Ukrainian nationals and their family members who were residing in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 can enter Germany visa-free and then stay for 90 days in the Federal territory until 4 December 2025.
Ukrainian nationals who had their domicile or habitual residence in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 but were temporarily not residing in Ukraine at this point in time and who entered Germany by 31 December 2024 without holding the required residence permit for long-term residence are exempt from the requirement of having a residence permit for a period of 90 days from the date of initial entry in Germany.
This also applies to refugees recognised under the Geneva Convention on refugees and persons who enjoy international or equivalent protection in Ukraine (amendment of the Ukraine Transitional Residence Regulation (Ukraine-Aufenthalts-Übergangsverordnung)).
If the residence permit under section 24 of the German Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz: AufenthG) is still valid on 1 February 2025, the temporary protection for Ukrainian nationals and their family members is automatically extended until 4 March 2026 (amendment of the Ukraine Continued Validity of Residence Regulation (Ukraine-Aufenthalts-Fortgeltungsverordnung)). These persons therefore do not need to apply for an extension of their residence permit and it is not necessary to make an appointment in this regard with the immigration authorities.
Stateless persons and nationals of third countries other than Ukraine who enjoyed international protection or equivalent national protection in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 (or family members of these persons) or who lawfully resided in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 on the basis of a valid permanent residence permit issued under Ukrainian law may enter Germany visa-free and then reside in the Federal territory for 90 days until 4 December 2025 (amendment of the Ukraine Transitional Residence Regulation).
If the residence permit under section 24 AufenthG is still valid on 1 February 2025, the temporary protection for stateless persons and nationals of third countries other than Ukraine who enjoyed international protection or equivalent national protection in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 (or family members of these persons) or who lawfully resided in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 on the basis of a valid permanent residence permit issued under Ukrainian law will be automatically extended until 4 March 2026 (amendment of the Ukraine Continued Validity of Residence Regulation). These persons therefore do not need to apply for an extension of their residence permit and it is not necessary to make an appointment in this regard with the immigration authorities.
The temporary protection for stateless persons and nationals of third countries other than Ukraine who fled to Germany from Ukraine and who did not have a permanent right of residence in Ukraine will end on 5 March 2025 (amendment of the Ukraine Continued Validity of Residence Regulation).
Please note:
If you are such a person and if, at this time, you
- do not have a new residence permit,
- have not applied for another permit,
- have not left the country voluntarily
- or have not submitted an application for asylum,
you will become obliged to leave the country.