Germany extends stay for Ukrainians: Employment leads to residency

When journalists asked Olaf Scholz if he envisions further integrating Ukrainians, both men and women, who wish to stay in Germany after their residence permits expire in March 2025, he responded positively.

We would like those here from Ukraine to continue working if they can. The Chancellor stated that we have invested in integration and language courses, and now we aim to motivate many of them to work.

Scholz pointed out that numerous Ukrainians have already found employment in Germany, "however, hundreds of thousands more are still urgently needed in the labor market".

The Chancellor was also questioned about whether Ukrainian men of conscription age, having fled the war to Germany, would be compelled to return due to a new law recently enacted by the authorities in Kiev.

Employment guarantees residency – Scholz underscored. The new regulations in Ukraine do not alter the rights of Ukrainian citizens to reside in Germany; "the legal scenario here does not challenge their presence" - he elaborated.

In April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a new mobilization law, adjusting the existing army recruitment system and augmenting the authorities' capacity to issue draft notices electronically. At the time, it was clarified that the goal was to gauge Ukraine's available personnel resources.

Shortly after, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba declared his intent to reestablish "a fair policy towards men of mobilization age within Ukraine and abroad," and on the X platform, emphasized that being abroad does not waive obligations to the state. Reports at that time indicated that Ukrainian consulates had suspended services for men aged 18-60.

Currently, 1.1 million Ukrainian war refugees reside in Germany. However, only one in five is employed. The remainder is receiving benefits - as recently reported by the German "Bild."