Temporary protection

Eligibility criteria – if: 

- you are a citizen of Ukraine and lived in Ukraine before 24 February 2022;

- you are a citizen of Ukraine and already reside in Germany based on a residence permit that is about to expire; 

- you left Ukraine shortly before 24 February 2022, or were in an EU country shortly before this date (for example, on vacation or for business) and cannot return to Ukraine due to the war;

- you have been in Germany for more than 90 days after your first entry (currently not later than 29 August 2023). 

If you are eligible for temporary protection, the same applies to your family.

Temporary protection is not provided to those who cannot prove that they were legally residing in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, or who were in Ukraine as tourists or for business. 

Duration – until 4 May 2024 (with the possibility of extension, taking into account the circumstances in Ukraine). 

You can apply for temporary protection:

- online by following this link; or 

- in person by submitting an application to the local immigration authority "Ausländerbehörde" (ABH). 

You can find the local immigration authority "Ausländerbehörde" (ABH) by following this link. (Click on "Authorities" and enter the zip code of your location.) 

You can also contact the police at any major railway station, airport, etc. 

The police will help you find the local immigration authority "Ausländerbehörde" (ABH). 

To successfully submit your application, you need to provide a passport of a citizen of Ukraine for travelling abroad or an internal passport of a citizen of Ukraine (ID card).

After submitting the application, you will receive a temporary document "Fiktionsbescheinigung " which confirms the submission of the application for a residence permit. 

The temporary document "Fiktionsbescheinigung" allows you to stay in Germany until you receive a residence permit and gives you the right to:

- work;

- attend language courses;

- apply for unemployment benefits (Bürgergeld). 

Once a decision on granting you temporary protection is made, you will receive an invitation from the local immigration authority "Ausländerbehörde" (ABH), where you will obtain a residence permit.

Opportunities – the right to reside in Germany until 4 March 2024 (with the possibility of extension due to the situation in Ukraine), work, receive medical care, social benefits (Bürgergeld), provide education for children, and open a bank account.