All Ukrainian citizens with a valid biometric passport are allowed to enter Germany without the requirement of a visa. Ukrainian citizens who do not hold a biometric passport need a visa. However, at least Poland has allowed Ukrainian citizens without a biometric passport to enter its country and according to the German federal ministry of the interior representatives of the German embassies in Poland and the other EU border countries of Ukraine are at the borders to assist with visa applications.
How long may Ukrainian citizens stay in Germany without any specific permit?
Generally, for a maximum period of 90 days (within any 180-day rolling period) without a visa. However, the federal ministry of the interior has announced that it is possible for Ukrainian citizens to apply for an extension of this period by another 90 days without any specific requirements. This means that Ukrainian citizens who want to stay in Germany for more than 90 days would need to contact the local immigration office (“Ausländerbehörde”) and apply for the extension, which will then be granted.
Is there any way to stay longer?
Apart from the possibilities to apply for a work permit which would allow an extended stay (please see below), there is the possibility to apply for asylum. However, this process is rather complicated. Therefore, to be able to help Ukrainian citizens in a non-bureaucratic manner, the EU commission will meet on Thursday March 3, 2022 and likely decide on the activation of the EU Directive 2001/55/EG of July 20, 2001. This would allow the EU member states to apply a swifter approach to allow Ukrainian refugees a longer stay in the countries. This process would allow a stay for up to three years without asylum requirements and thereby allow a secured residence title for this time-period.
This residence title would generally not allow Ukrainian citizens to pick up work in Germany. To be able to do that, an exceptional approval or a work permit needs to be obtained. However, in light of the current situation the German federal ministry of the interior has announced that in their view the requirement to apply for a work permit in the home country should be waived. This means that Ukrainian citizens can apply for a work or other residence permit (e.g. to attend university or to attend vocational training) in Germany with the local immigration office.
Are there any special transportation means available?
The German rail service provider “Deutsche Bahn” announced a free usage of all personal railway transport from Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria to Berlin, Dresden, Nuremberg and Munich for all Ukrainians; the proof of their citizenship (e.g. passport) may be required. The timetables of all trains in Germany are available on www.bahn.com.
To continue the journey, every Ukrainian can get a free "helpukraine" ticket valid in 2nd class at a Deutsche Bahn Travel Centre (“DB Reisezentrum”) or at a DB agency by showing the Ukrainian passport or ID card to the ticket inspector on the train upon request. This ticket is valid on all long-distance trains or local and regional trains. It can also be used to get to destinations outside of Germany like Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France (ICE, TGV and Thalys), Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Slovakia, and the Alto Adige/South Tyrol region of Italy if it is reached by a Eurocity train going to Verona, Bologna or Venice.
All local busses, trains or subways can be used with only a passport or ID Card.
Domestic and local NGOs provide free shuttle transport from the border to selected transport hubs or final destinations.
Are accommodation and health care provided?
The federal states of Germany revive their infrastructure from 2015 to allow it to cater for a greater number of asylum seekers. Every Ukrainian refugee that applies for the tolerated residency on the grounds of temporary refuge or for asylum will be provided with accommodation, food as well as urgent medical care in one of those initial accommodation centres for refugees.
Besides that, there are many individuals and organisations in Germany and other States of the EU that have voluntarily offered their accommodation which can be found at https://www.shelter4ua.com/ or at https://unterkunft-ukraine.de/.
Every asylum seeker in Germany receive benefits in kind to cover their necessary needs like clothes and food as well as an access to the healthcare system.
Furthermore, the European Union is currently looking to introduce a simplified procedure for Ukrainian nationals to continue their stay in member states.
Under what conditions may Ukrainian people work in Germany?
The visa-free short-term stay and the protected status for up to three years under the EU Directive (please see above) do not allow Ukrainian citizens to pick up work. However, the competent immigration office can allow exceptions in its discretion for any desired role.
Apart from the possibility that an exception is being granted, there are various legal bases to obtain a work-permit depending on the role to work in and the qualification of the applicant. A pre-requisite for such application is a job offer from a company which has its seat or at least a physical presence in Germany.
There are residence permits available for so-called skilled workers. These are employees who have completed university studies or vocational training which are considered to be equivalent to German studies or vocational training. There are also residence permits available for other occupations, in particular such occupations where a shortage of qualified personnel has been identified by the Government, e.g. in the IT Sector or for truck drivers.
Where to look for a job?
We advise to have a look at the website of the federal agency for work
Furthermore, private organisations are building websites especially to connect Ukrainian immigrants with employers offering work.
What is the amount of the minimum salary in Germany?
The minimum gross hourly salary is currently EUR 9.82 per hour and will be raised to EUR 10.45 per hour as of July 1, 2022. The German government has decided that the minimum salary shall be raised to EUR 12 per hour as of October 1, 2022. However, the raise as of October still has to pass the parliament.
What about foreign diploma or other professional qualification?
A variety of Ukrainian diplomas is already recognized as equivalent to German diplomas. An overview can be found here:
The same is true for vocational training. The overview can be found here: https://anabin.kmk.org/no_cache/filter/berufsabschluesse-public.html.
If the diploma or vocational training is not listed, recognition can be applied for with the ZAB:
Are there any special rules on education?
Public schools provide primary and secondary education free of charge. The children of asylum seekers and temporary refuge seekers are entitled to attend public schools in Germany.
All children living in Germany are required to attend school. They must go to school for at least nine years from the age of six. Children with disabilities or special educational needs are also able to attend school. The competent education authority is responsible for deciding on the enrolment of newly immigrated children. They may also enrol intra-year.
Asylum seekers and temporary refuge seekers may request a school director to find a class for their child. The school director is obliged to find one within a period of three months from submission of the application for asylum or temporary refuge, reflecting the education completed by the child so far and his or her command of the German language.
General information for refugees on where the German language may be learned or where and how they can get in touch with authorities: https://bamf-navi.bamf.de/en/
