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 
Please note: Current information and changes regarding entry and residence for persons from Ukraine can be found on Germany4Ukraine and on the information portals of the federal states of Germany.

Ukrainian citizens who have a biometric passport do not require a visa to enter Germany for a short-term stay. Visa-free entry is only possible on first entry. They can then stay in Germany 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. 

Pension Verification Requirement for Ukrainian Refugees

Due to recent legislative changes in Ukraine, all Ukrainian pensioners—including those residing abroad—must complete a verification procedure in order to continue receiving pension payments.

How to Complete Verification

You can complete the procedure through one of the following modalities:

1. Diia Application

Via Diia Signature on the PFU web portal or the PFU mobile app ( video guide is available here)

2. Videoconference Verification via the PFU Portal

You may request a video call via the PFU portal or by calling the hotline: 0800 503 753.
Calls are usually scheduled within 10–30 days and conducted via Google Meet, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Viber, or Zoom.
You will be asked to present your original passport/ID and pension certificate during the call.

3. Verification at a Ukrainian Consulate

Visit the nearest Ukrainian consulate to confirm your identity and place of residence.
You will receive a certificate of identity, which you can upload via the PFU portal to complete verification.

4. In-Person Verification in Ukraine

If you are currently in Ukraine, you can visit any PFU service centre.
Please note: Due to the suspension of thousands of pensions in January 2026, long queues are currently reported nationwide.

Additional Requirement for Pensioners from Temporarily Occupied Territories (ToTs)

If you are from the ToTs, you must confirm that you are not receiving a pension from the Russian Federation, by doing one of the following:

  • Selecting the relevant declaration box in your PFU online account
  • Stating this explicitly during videoconference verification
  • Sending a written declaration by email or postal mail to the PFU

After completing all steps, please verify that your PFU personal account reflects the correct date of verification and declaration. You may check this online or by contacting the PFU hotline (0800 503 753).

Need More Help?

For more information and technical support completing the verification process through the Diia app or PFU portal please contact the UNHCR Regional Contact Centre (RCC). Additional information will also soon be available viathe Ukraine is Home website: https://ukraineishome.org/