return counselling centre. You can find out more from the website “Returning from Germany” here: www.returningfromgermany.de. This fact sheet from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has more information on voluntary return assistance for non-Ukrainian nationals.
[1] Programmes and conditions may change as the situation continues to develop.
[2] The country of destination must confirm that the returnee may reside there for at least 12 months.