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GermanyRepatriation

Late resettlers in Germany

A programme for ethnic Germans leaving the resettlement countries (mainly the former Soviet Union and its constituent republics). They receive German citizenship as soon as the admission decision is issued and can count on accommodation, language training and integration support. The procedure requires proof of German descent, knowledge of German and compliance with the statutory residence conditions. Resettlers acquire the status of German citizens under constitutional law, which gives them full access to the labour market and to social services.

Visa term
German citizenship by law (Art. 116 GG) once the procedure is completed
Threshold
The move is paid for by the applicant; thereafter social benefits plus integration support
Processing time
Often months to years
Work
As citizens — unrestricted access to the labour market

Source: gesetze-im-internet.de — §4 BVFG, status of a late repatriate

Who is entitled to apply

The programme is open to ethnic Germans who meet the set criteria on descent and residence.

Main applicants

  • An ethnic German from the former Soviet Union or its republics
  • Born before the date laid down by law
  • Resident in the resettlement areas as required by law

Eligibility requirements

  • Proof of German descent from a German citizen or an ethnic German
  • Knowledge of German at basic conversational level or a B1 certificate
  • No grounds for refusal under the federal act

Family and dependants

  • The spouse of the main applicant
  • Children and direct descendants
  • Relatives included in a single admission procedure

When this programme will not suit you

The applicant cannot prove German descent from a German citizen

Naturalisation through the ordinary route after living in Germany on other grounds

The person does not speak German and cannot learn it before applying

The language is required before admission; the alternative is another route of immigration to Germany

The applicant is caught by an exclusion ground under the Federal Expellees Act

Consider other routes of legalisation or migration depending on the individual situation

What it costs

Administrative fee for the BVA admission procedureNot charged under the Federal Expellees Act; this is a function of the state administration0 EUR
Integration courses, including language training and the orientation courseAll courses are funded by the state and provided free of charge to every resettler0 EUR
One-off integration payment (born in 1946-1956 in the former USSR)Available to people from the former USSR born within the period stated; the claim must be filed within three years+2 046 EUR
One-off integration payment (born before 1946 in the former USSR)A higher amount for those born in the earlier period; the claim must be filed within three years+3 068 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. “One-off integration payment (born in 1946-1956 in the former USSR)” adds 2 046 EUR; “One-off integration payment (born before 1946 in the former USSR)” adds 3 068 EUR. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.0–5 114 EUR

Paid separately

  • Translations and official certification of documents — The applicant bears these costs; the amount depends on the country of origin and the authorities involved
  • Air tickets and international travel — Each resettler funds their own move; a one-off grant may be obtained after registration at the Friedland reception centre
  • Personal insurance during the move — Between de-registration in the country of origin and registration in Friedland the applicant is not covered by state insurance and must arrange their own

Documents to gather

The applicant must assemble a complete set of documents and send it to the Federal Office of Administration (BVA) in Cologne, or file it through the online portal and then post the paper originals.

  • Completed and signed application form (Antrag S for the former Soviet republics or Antrag A for other countries)
  • Birth certificate (original or certified copy)
  • Marriage certificate (where applicable; original or certified copy)
  • Passport or another photographic identity document
  • Evidence of German descent (documents from ancestors who held German citizenship; archive certificates)
  • Civil status records of ancestors stating their citizenship
  • German language certificate at B1 level or confirmation of a successful interview at a German embassy
  • Documents confirming citizenship (passport, certificates stating citizenship)
  • Apostille or other official certification of foreign documents under the Hague Convention
  • Certificate of residence in the resettlement areas as required by law

How the process runs

The admission process runs through several stages, from the initial preparation of documents to placement in Germany and the start of integration.

  1. 1

    Downloading and preparing the correct application form

    From a few days to a few weeks to gather the information

    The applicant selects the correct form (Antrag S for the former Soviet republics or Antrag A for other countries) from the official BVA website and completes it carefully in German with all the required details and a signature.

  2. 2

    Collecting and officially certifying the supporting documents

    From a few weeks to several months depending on availability

    Originals or certified copies of all the required documents are collected, including birth and marriage certificates, passports and evidence of German descent. All foreign documents require an apostille or other official certification.

  3. 3

    Sending the complete file to the BVA

    A one-day dispatch

    The complete file is posted to the Federal Office of Administration in Cologne or filed through the online portal, with the originals sent by post afterwards.

  4. 4

    Receiving confirmation of receipt and a case number

    From a few days to one week after the file arrives

    The BVA sends a letter with a case number for tracking the application. This number lets the applicant follow the progress. The letter should be kept as a critical document.

  5. 5

    Providing proof of knowledge of German

    From a few weeks to several months depending on examination and embassy scheduling

    All adult family members must either provide a B1 certificate or attend an interview at a German consulate for an independent assessment of their level of German.

  6. 6

    Official examination and decision

    From several months to several years depending on the volume of applications

    The BVA carries out a full examination of all the information and issues a formal decision. The applicant receives a letter with a positive decision (Aufnahmebescheid) or a refusal setting out the reasons.

  7. 7

    Obtaining the exit visa and preparing to leave

    From a few weeks to a month depending on consular procedures

    On the basis of a positive decision the applicant files documents at the German consulate for an exit visa. Everyone must budget for their own travel costs, although a one-off grant may be obtained after registration.

  8. 8

    Arrival and registration at the Friedland reception centre

    From a few days to one week for the registration formalities

    Resettlers arrive at the Grenzdurchgangslager Friedland reception centre (address: Heimkehrerstraße 16, 37133 Friedland). Free accommodation and three meals a day are provided, registration in the system takes place and an initial assessment of needs is made.

  9. 9

    Official allocation to a federal state and relocation

    From a few days to a few weeks after arrival in Friedland

    The Federal Office of Administration allocates resettlers to the federal states under the Königsteiner Schlüssel (a formula based on the tax revenue and population of each state). Resettlers usually cannot choose a particular place of residence, but the states and municipalities provide transitional accommodation.

  10. 10

    Placement in transitional accommodation and participation in integration programmes

    From several months to one year depending on employment and the job search

    Resettlers are placed in transitional accommodation provided by the state or the municipality. They are entitled to attend language courses (basic and advanced German) and the orientation course on German culture, history and the legal system free of charge.

Who you can bring with you

Family members of the applicant may be included in the admission procedure and will receive a status close to that of a Spätaussiedler, even if they do not fully meet all the criteria on descent.

Spouse of the main applicant
Included in the admission procedure under BVFG §7(2), acquires German citizenship at the same time as the main applicant, and has equal rights to accommodation and integration support
Children and direct descendants of the main applicant
Included in the procedure automatically, even if they are not ethnic Germans or do not meet the age criteria; they acquire German citizenship and are covered by the allocation to the federal states
Other relatives (parents, brothers, sisters)
Have no automatic right to be included in the procedure; the states and municipalities may admit them at their discretion depending on the housing capacity available

Trips, renewal and the grace period

Wohnortzuweisung (allocation to a federal state) at the outset

Spätaussiedler status does not need to be renewed or extended, because it confers permanent German citizenship under constitutional law. Citizenship lasts for life and can be lost only through voluntary renunciation or as a result of naturalisation in another state. Resettlers receive the full rights of German citizens, including the right to vote, access to all social services and unrestricted access to the labour market.

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.

Late resettlersPolitical asylumRefugee status
Visa termGerman citizenship by law (Art. 116 GG) once the procedure is completedResidence permit usually for 3 years; renewed while the grounds remainResidence permit for 3 years; renewable; may be revoked if conditions improve
GroundsEthnic GermansState persecutionPersecution
MoneyThe move is paid for by the applicant; thereafter social benefits plus integration supportSupport under the AsylbLG during the procedureSupport under the AsylbLG during the procedure
WorkAs citizens — unrestricted access to the labour marketAfter recognition and the 3-year residence permit — full access to the labour marketFull access to the labour market after recognition
ResidenceWohnortzuweisung (allocation to a federal state) at the outsetMain place of residence in Germany; a Residenzpflicht is possibleA Wohnsitzauflage is common in the first years

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

The status is permanent from the outset (citizenship)

Route to citizenship

Citizenship immediately on completion of the procedure (not naturalisation)

Frequently asked questions about Late resettlers

Do resettlers have to pay administrative fees for the admission procedure?
No. The Federal Office of Administration (BVA) charges no administrative fee for the admission procedure itself under the Federal Expellees Act. Applicants do, however, bear their own costs of obtaining, translating and certifying documents, and of the international move.
Do resettlers acquire German citizenship automatically?
Yes, Spätaussiedler acquire German citizenship as soon as a positive admission decision (Aufnahmebescheid) is issued. This happens automatically under Article 116 of the Basic Law (Grundgesetz); it is a constitutional right, not the outcome of naturalisation. Citizenship carries all the rights and duties of German citizens in full.
What language and integration training is provided after arrival in Germany?
Resettlers are entitled to attend integration courses free of charge. These comprise basic German, advanced German (each normally lasting several months of intensive study) and an orientation course covering German history, culture, law and society. Socio-educational support, childcare services and youth programmes may also be available.
How are resettlers allocated to the federal states in Germany?
The allocation is made by the Federal Office of Administration under the Königsteiner Schlüssel — a mathematical formula based on the tax revenue and population of each state for the previous calendar year. Resettlers usually cannot choose the state they will live in, although the states and municipalities are obliged to provide transitional accommodation.
What are the main requirements for proving German descent?
The applicant must prove descent from a person who held German citizenship or from an ethnic German. This is shown through official documents such as ancestors' birth certificates, citizenship documents and certificates from civil status archives. All foreign documents must bear an apostille under the Hague Apostille Convention.
How long does the whole procedure take from filing to decision?
The overall duration depends on the volume of applications received and on how complete the information provided is. The process usually takes from several months to several years. The BVA recommends allowing plenty of time and checking the status regularly using the assigned case number, by telephone or through the online portal.

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.