EU protection for Ukrainian refugees until March 2027
The decision follows a decision by the European Union. On June 25, 2025, the EU member states had already unanimously decided to extend temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine until March 4, 2027.
This regulation - the so-called "mass influx directive" (Directive 2001/55/EC) - has been in force since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression and enables more than 4.3 million Ukrainians in the EU, including around 1.1 million in Germany, to receive protection without having to go through a regular asylum procedure.
Temporary protection is granted to refugees:
- Right to stay in the EU without a visa
- Access to the labor market
- Entitlement to medical care
- Access to housing, social benefits and education for children
- Freedom to travel within the EU
The extension was necessary as the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine continues. "While Russia continues to terrorize the Ukrainian civilian population with indiscriminate air strikes, we will continue to offer protection to millions of Ukrainian refugees for another year," explained Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak on the occasion of the decision.
What applies to Ukrainians in Germany?
With the extension of temporary protection, Germany is now implementing the EU decision at national level. In concrete terms, this means
- Residence permits in accordance with Section 24 AufenthG that are valid on February 1, 2026 will automatically remain valid until March 4, 2027.
- The extension is automatic - no applications need to be submitted to the Foreigners' office.
- All previous rights - such as access to work, education, housing, social benefits, etc. - remain in place.
The automatic extension only applies to persons covered by the EU decision: i.e. Ukrainian nationals, stateless persons or third-country nationals with permanent residence or recognized protection status in Ukraine before 24 February 2022.
Persons who have only stayed in Ukraine temporarily (without protection status or an unlimited Residence permit) will no longer receive an extension under Section 24 AufenthG. This regulation has been in force since June 2024.
Relief for authorities and refugees
With the automatic extension, the federal government wants to relieve the burden on both refugees and the authorities. Without this regulation, over one million Residence permit would have to be extended individually - which, according to the Ministry of the Interior, would mean an enormous administrative burden.
The extension of residence permits is also intended to ensure that refugees can continue to work, travel and receive social benefits even if their document has formally expired.
How things could continue after 2027
In addition to extending protection status, the EU is also preparing a transition strategy for the time after the war. Well-integrated refugees - i.e. people with work, training or sufficient language skills - should be able to switch to a regular Residence permit more easily in future. In this way, the EU wants to ensure that those who wish to live permanently in the EU and meet the requirements are legally protected in the long term.
Various Residence permit are available in Germany, for example:
- §Section 16a AufenthG: Residence for vocational training
- § 18a/b AufenthG: Residence for the purpose of gainful employment
- § Section 19c AufenthG: Residence for other employment
- § Section 21 AufenthG: Residence for the purpose of self-employment
- §§ 27-36 Residence Act: Family reunification
At the same time, the EU wants to focus more on voluntary return. The member states are to develop programmes that provide financial and organizational support for refugees returning home. This includes so-called exploratory visits - i.e. trips to Ukraine to get an idea of the situation on the ground - without those affected losing their protection status in the EU.
In addition, the EU is planning information campaigns and digital platforms that provide information on return options and legal possibilities. Another proposal envisages the establishment of so-called "Unity Hubs": EU-funded contact points to advise refugees on dealing with authorities, finding a job or questions about returning home.
Apply for a regular Residence permit in good time
Even though temporary protection is now valid until March 2027, it is advisable for Ukrainian refugees to switch to a regular Residence permit now. This is the only way to obtain a Settlement permit or the Naturalization in Germany at a later date.
This is particularly important because dual citizenship has been permitted in Germany since June 2024. Ukraine also passed a corresponding law in June 2025: In future, Ukrainians living abroad, children of Ukrainian parents and foreign volunteers who have fought in Ukraine will be able to hold multiple citizenships.
This opens up the possibility for many refugees who would like to stay in Germany in the long term to keep both passports - and to build a lasting perspective for their future.
