Residence permit - War refugees from Ukraine

If you are fleeing the war in Ukraine, you can stay in Germany for up to 90 days after entering the country without a visa. After that, you will need a residence permit.

Description

After arrival

As soon as you have a permanent place of residence in Munich, you must register your address at the Citizens’ Office. To do this, book an appointment online and you will receive a certificate of registration.

Registration as a war refugee

To obtain a residence permit, you must register as a war refugee. You can come to the arrival centre at Dachauer Straße 122 to register from Monday to Friday between 8 am and 4 pm.

Application for a residence permit

You may remain in Germany for up to 90 days after your first entry without a visa. After that, you will need a residence permit. This will allow you to work.

You can submit your application and supporting documents online:

  • Upload your documents as PDF files.
  • Once you have submitted your application, you will receive confirmation of the continued validity of your stay. You can save this as a PDF.
  • Once your application has been assessed, you will be given an appointment and further information.
  • Please submit your application only once. Families can submit a joint application.

Period of validity

The residence permit under Section 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) is valid until 4 March 2028.

Extension of the residence permit under Section 24 of the Residence Act

Your residence permit under Section 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG), which is still valid on 1 February 2026, will be automatically extended until 4 March 2027. A new residence permit is not required and you do not need to visit the Service Centre for Immigration and Naturalisation. You may continue to work. However, you will not be able to use the online ID function (eID).

You do not need to have your residence document (eAT) reissued in the following cases:

  • Travel within the Schengen states for up to 90 days
  • Re-entry to Germany from Ukraine
  • Taking up employment
  • Applying for benefits under SGB II and SGB XII (e.g. basic income support), the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG), child benefit, housing benefit and health insurance benefits

A replacement eAT under Section 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) is only possible in exceptional cases, e.g. for urgent travel outside the Schengen area. To do this, you must submit a new application via our contact form and attach proof of the exceptional circumstances.

From 4 March 2027, the provisions of the Residence Act will apply to the granting of a residence permit for other purposes.

The requirements and supporting documents for residence permits relating to training, study and work can be found in this table.

Important note

Important note

Visa-free entry is possible for first-time travellers until 04.12.2026.

From 4 March 2024, this does not apply to third-country nationals with a temporary right of residence in Ukraine; as a rule, they require a visa, which must be applied for at the German diplomatic mission abroad.

Requirements

You may be granted a residence permit for temporary protection under Section 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) if you:

  • are a Ukrainian national yourself,
  • have family members (parents, children, spouse, unmarried partner and close relatives who were already living together as a family in Ukraine) who are granted a residence permit under Section 24 of the Residence Act,
  • have already been recognised as a refugee in Ukraine,
  • have not been granted temporary protection in any other European country (for applications submitted in Germany on or after 14 August 2025),
  • can prove that you have fulfilled your military obligations or are exempt from them (for entries from 5 August 2026).

Applying for a residence permit for another purpose

Certain requirements must be met for a residence permit to be granted for another purpose. The requirements and supporting documents for residence permits relating to training, study and work are set out in this table.

You can apply for a residence permit for another purpose at any time via our online services.

Please note:

The law does not provide for the direct granting of a settlement permit (permanent residence permit) on the basis of Section 24 of the Residence Act (temporary protection). To obtain a settlement permit, you must switch to a residence permit for a different purpose that qualifies for consolidation.

Required documents

  • A fully completed application form (in Latin script)
  • A tabular list of your place of residence/stay from the start of the war on 24 February 2022 until your entry into Germany, with supporting evidence for each entry (e.g. registration certificates, local payment records, school certificates, etc.)
  • Proof of lawful departure for persons required to fulfil military obligations (exit stamp, official document from the ‘Reserv+’ app, exemption, etc.)
  • If available: documents or residence permits from other countries
  • A copy of your identity document showing your personal details, all entry and exit stamps, and all visas
  • A copy of your Ukrainian residence permit (only required if you are not a Ukrainian national)
  • A copy of your registration certificate (issued by the Citizens’ Office)
  • Option certificate for Bavaria from Dachauer Straße 122

If we require any further documents, we will write to you.

Please note

  • The documents submitted (such as proof of identity and language certificates) will be checked for authenticity. We will consistently report any forgeries to the police.

Duration and costs

Processing time

10 to 12 weeks

questions about the processing status cannot be answered during this time.

We can only finalise your application if you have submitted all the required documents in full. If we have to request additional documents, this may delay the process.

Fees

Free of charge

Questions & Answers

  • Refugees maytravel within the Schengen states for a period of up to 90 days on the basis of a residence permit valid from 1 February 2026 (eAT in accordance with Section 24 of the Residence Act), a passport or a travel document for foreign nationals.
  • Travel by refugees to third countries outside the Schengen Area may, in some cases, only be permitted with a new electronic residence permit (eAT), which, in exceptional cases, must be applied for via the contact form.
  • Re-entry into Germany from Ukraine, as well as transit through Schengen states such as Poland and Slovakia, is permitted.

Important note regarding departure to Ukraine:

Whether refugees are returning for just 3 weeks, 6 months or permanently – different rules and regulationsapply depending on the length of their stay .

If you hold a residence permit under Section 24 of the Residence Act (temporary protection), you cannot obtain a settlement permit or a long-term EU residence permit (permanent residence).

Legal basis

§ Section 24 Residence Act

Ukraine Transitional Residence Ordinance

Contact

Servicestelle für Zuwanderung und Einbürgerung

Postal address

Servicestelle für Zuwanderung und Einbürgerung

Ruppertstraße 19
80466 München

Fax: +49 89 233-45595

Address

Ruppertstraße 19
80337 München

Lagehinweis: Eingang A

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