Right to Stay (Bleiberecht)

Individuals subject to tolerance (Duldung) should verify whether they can take advantage of a right to stay provision ( Bleiberechtsregelung) that will safeguard their residency. The basis for being granted a right to stay (Bleiberecht) is always sustainable social and professional integration or a positive integration projection. Depending on the provision, other requirements may include the ability to cover the cost of living, adequate linguistic skills or the duration of the stay in Germany to date. Under certain conditions, a right to stay (Bleiberecht) may also be extended to the core family members of the applicant.

The following are key regulations that govern the right to stay (Bleiberechtsregelungen):

  • Right to stay for adolescents and young adults pursuant to § 25a German Residency Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz = AufenthG)

  • Right to stay for adults pursuant to § 25b AufenthG

  • Hardship Application (Härtefallantrag) pursuant to § 23a AufenthG

Thuringia has specified the terms for the right to stay (Bleiberechtsregelungen) pursuant to §§ 25a and 25b AufenthG in more detail by passing laws aiming at their implementation in Thuringia. Thuringia’s WIR Network has generated a related support plan and offers consultation services at: https://www.ibs-thueringen.de/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Aufenthalt-25ab.pdf

Information on hardship applications ( Härtefallanträgen) in Thuringia and related to the Thuringia Hardship Commission (Thüringer Härtefallkommission) is available here: https://justiz.thueringen.de/ministerium/haertefallkommission#c7743 Request consulting services with the Flüchtlingsrat Thüringen e.V.

Apprenticeship/educational tolerance (Ausbildungsduldung) and employment tolerance (Beschäftigungsduldung) are variations of the right to stay (Bleiberecht). Anyone protected by this level of tolerance (Duldung) cannot be deported. However, the affected individuals do not simultaneously have residency rights and are therefore under an emigration mandate.

Network BLEIBERECHT STATT ABSCHIEBUNG , on the website www.bleiberechtstattabschiebung.de provides information on already existing options of rights to stay (Bleiberecht) and advocates for an extension of the existing provisions.

You can find information on opportunities to stay here: https://www.lat-thueringen.de/infoseiten/zugangssrecht-aspects/opportunities-residence-law