Section 24 in Germany in 2026: How to Apply and What Has Changed

In 2026, a person who qualifies for temporary protection in Germany applies under Section 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG). The application goes to the Ausländerbehörde responsible for the place of residence. Two dates are easy to mix up. A qualifying German permit that was valid on 1 February 2026 continues until 4 March 2027 under the German regulation. The EU temporary-protection framework runs until 4 March 2028 from 5 March 2027.

What Section 24 means

Section 24 provides a temporary residence basis for people displaced from Ukraine. It is separate from the asylum procedure. The authority may issue a Fiktionsbescheinigung while the electronic residence card is being prepared. This provisional document can be important for proving lawful stay and checking whether employment is allowed.

Read the conditions in the document you receive. The wording on employment, the period of validity and the responsible authority matter more than a general description found on a social network.

Who can apply

The temporary-protection rules cover several groups. They include:

Ukrainian citizens who lived in Ukraine before 24 February 2022
stateless people and nationals of other countries who held international or equivalent protection in Ukraine on that date
eligible family members of people in those groups
some third-country nationals and stateless people who had a valid permanent residence right in Ukraine.

The authority checks the evidence for each case. A short stay in Ukraine or a different residence status does not automatically lead to the same result. Family members should also prepare documents that show the relationship and the relevant status of the person they join.

What changed in 2026

There are four dates worth keeping in one place. The first concerns the German document already held by a person. The second and third come from the EU decision and concern the protection framework and new grants. The fourth marks the start of the extended EU period.

Key dates for temporary protection in 2026
Date	What happened	What it means
1 February 2026	German continuation rule	A qualifying §24 permit that was valid on this date continues in Germany until 4 March 2027.
4 August 2026	EU Decision 2026/1912	The temporary-protection framework is extended until 4 March 2028.
5 August 2026	Rule for new grants	Military-obligation compliance and, where applicable, permission to leave Ukraine must be considered for new protection grants.
5 March 2027	EU extension begins	The new EU period starts. It does not put the date 4 March 2028 on every German residence card automatically.

How the 2026 rules apply to different situations
Your situation	Relevant rule	What to do
Your German §24 permit was valid on 1 February 2026	The German continuation reaches 4 March 2027 if the regulation covers your case.	Keep the permit and follow letters from the local authority.
You are applying for new protection after 5 August 2026	The authority checks the current eligibility rules and the new EU condition where it applies.	Ask which evidence is needed for military obligations or permission to leave Ukraine.
You held temporary protection in an EU Member State on or before 4 August 2026 and have kept it without interruption	The military-obligation rule does not apply to that continuous existing status.	Do not treat this exception as automatic approval of a new German application.
You are a third-country national without a qualifying permanent residence right in Ukraine	The German continuation may not cover your permit.	Ask the Ausländerbehörde about your status and other residence options.

The practical distinction is simple. EU law sets the length of the protection framework. German law determines whether a particular German document continues. Benefits are decided under separate rules by the responsible office.

How to apply

Start with the official instructions of the authority responsible for your address. Some cities use an online form or an appointment service linked from Germany4Ukraine. Others ask applicants to register first and then attend an appointment. The procedure can differ between local authorities.

Check your category. Gather evidence of residence, protection, family connection or permanent residence in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 when that fact is relevant to your case.
Complete registration and biometrics. Keep the registration paper, appointment confirmation and any document showing that your photograph or fingerprints were recorded.
File the application. Use the responsible Ausländerbehörde or its official online service. BAMF-NAvI can help find local migration services.
Ask for provisional proof. If the residence card will take time, ask whether a Fiktionsbescheinigung is available. Read its validity and work wording before relying on it.
Keep a complete record. Save the application, attachments, decision and messages from the authority. Report a new address or another major change to the responsible office.

Applicant discussing temporary-protection documents with a German authority employee — Check the local procedure before the appointment and keep proof that the application was submitted.

Documents to prepare

Prepare the documents that explain your identity and your eligibility:

passport or another identity document
proof of residence in Ukraine or the relevant protection or residence status on 24 February 2022
family documents when the application depends on a family relationship
registration, biometric and appointment records
your current address, local forms and any documents named by the authority
certified translations if the authority requests them.

No single list fits every applicant. The authority may ask for more evidence when identity, family ties, previous protection or the Ukrainian residence status is unclear. Make a secure digital copy, but send personal documents only through an official channel.

Folder and checklist of documents for a Section 24 application in Germany — Keep identity documents, evidence and authority correspondence together.

Rights and next steps

Temporary protection gives a residence basis for the period covered by the status. Work, housing, healthcare, education and social support each have their own conditions. For employment, check the wording in the residence permit or Fiktionsbescheinigung before starting work.

Section 24 is not a permanent residence title. People who work, study or have family ties in Germany can ask for advice about another residence basis early enough to prepare for the end of temporary protection. A long absence, a move to another country or a permanent return to Ukraine can affect residence and benefits. Ask the authority before making a long-term move.

Common mistakes

putting the EU date of 4 March 2028 on every German document without checking the German rule
assuming that every person who left Ukraine qualifies automatically
starting an asylum procedure only because a residence card is delayed
starting work before checking the employment wording
using an old deadline without checking when the source was updated
sending passport scans or money to an unofficial appointment service.

Questions and answers

Do I need to apply again if my Section 24 permit was valid on 1 February 2026?

For the German continuation to 4 March 2027, usually not if your permit and circumstances fall within the regulation. Check the document, its conditions and the latest message from your local authority.

Does the EU decision make my German card valid until 4 March 2028?

No. The decision extends the EU protection framework. The continuation of a particular German document is decided under German rules and the facts of the case.

Should I apply for asylum instead?

No. Section 24 is a separate protection route. Before changing the residence basis, get advice about the consequences for residence, work and benefits.

What can I do while the residence card is being prepared?

Contact the responsible Ausländerbehörde and ask about a Fiktionsbescheinigung. Check that it states the period of lawful stay and the conditions for work.

Can I work after submitting the application?

The application alone is not the work authorisation. Check the permit or provisional certificate and ask the authority when the wording is unclear.

Does Section 24 guarantee Bürgergeld?

No. The Jobcenter or Sozialamt checks need, residence documents and the rules that apply to the individual case. Use current BMAS information before filing a benefits claim.

Official sources and last review

Checked on 8 September 2026. Residence rules can change. Confirm the procedure with the responsible authority before sending documents.

This page gives general information. It is not individual legal advice.