You have taken in refugees in your home. What now? A registration process awaits you – and it can seem confusing and quite complicated. To help you get through it as smoothly as possible, here’s a clear step-by-step guide to help your guests settle in.
1. registration and residence permit
Refugees from Ukraine are generally allowed to stay in Germany without a visa for 90 days. However, to be allowed to work or receive government assistance, they must register within those 90 days of arrival.
Refugees arriving at Stuttgart Central Station are best directed to the Social Welfare Office (Jägerstraße 14) or the Foreigners’ Registration Office (Eberhardstraße 39). There they are registered and forwarded to places where they can spend the night and stay for the time being.
A residence permit is applied for as follows:
Refugees must first register their residency at the Borough’s Citizen’s Office. They can then submit an application to the Foreigners’ Registration Office, either by mail or e-mail.
Address:
Public Order Office
Foreigners’ Registration Office
Jägerstraße 14
70174 Stuttgart
Opening hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 8.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
Thursday: 1 p.m. till 6 p.m.
Friday: 8.30 a.m. till 12 a.m.
Email: auslaenderrecht.ukraine@stuttgart.de
Note: Refugees from Ukraine are initially allowed to travel free of charge on all buses, trains and ferries in the Verkehrs- und Tarifbund Stuttgart (VVS) with their valid identity documents until March 31, 2022.
The following documents are required for the application:
– fully completed and signed application form (in Ukranian and in German)
– an identification document
– a postal address (your own residence is not required, an address of friends or counseling center is also sufficient)
After the application is received by the Immigration Office, it will be checked for completeness and your Ukrainian guests will be invited to a personal interview. However, this may take some time. Therefore, the authority first issues them a certificate free of charge by mail. With this certificate, refugees are allowed to work in Germany.
The appointment for the personal interview takes place at the Foreigners’ Registration Office. To create the residence permit, the biometric data is needed. The residence permit is issued for three years . Within three months of recognition, your guests can apply for family reunification. You now have an official work permit and receive social benefits from the Jobcenter. You can find more information on this, answers to other questions and current topics for people seeking protection in Stuttgart at fluechtlinge.stuttgart.de.
2. medical care
With the residence permit or the temporary certificate of the online application, refugees as well as their included relatives have the permission to work. They are also entitled to social benefits (maintenance) and access to medical care. The corresponding benefits can be applied for with the (temporary) residence permit at the Social Welfare Office Stuttgart.
In medical emergencies, treatment may take place even before registration and issuance of the residence permit. MedPoint Schleyerhalle provides primary medical care for refugees. Here you can make an appointment online for primary care.
MedPoint Schleyerhalle
Address:
Mercedesstraße 69, 70372 Stuttgart (NeckarPark stop)
Opening hours:
Mon. – Fri.: 9.30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
If necessary, the refugees receive further treatment in Stuttgart medical practices free of charge and on an outpatient basis. A treatment certificate is usually required for this. Treatment certificates are also issued by the social welfare office. If refugees take up employment in Germany, immediate health insurance is possible. If your guests have a family member who already has health insurance in Germany, they may be covered free of charge through the so-called family insurance.
3. opening a bank account
For many matters you need a bank account. Refugees can easily open a basic account at any bank. A basic account basically offers the same options as a checking account. Your Ukrainian guests can use it to participate in payment transactions. The application for such a bank account may be refused by banks only for good reason (e.g. if necessary identification documents are missing).
4. application for financial support
After registering and opening a bank account, refugees can apply for financial assistance from the state.
Applications are processed for all refugees at the Citizens’ Service for Social Servicesat the respective city district. Alternatively, they can first contact the Stuttgart Social Welfare Office:
Stuttgart Social Welfare Office
Contact:
Schwabenzentrum B2
Eberhardstrasse 33
70173 Stuttgart
Poststelle.sozialamt@stuttgart.de
5. free SIM card
Telekom provides refugees from Ukraine with free SIM cards for unlimited telephony and data usage. If your ukrainian guests have not yet received a SIM card, you can obtain one together with them at a Telekom issuing office. You must bring valid Ukrainian identity documents for legitimation.
Find a issuing office nearyou here.
6. job search
After registration or already with a temporary residence permit, Ukrainian refugees are allowed to work in Germany. On the website of the Federal Employment Agency you will find detailed information and advice on all aspects of working: on finding a job or training, on working conditions, on the recognition of foreign qualifications and on learning German. If necessary, your guests can get advice there by phone.
Here you can make an appointment online. If desired, you can also accompany them to the appointment:
Stuttgart Employment Agency
Contact:
Stuttgart Employment Agency
Nordbahnhofstraße 34
70191 Stuttgart
stuttgart@arbeitsagentur.de
You can find advertised jobs in the Stuttgart region in the job search of the employment agency.
Information and advice on school, training and study can be found here.
Tricos Education & Coaching offers free and non-binding advice on all aspects of professional integration into the labor market.
The Verein für Internationale Jugendarbeit e.V. offers a wide range of counseling services in the field of labor market integration and continuing education.
Club International Stuttgart is a meeting place for young people between the ages of 18 and 27 to meet people and exchange ideas.
Anyone who wants to help Ukrainian refugees find jobs should definitely look around the area and ask around to see if there are any relevant job requests or offers posted by local organizations. The following links also provide online portals that advertise jobs specifically for Ukrainian refugees:
- Job Aid Ukraine
- UA Talents (in Ukrainian)
