From Section 24 to another residence permit: where to go in Germany

2 April 2026

Section 24 of the German Residence Act imposes a number of restrictions on foreigners staying in the country. It regulates the conditions under which lawful residence is possible and establishes the restrictions associated with it. However, one of the main features of this section is the uncertainty regarding its duration. Therefore, it is important to know which other, more appropriate, sections one can switch to from Section 24 without leaving the country.

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What is the status of Section 24 in 2026?

Before figuring out where to move, it's worth understanding what is happening to Section 24 itself. Two decisions from the past year are changing the picture.

Temporary protection has been extended until 4 March 2028

15th July 2026 The EU Council has extended the temporary protection regime for people fleeing Ukraine until 4th March 2028. The previous deadline expired on 4 March 2027.

An important detail in this decision: temporary protection will be granted only to those who have fulfilled their military duties in Ukraine. The condition applies new of applicants — those who have already obtained status will see no changes.

The council simultaneously set a course for a «gradual and coordinated exit» from temporary protection: people will be transferred to long-term grounds — work, study, family. That is precisely why the transition to a different paragraph is no longer a question of «want to or not» and is becoming a question of time.

Benefits: Bürgergeld or Asylbewerberleistungen

It is easy to come across outdated information here, so as of August 2026 the situation is as follows:

Leistungsrechtsanpassungsgesetz bill not yet adopted and is in Parliament. The Cabinet approved it in November 2025.
Until the law comes into force, everyone receives SGB II benefits, i.e. Bürgergeld, regardless of the date of entry.
When the law comes into force, the change will affect those who received § 24 or Fiktionsbescheinigung for the first time starting from 1 April 2025. They will transfer to AsylbLG.
A transitional period is provided for those already receiving payments up to three months after the law comes into force. Decisions are not cancelled retrospectively, and paid amounts are not reclaimed.

Who moved in by 1 April 2025, the changes do not affect it at all.

This is a fluid topic. The effective date of the law has already been postponed twice — check the primary source before making any decisions or ask the Jobcenter.

Which residence paragraphs are Ukrainian refugees allowed to switch to?

A direct transition from Section 24 to other residence permits without leaving Germany is not possible for all residence permits. We have put together the known list of sections to which this transition is possible within the country. However, every case of transition is assessed individually by your immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) — if you know of successful (or other) cases of transitions to other sections, please share your experience in the comments.

Direct transition from § 24

It is not possible to jump directly from § 24

According to Section 19f, paragraph 2, paragraph 1 of the Residence Act There is a prohibition on direct conversion from paragraph 24 to the residence permits listed below.

To obtain permits under these paragraphs, it is necessary to cancel the permit under § 24 and apply from your home country (exception: EU Blue Card, more details).

§ 16a - Vocational training; professional development

Residence permit for the purpose of vocational training and subsequent further training within an enterprise. The purpose of stay for completing qualified vocational training within an enterprise also includes attending German language courses in preparation for the vocational training.

This residence permit gives you the right to work up to 20 hours a week.

In the case of vocational training, proof of sufficient German language proficiency (usually B1) is required unless the language skills necessary for the specific qualified vocational training have been assessed by the training establishment.

Before a residence permit is revoked, a foreign national is entitled to a period of up to six months to find another educational institution.

§ 16d - recognition of professional qualifications (Anerkennung ausländischer Berufsqualifikationen)

For the purpose of recognising professional qualifications obtained abroad, a foreigner must be granted a residence permit for the purpose of carrying out recognition, including subsequent examinations.

A residence permit is issued for a period of up to 24 months and may be extended for a maximum of twelve months, up to a maximum period of stay of three years.

This type of residence permit entitles you to work for up to 20 hours a week, regardless of your qualifications (under certain conditions, you are permitted to work full-time).

Section 16f - German language courses and school attendance

Residence permit for participation in language courses that do not serve as preparation for studies or participation in student exchange. A residence permit for participation in a student exchange may also be issued in the absence of a direct exchange.

To attend school, you mustAs a rule, a residence permit is granted starting from the ninth grade.

A residence permit for attending language courses gives you the right to work for up to 20 hours a week only. A residence permit for student exchange and a residence permit for school attendance do not give you the right to work.

§ 17 Para. 1 - search for a vocational training place or apprenticeship (Suche eines Ausbildungsplatzes)

Issuance of a residence permit for the purpose of finding a training place to undertake qualified vocational training is carried out if:

to a foreigner has not yet turned 35,
2. financial confirmation provision,
3. there is the right of access to vocational education
4. dresidual German language proficiency (typically B1).

The residence permit is issued for a period of up to nine months. It can only be re-issued if, after leaving the country, the foreign national has spent at least the same amount of time abroad as they previously stayed in Germany on the basis of a residence permit for the purpose of finding vocational training.

This type of residence permit entitles you to work for up to 20 hours a week and to undertake a work trial for a total of up to two weeks.

§ 18a, § 18b - skilled workers with vocational training (Fachkräfte mit Berufsausbildung) and skilled workers with academic education (Fachkräfte mit akademischer Ausbildung)

To obtain a residence permit for employment, it is necessary to:

1. A specific job offer.
2. Approval from the Federal Employment Agency.
3. Possession of the necessary licences to engage in professional activity.
4. Foreign qualification established and recognised.
5. In cases where a residence permit is issued for the first time after a foreign national reaches the age of 45, the salary shall amount to at least €55,770 per year (for 2026). This does not apply if there is a public, regional economic, or labour market interest in employing the foreign national, in particular if the salary threshold is only slightly lower or the age limit is only marginally exceeded.

§ 19c - other employment purposes

A foreigner may be granted a residence permit for employment regardless of qualifications if they possess in-depth practical professional knowledge and there is a public interest, in particular regional, economic or political, in their employment. Example: IT specialists without a degree in the field with at least 5 years of professional experience in IT.

§ 20 - Job search after staying in Germany (Arbeitsplatzsuche)

For job hunting A residence permit is granted to a foreigner after the successful completion of a course of study in Germany or if a foreign qualification has been recognised.

To be granted a residence permit, it is necessary for a person to be able to provide for their own livelihood.

The residence permit is granted for a period of up to 18 months. Extension after 18 months is excluded.

§ 21 - Self-employment / freelancing / entrepreneurship (Selbständige Tätigkeit)

A foreigner may be granted a residence permit for self-employment if:

1. There is an economic interest or a regional need.
2. This activity is expected to have a positive impact on the economy.
3. Implementation is financed from equity or credit.

The assessment of the requirements is based, inter alia, on the viability of the underlying business idea, the foreigner's entrepreneurial experience, the amount of invested capital, the impact on the employment and training situation, as well as the contribution to innovation and research.

Conditions for issuing a residence permit for opening a business:

1. The foreign national is a specialist.
2. A subsistence allowance is provided by a German business organisation or a German public organisation using public funds for preparation for founding a company.

Foreign nationals over the age of 45 may only be granted a residence permit if they have sufficient pension provision.

§§ 28–36 – family reunification/with children/with parents (Familiennachzug)

A residence permit for foreigners intended to support the family within the territory of the Federation (family reunification) is issued and renewed for the purpose of protecting marriage and family relations. Main requirements:

Lack of data regarding sham marriages contracted under duress or for the purpose of enabling a foreign national to settle in Germany.
Sufficient financial resources to support the family.

* § 18g - EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU)

Although it is not possible to switch directly from Section 24 to Section 18g, you can obtain a Blue Card via any work visa.

Requirements for the EU Blue Card:

1. The minimum salary for in-demand professions in Germany is 45,934.20 euros (2026).

2. For all other professions, the minimum wage is €50,700 (2026).

Partial list of in-demand professions for obtaining an EU Blue Card:

IT professionals
Managers in manufacturing, mining, construction and logistics.
Information and communication technology managers.
Managers in childcare and healthcare.
Vets.
Dentists.
Pharmacists.
Nurses, male nurses, midwifery specialists.
Teachers and lecturers in the school and extracurricular sectors.

Other types of residence permits

Despite the fact that there is no direct transition from Section 24 to certain types of residence permit, you can still submit your documents through the usual procedure by relinquishing your residence permit under Section 24. In this case, it will be necessary to leave Germany for the duration of the application processing time.

Regardless of the residence permit you choose, we wish you a smooth adaptation and a successful integration into Germany! May every step along this path be successful, and may new opportunities open doors to a happy and prosperous life in your new country.

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FINBER

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Where to look next

Moving from § 24 almost always comes down to two things: a verified income and a recognised degree. We will look at each of them separately:

Recognition of a degree in Germany — without it, Section 16d and most work-related grounds do not work.
EU Blue Card — the only work-related basis you can switch to directly. Income thresholds for 2026 are there as well.
Work visa — types of foundations and requirements for each.
Residence permit after 45 years of age — a separate income threshold that is often discovered too late.
Opportunity Card — if there is no employer yet.
German citizenship — terms and conditions post-reform.
Student visa — if you are planning to study.

Sources: Council of the EU extension of temporary protection until March 2028 (decision of 15.07.2026); Bundesagentur für Arbeit — questions and answers about changing the legal circle. Checked in August 2026.

This material is for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with an immigration lawyer. The decision on a specific case is made by the Ausländerbehörde.

Paragraph 25