Changes in the rules for crossing the German border came as a surprise to many Ukrainians. Despite the current visa-free regime, some Ukrainian citizens may be denied entry. The German Ministry of the Interior explained that the restrictions apply to Ukrainians who have already received temporary protection in another EU country and wish to move to Germany, writes IZ with reference to the TSN material. This decision is justified by the desire to optimize the allocation of resources and reduce the burden on the local refugee reception system.
According to the government, Germany has already provided shelter to over a million Ukrainians. This is the highest figure among European countries. At the same time, in 2024, a significant number of Ukrainian citizens who tried to enter the country without proper grounds were stopped at German borders. The authorities refer to an EU directive, according to which refugees must remain in the first country where they received protection. If a person already lives in France or Poland, they need to officially coordinate their move with the authorities of both countries.
Short-term trips for Ukrainians remain possible. Persons with legal status in any Schengen country can travel to Germany without a visa, but only for tourist purposes. At the border, law enforcement officers can check the purpose of entry, and if there are suspicions that a person plans to stay for a long time, they can be denied a pass. Cases of arrival by air are being considered separately – although there is no border control there, the authorities warn that random checks are also possible at airports.
Moving to Germany for permanent residence is possible for Ukrainian refugees only through the official procedure of obtaining a visa and residence permit. The German Ministry of the Interior continues to monitor the situation, and the government promises to publish detailed statistics on Ukrainians who officially moved in 2024 later.
We remind you that we previously wrote: EU countries are preparing for mass deportation of migrants within the framework of the updated immigration policy