Residence Permit; Application for Temporary Protection for Refugees from Ukraine

Foreign nationals who have been granted temporary protection pursuant to a decision of the Council of the European Union in accordance with Directive 2001/55/EC and who have declared their willingness to be admitted to the federal territory shall be granted a residence permit for the duration of the temporary protection as determined in accordance with Articles 4 and 6 of the Directive.

The residence permit for temporary protection is granted to war refugees from Ukraine in accordance with § 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG). Until an electronic residence permit is issued, a provisional certificate may be issued; otherwise, a certificate of suspension of deportation may be issued.

Residence under Section 24 of the Residence Act entitles persons entitled to protection to engage in gainful employment without restriction.

An application for a residence permit must be filed with the competent immigration office. An extension of an existing residence permit under Section 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) is currently not generally necessary due to the Ukraine Residence Permit Continuation Ordinance (UkraineAufenthFGV) issued by the Federal Ministry of the Interior.

The requirements for the issuance of a residence permit under Section 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG), based on the Decision of the Council of the European Union of March 4, 2022, determining the existence of a mass influx of displaced persons from Ukraine, as well as subsequent decisions, are as follows:

Proof of eligibility:

• Ukrainian nationals who had their habitual residence in Ukraine prior to February 24, 2022 (Art. 2(1)(a) of the Decision)
• Stateless persons and nationals of third countries other than Ukraine who, prior to February 24, 2022, enjoyed international protection or equivalent national protection in Ukraine (Art. 2(1)(b) of the Decision)
• Family members of the above-mentioned groups of persons
  According to the decision, the term “family” includes the following persons, provided that the family relationship was already in existence in Ukraine on February 24, 2022:
  • the spouse of a person referred to in Article 2(1)(a) and (b) or their unmarried partner who is in a long-term relationship with that person,
  • minor, unmarried children of persons covered by Art. 2, para. 1, (a) and (b), or of their spouse or unmarried partner living in a long-term relationship with that person (regardless of whether the children were born in or out of wedlock or were adopted),
  • other close relatives who, at the time of the circumstances triggering the mass influx of displaced persons, were living within the family unit and were wholly or largely dependent on a person referred to in Article 2(1)(a) and (b) for their support or care.
• Stateless persons and nationals of third countries other than Ukraine who can prove that they were lawfully residing in Ukraine prior to February 24, 2022, on the basis of a valid, open-ended residence permit issued under Ukrainian law, and who are unable to return safely and permanently to their country or region of origin. A valid permanent residence permit issued under Ukrainian law is defined as a residence permit comparable to a German settlement permit or an EU long-term residence permit (Sections 9, 9a of the Residence Act (AufenthG)). Individuals seeking protection on the basis of a Ukrainian residence permit must be able to demonstrate to the Foreigners’ Registration Office, by presenting the relevant documents, that they meet the eligibility criteria.
• Ukrainian nationals who are already residing in Germany on the basis of a residence permit may, under certain circumstances, be granted a residence permit pursuant to § 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG). If the relevant requirements are met, this may also apply to individuals who are already residing in Germany under a “Duldung” (tolerated stay) if the previous basis for the “Duldung” no longer applies.

Within the European Union, temporary protection under the so-called Mass Influx Directive can be claimed in only one country. Therefore, if you have already been granted protection in another EU member state, you are no longer eligible for protection in Germany.

The same applies, in effect, if you have since resided in a third country for an extended period and hold a residence permit there.

Furthermore, as of August 5, 2026, protection will only be granted to persons who have fulfilled their military obligations in Ukraine, upon presentation of appropriate proof. This provision does not apply to persons who were granted temporary protection in Germany on or before August 4, 2026, and who have continuously maintained that status since that date.

Many immigration offices offer an online application process. Please check to see if this option is available at your local immigration office. If your immigration office does not offer an online application process, please contact them by email or visit in person.

Persons displaced as a result of the war in Ukraine following the Russian Federation’s invasion on February 24, 2022, may currently, under the Transitional Regulation on Residence in Ukraine (UkraineAufenthÜV) and, as an exception, stay here for a maximum period of 90 days from the date of their first entry into German territory without a residence permit.

If war refugees wish to work, require government assistance (for example, in the form of housing, financial payments, or medical care), or need to do so no later than before the aforementioned transitional period expires, they must apply for a residence permit.

• valid passport
• a recent biometric photograph (front view)
• In the case of authorized representation: Power of attorney, along with the applicant’s and the authorized representative’s identification cards
• Optional:
  
  • Proof of the date of entry (e.g., an entry stamp in the passport or other documents),
  • Proof that military obligations in Ukraine have been fulfilled,
  • Proof of registration, if already completed (e.g., registration certificate),
  • Proof of residence, if already available (e.g., confirmation of registration, lease agreement),
  • For non-Ukrainian nationals: Proof of previous right of residence in Ukraine.

There is no fee for issuance or renewal.

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