Germany: how to switch from §24 to a work, study or skilled-worker permit (Spurwechsel)

Ukrainians who live in Germany with a residence permit under §24 AufenthG (temporary protection) can change it to a permit for work, study or for skilled workers. In German, such a switch is called Spurwechsel (changing «track»). The main advantage: this can be done without leaving Germany and without going through a visa procedure at the Ukrainian consulate.

What has changed and why it matters right now

The Second amendment to the regulation on the extension of permits (2. UkraineAufenthÄndFGV) was published in the Federal Law Gazette (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 252) on 27 October 2025. According to it, all permits under §24 para. 1 AufenthG that are valid as of 1 February 2026 are automatically extended — without a separate application — until 4 March 2027. The basis at EU level is the Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1460 of 15 July 2025, which extended temporary protection until 4 March 2027.

This means there is no need to rush to change your status: temporary protection remains in place. But if you already have a job with sufficient income, a recognised qualification or plans for long-term residence and a career, switching to another permit opens up more opportunities — in particular a path to permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis).

Why the switch is possible without a visa abroad

The key procedural rule is §39 sentence 1 no. 1 AufenthV. It allows holders of a permit under §24 AufenthG to obtain another residence permit inside the country, without an interim departure and without applying for a visa at a consulate. It is important to understand: §39 only resolves the question of «where to apply» (in Germany, not abroad). The question of «whether and when» for some permits is separately regulated by §19f AufenthG (see below).

Which permits you can switch to — and when

According to the position of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) and the analysis of expert sources (asyl.net, GGUA, BAGFW), the options fall into two groups.

1. Can be processed in parallel with §24 (§24 remains a «safety net»)

These permits are not blocked by §19f AufenthG, so the application can be submitted while §24 is still in effect:

• §18a / §18b AufenthG — skilled workers with recognised vocational training or a university degree.
• §16a AufenthG — vocational (dual) training.
• §19c AufenthG — employment, in particular based on professional experience (§19c para. 2) or in the public interest.
• §16d AufenthG — residence for the procedure of recognising a foreign qualification.

2. Only consecutively — §24 must end first (permits blocked by §19f AufenthG)

For these permits, §19f AufenthG does not allow them to be held in parallel with §24: first §24 ends, and only then is the new permit issued. There is no fallback in the form of §24 during this time:

• §16b AufenthG — studies at a university.
• §18g AufenthG — EU Blue Card.
• §16e, §17 para. 2, §18d (research), §19e — other directions blocked by §19f.

A separate caution regarding §16b: according to clarifications from expert sources, this path (university studies from §24 status) concerns primarily third-country nationals who left Ukraine, rather than citizens of Ukraine. If you are a citizen of Ukraine, do not plan §16b via §24 without prior consultation with the Ausländerbehörde or a lawyer.

Steps for processing

1. Make sure your permit under §24 is still valid or that you have a Fiktionsbescheinigung (a certificate of continued validity). The change must be initiated while the status is active.
2. Prepare the basis for the new permit: an employment contract with sufficient income, proof of enrolment in studies or documents for recognition of a qualification.
3. Contact the local immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde) at your place of residence and submit an application to change the purpose of residence (Zweckwechsel).
4. If necessary (for example, for employment under §19c) the authority involves the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) for approval.

Important to weigh before switching

For permits that are processed only consecutively (§16b, §18g and other §19f-blocked ones), the switch is practically irreversible: once §24 has ended, you can no longer return to temporary protection, while the new permit is not yet there. Therefore, before such a step, it is worth assessing the stability of your job or studies, your income level and your long-term plans. For §18a/§18b/§16a/§19c the risk is lower, because §24 remains in effect in parallel until the new permit is issued.

The exact requirements for income, language level and documents depend on the specific permit and may differ depending on the federal state. For complex cases, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialising in migration law or a counselling centre, and always to verify the current conditions with your Ausländerbehörde and official sources.