Ukrainian citizens who are currently entering Germany can benefit from the temporary protection status provided by an EU directive enabled soon after the 24th of February 2022. As of October 2025, the residence permits for temporary protection have been automatically extended until March 4, 2026. The majority of individuals who already immigrated to Germany from Ukraine do not need to visit the immigration office or submit a new application.
For those seeking to immigrate to Germany from Ukraine on a longer-term or even permanently, other options and formalities are in place. In the following article, we invite you to discover how our immigration lawyers in Germany can help if you are a Ukrainian citizen.
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People who want to relocate to Germany from Ukraine now will not be required to apply for entry visas, considering non-EU citizens are required to obtain tourist or other types of entry permits, including digital nomad visas.
The government enabled special protection measures for those who want to wait until the conflict ends.
Those who want to move to Germany from Ukraine in the current conditions may first apply for temporary protection and then decide if they want to return to their home country or leave for another country. They can also decide to remain here, case in which they need to apply for German residence permits.
Here are the main aspects to consider about the temporary protection status enabled on March 4th, 2022:
Once arrived in Germany, these are registered with the Migration Office and directed to shelters and support programs.
Holders of the residence permit for temporary protection are granted access to the German labor market and are entitled to full social benefits (Bürgergeld), which include financial support, housing assistance, health insurance, and access to government-funded language courses. Furthermore, permit holders that immigrated to Germany from Ukraine have full access to the German education system. This includes the right to enroll in universities, vocational schools, and professional qualification programs.
The EU member states have agreed to extend the temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until March 4, 2027. It is expected for Germany to amend the legislation and extend the protection once more, however the official implementation into German law is still in progress.
If you have entered Germany and need assistance in applying for the documents that enable you to remain, our local lawyers are at your service. If you want to immigrate to Germany from Ukraine without applying for refugee status, we recommend using our services.
Our immigration lawyers in Germany can handle any relocation procedure, from simple to more complex ones. We can help you apply for German residence permits by complying with the legal requirements imposed by the authorities here, as well as with applications for citizenship.
German citizenship by marriage is one of the fastest ways to secure a passport. You need to be married to a German national for at least 2 years to get residency, then you must live for a few more years, and thus become eligible for a German passport. Our lawyers can assist in such matters, so feel free to contact us.
While entry is visa-free, individuals who immigrate to Germany from Ukraine must still register with the local Foreigners’ Authority (Ausländerbehörde) to obtain the permit. Until the final electronic residence card is issued, a ‘Fictional Certificate’ (Fiktionsbescheinigung) is provided. This certificate will already grant the right to work, receive social benefits, and access a health insurance card.
Holders of the residence permit, along with a valid national passport, can travel visa-free within the Schengen area for up to 90 days. However, they must be mindful that staying outside of Germany for more than six months will generally cause the German residence permit to expire, unless a longer absence is approved in advance by the Foreigners’ Authority. A temporary visit to Ukraine does not automatically invalidate the protection status.
Persons who want to immigrate to Germany and live here longer than March 4, 2026, will have to apply for the Permanent Settlement Permit before this date. Those who will apply for the permit need to meet certain requirements, amongst which obtaining a qualified job, proving financial self-sufficiency, and achieving at least B1 German language skills.
At the same time, Ukrainian citizens can also apply for work permits that will enable them to enjoy all the benefits that come with working in Germany. However, under the current situation, an exception has been enabled for Ukrainians who can enter employment contracts based on their residence permits.
The validity of a temporary residence permit can be of 2 or 3 years, after which one can apply for permanent residency.
To achieve permanent residency, one must live in Germany for 5 years under the protection act or temporary visa. Skilled workers and EU Blue Card holders benefit from a reduced required timeframe, of only 3 years. Our immigration law firm in Germany is at your disposal if you choose this path to relocate here.
Between the end of February and the middle of May, approximately 700,000 Ukrainian refugees have entered Germany, according to data cited by this site. As of February 2025, the number rose to 1,249,628 refugees. Also:
Relocating to Germany as a Ukrainian refugee might be complicated at times and it is always easier and faster to have a professional deal with all legal aspects for you. Feel free to contact our immigration lawyers for support in relocating to Germany from Ukraine.