WIKI

BIPoC Ukraine & friends in Germany

is a self-organised solidarity & support community for people fleeing the war in Ukraine, especially those without Ukrainian citizenship, especially BIPoC (Black/Indigenous/people of color) arriving in Berlin. It’s a queer-friendly gender-inclusive community. We are situated in the context of / in solidarity with previous & ongoing anti-racist struggles by migrants/refugees & friends.

Arriving in Berlin and trying to get settled: First steps and next steps

Last update: 10 May 2022

Information overview for non-EU “third-country nationals” (international people who lived in Ukraine but who have neither Ukrainian citizenship nor EU citizenship) who fled Ukraine, are arriving in Berlin, and want to stay past August 31st, 2022. This information was collated by experienced Berlin-based volunteers & activists in consultation with Berlin-based lawyers. Some of these processes may differ in other federal states of Germany. Please note that this is a very fluid situation. For updates, keep checking in with the legal advice places listed in chapter 4. Disclaimer: Please use this information at your own responsibility/risk. Try as much as possible to get individual legal advice: contact the legal advice places listed under chapter 4. Please click on the chapter titles below to access the pages with more information:

🔄 We will add more information and more points. Keep checking back in. For clear general explanations about German institutions and processes related to migration and getting settled in Germany, please consult the “Lexicon” section of Handbook Germany: https://handbookgermany.de/en/lexicon.html

🌱A short note in advance: We are happy you made it here. We are trying to give you an overview of the possibilities within the current legislation. We know that the laws are complicated, restrictive, and the situation may seem disheartening at times. However, please know that there are neighbors, volunteers, activists, networks, and NGOs operating on different levels to change this for the better. While we’re asking you to stay tuned, this is also an invitation to reach out if you feel like you’re at a point of crisis, so we can look for a solution together.

Basics

Last update: 11 May 2022

Back to the chapter overview on the start page

1.1. Being in Germany as a third-country national from Ukraine Anyone who was legally living in Ukraine as of February 24th and had to flee due to the war (including third-country nationals with a valid residence permit, for example for studying or work) is entitled to stay in Germany visa-free until 31 August 2022 and is entitled to receive social benefits (if they don't have money to cover their living expenses) and to get basic health insurance. (For information on how to apply for this, check chapter 2.)

1.2. ⚠ Avoid applying for asylum. Don’t sign any documents that you don’t understand / are not sure what they are about:

Avoid applying for asylum as much as possible, because this will take away many freedoms and other possibilities – and under the current situation, it’s not be necessary for most cases, because under the current circumstances, the people who are eligible for asylum are also eligible for a much better type of residence permit: §24 Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG) [Residence Act] (more info below under point 2.1.). The status of asylum seekers in Germany is very restrictive. They always have to live in awful refugee shelters (often in very isolated places) for at least 6 months after they apply, are not allowed to work, travel, it's very hard to study, it’s nearly impossible to cancel the asylum application process or to “switch”, for example to apply for a student visa.Only people whose lives would be in danger if they return to their countries of citizenship are eligible to get asylum. However, if they fled the war in Ukraine, these people can currently apply for another “better” type of residence permit that leaves them with many more rights and gives them instant access to the working market and education system: “§24 AufenthG” [§24 Residence Act], special residence permit for temporary protection [vorübergehender Schutzstatus/Kriegsgeflüchtetenstatus or Kriegsflüchtlingsstatus], the same that covers Ukrainian citizens and their spouses (more info below under point 2.1.). People who cannot safely return to their home country (because of their sexual orientation, political prosecution, war in their country, severe medical conditions etc) are also eligible for protection under §24 AufenthG [Residence Act], the special residence permit for temporary protection.

⚠️ Keep in mind that due to racism, people who are not white have been pushed or tricked by officials, police, etc to apply for asylum and were thus denied the right to equal treatment, and robbed of other possibilities that would grant more freedom. ⚠ If you feel like you’re being forced to file for asylum, don’t sign anything and ask for legal assistance, for example:

  • RAV (republican lawyers association) www.rav.de/kontakt +493041723555 kontakt@rav.de
  • Rote Hilfe: www.rote-hilfe.de/kontakt (scroll down for contacts in different cities)
  • Ermittlungsausschuss: www.nadir.org/nadir/initiativ/ermittlungsausschuss (different cities; ea-berlin@riseup.net for Berlin)

Ideally. ask for the name of the person who is pushing you to apply for asylum, or, if it’s the police, for the police ID number (“Dienstnummer”) and write it down, so it can be included in a complaint report later.

🟢 But since you can stay in Germany visa-free until 31 August 2022, you can use that time to begin learning German, gather more information, and put together the documents & requirements needed try to secure a different type of residence permit for yourself so you can stay longer and work or study – for example, to study, for vocational training, to learn skills in preparation for university, to learn German,... or, if you already have a degree, to start working or to look for a job, … Getting a proper residency permit or work permit would be much better than being stuck in a very restrictive and oppressive asylum seeker process for years.

There are many other types of residency permits that you may be eligible for and may be interested in. Each has specific conditions, requirements, and stipulations. Check out the various options in chapter 3.

For most of these you’ll first have to be accepted into a university, school, have a job offer, etc, before you apply for the visa.

⚠ Before you apply for ANY type of residence permit, you should get individual legal consultation by a lawyer specializing in migration law, to make sure you are applying in the correct and best possible way and to avoid potential pitfalls of these legal procedures.

You can find links to low-threshold legal consultations in chapter 4. If your location is not on the list, please contact us and we will try to find someone nearby.

1.3. 🛌 Temporary accommodation Because the refugee shelters are totally full in Berlin now (and also because any refugee shelter is very unpleasant), it’s very advisable to stay with private hosts – otherwise, if you don’t have private accommodation, the authorities will send you to other parts of Germany. This can be in small towns or in isolated places where you won’t have as much support and community as in bigger cities. Here are a few sites where you can sign up for private accommodation, according to capacity (it’s not guaranteed that they will provide you with accommodation, and it’s usually only temporary. It’s best to try many of these sites):

  • https://bpochostinggermany.com/en (for Black people/people of color)
  • https://www.unterkunft-ukraine.de
  • https://zusammenleben-willkommen.de
  • https://warmes-bett.de
  • https://hospitality-helps.org/en/home
  • https://www.unterkunft-ukraine.de/request
  • https://www.yevropi.com/
  • https://wunderflats.com/page/ukraine/home-en
  • https://mapahelp.me/
  • https://www.host4ukraine.com/
  • https://icanhelp.host/
  • https://www.immobilienscout24.de/lp/hilfe-fuer-die-ukraine.html
  • http://shelter4ua.com/ua
  • https://everybedhelps.com/
  • https://helppeopleleaveukraine.org
  • https://icanhelp.host
  • https://www.facebook.com/groups/hostasister/ for women (cis&trans) and non-binary people

  • Specifically for Berlin: Tubman.network Address: Dammweg 216, Berlin (for Black people/people of color) operating 24/7 +4915124685957, help@tubman.network Müllerstr. 74, 13349 Berlin (for Black people/people of color) office hours Mon–Fri 11am–7pm, accomodation arranged at office site only Moabit Hilft: +49151 74249545, wohnraum@moabit-hilft.com
  • Specifically for Hamburg: Asmara’s World: https://asmaras-world.de/ message via www.instagram.com/asmarasworld1 Black Community Coalition https://www.instagram.com/p/CamYw8ZMiJr/?utm_medium=copy_link +4915223478359, shelter@arrivati.de

🛌 If you don’t have any accommodation, you can sign up with the LAF [short for Landesamt für Flüchtlingsangelegenheiten, Regional Office for Refugee Affairs]  as a war refugee and they’ll assign you housing. ⚠️ But: 🔸 In Berlin and in other cities that have reached their capacity limits, it’s 95% certain that the LAF will redistribute you to some other part of Germany (it can be a small town or an isolated location; the shelters are usually quite unpleasant).

You only have a chance of being assigned to Berlin by the LAF if you can prove that:

  • you have a place to live in Berlin for at least 6 months, if you have already registered the Berlin address where you live at the Bürgeramt,
  • if you can prove that you have a job or university offer, or
  • you have relatives living in Berlin (fill this form: https://berlin-hilft.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Formular-Verwandtschaft.pdf), or
  • if you cannot travel for medical reasons.Being part of the LGBTQI+ community, being seropositive (HIV+), being particularly vulnerable could possibly also be considered reasons to let you stay in Berlin (see point 2.2. c) in chapter 2).

The following people won’t be sent away from Berlin by the LAF:

  • Unaccompanied minors,
  • pregnant people and people who just recently gave birth,
  • people who must stay in Berlin in order to receive critical medical care. (source)

⚠️ Registering at LAF will be counted as an application for §24 AufenthG [section 24 of the Residence Act]. Please check point 2.1. in chapter 2 to learn why this can be a problem for most third-country nationals from Ukraine..

The LAF operates out of several temporary locations; the main LAF location currently is Tegel airport (it’s a former airport actually, it’s not operational anymore) in the North-East of Berlin. It’s also known as “Ankunftszentrum” [Arrival Center].

1.4 Traveling onward to another EU country

(At least) until 23 May 2022 it is possible for displaced persons from Ukraine to travel to another EU country legally.

So it is up to you which EU country you want to go to – it depends on your language skills, whether you have relatives or friends living in certain places, etc. . There may be advantages to being in another country than Germany (for example more study programmes in English), but there may also be other obstacles and disadvantages. So it is best to research your options well, and ask around for advice.

Please note that once you register in one country and receive social benefits, it will most likely be harder to switch to another one.

Leaving the EU will most likely prevent you from returning easily, so before travelling to another country outside the EU, do contact the Ausländerbehörde to ask if it is possible and for the necessary documents. email: E2@lea.berlin.de

Last update: 11 May 2022 Disclaimer: Please use this information at your own responsibility/risk. Try as much as possible to get individual legal advice: contact the legal advice places listed under chapter 4.

Different types of “registration” and “applications”

Last update: 11 May 2022

Back to the chapter overview on the start page

Many people ask “how/where can I register?”, but there is not only one answer: There are different types of registration and applications (registration of your address, registration for residence permit, registration/application for social benefits) each done at different locations, and with their specific risks and benefits. Some people will tell you that you have to “register”, but they forget to specify what exactly they mean, which can lead to confusion and misunderstandings. For you to make the best decision on how to coordinate this, we’ll walk you through the different registration types.

Note: For appointments at these offices, try to find someone who speaks German fluently to accompany you. In many cases so far, we have seen that the people working at these authorities are generally not always fluent in English, which leads to miscommunication, confusion, and wrong decisions.

2.1. Special residence permit for temporary protection under § 24 AufenthG

In German, § 24 AufenthG is called “Aufenthaltsgewährung zum vorübergehenden Schutz”. “AufenthG” is short for “Aufenthaltsgesetz” = German Residence Act

The following groups of people are eligible for the special residence permit for temporary protection under § 24 AufenthG [Residence Act]:

  • Ukrainian nationals who had their residence in Ukraine before 24th February 2022,
  • stateless persons and nationals of third countries other than Ukraine who enjoyed international protection or equivalent national protection in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 (i.e. people who had refugee status in Ukraine), and
  • family members of the first two groups of persons mentioned (i.e. Spouses, unmarried partners, minor unmarried children and close relatives under further conditions), even if they are not Ukrainian citizens. Source: website of the ministry of internal affairs (BMI) with official information regarding displaced persons from Ukraine Source: website of the ministry of internal affairs (BMI) with official information regarding displaced persons from Ukraine https://www.germany4ukraine.de/hilfeportal-en/basic-information
  • “stateless persons and nationals of third countries other than Ukraine who can prove that they have resided lawfully in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 on the basis of a valid permanent residence permit issued under Ukrainian law and who are unable to return safely and permanently to their country or region of origin.”
  • Germany grants temporary protection to nationals of third countries other than Ukraine, but not stateless persons, who - can prove that they were legally resident in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, and - cannot return safely and permanently to their country or region of origin, and - were not only in Ukraine for just a temporary short stay

This applies in particular to students and persons staying in Ukraine for purposes other than visiting or short-term gainful employment.

  • non-Ukrainian third-country nationals, but not stateless persons, in accordance with Section 24 of the Residence Act if: - if they can prove that they were legally resident in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, - if they cannot return safely and permanently to their country or region of origin, and - if they were not only in Ukraine for a temporary short stay. ”This applies in particular to students and persons staying in Ukraine for purposes other than visiting or short-term gainful employment.”

(source: https://www.bamf.de/DE/Themen/AsylFluechtlingsschutz/ResettlementRelocation/InformationenEinreiseUkraine/InformationenEinreiseUkraineEN/_documents/ukraine-faq-en.html)

The biggest uncertainty is around the question of what exactly the German authorities consider circumstances under which one is unable to “return safely and permanently to one’s country or region of origin”. Therefore, it is not safe to make a lot of general claims; often it depends on the individual case. Please seek legal advice (there is a list of where to get free legal advice in chapter 4) The latest infomail from the Ministry of Interior [Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat, BMI] from 14th April 2022 (the document unfortunately not only available at the website of BMI itself and only in German at the moment) states that

  • This is the case, for example, if your safety is at risk because of your religion or political convictions, or being LGBTQUI+, or if there is a concrete danger to your life or your freedom, or if you have a life-threatening illness, or if deportation is impossible for other reasons
  • Persons with permanent Ukrainian residence permits are at first sight (prima facie) considered not to be able to return safely and permanently to their country of origin, as their ties to Ukraine are considered tighter than to their country of origin; therefore persons who hold a permanent residence permit are entitled to protection under § 24 AufenthG [Residence Act] unless proven differently (p. 5 / top)
  • Eritrea, Syria, and Afghanistan are countries of origin that are currently by default considered not to be safe to return to (p. 8 / bottom). In Berlin this also applies to Somalia.
  • Until further notice, persons with temporary Ukrainian residence permits must individually prove that they are not able to “safely and permanently return to their country of origin”; the criteria are considered to include both ties to Ukraine as well as the possibility to return in dignity , and therefore much broader than the criteria applied in other situations. Still it is highly advisable to consult a lawyer specialized in the field of migration/asylum

If you belong to one of these groups defined by the German government, please consult the following web pages on how to apply for protection under §24 AufenthG [Residence Act] (it’s the official website of the Berlin municipal government): https://www.berlin.de/ukraine/en/arrive/temporary-protected-status/

English: https://www.berlin.de/ukraine/en/arrive/online-application-temporary-residence-permit/

German: https://www.berlin.de/ukraine/ankommen/aufenthaltserlaubnis-online-antrag/ The application for protection under § 24 AufenthG [Residence Act] at LEA begins with an online application at the local immigration office. While in most German federal states (Bundesländer), the local Immigration Offices are called “Ausländerbehörde” [Foreigner's Office], in Berlin it is called LEA [short for “Landesamt für Einwanderung” = Berlin Immigration Office]. But to apply, you need to prove that you have long-term housing in Berlin (for at least 6 months) or that you have been assigned to Berlin by the LAF. If you don't belong to these groups defined by the German government but you apply for §24 AufenthG [Residence Act], it is quite likely that your application will be denied and you will have to leave Germany (and probably all of the EU Schengen area) by 31 August 2022 at the latest. ➡️ Therefore, if you don’t belong to one of the groups eligible for § 24 AufenthG [Residence Act], the advice of all the lawyers we’ve spoken to is to delay as much as possible applying for protection under § 24 AufenthG [Residence Act], i.e. avoid or delay registering at the LEA until the August 31st deadline.

This is because your application could be processed before that date and if they deem that you could “safely” return to your home country, you will have to leave the country by 31 August 2022.

If you delay applying for protection under § 24 AufenthG [Residence Act] until close to the deadline, this will buy you time, because that deadline will then automatically be extended until you get a reply to your application (which can take up to several months).

We have accompanied cases of people who handed in their application for § 24 AufenthG [Residence Act] very early and who already received their invitation to a personal appointment at LEA but who were advised by their lawyer to postpone the appointment and let the lawyer continue the communication with the LEA.

There are two benefits of applying for § 24 AufenthG [Residence Act] worth mentioning:

  • It allows you to apply for social benefits (please also read 2.3.)
  • For the time while your application is pending (which can be a few weeks to a few months), you are allowed to work with any kind of job (also non-qualified employment).

You must decide for yourself whether this short-term benefit is worth the risk, as opposed to the other option of delaying your application for § 24 AufenthG [Residence Act] as long as possible to “buy time” for your stay in Germany to prepare for a more long-term residence permit type, as described above.

But those who have already submitted their applications for § 24 AufenthG [Residence Act] may as well make use of this benefit. However this type of work permit is only valid as long as your application is not rejected. Once it is rejected you won’t be allowed to work anymore and will therefore have to try to secure another kind of residence + work permit.

2.2. Registration with LAF (at Tegel Airport) Another type of registration is the registration with the LAF (Landesamt für Flüchtlingsangelegenheiten). The LAF operates out of several temporary locations; the main LAF location currently is Tegel airport (it’s a former airport actually, it’s not operational anymore) in the North-East of Berlin. It’s also known as “Ankunftszentrum” [Arrival Center]. Shuttle buses take you there from the bus stop called “General-Garneval-Brücke”.

⚠️ Registering at LAF will be counted as an application for § 24 AufenthG [Residence Act]. Please check point 2.1. in chapter 2 to learn why this can be a problem for most third-country nationals from Ukraine and evaluate if it is really necessary or of use for you to do this.

In Berlin and in other cities that have reached their capacity limits, it’s 95% certain that upon registration LAF will redistribute you to some other part of Germany (it can be a small town or an isolated location; the shelters are usually quite unpleasant). In order to be assigned to Berlin by the LAF if you must show proof of one of these:

  • you have relatives living in Berlin (fill this form: https://berlin-hilft.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Formular-Verwandtschaft.pdf), or
  • you have a place to live in Berlin for at least 6 months, if you have already registered the Berlin address where you live at the Bürgeramt, or have an unlimited rental contract,
  • if you can prove that you have a job or university offer, or
  • if you cannot travel for medical reasons.
  • Being part of the LGBTQI+ community, being seropositive (HIV+), being particularly vulnerable could possibly also be considered reasons to let you stay in Berlin (see point 2.2. c) in chapter 2).

The following people won’t be sent away from Berlin by the LAF:

  • Unaccompanied minors,
  • pregnant people and people who just recently gave birth,
  • people who must stay in Berlin in order to receive critical medical care. (source)

You will have to fill a form giving your name and other basic personal details, answer questions such as whether you have private accommodation, about your family members. You will be fingerprinted, and a photograph of your face will be taken, for the LAF documents.

2.3. Social benefits and basic health insurance

Anyone who is a war refugee fleeing Ukraine is legally entitled to social benefits (a few hundred euros per month) and basic health insurance.

⚠️ BUT: The updated regulation now demands that people first must have registered with LAF (at Tegel Arrival center) or LEA (via an online application form) to be eligible to receive social benefits. Both of these registration types will automatically be counted as applications for § 24 AufenthG [Residence Act]; please see the described in point 2.1 of this chapter.

So ultimately each person must weigh the pros and cons for themselves: if they can afford to live without social benefits, they can wait and apply for § 24 AufenthG [Residence Act] as late as possible before the end of the deadline (31 August 2022). This will buy them time to prepare and file their application for one of the other residence permit types (not § 24 AufenthG; see chapter 3 for options).

Applying for and getting the benefits will definitely be a short-term solution until the 31 August 2022 deadline, but might affect the chances of securing a long-term solution. (social benefits but with an online registration to an application that currently will get rejected anyways + no extra time)

If you can survive without getting social benefits, it’s better to wait to apply for § 24 AufenthG [Residence Act] as long as possible before the 31 August 2022 deadline, to be able to use the maximum amount of time to prepare and file an application for a more long-term residence permit that you are eligible for.

We really hope the Berlin Senate (Berlin government) comes up with a solution soon that includes everyone (🤞 it would be ideal if ALL persons who lived in Ukraine and had to flee could get protection under § 24 AufenthG [Residence Act], also all third-country-nationals.)

There are signs of things moving in that direction: for example, the Berlin Senate announced that a working group is examining the possibilities to include students and the Senate of Hamburg has officially announced this step on 20 April 2022. But for now the federal government and other local governments still reject or approve applications for § 24 AufenthG [Residence Act] based on the eligibility described above in point 2.1.

The application for social benefits and basic health insurance is done at the “Amt für Soziales” aka “Sozialamt” [office for social affairs] of the local municipal district office [“Bezirksamt”] where you’re staying. You’ll need to give a local address and the host’s name, + a document stating the consent of the host (it’s called “Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung”; the download link is at the end of this chapter). The official letters will be sent to that address; it’s important that you can get these letters when they are sent. You’ll get about a month’s worth of social benefit payments in cash (you don’t need a bank account when applying for benefits or receiving the first payment).

Right now it is not entirely clear whether there are negative consequences to receiving social benefits – the following points were raised by lawyers:

  • You may have to pay back the money in the future: If later on you apply for one of the residence permits that require “proof of secure livelihood” (i.e. student or language course visa) this could be interpreted as a contradiction (i.e. that you didn’t actually need the social benefits money) and you may be asked to pay back the money you initially received.
  • To apply for a residence permit for a language course or for studying, you have to provide proof of secure livelihood – so it is important that you should not be receiving benefits at the moment when you apply for that residence permit, otherwise it’s likely that it will be denied.
  • The updated regulation dictates that to receive social benefits, you must first have applied for § 24 AufenthG [Residence Act], but the advice is still to delay that as much as possible, if you can, to buy time (see reasons above).
  • Make sure that your application is not interpreted as an application for asylum, so state clearly “I hereby do not apply for asylum”, ideally by writing this sentence on your application yourself.

In addition, please be aware that to apply for a residence permit for a language course or for studying, you have to provide proof that you can financial ability sustain yourself – so it is important that you are not receiving benefits at the moment when you apply for that residence permit, otherwise it’s likely that it will be denied.

As you can see, it is up to one’s own evaluation, if the benefits (money) of this registration outweigh the risks (namely, losing time to be allowed to stay / prepare for a long-term residence permit).

Please have a look at chapter 5 “Hacks: Broke in Berlin” on how to save money.

🏥 In regards to health insurance: In Berlin, there is currently a new regulation in place that covers the costs of basic treatment for everyone fleeing Ukraine, including unregistered patients. That means technically you don’t have to stress about being without insurance at the moment at least when you’re in Berlin and are not chronically sick. At your appointment, you will have to present your passport plus the postcode of your address in Berlin. However, for expensive, long-treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or expensive medicine, your treating facility will ask you to register at some point to be on the safe side. Some places are not informed about the new rule concerning unregistered patients so it might be good to inform them of the regulation here: https://www.kvberlin.de/fuer-praxen/aktuelles/themen/thema/ukraine (unregistered patients at the end)

Note: this regulation is for Berlin only! We do not know of equivalent regulations in other federal states, so there may be greater risks of being unregistered/without health insurance.

📋 Forms: This is the application form to apply for social benefits and basic health insurance. https://www.berlin.de/sen/soziales/service/berliner-sozialrecht/kategorie/sonstige/20220311_1657_antrag_auf_asylblg_ukraine_fluechtlinge.pdf

The benefits are called “Leistungen nach dem Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz (AsylbLG)” = benefits under the Asylum-Seekers’ Benefits Act. Please note that even though the word “Asylum” is in the title, this is not an application for asylum.

Link to download the form on which your hosts declare that they are hosting you: https://www.berlin.de/formularverzeichnis/?formular=/labo/zuwanderung/_assets/bestatigung_uber_dauerhafte_gewahrung_einer_unterkunft_fur_ukrainische_gefluchtete.pdf

2.4. 🏠✉️ “Anmeldung”: Registering your address in Germany: As a general rule, anyone who comes to Germany and wants to stay longer than three months has to register their residential address with the German authorities, after two weeks maximum.This is called “Anmeldung" and is done at the “Bürgeramt” [citizens’ office] or “Einwohnermeldeamt” [Residents’ Registration Office] of the district where you are staying.

For you, there is no official pressure to register your address as quickly as possible, but there is a pragmatic use for it:

  • It is required for a lot of other processes, i.e. applying for a residence permit or social benefits etc, to have an address they can send official letters and documents to. Make sure that these letters actually can reach you: if your name is not on the mailbox, add a c/o stating your host’s name as a second line in the address you give at the “Anmeldung” registration.
  • If you have found private accommodation in a city where you would like to stay, it is better to register your address first, to avoid being sent to a different part of Germany when dealing with other authorities.

Important: Please note that this registration, called “Anmeldung” in everyday language, is not the same as the other types of registration such as at the LEA and LAF. Neither is it an application for asylum or § 24 AufenthG [Residence Act].. For more information on how to do your “Anmeldung”, i.e. register your address in Germany, please read this: https://handbookgermany.de/en/rights-laws/registration.html Link to download the form on which your hosts declare that they are hosting you: https://www.berlin.de/formularverzeichnis/?formular=/labo/zuwanderung/_assets/bestatigung_uber_dauerhafte_gewahrung_einer_unterkunft_fur_ukrainische_gefluchtete.pdf

2.5. Opening a bank account: Third-country nationals from Ukraine have been able to open accounts easily with GLS Bank (please note that this type of bank account has fees) To open an account with GLS bank, you will need: ⁃ your Anmeldung (= address registration with Bürgeramt, see point 2.4 above) ⁃ your residence permit for the Ukraine ⁃ your international passport.

Last update: 11 May 2022 Disclaimer: Please use this information at your own responsibility/risk. Try as much as possible to get individual legal advice: contact the legal advice places listed under chapter 4.

Applying for residence permits

Last update: 11 May 2022 Back to the chapter overview on the start page

Types of residence permits If you are a “third-country national” from Ukraine and want to stay in Germany legally after 31 August 2022 and you’re not eligible for protection under § 24 AufenthG [Residence Act], you will need a residence permit. It’s best to start learning about the various options as soon as possible, to begin putting together your application documents.

Before handing in your application for residence permit, we strongly recommend you to get legal consultation, to make sure you do it the correct and best possible way. There are many types of residence permits that you may be eligible for. Which one is right for you depends on your individual case. Each has specific conditions, requirements, and stipulations. Please note that most of these require at least basic German. (In general, starting to learn German as soon as possible will increase your chances. Make sure to keep any “proof” of your efforts to learn German, in case you are asked about this at a later date by authorities or institutions who want to assess how “motivated” you are to live/study/work in Germany).

3.1. If you have family members who are legal residents or citizens of Germany         according to §27ff. AufenthG [Residence Act]; § 2 FreizügG/EU

a) Residence permit for spouses, parents, and children of German citizens    More information & application forms: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/328191/en/   b) Residence permit for spouses and children of foreign legal residents who are skilled workers, students, trainees, scientists, teachers More information & application forms: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/327471/en/ Please note that this also applies to dedicated non-heterosexual life partnerships (LGBTQ+), if you are in a queer dedicated long-term partnership you’ll need a partnership certificate.

3.2. Residence permits for the purpose of study, training, or work         according to §16ff. AufenthG [Residence Act]

a) Residence permit for vocational training (§16a AufenthG)

  • Conditions: • Written offer to do an apprenticeship or vocational training • German level B1
  • More information & application forms: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/328338/en/
  • (if you can secure a contract with a school + company to train you, exceptions to the language requirements might be possible. Please consult a lawyer in this case)

b) Residence permit for the purpose of studying (§16b AufenthG)

Look for suitable study programs here: Higher Education Compass: https://www.hochschulkompass.de/en/degree-programmes/study-in-germany-search/advanced-degree-programme-search.html

  • Conditions:
  • Proof of subsistence security (for example via a scholarship, a blocked bank account with ca. 10 000 euros, or a declaration of commitment by a sponsor, which means another person living here with sufficient creditworthiness officially commits to bear all subsistence costs for you) + Approval from the university
  • The stay also applies to preparatory measures such as language courses
  • Problem: few offers in English (especially not for Bachelor studies), employment only allowed on 120 days (or 240 half days) per year, and student (side) jobs (during the first year of preparatory measures you are only allowed to work during holidays)
  • Residence permit for the purpose of attending a language course WITHOUT having secured confirmation of a study place (according to §16b (5) AufenthG [Residence Act])
  • More information & application forms: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/305244/en/

c) Residence permit for attending a German language course (§16f AufenthG [Residence Act])

  • you must attend an intensive German language course (a minimum of 18 hours per week)
  • After the language course, you can apply for another kind of residence permit.
  • Problem: not allowed to work for money (no work permit)More information & application forms: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/324289/en/

d) Residence permit to look for a training and study place (§17 AufenthG [Residence Act])

Conditions:

  • you must be younger than 25 years of age (in the case of training)
  • you must have proof of being able to secure your livelihood B2 level of German
  • you must have a recognized school or university degree

Problem: not allowed to work for money (no work permit)

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_aufenthg/englisch_aufenthg.html#p0350

e) Residence permit for study preparation (§ 16b (1) AufenthG [Residence Act]) https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/305156/en/ conditions similar to c) but includes:

  • you must attend an intensive German language course (a minimum of 18 hours per week)
  • Studienkolleg
  • preparatory courses

f) Residence permit for qualified employment (§18a AufenthG [Residence Act])

Conditions:

  • Proof of having completed vocational training or having a degree
  • Your degree(s) must be recognized in Germany
  • The job offer must correspond to your degree(s)

More information & application forms: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/305304/en/

g) Residence permit for qualified skilled workers with an academic education and academic degrees (§18b AufenthG [Residence Act])

More information & application forms: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/329328/en/

h) Residence permit for work at a legally regulated national voluntary service or the European Voluntary Service (§§ 19c (1) and 19e AufenthG [Residence Act])

Conditions:

  • You need to have an offer from a recognized institution, and proof that you can secure your livelihood (through a stipend given by the institution or a declaration of commitment by a sponsor, which means another person living here with sufficient creditworthiness officially commits to bear all subsistence costs for you) More information & application forms: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/330848/en/

i) Residence permit to start a job as an au pair (§19c (1) AufenthG [Residence Act], §12 BeschV) Conditions:

  • You’ll need an au pair contract, basic knowledge of the German language,     must be under 27 years of age   More information & application forms: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/305267/en/

j) Residence permit for freelance work    More information & application forms: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/328332/en/

k ) Residence permit for the purpose of self-employment

https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/305249/en/

l) Residence permit for academic / scientific staff and researchers

More information & application forms: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/328457/en/

m) Residence permit for job-seeking qualified skilled workers – Issuance

https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/324661/en/

n) Residence permit for purpose of starting an internship

https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/305303/en/

o) Residence permit for in-service training (§16a AufenthG [Residence Act])

Particularly interesting for medical doctors, as it covers the period of a 6-month language course + training for specialization.More information & application forms: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/329337/en/

q) Residence permit for the recognition of a foreign professional qualification in a non-regulated profession https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/329358/en/

3.2.1 Recognition of foreign certificates or degrees

“If you have already obtained a school or vocational qualification (in your homeland or elsewhere outside Germany), you can have it recognised in Germany. In the recognition process, your degree is compared with a similar German degree- when your qualification is verified as an equivalent to the corresponding German degree, your diploma is ‘recognised’ and you will have better chances in the job market. All people with foreign qualifications have the right to this recognition process – it does not matter what residence status or nationality you have.”

Source + more detailed information: https://handbookgermany.de/en/work/recognition.html

Portal “Recognition in Germany”

https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/de/index.php

This is the German government’s central information portal for the recognition of foreign professional and vocational qualifications in Germany.

anabin: https://anabin.kmk.org/anabin.htmlA database you can use to find out how your certificate will be evaluated in Germany.

Short for: "Anerkennung und Bewertung ausländischer Bildungsnachweise" (Recognition and evaluation of foreign educational certificates).

anabin is a database you can use to find out how your certificate will be evaluated in Germany. If you have completed university studies already, you may also use the database to find out if your university is recognised in Germany.

Last update: 11 May 2022 Disclaimer: Please use this information at your own responsibility/risk. Try as much as possible to get individual legal advice: contact the legal advice places listed under chapter 4.

Free legal advice & updates

Last update: 16 May 2022 Back to the chapter overview on the start page

It’s important to keep up to date on the latest legal situation for third-country nationals from Ukraine. Please keep checking these sites regularly:

  • Flüchtlingsrat Berlin (a trusted NGO): https://fluechtlingsrat-berlin.de/news_termine/ukraine/ (mostly in German; use deepl.com for a better machine translation or ask a German speaker) • Our group: Internationals from Ukraine support Berlin/Germany https://t.me/+eyqKJ_bR5yw1Nzgy • the services below:

Free legal advice (not part of the German government)

List of refugee councils for each federal state of Germany (look for the ones operating in your area and see their website for consultation offers):

  • https://www.proasyl.de/en/our-network/ (English)
  • https://www.fluechtlingsrat.de/ (map, German)

In Berlin:

Overview: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1594iOflS7PYn0Z0kJ-sIt2kBADSE7pzxuHZ-ymIBhKw/edit?usp=sharing

KuB [Kontakt- und Beratungsstelle für Flüchtlinge und Migrant_innen e.V.] One-on-one legal and social counseling for refugees and migrants. Address: Oranienstr. 159, 10969 Berlin-Kreuzberg To make an appointment, please call +49 30 6149400

For consultation for women, pregnant people: frauenberatung@kub-berlin.org

For psychosocial consultation: psb@kub-berlin.org

https://www.kub-berlin.org/en/angebote/beratung/asyl-und-aufenthalt/ https://www.facebook.com/KuBFM/ https://twitter.com/KuB_Berlin

Infopoint: Group counseling advice sessions on legal issues (by AWO lawyers) and on studying in Germany, hosted by the art center SAVVY Contemporary Every Tuesday 3–6pm Please register at infopoint@savvy-contemporary.com https://savvy-contemporary.com/en/events/2022/infopoint/

Lawyer Alexander Gorski offers free legal advice every Wednesday at CoLab in Görlitzer Park, 12 (noon) to 4pm. (Address: Görlitzer Str., 10997 Berlin, exact location: https://goo.gl/maps/X4vzeW3Etxdh1cCo8 = the building next to “Black light mini golf”)

https://gangway.de/veranstaltungen/kostenfreie-rechtsberatung-straf-migrationsrecht-2022-04-20/

Refugee Law Clinic Berlin

Legal advice for displaced people. They also have teams that specialize in family reunification, LGBTQI* refugee rights, women (cis and trans), non-binary/genderqueer people. There are 10 different locations in Berlin, check the website to choose the most suitable location for you and write an email to make an appointment: https://en.rlc-berlin.org/beratung

AWO Legal and social advice for displaced persons https://awo-mitte.de/gefluechtete-asyl/

BZSL Support for particularly vulnerable refugees (i.e. who live with chronic illness, with disabilities, pregnant people, elderly people, ...) http://www.bzsl.de/beratung.html Address: Gustav-Adolf-Str. 130 13086 Berlin +49 30 44 05 44 25 +49 30 44 05 44 24 beratung@bzsl.de

BBZ Berlin Advice and support center for young refugees and migrants (younger than 18 years old) https://www.bbzberlin.de/en/ Address: Turmstr. 72 (4th floor), 10551 Berlin +49 30 66 64 07 20 +49 30 66 64 07 23 Schwulenberatung Berlin – Support center for queer (LGBTQIA+) refugeeshttps://schwulenberatungberlin.de/about-us/ Contact: https://schwulenberatungberlin.de/kontakt/ XENIONPsychological and social support for people who are politically persecuted, people who are traumatized, people who experienced serious violence https://www.xenion.org Address: Paulsenstraße 55–56, 12163 Berlin+49 30 880667322 (Monday to Thursday 10am to noon)

Zentrum ÜBERLEBEN https://www.ueberleben.org/unsere-arbeit/bns-fachstelle/https://bns.berlin/en/fuer-gefluechtete-menschen-in-berlin/ Support/advice center for refugees who experience trauma and have experienced serious violence LARA - Rape Crisis and Counselling CentreLARA offers unbureaucratic assistance for women and girls (cis or transgender people), non-binary people over the age of 14, who have been raped, sexually abused, and/or sexually harassed. telephone hotline: +49 30 216 88 88 beratung@lara-berlin.de https://lara-berlin.de/en/home Free outreach mobile counseling service for refugee women*, who experienced violence (in the past or presently):https://lara-berlin.de/en/mobile-advisory-service-for-refugee-women

Wir am Alex (by Moabit Hilft and other civil society volunteer organisations) Assistance with paperwork and filling out forms, advice for third-country nationals, covid tests, medical advice, asylum advice, social counseling, medical advice, looking for temporary accommodation, children’s corner, ... At Mollstr. 1 (Alexanderplatz) 10178 Berlin Monday to friday from 10am to 4pm, no appointment needed https://wiramalex.de

If you are looking for a lawyer to represent you in a particularly difficult case: RAV Republikanischer Anwält*innenverein (it’s a Germany-wide alliance of leftist lawyers) https://www.rav.de/start email: kontakt@rav.de Tel. +4930 417 235 55 (Monday to Friday 10 am – 1 pm and 2 to 4pm) https://www.rav.de/verein/geschaeftsstelle/

👮‍♂️🚔 If you or someone you know had an unpleasant experience with the police:

  • Rote Hilfe: www.rote-hilfe.de/kontakt (scroll down for contacts in different cities)
  • Ermittlungsausschuss: www.nadir.org/nadir/initiativ/ermittlungsausschuss (different cities; for Berlin: ea-berlin@riseup.net)
  • KOP Berlin: support for victims of racist police violence https://kop-berlin.de/kontakt (Berlin +49 179 544 17 90. , Bremen +491575 3192289).
  • in case of being arrested: call +491723255553, the emergency number of criminal defense attorneys
  • NRW North-Rhine-Westphalia/Cologne: Contact lawyer Blaise Francis, who offers free consultations for victims of racist offences: probono@blaise-francis.de, https://blaise-francis.de/

Last update: 16 May 2022 Disclaimer: Please use this information at your own responsibility/risk. Try as much as possible to get individual legal advice: contact the legal advice places listed under chapter 4.

Hacks: Broke in Berlin

Back to the chapter overview on the start page

How to get by in Berlin if you don’t have a lot of money.... (We are trying to collect more information for free food offers, free language courses, etc – we’ll keep updating this section) For those who are trying to delay social benefits registration but don’t have enough money: There are a few options that can provide support with food, free food, access to free healthcare:

🛌🏼 Free temporary accommodation: see point 1.3. in chapter 1

🍲 Food:

  • Müllerstr. 74, 13349 Berlin: 1 free warm meal a day (African kitchen)
  • Free meals: Leftists in Germany have the old tradition of "Küfa" (Küche für alle) or Vokü (Volksküche) = Meals for all ; they make a lot of food, often vegetarian or vegan, and you pay what you can (it's a sliding scale). If you can't pay that's OK, they'll understand. Usually these dinners are very relaxed, in various locations, at leftist community centers or something like that. You just take a plate and find a place to sit (it's not like a fancy restaurant, and it's not like a community pantry where you could take some food ingredients with you). It's not religious, but obviously it's left-wing. Usually it's queer-friendly or queer. Here you can see all the upcoming Küfa events in Berlin: https://stressfaktor.squat.net/termine/essen
  • You can get foodstuff for almost free from Laib & Seele, a programme organised by the Berlin NGO Berliner Tafel e.V. for people who don't have much money: There, you can pick up foodstuffs (donations from supermarkets etc) and pay only 1–2 euros maximum in total. Usually they ask for some specific documents that attest to the financial hardship, but we talked to them and they agreed to drop all these requirements for third-country nationals who had to flee the war in Ukraine. All you need is a simple personalised letter from us in German stating the circumstances, to show at the food distribution point, so you can pick up foodstuffs for 1–2 €. To get this letter, please fill out this form: https://tally.so/r/mOpek3
  • Food sharing – donated foodstuffs for free: https://foodsharing.de/?page=fairteiler&bid=47 This link shows all the foodsharing spots in different parts of the city, sorted by district (“Bezirk” in German). You can just go there and take what you need for free. (Unfortunately this website is in German but if you use automatic translation tool you should be able to understand) Particularly those two locations could be interesting: Alexanderplatz: You can pick up free food that was donated by supermarkets and bakeries for free every evening from Monday Saturday at 8pm and on Sundays at 4pm, at the corner between Gontardstr. And Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse (underneath the bridge of the regional trains). Location: https://goo.gl/maps/oYiaqqPRnzwgsbTs8 (here's more info, in German: https://foodsharing.de/?page=fairteiler&bid=221&sub=ft&id=693) Neukölln: You can pick up free food that was donated by supermarkets and bakeries for free every Wednesday at 20:15 at Weserstraße 24, 12045 Berlin, in front of Rütli School, location: https://goo.gl/maps/rV6KxMUtCHQMV7S26 (here's more info, in German: https://foodsharing.de/?page=fairteiler&bid=10&sub=ft&id=1998)

  • For Black people: Afrika Center Berlin can provide food vouchers: afrika-center.berlin@t-online.de

💻 Laptops

For Black people who have fled Ukraine and have no access to a laptop: Global Black Coalition has partnered with the youth organization Sky’s The Limit to provide laptops to Black students who had to flee the war in Ukraine. Fill out their community resource form to get on the waiting list for laptops: https://www.globalblackcoalition.org/copy-of-universities

📶 Wi-Fi: you can use free wi-fi at any U-Bahn and S-Bahn station (you might need to make an account) 📶 Here is a map of free open wi-fi in Berlin: https://berlin.freifunk.net/network/map/ Freifunk is a project by activists to provide free wi-fi for everyone; look for the wifi network name “berlin.freifunk.net”

📶 These universities offer free WIFI (“Free WiFi Berlin”), no login required, just press the connect “Verbinden” button. You can usually hang out in their cafeterias or even libraries: Central: HU Humboldt University (near Friedrichstraße, Mitte) East: HTW Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Technik (near U-Bahn station Tierpark, Friedrichsfelde) West: TU Technical University (huge area around Ernst-Reuter-Platz, Tiergarten/Charlottenburg) or Universität der Künste = university of fine arts (Tiergarten near Zoologischer Garten Station), North-West: BHT Berliner Hochschule für Technik (Near U-Bahn station Leopoldplatz/Wedding) South-West: FU Freie Universität (near U-Bahn station Freie Universität, Dahlem)

👜 Pick-up points for free clothes, hygiene products etc:

  • Wir am Alex: Mollstraße 1, 10178 Berlin 10am to 4pm
  • MOABIT hilft e. V. Turmstraße 21, Haus R, 10559 Berlin Monday to Friday 11am to 7 pm
  • Holzmarkt: Holzmarktstraße 19, 10179 Berlin, Monday to Saturday 2 to 6 pm
  • Razam Salon Ukraine Haus der Statistik - Haus B Otto-Braun-Str. 72 10178 Berlin Every day 11am to 6pm
  • Stadtmission S+U Berlin Hauptbahnhof Lehrter Str. 68 10557 Berlin (enter at Seydlitzstraße 20) Monday to Friday 8am to 2pm
  • Deutsches Rotes Kreuz Kreisverband Berlin-Zentrum e. V. – Kleiderkammer Gotzkowskystraße 8, 10555 Berlin Phone: +49 30 396020621 Opening hours: Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to noon

👩🏾‍💻 Free clothes, furniture, anything online: ebay Kleinanzeigen Berlin

https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-zu-verschenken/berlin/c192l3331

(choose “zu Verschenken”(=give away)” at “Alle Kategorien”-menu) or change the city at “PLZ Ort”