Temporary Protection Extension: Which Documents Need Re-Translation

Your §24 was extended automatically until March 4, 2027 - you don’t need to do anything for that. But if you’re planning to switch to a work permit or another status before §24 ends, there’s a list of documents whose translations the Ausländerbehörde will reject as outdated - even if you ordered them a year ago. Let’s sort this out once and for all.

What happened to §24: the short version¶

In June 2025, EU member states extended temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 4, 2027. The decision took effect automatically - no vote, no applications, no queuing at the immigration office.

According to Eurostat, as of April 2026, around 1.28 million Ukrainians are in Germany under temporary protection (29% of the EU total). Most of them hold §24 AufenthG residence permits.

If your §24 was valid on February 1, 2026, it’s automatically extended until March 4, 2027. According to the official germany4ukraine.de portal, no documents need to be submitted. No new translations, no ABH visit - nothing.

But there’s one key thing a lot of people haven’t accounted for.

When you do NOT need new translations¶

If you’re staying on §24 until 2027 and not changing anything - your existing translations are fine. No authority asks for new translations with an automatic extension.

Situations where translations are NOT needed:

• Automatic §24 extension until March 2027
• Continuing Bürgergeld (if your status isn’t changing)
• Registering a child for school or daycare (with an existing birth certificate translation)
• Getting or renewing health insurance based on §24

When translations need to be updated or ordered for the first time¶

This is where real questions start. There are four scenarios where you’ll need translations - either new ones or fresh copies of old ones.

Scenario 1: Switching from §24 to a work permit or Blaue Karte¶

This is the most common situation for Ukrainians in Germany right now. §24 lets you work, but doesn’t give you long-term security - if the EU doesn’t renew the protection in 2027, you’ll have limited time to sort out your status. That’s why many people are switching to §18a/§18b (based on recognised qualifications) or Blaue Karte.

For this, the Ausländerbehörde asks for a package of documents from Ukraine, and most of them need to be translated fresh. Why fresh? Because:

• Your 2022 or 2023 translations technically aren’t “expired,” but some offices treat them as too old
• Some ABH offices have internal policies - no older than 6 or 12 months
• If you’ve gotten a new passport since then, your old passport translation no longer matches your current documents

As one user wrote on a German immigration forum: “Brought my birth certificate with a 2022 translation - the ABH refused it, said they need nothing older than 12 months. Had to order a new one.”

Scenario 2: The original document has changed¶

This applies to everyone who got a new passport - which is a lot of people between 2022 and 2026, especially those who renewed through a consulate.

The rule is simple: a translation is valid for exactly as long as the original document is. If the original changes, you need a new translation. This covers:

• A new passport (if you’re submitting documents by passport)
• A new birth certificate (if the original was damaged and you got a duplicate from Ukraine)
• Any document where your personal data changed

Scenario 3: Family reunification¶

If you’re applying for Familiennachzug - bringing your spouse or child to Germany - the document package always requires fresh translations. The Standesamt and ABH are very particular about this.

Typically required: marriage certificate with translation + apostille, child’s birth certificate with translation + apostille, sometimes a criminal record clearance.

Scenario 4: Diploma recognition (Berufsanerkennung)¶

If you’re starting the diploma recognition process, a certified translation of your diploma and its supplement is mandatory. And here’s the important part: the translation needs to be current and match the original document as it stands now. If you translated your diploma in 2022, check whether the requirements of the recognition body for your profession have changed.

What the Ausländerbehörde does NOT accept¶

This is critical, and it’s where mistakes happen.

Not accepted: - Translations from Ukrainian translation agencies (even notarially certified ones) - Translations from Polish, Czech, or Slovak sworn translators - Google Translate or DeepL outputs with a stamp - Notarially certified translations without the signature of a specific beeidigter Übersetzer

Accepted: - Certified translation (beglaubigte Übersetzung) from a translator in the justiz-dolmetscher.de register or in a specific Landgericht’s register - The translator must be registered in Germany and have official authorisation

As Lingua-World’s guide on certified translations explains, a translation is considered valid when signed by a beeidigte/vereidigte Übersetzer with the appropriate stamp, made from an original or notarially certified copy.

Exactly what to translate when switching status¶

Here’s a table for the most common scenario - switching from §24 to §18a/§18b or Blaue Karte.

Note: these are approximate prices. Actual rates depend on page count, language pair, and the translator. Under JVEG (Justizvergütungsgesetz), the standard rate for sworn translators is around €1.95 per line (55 characters).

How long a certified translation is actually valid¶

Legally - indefinitely. This is confirmed by UNA Lingua’s legal guide and by court practice. A certified translation doesn’t expire as long as the original hasn’t changed.

There’s a catch though: individual Ausländerbehörde offices have their own internal rules. In Berlin, Munich, Hamburg - some offices informally ask for translations no older than 6-12 months. It’s not law, but they can still reject you.

Practical tip: if you have translations that are over a year old, call or email the ABH before your appointment to confirm they’ll accept them. Ask specifically: “Do you accept a beglaubigte Übersetzung from [year], if the original document hasn’t changed?”

Apostille: do you need a new one?¶

The apostille on Ukrainian documents technically has no expiration date - if the original is unchanged, the apostille is still valid. But there’s a practical issue: if the original document was damaged or re-registered, you need an apostille on the new document.

Since June 2025, Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice has launched an electronic apostille register, which has significantly sped up the process. If you need to get or update an apostille from Ukraine - it’s now realistically doable in 5-10 business days through the consulate or online. Cost: around 670 UAH.

What you definitely shouldn’t leave until later¶

§24 runs until March 4, 2027 - but that doesn’t mean you can wait until early 2027. Here’s why:

• Gathering documents from Ukraine (apostille, duplicates) takes 2-8 weeks
• Ordering translations takes another 3-10 business days
• Getting an appointment at the ABH - often 1-3 months out
• The actual status change process (§18a/§18b) - 2-6 months after submission

If you want a new status before March 4, 2027, you need to start no later than September-October 2026. And if the status involves diploma recognition - start even earlier, because Berufsanerkennung itself takes 4-8 months.

One person in an expat Telegram group wrote: “Thought I had a whole year until 2027 - plenty of time. Turned out my ABH had a 4-month queue, plus ordering translations, plus waiting 5 weeks for the apostille from Ukraine. Start earlier - it’s genuinely stressful.”

Step-by-step action plan¶

If you’ve decided to switch from §24 to another status, here’s the sequence:

1. Identify your path - §18a/§18b (diploma + job), §19c (IT without degree), Blaue Karte, §21 (self-employed) - each requires a different document package
2. Confirm with your ABH exactly what documents they need for your specific case - call or email, don’t guess
3. Collect originals from Ukraine: order duplicates through the consulate if anything is lost or damaged, get apostilles done
4. Order translations from a sworn translator in the register - or online through ChatsControl, where a beeidigte Übersetzer handles everything remotely
5. Book your ABH appointment - don’t wait until all documents are ready, book immediately because the queue is long
6. Submit documents and get your Fiktionsbescheinigung - this confirms your legal status is maintained while your application is processed

FAQ¶

Do I need new translations for the automatic §24 extension until 2027?¶

No. The automatic extension requires no action on your part - no application, no new documents, no visit to the Ausländerbehörde.

How long is a certified translation valid in Germany?¶

Legally, a certified translation has no expiration date - if the original document hasn’t changed, the translation stays valid. In practice, some immigration offices ask for translations no older than 6-12 months, especially for birth and marriage certificates.

Does the Ausländerbehörde accept translations made in Ukraine?¶

No. German immigration offices require a beglaubigte Übersetzung (certified translation) from a translator registered in Germany’s justiz-dolmetscher.de register or a Landgericht register. Translations from Ukrainian notaries or translation agencies are not accepted.

How much does a document translation package cost for switching to a work permit?¶

Rough budget: birth certificate €50-75, marriage certificate €60-80, diploma with supplement €100-200, criminal record clearance €45-70. Total for a 3-4 document package: €200-400.

Where can I find a sworn translator for Ukrainian-German translation?¶

Official register: justiz-dolmetscher.de - searchable by language pair (Ukrainisch-Deutsch) and federal state. You can also order online - a sworn translator can handle everything remotely.

What is a Fiktionsbescheinigung and why do I need it?¶

A Fiktionsbescheinigung (fictional certificate) is a document the ABH issues while your status change application is being reviewed. It confirms that you remain a legal resident and can continue working. If your §24 expires during the review process, this is what protects you. Ask for it when you submit your documents.

What happens to §24 if I leave Germany for more than 6 months?¶

A stay abroad of more than 6 months can result in losing §24. If you’re planning an extended absence, check with your local ABH first - some issue a written confirmation that your permit won’t be cancelled. Better to check in advance than to come back without status.