Information on Ukraine

Stay safe while travelling!: Important information for persons from Ukraine arriving in Germany are available in Ukrainian, Russian, Englisch and German here.

Important information for Persons of Concern on the current situation in Ukraine compiled by UNHCR can be found here.

Further relevant information for internally displaced persons in Ukraine and refugees in the European host countries can be found on the website Ukraine is Home.

Information about questions regarding the situation in Germany is also available on the following websites. 

German Federal Foreign Office: German | Ukrainian 

German Ministry of the Interior – Germany4Ukraine: Deutsch | українська | English | русский 

UNHCR’s national partner Informationsverbund Asyl und Migration 

Entry and stay for Ukrainian nationals 
Ukrainian citizens who hold a biometric passport do not require a visa to enter Germany for a short term stay. Their stay may last for up to 90 days.  

If a person wants to stay longer than 90 days, s/he may apply for an extension. The application has to be submitted at the locally responsible immigration authority (called “Ausländerbehörde”). 

Shelter and assistance 
The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees recommends persons who don’t have sufficient financial means or need shelter to contact the local police station or the local immigration office. 

Temporary protection in Germany 
The Council of the European Union adopted a decision on 4 March 2022 which introduced that temporary protection should be granted to the following groups of persons who have been displaced from Ukraine on or after 24 February 2022 due to the armed conflict:  

  • Ukrainian nationals who resided in Ukraine before 24 February 2022. 
  • Stateless persons and nationals of third countries other than Ukraine, who benefited from international protection or equivalent national protection in Ukraine before 24 February 2022. 
  • Family members of the persons referred to in the first two categories, even if they are not Ukrainian nationals. 

The Council Decision also applies to stateless persons and nationals of third countries other than Ukraine who can prove that they were legally residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 on the basis of a valid permanent residence permit issued in accordance with Ukrainian law, and who are unable to return safely and permanently to their country or region of origin. 

EU member states, including Germany, may decide to apply the Council Decision to other persons, including to stateless persons and to nationals of third countries other than Ukraine, who were residing legally in Ukraine and who are unable to return safely and permanently to their country or region of origin. The German Ministry of the Interior is currently examining the scope of application of the Temporary Protection Directive in Germany. 

Asylum application 
Every person has the right to apply for asylum in Germany. Whether an asylum application is advisable needs to be assessed case by case. Please inform yourself before you apply for asylum and contact one of the legal counselling organisations. Information on legal counselling organisations can be found under the “Where to seek help” section of this website and on the asyl.net website. 

Non-Ukrainian nationals 
For non-Ukrainian nationals who had to leave Ukraine because of the current circumstances, we recommend seeking legal advice from an independent advice center or a lawyer before submitting an application for asylum or temporary protection. 

Non-Ukrainian nationals with former habitual residence in Ukraine should also turn to the local police station or the local immigration office if they don’t have sufficient financial means or need shelter. 

Referrals to enter the USA / Canada / Australia 
There is no resettlement programme to move from Germany to a third country. Resettlement programmes are not established in countries where the asylum system provides effective protection to everybody in need of it, as in Germany.  

UNHCR in Germany therefore does not issue so-called “referrals” for resettlement to third countries such as, e.g., Australia, Canada or the USA. The decision on admission and entry is taken solely by the responsible national authority of the country of destination. 

Please find information on options to go to Canada for people affected by the conflict in Ukraine on the Canadian embassy’s website.

Private support  
If you want to contribute to the assistance of persons seeking protection, please contact local authorities, NGOs and other institutions (e.g., the national Red Cross organisations) on the ground.  

As the responsibility for the accommodation of asylum seekers and refugees in Germany lies with the German authorities, offers should be coordinated with the responsible authorities.

Private accomodation offers
If you would like to offer accommodation in Germany for persons arriving from Ukraine, please register via www.unterkunft-ukraine.de.

Contacting UNHCR
To get information about the situation in specific countries compiled by UNHCR and to contact UNHCR’s local representations, please visit UNHCR’s HELP website and choose a country. Direct links to selected countries are listed below.