Icon
Come back

2 min

25 Apr. 2024

22321

Which EU countries will allow Ukrainians to stay with an invalid passport, and who is ready to send them home?

Popular
Für Flüchtlinge
Documents
Which EU countries will allow Ukrainians to stay with an invalid passport, and who is ready to send them home?

Several countries of the European Union have spoken out about consular restrictions for Ukrainian men. Some say they are ready to allow Ukrainians to stay, while others are ready to facilitate their return. Find out how the countries are divided on this issue

Order a legal consultation on migration issues
Order a legal consultation on migration issues
BUY


Following the decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to limit consular services for Ukrainian men of mobilisation age, a number of Ukrainians have faced the problem of obtaining and extending their passports. 


It is worth noting that, according to Eurostat, at the beginning of 2024, approximately 4.3 million Ukrainians lived in the European Union, of whom about 860,000 were adult men. 


So, amid the problem with consular services for Ukrainians, the countries with the largest number of refugees have split into two camps - some will allow Ukrainian citizens to stay, even with an invalid passport, while others, on the contrary, are ready to assist Ukraine in returning men to their homeland.


Here's a look at which European countries have already expressed their position on the matter and what decisions refugees can expect.


Poland


Poland is currently home to up to one million Ukrainians, the second largest number after Germany. 


Officially, Warsaw has already made a statement on the situation at Ukrainian consulates. They said that the country is ready to help Ukraine return men of conscription age to "fulfil their civic duty". This was stated by Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosyniak-Kamysh, Reuters reports.


As you know, Poland has offered to help Ukraine in the past to return conscripts to their country. This time, however, all the statements come at a time when Ukrainians are facing consular restrictions.


"Any support is possible," the minister says of how Poland would react if Kyiv asked for help in returning home those who may lose the right to stay in Poland after their passports expire.


Lithuania


This country, following Poland, also expressed its position on this issue. According to Delfi, Lithuanian Defence Minister Laurinas Kasciunas said that Vilnius needs to think about how to help Ukraine return men of military age who have left the country. At the same time, the minister added that Lithuania is not yet considering specific measures and is watching what decisions Poland will make on this issue.


"It's probably hard to say what kind of measures this will turn into. Perhaps, we will have to talk about this specifically," Kasciunas said.




Visit Ukraine on social media: Telegram | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok




Germany


Germany has a different position on Ukrainian refugees. DW addressed this issue to a representative of the Berlin Senate, who said that granting or extending a residence permit to Ukrainian refugees in Germany does not require them to have a valid passport. 


The main thing is that the German authorities should have at least some opportunity to establish their identity.


It is worth noting that the Berlin Senate is one of the 16 federal states of Germany, and all issues related to the stay of foreigners in Germany are within the competence of the land authorities.


Other countries


So far, only three countries have made official statements. However, this is not the first time the issue of Ukrainian refugees in Europe has been raised, so some conclusions can be drawn from previous statements. For example:


• Austria - in September 2023, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it would not extradite men of military age to Ukraine.

• Czech Republic - in January 2024, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said that the country has no legal mechanisms to send conscripted male refugees back to Ukraine.

• Hungary - the country's authorities are categorically against the extradition of men from Ukraine.


We remind you! Ukrainian male citizens abroad have faced restrictions on consular processes. In particular, persons of mobilisation age cannot apply for a new passport or pick up an existing document. Read here to find out when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to lift these restrictions and what new rules you need to prepare for in the future.



Photo: shutterstock


Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.




We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 


Visit Ukraine Insurance – safe travel in Ukraine (insurance covering military risks);

Visit Ukraine Legal advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;
Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.




© 2018-2024, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.

Recommended articles

1 min

Documents Passport abroad can now be issued only by prior electronic appointment: details

Passport abroad can now be issued only by prior electronic appointment: details

Passports can now be issued at foreign branches of the state enterprise Document only by prior electronic appointment. This innovation is aimed at facilitating the process and avoiding unpredictable queues at consular offices. Learn more about the update

15 Apr. 2024

More details

2 min

Documents German citizenship in three years: will Ukrainians be able to obtain a German passport under a simplified procedure?

German citizenship in three years: will Ukrainians be able to obtain a German passport under a simplified procedure?

As early as this summer, a law is due to come into force in Germany that greatly simplifies the procedure for obtaining citizenship. However, there will be serious requirements for applicants for a German passport. Find out what is known about this procedure and whether Ukrainian refugees will be able to take advantage of it

17 Apr. 2024

More details

1 min

Documents SE Document temporarily does not issue ready-made documents abroad: details

SE Document temporarily does not issue ready-made documents abroad: details

The State Enterprise "Document" has temporarily suspended the issuance of ready-made documents in its foreign offices. Find out more about the reasons for this and what services you can get

23 Apr. 2024

More details

2 min

For foreigners in UA What liability can foreigners incur for violating Ukrainian migration legislation?

What liability can foreigners incur for violating Ukrainian migration legislation?

Migration legislation defines not only the rights and obligations of foreign citizens and stateless persons in Ukraine, but also the penalties for non-compliance with the established norms. Find out what liability for violations is provided by the law of Ukraine

27 Apr. 2024

More details