In November 2024, the legal regulations for the entry and residence of refugees from Ukraine were amended. The following summary provides an overview of the changes. Only the relevant laws are legally binding.
- Ukraine Transitional Residence Regulation (Ukraine-Aufenthalts-Übergangsverordnung (UkraineAufenthÜV))
- Ukraine Continued Validity of Residence Regulation (Ukraine-Aufenthaltserlaubnis-Fortgeltungsverordnung (UkraineAufenthFGV))
Changes for Ukrainian nationals and their family members
Ukrainian nationals and their family members
- who resided in Ukraine on 24 February 2022
- who do not have a residence permit required for long-term residence in the Federal territory
can enter Germany and then reside there for a period of 90 days from initial entry in the Federal territory until 4 December 2025.
Ukrainian nationals
- who were domiciled or had their habitual residence in Ukraine on 24 February 2022
- but who were temporarily not residing in Ukraine at this point in time
- who do not have a residence permit required for long-term residence in the Federal territory
can enter Germany and then reside there for a period of 90 days from initial entry in the Federal territory until 31 December 2024.
This also applies to refugees recognised under the Geneva Convention on refugees and persons who enjoy international or equivalent protection in Ukraine.
The temporary protection for Ukrainian nationals and their family members
- whose residence permit issued under section 24 AufenthG is still valid on 1 February 2025
is automatically extended until 4 March 2026.
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.
Changes for stateless persons and nationals of third countries other than Ukraine with a permanent right of residence in Ukraine
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
- who do not have a residence permit required for long-term residence in the Federal territory
can enter Germany and then reside there for a period of 90 days from initial entry in the Federal territory until 4 December 2025.
The temporary protection for stateless persons and nationals of third countries other than Ukraine who fled from Ukraine to Germany
- whose residence permit issued under section 24 AufenthG is still valid on 1 February 2025
and
- who enjoyed international protection or equivalent national protection in Ukraine on 24 February 2022
- or the family members of Ukrainian nationals or 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 who lawfully resided in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 on the basis of a valid permanent residence permit issued under Ukrainian law
is automatically extended until 4 March 2026.
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.
Changes for stateless persons and nationals of third countries other than Ukraine without a permanent right of residence in Ukraine
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 ends on 5 March 2025.
Since 5 June 2024, these persons are no longer issued a temporary protection status based on a decision made by the German government (in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 3 of the Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382).
If you are such a person and your residence permit in Germany was issued before 1 February 2024, it will still be valid until 4 March 2025.
Please note: If you are such a person and do not have a new residence permit, have not applied for another permit, have not left the country voluntarily or have not applied for asylum by 5 March 2025, you will be obliged to leave the country.
- If you are such a person and were issued your residence permit in Germany between 1 February and 4 June 2024, it will be valid for one year from the date of issue.
Please note: If you are such a person and do not have a new residence permit, have not applied for another permit, have not left the country voluntarily or have not applied for asylum by the expiry date of your residence permit, you will be obliged to leave the country.
You have the following options to remain in Germany legally:
- You can apply for another residence permit (e.g. for the purpose of employment or training/study) if you meet the requirements for this. In this case, your current residence permit will also be valid after 4 March until the immigration authorities have decided on your new application. Please contact the immigration authority responsible for you to obtain further information.
- Another option is voluntary return to your country of origin. Various government programmes are available to support voluntary return that can assist you in planning your return. Further information in this regard can also be obtained from your immigration authority.
- If no other residence permit is an option for you and if a safe return to your country of origin is also not possible due to the situation, you may apply for asylum. In this regard, please contact the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge) at an early stage (www.bamf.de).