Persons from Ukraine who are seeking protection can find information on the central platform www.germany4ukraine.de. It will soon also be possible to initiate the procedure to receive a residence permit granting temporary protection in Germany via this platform.

As a result of the war in Ukraine, the following people may receive temporary protection in Germany for an initial period of two years:

1. Ukrainian nationals residing in Ukraine prior to 24 February 2022, and their immediate family members;
2. Stateless persons and non-Ukrainian nationals with international or equivalent national protection in Ukraine prior to 24 February 2022, and their immediate family members;
3. Stateless persons and non-Ukrainian nationals who can prove that they were legally resident in Ukraine prior to 24 February 2022 on the basis of a valid unrestricted residence permit issued under Ukrainian law and who are not in a position to return safely and permanently to their country or region of origin; and
4. Non-Ukrainian nationals, if they can prove that they were legally resident in and not just temporarily visiting Ukraine on 24 February 2022 and who are not in a position to return safely and permanently to their country or region of origin.

Visa for entering Germany for persons from Ukraine seeking protection

Persons who were in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 can currently enter Germany without a visa and stay in Germany.

Ukrainian nationals holding a biometric passport can enter Germany without a visa. However, Ukrainian nationals who do not have a biometric passport can also enter Germany without a visa at present and stay there. This also applies if they were temporarily not in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 but had their place of residence or habitual abode there on 24 February 2022. The same applies to persons recognised as refugees in Ukraine under the Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and to those who enjoy international or equivalent national protection in Ukraine.

Nationals of third countries who were in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 can also currently enter Germany and stay in Germany without a visa.

The Federal Ministry of the Interior and for Community (Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat) has prolongated UkraineAufenthaltÜV in adjusted form, as it would otherwise cease to be in force as of 31st August 2022.

Ukrainians that have fled to Germany benefit from the prolongation until 31.12.2024

However, it is not possible for them to stay in Germany for more than 90 days after having entered the country. Those who stay in Germany for a longer period of time need to turn to the immigration authority in charge. Non-Ukrainian third-country nationals who were in Ukraine on 24.02.2022 also continue to be covered by this provision as before.

Third-country nationals who are resident in Ukraine on the basis of a Ukrainian residence permit and whose family members are Ukrainian nationals, but who were not in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, are advised to contact the visa office.