GermanyHumanitarian protection

Ban on deportation and tolerated stay in Germany

Two forms of humanitarian protection for people who have not obtained refugee status or protection from political persecution. A ban on deportation (Abschiebungsverbot) grants a residence permit where human rights would be breached or life would be at risk. Tolerated stay (Duldung) is a temporary measure applied where a removal order cannot be enforced for the time being for medical or technical reasons. The difference matters: an Abschiebungsverbot gives a full right of residence with the right to work, whereas a Duldung remains a more limited status. People with an Abschiebungsverbot may apply for permanent residence; with a Duldung that route is difficult.

Threshold

Abschiebungsverbot: social benefits; Duldung: reduced benefits

Processing time

Depends on the foreigners' authority; there is no fixed time limit

Work

§25(3): work is usually permitted; Duldung: often restricted or prohibited

Residence

§25(3): a 3-year tie to the federal state is possible; a Duldung is a measure, not a title

Source: bamf.de — national ban on deportation (Abschiebungsverbot)

Grounds for protection

Humanitarian protection in Germany is provided through two mechanisms, depending on the grounds and the circumstances of the case.

Who receives an Abschiebungsverbot

People whose departure would breach the European Convention on Human Rights
People facing a specific danger to life, health or liberty in their country of origin
Patients with life-threatening illnesses that would deteriorate significantly on return

Who receives a Duldung

People subject to a removal order whose enforcement is temporarily impossible
People without documents, so that identity cannot be established or an exit permit obtained
Patients found temporarily unfit to travel on health grounds

When this programme will not suit you

If you have received a positive decision as a refugee or a person with international protection

You are issued an Aufenthaltserlaubnis directly on another ground

If you can return to a safe country of origin without risk to life

Consider voluntary return or apply to other countries

Who it suits

Documents

BAMF decision on the ban on removal, photographs, ID; for a Duldung — the decision suspending removal

Renewal and the grace period

An Abschiebungsverbot is granted together with a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) for at least one year, which can be renewed. A Duldung is not a residence title and remains a temporary measure, but it may be renewed an unlimited number of times. After five years of residence with an Abschiebungsverbot, permanent residence can be obtained subject to the conditions on securing one's own means of subsistence and knowledge of German.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	Ban on deportation and tolerated stay	Political asylum	Refugee status
Visa term	§25(3) residence permit from 1 year, renewable; a Duldung is short-term and is NOT a residence title	Residence permit usually for 3 years; renewed while the grounds remain	Residence permit for 3 years; renewable; may be revoked if conditions improve
Grounds	Removal is impossible	State persecution	Persecution
Money	Abschiebungsverbot: social benefits; Duldung: reduced benefits	Support under the AsylbLG during the procedure	Support under the AsylbLG during the procedure
Work	§25(3): work is usually permitted; Duldung: often restricted or prohibited	After recognition and the 3-year residence permit — full access to the labour market	Full access to the labour market after recognition
Residence	§25(3): a 3-year tie to the federal state is possible; a Duldung is a measure, not a title	Main place of residence in Germany; a Residenzpflicht is possible	A Wohnsitzauflage is common in the first years

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

§25(3): permanent residence is possible under the general conditions; Duldung: there is no direct route

Route to citizenship

§25(3): the time counts; Duldung: extremely difficult

Frequently asked questions about Ban on deportation and tolerated stay

What is the main difference between an Abschiebungsverbot and a Duldung?

An Abschiebungsverbot is a full residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) for at least one year, with the right to work and to apply for permanent residence. A Duldung is not a right but a toleration of the stay where removal cannot be enforced. With a Duldung, work is often restricted or prohibited, benefits are reduced, and permanent residence is considerably harder to obtain.

What are the grounds for an Abschiebungsverbot?

A ban on deportation is issued where return would breach the European Convention on Human Rights, or where there is a serious specific danger to life, health or liberty in the country of origin. Medical reasons can also be a ground: life-threatening or severe illnesses that would deteriorate significantly on return.

Can I work with an Abschiebungsverbot?

Yes, the residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) issued with an Abschiebungsverbot carries the right to work. This is one of the key advantages of this status over a Duldung, under which work is often prohibited or heavily restricted.

How long does it take to obtain permanent residence with an Abschiebungsverbot?

After five years of residence with an Abschiebungsverbot and provided the set conditions are met (such as securing one's own means of subsistence and sufficient knowledge of German), a permanent residence permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) can be obtained. With a Duldung there is no direct route to permanent status.

Other ways to move to Germany

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Germany.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 8 August 2026.