Information Sheet – Access to territory, international protection procedures and reception conditions for people fleeing the war in Ukraine in European countries 10 March 2022
I. Introduction
In response to requests for information, ECRE has compiled a non-exhaustive document of measures taken by European countries to address the arrival of people fleeing the war in Ukraine. The information sheet is published and distributed to assist persons fleeing Ukraine.
Information sheet mainly focuses on the situation of Ukrainian nationals. The situation for thirdcountry nationals fleeing from Ukraine is be included as it becomes available.
Some of the information contained in this document is based on official statements announcing UA-specific policy changes. It is possible that such policy changes are not immediately reflected in the actual practice of authorities receiving UA nationals and others fleeing Ukraine. Where possible ECRE has reached out to lawyers to understand the level of practical implementation of the announced measures and will continue updating the document as needed. In case of doubt, ECRE encourages contact with ELENA network representatives, lawyers and ECRE’s Legal Support and Litigation Team; you can find all contact-related information here.
The document was created on the basis of open-source information and unofficial translation tools. ECRE has also used its AIDA database and the information provided by the ELENA network and ECRE members. All efforts have been made to ensure that the information is up-to-date (as of 10 March) and accurate but the situation remains volatile and the developments are rapidly changing. Consequently, this is not intended to be an exhaustive or definitive compilation of all developments. ECRE welcomes suggestions for additional information, or the identification of outdated/inaccurate information; for any information, please contact Frankie McClean at [email protected].
On 3 March 2022, the European Commission invoked the Temporary Protection Directive and on 4 March 2022 the Council implementing decision was adopted. All EU Member States apart from Denmark took part in the adoption of the Decision, therefore Denmark is not bound by the TPD. More information about this directive and how it works in practice can be found here.
• Entry and stay requirements
For UA nationals entry with a biometric passport and no visa requirement remains possible. Persons without a biometric passport are issued a visa in a facilitated procedure and can also enter the country. More information can be found here.
According to a statement by the Federal Minister for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, UA nationals fleeing the war are allowed to travel for free on long-term trains using the country’s national railway service (ÖBB).
• Entry and stay requirements
Visa-free travel to Belgium remains possible. A dedicated page has been created to assist those fleeing Ukraine in understanding procedures regarding entry and stay. Temporary protection status in line with the EU Directive is available to UA nationals, stateless persons and beneficiaries of international protection in Ukraine and their families. More information can be found here.
• Asylum procedures
The processing of asylum cases of UA nationals is suspended. Temporary protection status for Ukrainian citizens is being developed, of which it is not necessary to apply for asylum to benefit from this status.
• Entry and stay requirements
UA citizens can enter Bulgaria visa-free for 90 days with a biometric passport. Covid-19 vaccination, testing or recovery certificates are mandatory to avoid a 10- day quarantine or until a negative PCR or rapid antigen test result. Regularly updated information in UA and English can be found here and government official information can be found here.
• Entry and stay requirements
People displaced from Ukraine do not currently need a passport to enter Croatia. Croatia has implemented the EU Temporary Protection Directive for those displaced from Ukraine, more information of which can be accessed here.
• Reception conditions
Accommodation on arrival will now be given in Gospić reception centre for a short period of time, up to 48 hours and then transfers to permanent accommodation will be offered. More information in this regard is available here.
• Entry and stay requirements
People from UA will be eligible to apply for a special visa. It will be given immediately at the Ministry offices across the country, not at the borders. Both newly arrived persons and UA national who already reside in the Czech Republic, and whose visa is about to expire, are eligible for this visa.
Czechia has lifted coronavirus-related measures for UA nationals crossing the border; no tests or certificates are required. According to reports, women, children and elderly have no problem crossing the border, even without documents, but there have been instances of incidents where men attempted to cross.
Public transport is free in most cities on provision of a UA passport or ID card.
• Reception conditions
The special visa will include health insurance for those who cannot pay privately and a right to obtain a work permit. Emergency accommodation arrangements will be made for holders of the special visa. Information in UA and CZ can be found here (regularly updated).
All UA nationals have been released from detention. There will be no detention/expulsion of UA nationals who are in Czechia without a permit.
• Asylum Procedures
This remains a possibility, however, the special visa regime is specifically designated for UA nationals and therefore faster.
• Entry and stay requirements
There have been no concrete measures in respect of entry and stay requirements. UA citizens with a biometric passport can enter Denmark and stay for 90 days without a visa. In the absence of a biometric passport, an application for a visa is required.
The Danish Immigration Service has created a dedicated Q&A page for Ukrainian citizens covering entry, stay and asylum-related developments.
• Asylum procedures
The Refugee Appeals Board has suspended decisions in asylum cases of UA citizens. The decision will be reviewed in the next Coordination Committee on 28 April 2022.
The Danish parliament reached an agreement that a new law will be put into place in mid-March to provide temporary residence and work permits to UA nationals, beneficiaries of international protection status in Ukraine and core family members.
• Entry and stay requirements
Entry: According to new measures, biometric passports are no longer required for UA nationals fleeing the country; people can arrive without any requirement for visa. Coronavirus-related requirements do not apply for UA nationals arriving at the border.
Stay: UA nationals who are already present in the territory of Estonia are not required to apply for an extension of visa or residence permits upon expiration. The Prime Minister announced that temporary protection residence permits can be applied for in one day.
• Reception conditions
Accommodation is provided for UA nationals and beneficiaries of international protection in Ukraine, displaced as of 24 February 2022. Initial reception centres are currently in Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, and Rakvere and healthcare, meals, work permits and education will be provided. Additional information can be found here.
• Entry and stay requirements
Visa-free travel remains possible. A dedicated page on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service includes information on residence permits following the UA developments.
Finland is implementing the Temporary Protection Directive and choosing to extend its scope to UA citizens and their family members who fled Ukraine shortly before 24 February, other UA citizens and their family members who are already staying in Finland or have arrived and to non-EU nationals legally residing (other than permanently residing) in Ukraine who cannot return to their country of origin.
• Asylum procedures
Decision-making on applications by UA nationals are suspended insofar as that would entail removal from Finland (negative decisions are not being issued). However, the Finnish Immigration Service continues to issue decisions on applications for international protection and residence permits to applicants meeting the relevant conditions. A dedicated page on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service includes information for asylum applicants following the UA developments.
• Reception conditions
According to the Finnish Immigration Service, the reception system is not expected to face challenges and contingency plans have been made. Some 300 beds have been added already to support potentially increased arrivals.
• Entry and stay requirements
Entry: Visa-free entry with a biometric passport remains possible. UA nationals without a biometric passport may submit a request for a visa at the consular posts of the countries bordering Ukraine.
Stay: UA nationals that are already in France can address a request for extension of stay at the Prefecture in the Department of arrival. A list of Prefectures can be found here.
Recent developments are not yet accessible, but it is likely that plans for temporary protection status following the EU Directive are underway.
UA nationals can travel for free on French trains.
• Entry and stay requirements
The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees has published UA-specific guidance in German, Russian and Ukrainian on entry and stay requirements. Detailed information in German can also be found here. The Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) has issued additional specific guidance, available in English and Ukrainian; civil society organisations have also released detailed guidance in English and Ukrainian.
Entry: Ukrainian citizens with a biometric passport can enter and move freely in the Schengen area without a visa. This also includes onward travel from Poland to Germany. UA nationals without a biometric passport may exceptionally apply for a visa for Germany at the diplomatic missions in Ukraine’s neighbouring countries. Regarding COVID-related restrictions, since 27 February 2022, Ukraine is no longer classified as a high-risk area. Therefore, under the Ordinance on Coronavirus Entry Regulations, only proof of a negative test result is required prior to entry. People entering from Ukraine are no longer required to register or quarantine upon entry.
The national railway services have announced that UA nationals can travel with a Ukrainian passport or identity card on all long-distance trains from Poland to Germany free of charge. The long-distance trains have their starting points in Warsaw, Gdansk, Przemysl (border to Ukraine)/Krakow, Vienna/Wroclaw. Preparations are being made to ensure additional transport capacity as needed.
Stay: The Federal Ministry of the Interior announced that Ukrainian nationals who are currently in Germany for a short stay are not required to go through the visa 6 procedure in order to receive a temporary residence permit if they did not enter on such a visa. Ukrainian nationals who have entered Germany for a short stay without a visa can apply for a temporary residence permit for an additional 90 days once the 90 days of the short stay have elapsed.
The Berlin Immigration Office issued a general ruling stipulating that, for the citizens of Ukraine in Berlin whose visa-free stay expires on February 25th, 2022, the visafree short stay is automatically extended until May 31st, 2022. The ruling applies solely to Ukrainian citizens in possession of a valid passport or a passport replacement document, who are actually staying in Berlin at the time the visa-free short stay expires and who will be also staying here until they leave Germany.
Additional local and national information can be found here.
• Asylum procedures
The BMI advises against UA nationals applying for asylum as the EU invoked temporary protection available provides a quicker protection process. Although, the right to apply for asylum continues to apply at a later date.
• Entry and stay requirements
Visa-free entry with biometric passports and visa-based entry without a biometric passport is possible at all entry points. UA nationals that are not in possession of travel documents may only enter Greece through the Promachonas border station on the Greek-Bulgarian border.
Passenger locator forms are no longer required for UA citizens to enter Greece.
The Ministry of Migration and Asylum has announced that temporary protection up to one year will be offered to UA nationals residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022, third country nationals or stateless persons legally residing (as refugees or with an equivalent national status) in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 and to family members of the above groups.
• Reception conditions
Where necessary, short-term accommodation will be provided at the Sindiki reception facility until all travel documents have been issued. For UA nationals in need of long-term accommodation, a request must be made via email to [email protected]. Upon granting of the aforementioned temporary protection, beneficiaries will have access to the material reception conditions of asylum seekers and will have the right to work and to medical care.
• Entry and stay requirements
Generally, all UA citizens can enter the territory without a passport or identity documents however there have been recent instances of third-country nationals being refused entry at the Romanian-Hungarian border. Updated information and developments can be accessed here.
Temporary protection under the EU Council Directive is still available to UA citizens and beneficiaries of international protection residing in Ukraine displaced on or after 24 February as well as family members of the above groups. More information about this can be accessed here.
• Entry and stay requirements
UA nationals are entitled to travel there visa-free.
Iceland is not subject to the EU Temporary Protection Directive and has instead triggered Art 44 of their Foreign Nationals Act which provides collective protection to a group of foreign nationals fleeing a specific region of mass exodus.
• Asylum procedures
The Directorate of Immigration removed Ukraine from the list of safe countries.
• Entry and stay requirements
According to the Ministry of Justice, people who are considering leaving Ukraine and travelling to Ireland may do so without a visa and will be entitled to temporary protection under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.
Regularly updated information in English and UA is available here and here.
• Entry and stay requirements
Visa-free entry remains possible for UA nationals and they will be entitled to temporary protection in line with the EU Temporary Protection Directive. COVID-related restrictions continue to apply: entry must be accompanied by a COVID certificate and a passenger locator form.
• Reception conditions
A recent decree addressed the potential exceptional reception needs for UA nationals by allocating resources for the management of detention and reception centres, increasing places for the System of Accommodation and Integration (+3,000) and places for Emergency Accommodation Centres (+13,000). UA citizens fleeing from the war will have access to these reception centres regardless of whether they have applied for asylum.
A special fund (EUR 500,000) will be dedicated to finance support measures for UA students, researchers and lecturers so that they can carry out their activities at Italian universities, institutions for higher artistic, musical and dance training and research bodies.
• Entry and stay requirements
Entry: Visa-free entry remains possible with a biometric passport. At border crossing points, checks will confirm the existence of biometric passports or the need for visas, in the absence of the latter. If a person arrives without travel documents the identity of the person will be confirmed in cooperation with the competent Ukrainian authorities. More detailed information in English, Ukrainian and Russian can be found here.
The lack of valid travel documents will not be an obstacle to entering Latvia for UA nationals; similarly, the lack of medical COVID-related documents, such as tests or vaccination certificates, will not impede entry for UA nationals.
Stay: Latvia plans to issue long-term visas for UA nationals. More detailed information in English, Ukrainian and Russian can be found here.
• Reception conditions
Accommodation, food and medical care will be offered to all UA nationals arriving in Ukraine. In the event of urgent medical assistance upon arrival, UA nationals are urged to inform border officials or call 113. The expected long-term visas for UA nationals will offer the right to work. More detailed information in English and Ukrainian can be found here.
• Entry and stay requirements
Entry: Visa-free entry is possible for UA nationals with biometric passports. UA nationals who have nowhere to stay in Lithuania must register with the Alytus Migration Department immediately upon arrival. UA nationals who have a place to stay in Lithuania must register too but they can do so in any Migration Department across the country (you can find information on addresses in different cities in Ukrainian, Russian and English).
Stay: After registration, UA nationals may apply for and obtain a temporary residence permit in Lithuania (for 1 year) or a national visa (for 1 year). National visas will not be issued to citizens of Ukraine who are not holders of valid foreign passports, but applications for temporary residence permits for humanitarian 9 reasons will be accepted from such foreigners. Ukrainian citizens holding biometric passports and whose national visas or temporary residence permits expire in the Republic of Lithuania can immediately start enjoying the 90-day visa-free regime upon the expiry of these documents.
Detailed information can also be found here.
• Asylum procedures
There is a suspension of returns to UA.
• Reception conditions
At the registration centre, there are arrangements for detailed information provision on the possibilities for stay in Lithuania; provision of temporary accommodation (with municipalities or private individuals), food rations and basic medical care.
According to the state news agency, UA nationals who benefit from the visa waiver or have a valid Schengen visa, as well as those who have been issued a national visa or a temporary residence permit on humanitarian grounds will have the right to work in Lithuania and will be relieved from the obligation to obtain a work permit.
• Entry and stay requirements
Displaced people arriving from Ukraine to Luxembourg are asked to contact the Directorate of Immigration (at [email protected]) to make their presence known and begin a temporary protection or regularisation application.
• Reception conditions
An emergency reception centre is available 24/7 to provide accommodation and food to people on initial arrival. More information can be found here.
• Entry and stay requirements
UA nationals can travel without a visa to Malta and pre-approval to travel requirement has been lifted for those wishing to seek asylum.
COVID-related entry restrictions: All passengers fleeing from Ukraine will be accepted subject to quarantine. The Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs is offering to cover the accommodation costs of UA nationals and their dependents in hotels recognised as quarantine locations. For more information, see here.
• Entry and stay requirements
Ukrainians can enter Moldova with their ID if they do not have a passport; They do not have to show a COVID certificate; people can drive in a car without a green card if they go on to receive one within 24 hours; there is a hotline 080001527 and calls to 112 will be transferred to the hotline. A Facebook group has been set up with useful information. You can find more information here (state Telegram channel, info in UA).
• Reception conditions
Information on free accommodation and other practical topics can be found here.
• Entry and stay requirements
The Dutch immigration services have released guidance on entry/stay requirements for UA nationals. The guidance refers to a more lenient assessment of such cases but it does not contain detailed practical information. More detailed information can be accessed here.
All public transportation is free for UA nationals.
• Asylum procedures
As of 28 February 2022, the Dutch immigration services will not deliver any decisions on asylum applications made by UA nationals; deportations to UA are also suspended. Both measures will be valid for a duration of 6 months and is subject to certain exceptions (Dublin cases, granted protection in another EU Member State, commission of war crimes/threat to public order or national security). For more information, see here.
• Reception conditions
Dutch municipalities are opening special reception locations which can be reserved through the immigration service.
• Entry and stay requirements
Visa-free travel with biometric passports remains possible. UA citizens in Norway on expiring permits or visa-free visits can continue to stay in the country until further notice. A dedicated page with further details for UA nationals has been created by the authorities.
• Asylum procedures
Norwegian authorities no longer consider Ukraine a safe country; returns to UA have been suspended.
• Entry and stay requirements
Citizens leaving Ukraine who wish to reach Portugal should contact the Portuguese Embassies of the transit countries, in order to update the information on their location and so that they can be provided with the necessary support.
Specialised locations have been provided for citizens fleeing Ukraine to apply for temporary protection. The list of locations is available here.
• Reception conditions
The temporary protection provides accommodation and subsistence allowances to beneficiaries who do not have financial resources of their own and provides the issuance of a healthcare system number and employment registration.
The Portugese government have launched an information platform to combine details of reception, protection and integration in one place.
• Entry and stay requirements
Although the situation remains very dynamic in Poland, the authorities seem to proceed mainly based on existing measures on entry based on biometric passports, visas and asylum. You can find detailed information on entry possibilities here (in English). Amendments to existing entry-related regulations have suspended coronavirus-related quarantine and testing requirements and allow regular movement at the border crossings with Ukraine.
Poland has brought in the Act on Assistance to Citizens of Ukraine in Connection with armed conflict on the territory of this country which will legalise the stay for 18 months of UA citiziens who crossed the border from Ukraine after 24 February. More information on the new special law can be found here.
• Reception conditions
A list of newly formed reception facilities is available here. There is also an amendment to the ordinance on guarded centres and arrests for foreigners. According that amendment, a foreigner may be detained for up to 14 days in the premises of the Border Guard.
Residence under the new law will provide full access to the labour market and to family, social, health and education benefits.
Detailed information in English and Ukrainian can also be found here.
• Entry and stay requirements
Visa-free entry with a biometric passport remains possible. If they apply for asylum in Romania, UA nationals can also enter the country on the basis of another type of identity document (national identity document, birth certificate etc.), or on the basis of the declared identity, without an identity document, from humanitarian reasons.
In respect of COVID-related restrictions, UA nationals are not required to quarantine upon arrival, regardless of whether they arrive from Ukraine or through the Republic of Moldova.
• Asylum procedures
As far as can be derived, asylum procedures are still accessible in Romania, of which applicants will be accommodated in the six main regional centres in Timis, Maramures, Suceava, Giurgiu and Bucharest.
• Reception conditions
If needed, accommodation, food and free medical services are provided and if individuals choose to stay in Romania they will have the right to work under certain conditions. The government has communicated detailed information on medical services and the right to work for UA nationals; they can be consulted in English and Ukrainian here.
Information provision and legal counselling at the main border crossing points from Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova (Halmeu, Sighetu Marmatiei, Siret, Stanca, and Isaccea). Information provision is also provided in reception centres, as well as through two hotlines (+40 730 073 170 / +40 721 206 926) and an online platform.
• Entry and stay requirements
UA citizens with a passport can enter the territory through any border crossings and are eligible to stay for 90 days without a visa.
• Reception conditions
According to the Asylum Office website, authorities have put reception capacity on standby in response to the potential of increased arrivals of UA nationals. Once in reception centres, individuals will have access to healthcare, elementary and high school education and humanitarian aid. More information can be accessed here.
• Entry and stay requirements
Entry is allowed to all persons fleeing the war in UA. Entry is also possible without valid travel documents by applying for temporary protection or asylum. You can find more information on entry and stay issues here.
• Reception conditions
The Slovak government created a website where UA nationals can find information on accommodation.
• Entry and stay requirements
Visa-free entry with a biometric passport is possible for UA nationals. The validity of the travel document must be at least three months longer than the intended residence in the Republic of Slovenia. A dedicated webpage has been created to address the situation of UA nationals in Slovenia.
Information on assistance to UA nationals fleeing the country will be provided by Slovenian authorities through a dedicated phone number; you can find the information in English and Ukrainian here.
• Entry and stay requirements
The Spanish national railway network are providing train journeys free of charge to UA citizens in possession of a passport or identity card.
Spain have enacted two orders, the first one (Orden PCM/169/2022) develops the procedure for the recognition of temporary protection for people affected by the conflict and the second order (Orden PCM/170/2022) extends the scope of the EU Temporary Protection Directive to UA nationals who were residing irregularly in Spain at the time of the invasion. The orders confirm that applications will be processed and resolved within a maximum of 24 hours, will provide residence and work permits and furthermore that legal residents in Ukraine and not solely UA nationals are included.
Information about temporary and protection information will be regularly updated here.
• Asylum procedures
A high court in Spain granted subsidiary protection to a UA family who had been rejected protection prior to 24 February 2022.
• Reception conditions
The Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration has announced plans to provide at least 6,000 places in reception centres and hotels, the details and conditions of which are still unknown.
• Entry and stay requirements
UA nationals can enter Sweden without a visa and stay for up to 90 days and can apply to be covered by the EU Temporary Protection Directive on arrival. Application locations, further details and practical information can be found here.
• Asylum procedures
The processing of asylum cases of UA nationals has been suspended. Deportations to UA have also been suspended until further notice. Contingency plans have been made to increase capacity of asylum services if needed.
• Asylum procedures
The processing of asylum applications by UA nationals is suspended. A temporary protection status has been introduced (le status de protection S) which will entitle UA nationals and their family members to protection for one year, which can be extended. More information can be found here.
• Entry and stay requirements
UA nationals are subject to visa exemption and can stay for up to 90 days in the territory. The Ministry of Interior has announced that after the 90 day period, UA nationals will be provided with residence permits. Currently, UA nationals also have the option to apply for international protection, although it is unclear if the residence permit option will become an alternative for this.
• Entry and stay requirements
The UK Home Office announced temporary visa concessions for family members of British nationals who usually live in Ukraine. You can find more detailed information here. Visa concessions allowing temporary extension and switching of visa regimes were also announced for Ukrainians already in the UK. You can find more detailed information here.
UA nationals can make use of the temporary visa application centre (VAC) in Rzeszow, or other centres including in the capitals of Poland, Moldova, Romania and Hungary.
A group of volunteer legal professionals in the UK are providing free legal advice, which can be accessed here.
Джерело - European Council on Refugees and Exiles