Current information on Ukraine

The EU Mass Influx Directive 2001/55/EC, introduced in 2001 in response to the Yugoslavian wars, has entered into effect for the first time due to a decision by the EU Council on 4 March 2022. This triggers temporary protection status in all EU Member States. Certain minimum standards must be guaranteed, including a work permit.

The implementation of the Directive in Germany is governed by section 24 German Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz). The following groups of individuals who have been driven out of Ukraine since 24 February 2022 by Russia’s military invasion can now apply for temporary protection at the competent immigration authority:

• Ukrainian citizens who had their place of residence in Ukraine before 24 February 2022,
• Stateless persons and citizens of countries other than Ukraine who were under international protection or equivalent national protection in Ukraine before 24 February 2022,
• Family members (i.e. spouses, unmarried life partners, minor single children and close relatives under additional conditions) of those in the above two groups even if they are not Ukrainian citizens.

While under temporary protection, the abovementioned people are permitted to pursue self-employment or employment. The competent immigration authority will state in the residence permit that employment is permitted, even if there is no specific prospect of employment yet. This means that it is no longer necessary to apply for or procure a separate work permit from another authority.

Persons with a residence permit for temporary protection in Germany are also entitled to receive advisory and placement services from government employment agencies.

Thus, the only prerequisite for employment is to register with the  residential registration offices and to apply for a residence permit at the immigration authority responsible for the place of residence.

More information is available in our Ukraine-Russia Crisis Center