By spring 2027, thousands of Ukrainians who arrived in Germany after the onset of the full-scale war may have the right to submit documents for German citizenship. However, the prospect of mass naturalization raises concerns among local authorities due to potential overload of the migration system. This is reported by Welt.
When Ukrainians will be able to apply for German citizenship
According to the current rules, the standard residence period for obtaining a German passport is five years.
Since most Ukrainian refugees arrived in Germany in the spring of 2022, they will begin to meet the necessary residence period by 2027.
Currently, about 1.3 million Ukrainian citizens live in Germany. A significant portion of them have integrated into local society, and many are already employed and paying social contributions.
According to German officials, about a third of working-age Ukrainians have official employment, which could be an important factor during the review of future applications.
Does temporary protection grant the right to a passport
One of the main contentious issues remains the status of Ukrainians who are in the country under temporary protection under paragraph 24 of the Residence Act.
There is no consensus among lawyers and officials about whether this status can automatically count towards future naturalization.
Experts emphasize that it is impossible to obtain citizenship solely based on temporary protection. However, transitioning to another type of residence permit, including a work permit, may provide a direct path to obtaining a German passport.
Due to this uncertainty, different regions of Germany assess the future number of applications from Ukrainians differently.
Germany fears overwhelming migration services
Local authorities have already begun to prepare for a potential increase in the number of applications.
In some districts, plans are underway to increase the staff of migration offices to handle future applications. At the same time, representatives of certain regions believe that there will not be a mass influx of applicants due to legal restrictions related to temporary protection.
The Association of Cities in Germany warns that migration services are already working under heavy loads. If a significant number of Ukrainians simultaneously submit documents after reaching the five-year residence period, it may create serious difficulties for the operation of the offices.
Earlier, we reported what salaries Ukrainians receive in Germany: they are disappointing.