Registration of Ukrainians in Berlin is changing: what do you need to know from 1 December 2025?

Berlin is updating its procedure for accepting Ukrainians, and from 1 December 2025, initial registration will take place according to new rules. The city is changing the registration routes, introducing mandatory registration and streamlining the allocation of temporary accommodation. Find out more about the new registration procedure and all the steps you now need to take

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From 1 December 2025, Berlin will update the procedure for the initial registration of Ukrainian citizens. The changes have been officially announced by the capital's portal berlin.de. The changes apply to everyone who has just arrived in the city and needs to register, find temporary accommodation and complete the necessary paperwork.

We explain the steps you need to take and how the reception centres will work below.

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First stage: contacting the Ankunftszentrum at Oranienburger Str. 285

From now on, every newly arrived Ukrainian's path to registration begins at the Ankunftszentrum at Oranienburger Str. 285 (Haus 22, Info-Point). This is where the initial consultation takes place and the basic documents required for further procedures are issued.

There is an important requirement at the centre: people with pets are not allowed here. Similarly, LAF temporary shelters cannot accept families with animals, so Ukrainians are advised to arrange private accommodation at their own expense in advance.

The centre can also provide short-term shelter, conduct infectious disease screening and basic medical examinations.

How the centre in Tegel will operate: registration is mandatory

After the initial stage, all applicants are directed to the centre in Tegel. There they undergo:

– full registration;

– a security interview;

– allocation to temporary accommodation.

The main change is that from 1 December, the centre in Tegel will only accept visitors by appointment, on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. It is not possible to come without an appointment; such applicants will not be accepted.

You can get to Tegel by shuttle bus, which departs from the Ankunftszentrum. After registration, people may be provided with a place in a hotel or shelter. Those who need care will be helped to apply for Pflege-Unterstützung support.

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Actions after registration

Once all the steps at the Ankunftszentrum and Tegel have been completed, Ukrainians must independently submit applications for social assistance (at the Sozialamt or Jobcenter) and apply for a residence permit under §24 AufenthG (online at LEA to obtain a Fiktionsbescheinigung).

Important! It is not possible to register at Tegel yourself. This can only be done at the Info-Point at the Ankunftszentrum.

If you are planning to travel abroad in your own car, make sure you have an international insurance policy. The green card from Visit Ukraine allows you to travel safely in EU countries and is mandatory when entering most countries by car.

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Reminder! Germany is preparing major changes in its social support policy for Ukrainians who arrived in the country after April 2025. The reform has sparked heated debate among politicians, as it involves a transition to a different, less favourable payment format for new arrivals. How the rule change will affect Ukrainian refugees in Germany — we explain here.

Photo: Freepik

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