Article · flojob.eu

Legal work in Germany: status, documents, first steps

With temporary protection, Ukrainians in Germany work without a separate permit. But to receive your first salary without unnecessary deductions, you need to follow a few steps — in order.

Germany 6 min read

Temporary protection (residence permit under § 24 of the Residence Act, AufenthG) already grants the right to work: a separate work permit is not required. The rest includes registration, tax ID, and health insurance fund. How much tax is withheld from you in the first months depends on them.

Is your status valid

  • Residence permits under § 24 valid as of February 1, 2026, are automatically valid until March 4, 2027 — without an application and without a visit to the foreigners' authority.
  • The European Union has already decided to extend temporary protection until March 4, 2028. Germany must formalize this extension through its own decision — watch for announcements from your foreigners' authority (Ausländerbehörde).
  • For those applying for protection for the first time starting August 5, 2026, the EU has added a new condition regarding military obligation. This does not affect those who already have protection.

First steps step by step

  1. Address registration (Anmeldung) — within 2 weeks after moving in. The landlord provides a confirmation of move-in (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). You can be fined for being late.
  2. Tax ID (Steuer-ID) arrives automatically by mail to the registered address. If there is no letter for 3 months, write to the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt).
  3. Health insurance fund (Krankenkasse) — you choose it yourself. Health insurance is mandatory with a job; the contribution is withheld by the employer.
  4. Social security number issued by the employer; confirmation arrives by post free of charge.
  5. Bank account — Ukrainians are also entitled to a basic account (Basiskonto). If you do not have a biometric passport, the bank accepts an Ukrainian document together with a German paper (for example, proof of registration).
Why a tax ID is important: without it, the employer can only calculate tax using "temporary" data for 3 months. After that, you are put into the most expensive tax class VI. Register as soon as possible.

Contract

The employer is obliged to provide the main terms in writing: who the parties are, from what date, where and what you do, how much and how you are paid, and working hours. The first of these must be provided on the very first day of work. In construction, hotels and restaurants, cleaning, logistics, and meat processing, the terms must be on signed paper, and you must carry your passport or residence permit with you at work.

If you do not have protection

Without temporary protection, working in Germany is only possible with a visa or residence permit for workers — this is a separate procedure with qualification requirements. Visa-free entry does not grant the right to work. Start with the official portal Make it in Germany or the consulate.

Official sources

Data verified on October 4, 2026. Rules and amounts change — check with the source before making important decisions.

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