Duldung — Tolerated Stay in Germany

What is Duldung?

Duldung (tolerated stay) is a temporary suspension of deportation. It is NOT a residence permit — a person with Duldung is officially supposed to leave Germany, but deportation is temporarily suspended.

When is Duldung issued?

• Lack of travel documents — identity cannot be established
• Illness — health condition does not allow travel
• War in country of origin — temporary protection
• Family situation — e.g., minor children in Germany
• Technical obstacles — lack of flight connections

Types of Duldung

1. Standard Duldung

• Short-term (usually 3-6 months)
• Requires renewal

2. Ausbildungsduldung (for apprentices)

• During vocational training (2-3.5 years)
• After completion: possibility of residence permit

3. Beschäftigungsduldung (for employed persons)

• For people with Duldung employed for 18+ months
• Path to permanent residence

What can you do with Duldung?

Restrictions

• Wohnsitzauflage — obligation to reside in a specific location
• Residenzpflicht — prohibition on leaving the state (sometimes)
• No social rights — lower benefits (Asylbewerberleistungen)

Work with Duldung

• Requires approval from Ausländerbehörde
• First 3 months: work prohibited
• After 3 months: application for permission possible
• Ausbildungsduldung: automatic right to work in training company

Ausbildungsduldung — vocational training

Requirements:
- Apprenticeship contract (Ausbildungsvertrag)
- No criminal conviction
- Cooperation in identity verification
- Residence in Germany before training starts

Benefits:
- Duldung for entire training period
- After completion: 2 years of residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis)

How to exit Duldung?

Options:

1. Ausbildungsduldung → Aufenthaltserlaubnis
2. Beschäftigungsduldung → Aufenthaltserlaubnis
3. Chancen-Aufenthaltsrecht (new since 2023) — for people with 5+ years of Duldung
4. Marriage to EU citizen
5. Change in situation in home country → new asylum application

Legal assistance

• Flüchtlingsberatung — free counseling
• Pro Asyl — aid organization
• Rechtsanwalt für Ausländerrecht — specialist lawyer

Editorial hamboorg.city · As of: April 2026 · Carefully prepared, regularly updated. Content is informational and does not replace legal advice.