Jewish immigration to Germany

Jewish immigration

Support throughout the admission process, from documents to settling in Germany.

Jewish immigration to Germany Assess my eligibility
Home Jewish immigration to Germany
Do you have Jewish ancestry and want to move to Germany through the BAMF admission programme?

We support the process from preparing documents in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and other countries of origin to settling in Germany.

What is the Jewish immigration admission programme?
German flag

This federal admission procedure is based on section 23(2) of the Residence Act and the admission order. BAMF is responsible. Eligibility for admission to a Jewish community is assessed through an opinion from the Central Welfare Board of Jews in Germany (ZWST), involving the Union of Progressive Jews (UPJ).

The programme enables eligible people with Jewish ancestry and certain family members from the designated countries of origin to move to Germany. Admission eligibility, the type of residence permit and later naturalisation each require separate assessment.

Who may qualify for the programme?
1

Generally, origin in a successor state of the Soviet Union other than the Baltic states; nationality, residence and special cases are assessed.

2

Jewish ancestry through a mother, father or grandparent; eligibility for admission to a community is assessed separately.

3

Generally, A1 German is required for the main applicant; we help with preparation and assess any applicable exceptions.

4

The required integration assessment and opinion on eligibility for admission to a Jewish community.

What makes this
admission route distinctive?

The programme can provide permanent residence for independently eligible applicants. Citizenship is not automatic and depends on the general statutory requirements.

Following a positive decision:

• Independently eligible applicants generally receive a settlement permit. Later naturalisation requires meeting the general statutory conditions.

• Children may be admitted if eligible; their permit type depends on whether they qualify independently.

• Under the standard inclusion procedure for a spouse who is not independently eligible, the marriage generally must have existed for three years when applying; other conditions and special rules must also be checked.

Admission programme requiring ancestry evidence

Key matters to assess and document include:

– documented Jewish ancestry through at least one parent or grandparent;
– generally, German language skills at A1 level.

Spouses and children are included under BAMF rules or submit individual applications if independently eligible.

Language requirements:

The main applicant generally needs evidence of A1 German; applicable exceptions are assessed.

Accompanying family members generally also need A1; exceptions are assessed individually.

Exceptions may apply to victims of Nazi persecution and recognised hardship cases. Older age alone does not automatically waive language evidence. We assess the conditions individually.

Ukraine special procedure: applying within Germany if eligible

Since 2022, a special procedure has allowed certain people displaced from Ukraine to apply within Germany. Relevant factors include residence or habitual residence in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, membership of the eligible group and the other admission conditions. Arrival from Ukraine alone is not sufficient. The procedure may allow:

– without returning to the country of origin where the special procedure applies,
– with the adjustments provided under the special procedure.

Following a positive decision:

• Independently eligible applicants generally receive a settlement permit. Later naturalisation requires meeting the general statutory conditions.

• Children may be admitted if eligible; their permit type depends on whether they qualify independently.

• Under the standard inclusion procedure for a spouse who is not independently eligible, the marriage generally must have existed for three years when applying; other conditions and special rules must also be checked.

Admission programme requiring ancestry evidence

Key matters to assess and document include:

– documented Jewish ancestry through at least one parent or grandparent;
– generally, German language skills at A1 level.

Spouses and children are included under BAMF rules or submit individual applications if independently eligible.

Language requirements:

The main applicant generally needs evidence of A1 German; applicable exceptions are assessed.

Accompanying family members generally also need A1; exceptions are assessed individually.

Exceptions may apply to victims of Nazi persecution and recognised hardship cases. Older age alone does not automatically waive language evidence. We assess the conditions individually.

Ukraine special procedure: applying within Germany if eligible

Since 2022, a special procedure has allowed certain people displaced from Ukraine to apply within Germany. Relevant factors include residence or habitual residence in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, membership of the eligible group and the other admission conditions. Arrival from Ukraine alone is not sufficient. The procedure may allow:

– without returning to the country of origin where the special procedure applies,
– with the adjustments provided under the special procedure.

A positive admission decision opens a route to a new home and integration into a Jewish community in Germany.
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How we work
Free eligibility assessment and clear contract terms

1. Upload your documents

Prepare passports, birth and marriage certificates, suitable ancestry evidence, required declarations about religious affiliation and A1 evidence where applicable. Follow the current official document checklist; a general certificate of having no religious beliefs is not a universal requirement.

2. Receive an initial assessment within 48 hours

We assess BAMF requirements, possible family inclusion, risks and the likely process.

3. Receive a written assessment

You receive a clear assessment of which requirements appear to be met, which risks or gaps remain and whether an application seems worthwhile. We cannot predict an official approval with 100% certainty.

4. Review the contractual refund terms

After a positive preliminary assessment, any full professional-fee refund conditions are agreed in writing. This contractual arrangement does not guarantee an official admission decision.

An assessment of your eligibility

If the documents support the programme criteria, we can provide a reasoned positive assessment. BAMF alone decides on admission; an outcome for your individual case cannot be guaranteed.
Assess my eligibility
Comprehensive document preparation

After assessment and package selection, we support the agreed stages of the process.

1. Collect and recover original documents

Request archive records from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Germany where accessible.

2. Build a clear documentary case for ancestry

Where necessary, we help request historical nationality evidence or records from a Jewish community.

3. Prepare documents to German requirements

Arrange required recognised translations, apostilles and certifications. Prepare BAMF forms and support the A1 language requirement.

4. Final quality check

Check documents against BAMF requirements and arrange required delivery with tracking.

Outcome:

Once registered, your application is with BAMF for assessment.
Start preparing documents
Application and further support towards possible naturalisation

1. Application to BAMF

We arrange required document delivery and a reliable correspondence address in Germany. Express transit of 24–48 hours depends on the route and shipping conditions. The standard application is submitted through the responsible German mission; special procedures are assessed separately.

2. Transparent progress updates

You receive copies of all documents and updates on the stages of the process until a decision is made.

3. Arrange your arrival

Help with travel planning, what to bring, arrival and the next steps.

4. Comprehensive settling-in support

Health insurance, housing, address registration, a bank account, child benefit and other benefits where eligible, plus contact with the community.

5. Further support towards possible naturalisation and beyond

Support with formalities and consultations during the first three months.

Outcome:

After a positive admission decision, we support your move and integration into a Jewish community and life in Germany.

Start preparing documents

How Jewish immigration works

Assessment
of ancestry
Collection
of documents
Submission
to BAMF
Obtaining
Admission decision
Visa
and relocation
Settling in
in Germany
Support with
settling in Germany

Depending on status and eligibility, healthcare, education and social support may be available. We help identify the responsible bodies and requirements.

Ethnic German resettlement programme in Germany
What should you know?

Spouses and children

Spouses and children may be admitted together under the applicable rules. Assessment includes independent eligibility or inclusion, family relationship, marital status, age, language and other requirements.

Older applicants

For older applicants, health insurance, social support, housing and settling in deserve particular attention. We help clarify the necessary steps and outstanding questions before arrival.

Settling in Germany
Housing for
newly arriving
ethnic German resettlers
Certificate
Housing eligibility certificate for
subsidised
housing
Health insurance for ethnic German resettlers
Bank
account for
newly arriving
immigrants
Finding a job
Social benefits
Motor insurance
Qualification recognition
Consultation
Jewish immigration service packages
JÜDISCH
€ 700
€ 900
Document package for Jewish immigration
for your family
  • Translation of all required documents
  • Consular appointment
  • Application for admission approval as a Jewish immigrant
  • For relatives covered by the agreed family package; required individual applications remain separate
  • Authorised representative
  • Legal consultations in Germany
BOOK A CALL
LANGUAGE SCHOOL
One lesson from €16
  • Choose individual lessons or packages of 40 or 100 lessons. The number of lessons and target level, such as A1 or B1, depend on your starting point and progress; a fixed number of lessons does not guarantee an exam result.
BOOK A CALL
TELEGRAM Telegram
Private channel about life and settling in Germany
€10 / month
Your subscription includes:
  • Package with an authorised representative for the ethnic German resettlement procedure for one year (+€20)
  • Free document delivery by DHL Express with tracking
  • Unlimited consultations with a lawyer for one year within the agreed scope
  • Access to the knowledge base and exclusive materials
  • Expert sessions on key integration topics
PURCHASE ACCESS
INSURANCE IN GERMANY
€5/day/person

Suitable medical insurance for entry meeting the responsible German mission’s requirements.

BOOK A CALL LEARN MORE

FAQ

The admission programme is intended for people with Jewish ancestry from the designated countries of origin. Key criteria include:

  • Jewish ancestry through a parent or grandparent
  • Document ancestry with suitable evidence
  • No affiliation with a religion other than Judaism

The procedure generally concerns nationals of the Soviet Union’s successor states other than the Baltic states, as well as certain stateless people.

Several requirements must be assessed for admission:

  • Generally, German language skills of at least A1
  • Integration prospects, including qualifications, employment and income
  • Evidence of eligibility for admission to a Jewish community in Germany
  • No previous permanent resettlement in a third country unless a special rule applies

BAMF decides after assessing the admission criteria and, where required, the integration forecast.

The programme may offer the following opportunities:

  • Independently eligible applicants generally receive a settlement permit allowing work; accompanying relatives included in the application may initially receive a temporary residence permit.
  • Social support, housing and courses subject to their eligibility conditions
  • Short visits within the Schengen area under the applicable travel rules
  • Later naturalisation if the general statutory conditions are met

After arrival, public integration and education programmes may be available under their respective rules.

Yes, admission with family members is possible subject to conditions:

  • Spouses and children may enter together under the applicable admission conditions
  • Spouses generally need A1 German unless an exception applies
  • Younger children may qualify for language-evidence exceptions under BAMF rules

This allows eligible family members to plan their move together.

The process involves several stages:

  • Collect ancestry evidence
  • Prepare language evidence
  • Standard application through the German mission abroad
  • Interview
  • Receive the decision and apply for a visa
  • Arrival in Germany and residence permit

Timing depends on the case and the authorities’ processing. Several months to one or two years may serve as a broad guide, but this is not a guaranteed deadline.

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