Entry and residence rules for Ukrainians in Germany
Since the start of Russia's attack on Ukraine in February 2022, millions of Ukrainians have sought refuge in the European Union. In order to be able to respond quickly, the Council of the EU activated the so-called Implementing Decision on temporary protection on March 4, 2022.
This forms the basis for Section 24 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG), which allows Ukrainians to obtain a temporary residence permit without first going through the asylum procedure. The EU decision has since been extended several times and is now valid in Germany until March 4, 2027.
In parallel with the EU decision, Germany has created a national regulation that is intended to make it easier for Ukrainians to enter the country. This so-called Ukraine Temporary Residence Regulation allows Ukrainians and other affected persons to enter the country without a visa.
This option was initially valid until November 30, 2025. It has now been extended at short notice by one year until December 2026. However, it is undergoing an important adjustment for the first time.
Entry possible without a visa until December 2026
In principle, the previous practice remains in place: Ukrainian citizens who were in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, may enter Germany without a visa until December 4, 2026. After entering the country, they have 90 days to Foreigners' office Residence permit — in most cases, a residence permit in accordance with Section 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG).
This 90-day rule is intended to ensure that those seeking protection do not slip into irregular residence unnoticed and at the same time have sufficient time to organize the necessary steps.
The simplified entry procedure applies to the following groups:
- Ukrainian citizens, regardless of whether they were actually in Ukraine when the war began or were temporarily abroad.
- Third-country nationals and stateless persons who had international protection or equivalent national protection in Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
- Family members of these persons.
- Persons with a permanent Residence permit Ukraine.
Visa-free entry to Germany no longer applies to third-country nationals who only had temporary residence in Ukraine before the war and did not have their own protection status. They require a regular visa to enter Germany. This restriction has been in place since 2024 and will continue unchanged.
New rule: No visa-free access for persons enjoying protection in other EU countries
The most important change concerns persons who have already been granted protection in another EU Member State. For the first time, the regulation expressly states:
Those who have already been granted temporary protection in another EU member state are no longer eligible for facilitated entry into Germany.
This change stems from a ruling by the European Court of Justice in February 2025 and the current EU implementing decision. Both make it clear that temporary protection may only apply in a single EU country at any one time.
The EU wants to prevent individuals from being registered multiple times and using protection rights in different countries at the same time. With the new regulation, Germany is adapting its previous practice to this EU policy.
For those affected, this means in concrete terms:
- Visa-free entry into Germany is not possible if temporary protection exists in another EU country.
- Anyone who has been granted protection in another EU country and wishes to enter Germany must therefore apply for a regular visa —for example, a work, family, or study visa.
- A residence permit pursuant to Section 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) can no longer be granted if protection already exists in another EU member state.
However, the German government emphasizes that this adjustment should not be interpreted as a reduction in its willingness to accept refugees. With over 1.2 million refugees from Ukraine, Germany remains the most important destination country in Europe. However, the restriction is intended to manage capacity and ensure uniform EU rules.
What does the 90-day limit mean?
After entering the country, Ukrainians have 90 days to apply for a regular Residence permit Germany. The regulation is intended to prevent people from falling into irregular residence unnoticed.
It is important to note that:
- The 90-day period applies exclusively to initial entries since February 24, 2022.
- Anyone who leaves Germany and later re-enters the country cannot claim the deadline again.
Temporary residence permit pursuant to Section 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) valid until March 2027
Regardless of the regulations on visa-free entry, the German government already extended the Ukraine Residence Permit Continuation Ordinance in October 2025. It stipulates that existing residence permits under Section 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) will automatically remain valid until March 4, 2027 —without the need to apply for asylum, undergo a new review, or visit the Foreigners' office.
This means that all associated rights remain in place, such as:
- unrestricted access to the labor market,
- Entitlement to social benefits,
- Access to statutory health insurance,
- School and daycare attendance for children.
Important: The federal government is currently discussing a change to social benefits (specifically citizen's income) for Ukrainian refugees. The planned law stipulates that people who entered Germany after April 1, 2025, will no longer be entitled to citizen's income. Instead, they will receive benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act.
The new regulation is currently being debated in the Bundestag. However, a decision is not expected until the first quarter of 2026 at the earliest. Ukrainians who entered Germany before the cut-off date are to retain their entitlement to citizen's income.
Conclusion: What does this mean for those seeking protection?
For people from Ukraine, the significance of the new regulation depends heavily on their individual protection status:
- Individuals who already live in Germany remain protected until 2027 due to the automatic extension of their protection status and do not need to take any further action.
- Persons without EU protection status who wish to enter Germany for the first time can do so without a visa until December 2026 and submit an application in accordance with Section 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG).
- People with protection status in another EU country will in future have to choose a different legal route if they wish to come to Germany—such as a work or family visa. They will also no longer receive temporary protection in Germany under Section 24 of the Residence Act.
