Transition from §24 to Work Residence Permit in Germany: What Happens to the Family

Ukrainians transitioning from temporary protection to a work permit in Germany can obtain a new status only for themselves, while their spouse and children will remain with their permits under §24. Another option is to apply for family residence permits. Visit Ukraine provides details on this. Earlier, we explained how Ukrainians can keep their temporary protection in Germany.

Work Residence Permit in Germany: What Will Happen to the Family Status

In Germany, each family member has a separate residence permit. If one of the adults transitions from §24 to a work residence permit under §18a, §18b, or the Blue Card, their permit changes, but the status of the partner and children is not automatically canceled. They can continue living and working in the country with their own documents as long as they are valid.

This option may be suitable for families that do not want to change all their documents at the same time. For example, if the children are already attending school, and the other spouse is working or attending language courses. At the same time, the statuses of family members will be different: a work residence permit opens a separate path to permanent residency, while §24 remains temporary protection.

Which Work Permit to Choose After §24

There are several options for residence permits for skilled workers:

• §18a is intended for specialists with vocational education;

• §18b is for specialists with higher education;

• The Blue Card is suitable for professionals with a recognized diploma who meet salary requirements.

In 2026, the general salary threshold for the Blue Card is €50,700 per year. For shortage occupations and some recent graduates, it is lower at €45,934.20. In such cases, approval from the Federal Employment Agency may be required.

A work status can bring closer the possibility of obtaining a permanent residence permit. According to Visit Ukraine's guidelines, applications for §18a or §18b can usually be submitted after three years, and with a German education or vocational training, after two years. Holders of the Blue Card with a German level of B1 can apply for this after 21 months. Exact conditions depend on individual circumstances. More about legalization in Germany after §24 has been written separately.

Switching to another status should be pre-approved with the local foreign office: the law has restrictions regarding certain types of permits, and approaches to the Blue Card may vary depending on the office.

If you are interested in working in Germany, we suggest you check out 140,000 job vacancies on the Layboard portal.

Family Residence Permit in Germany: Conditions for Spouses and Children

Instead of separate permits under §24, the family can apply for a family residence permit under §30 and §32 of the Residence Act. For spouses of skilled workers, in many cases, confirmation of German at A1 level is not required. For families of Blue Card holders, §18a and §18b also have relaxed housing requirements.

At the same time, the family must prove that they can support themselves without social assistance. To apply, marriage and birth certificates may need to be apostilled and translated. It is important that the spelling of names in the documents matches.

The EU has extended temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 4, 2028; however, in Germany, automatic extensions of permits currently apply to documents valid as of February 1, 2026, until March 4, 2027. Therefore, families planning to stay long-term should clarify in advance what status fits each of their members. Additional information on status options for Ukrainians in Germany is available in our material.