Residence permit in Europe: how can Ukrainians integrate in different EU countries?

The full-scale war forced millions of Ukrainians to seek a new home in Europe, and for many, legal integration through obtaining a residence permit was a key step. Find out how Ukrainians can legally live and work in the EU after the war: ways to obtain a residence permit in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Spain, Italy and the UK - a detailed overview with advice from lawyers

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The full-scale war forced millions of Ukrainians to look for a new home in Europe. Most received temporary protection, which allows them to live, work and use social services legally. However, for the long-term future, it is more important to obtain a residence permit (RP) - a document that opens the door to full integration and provides stability.

The grounds for obtaining a RRP can be different, read about the most common options for obtaining a permit in the most popular EU countries among Ukrainians in this article.

Don't know how to act in your situation? Contact lawyers Visit Ukraine and get answers to all your questions!

Common grounds for obtaining a RRP in Europe

Regardless of the country, there are several main grounds for applying for a RRP, including:

- Employment - the most common way. An official contract and a stable salary make it possible to obtain a residence permit. For highly qualified specialists, there are accelerated programs (for example, the EU Blue Card).

- Study - student residence permits open the way to education and integration. Most of them also allow you to work a limited number of hours.

- Financial independence – if you have passive income or savings, you can get a residence permit without employment.

- Business and investment – ​​opening your own company or investing in the country's economy. Often, a good business plan and confirmation of financial capacity are needed to start your own business.

- Marriage or family reunification – if close relatives already have a residence permit or citizenship.

In all cases, it is necessary to confirm the legality of income, the presence of health insurance, the absence of a criminal record and knowledge of the language of the country of residence – this simplifies integration and obtaining long-term status.

Residence permit in Germany for Ukrainians

Germany is the leader in the number of Ukrainian refugees. Temporary protection allows you to live and work, but for the long-term future it is important to apply for another type of PNP, the most convenient ways to obtain a document are:

- Employment

Germany is interested in qualified personnel, so employment (Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Erwerbstätigkeit) is one of the most convenient ways to obtain a residence permit.

To apply for a permit, you need an official contract with a German employer, the minimum salary for highly qualified specialists is 45-50 thousand euros per year (2025).

The EU Blue Card simplifies the procedure for integration into German society, and also provides advantages, in particular, in the process of family reunification.

- Education

To study, you need to enroll in a public or private university and confirm your financial capacity (~ 11,208 euros / year). The advantage is that students are allowed to work, but for a limited number of hours.

- Permanent settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) in Germany

After 5 years of legal residence in Germany, having a stable income, owning or renting housing, as well as speaking German at level B1 and having no criminal record, you can apply for this type of permit.

Read here how Ukrainians can change their status in Germany, what documents are needed and what opportunities are open to Ukrainians in Germany after 2027.

Grounds for obtaining a residence permit in Poland for Ukrainians

Poland became the first refuge for Ukrainians after the war. The legislation of this country is favorable to employment and entrepreneurship.

- Employment

Official work is one of the most common and convenient ways to obtain a Residence Card (Karta Pobytu). To start a career, you need a work contract and a work permit from the employer.

- Business

Opening your own company or registering an enterprise (Żivnostenský List) is an effective way to obtain a residence permit, but on condition that you can prove the financial stability of your enterprise and its benefit to the economy.

- Permanent residence permit in Poland

Available after 5 years of legal residence in the country, confirmation of stable income and housing, knowledge of Polish at level B1.

Consideration of applications for a Residence Card can take from 3 to 12 months, depending on the region and the workload of the migration services.

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How can a Ukrainian obtain a residence permit in the Czech Republic?

The Czech Republic offers several options for the integration of Ukrainians:

- Employee Card (Zaměstnanecká karta): for ordinary employees.

- Blue Card (Modrá karta): for highly qualified specialists.

- Business: the opportunity to obtain a residence permit through a private license (živnostenský list) or your own company.

- Permanent permit (Trvalý pobyt): after 5 years of legal residence, financial stability, housing, knowledge of the Czech language B1 and compliance with the law.

Grounds for obtaining a residence permit in Romania

Romania actively attracts foreign workers. The most common grounds for obtaining a residence permit for Ukrainians are:

- Employment: a work permit (aviz de angajare) and a contract with a local employer are required.

- Business: company registration with confirmation of the viability of the business and income.

- Long-term residence (Drept de ședere pe termen lung): you can apply after 5 years of legal residence, financial stability, housing, knowledge of the Romanian language and no criminal record.

Great Britain: special visas and the path to skilled work

The United Kingdom has its own migration policy. There are special programs for Ukrainians: Homes for Ukraine (if there is a sponsor) and Ukraine Family Scheme (for relatives in the country), which allow you to stay legally for up to 36 months.

For long-term residence, popular ways are:

- Skilled Worker visa - you need to have an offer from a licensed employer, a certificate of sponsorship and meet salary requirements.

- Global Talent visa - for talented professionals, and for entrepreneurs -.

- Innovator Founder visa - for entrepreneurs.

After 5 years of legal residence, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) - an indefinite permit.

The main conditions: financial independence, knowledge of English (B1+), successful test "Life in the UK", no criminal record and restrictions on stay abroad (up to 180 days per year).

It is not necessary to refuse special visas to switch to other categories - the previous permit is automatically canceled after receiving a new one.

Permanent residence permit in Spain: grounds for Ukrainians

Spain provides Ukrainians with temporary protection (protección temporal), which allows them to stay and work legally. Several ways are available for long-term living:

- Non-profit visa (Visa de Residencia no Lucrativa) - for financially independent individuals with passive income or savings (from 30 thousand euros per year), without the right to work.

- Remote worker visa - subject to the right to work from abroad from the employer and a minimum salary of 2700 euros.

- Employment - possible, but the employer must prove the absence of candidates among EU citizens.

After 5 years of legal residence, you can apply for a permanent residence permit (Residencia de Larga Duración). The main conditions are: financial stability, adequate housing, compliance with the law and tax discipline. Knowledge of Spanish greatly facilitates integration, but is not always mandatory.

Italy: “Quota Decree” and financial independence

Italy has granted Ukrainians temporary protection (Permesso di Soggiorno per Protezione Temporanea), which allows them to stay and work legally. Several paths are available for long-term living:

- Work permit (Permesso di Soggiorno per Lavoro Subordinato) - depends on the “Quota Decree” (Decreto Flussi), which annually sets limits on the employment of foreigners.

- Financial independence (Permesso di Soggiorno per Residenza Elettiva) - for people with passive income (pension, dividends, rent) and their own housing, without the right to work.

After 5 years of legal residence, you can apply for an EU long-term residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno UE per Soggiornanti di lungo periodo). The main conditions are: financial stability, housing, no criminal record, health insurance and knowledge of the Italian language at level A2+.

Assistance in obtaining a residence permit for Ukrainians in Europe

Visit Ukraine lawyers specializing in immigration law offer full support at all stages of the residence permit application process, which saves time and nerves, as well as reduces the risk of errors. The service includes:

- Situation analysis and selection of grounds for a residence permit. Lawyers study your capabilities and goals to choose the best option, for example, opening a business in the Czech Republic or studying in Spain.

- Preparation of documents. Registration of questionnaires, document translations, apostille, notarization - all these issues are resolved by specialists, which ensures the correctness and speed of filing.

- Company registration. If the basis for a residence permit is business, lawyers will help you register a company, obtain a tax number and prepare all necessary constituent documents.

- Submission to the consulate or migration service. Lawyers can accompany you when submitting documents to the consulate or migration service, and in some cases, represent your interests.

- Obtaining a residence permit and further support. After receiving a positive decision, lawyers will help you apply for a card, register an address, open a bank account and advise on extending the validity of documents.

Legal support when applying for a residence permit in the EU is a reliable and safe way, which significantly reduces the likelihood of errors. So, if you want to quickly and legally obtain a residence permit, contact the experienced migration lawyers of Visit Ukraine, who will help at every stage - from choosing a country to processing all documents.

Get advice from our experts and do not waste time on bureaucracy!

Reminder! Obtaining a visa without returning to Ukraine is possible, but there is a nuance. Read how Ukrainian citizens abroad can correctly apply and obtain a visa in a third country without unnecessary difficulties in our previous material.

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