For German Employers

Germany-based employers who want to relocate talent from Ukraine

as soon as the "Auswärtige Amt" classifies this as a war, the situation changes legally for people willing to leave the country.

• German Embassies in Ukraine are already closed, and visas can no longer be applied for locally
• But supposedly a Ukrainian citizen who has a biometric passport can travel to European countries without a Visa already
• Airport and Airspace is closed
• if people can find transport, they can enter the EU if they hold a biometric passport
• But they cannot apply for work permits within Germany at this point - as they are considered tourists.
• The Ausländerbehörde was handling this differently for e.g. Afghanistan and might be offering alternatives for people already entering Germany.
• In any case, a non-EU citizen can for German work permits in ANY country that holds a German Embassy (eg. neighbouring countries like Belarus) whilst some might get crowded soon.

Most importantly: If anyone enters Germany without a work permit, they can stay here as tourists for 90 days = BUT NO work can be done. If they are at your office or do work, this will prevent them from getting their work permit and have consequences for you.

A way to mitigate this is employing them on an EoR contract (for  3-4 months) as they can then work for your (and get paid) whilst they wait for their work permit. You can reach out to Carolin ([email protected]) for this.

If someone wants to bring families, they can travel to Europe as tourists too. The (potential) employee applying for the "bluecard"/work permit will then be able (as soon as this is granted) to have their wives/husbands stay here too long term. Same-Sex Partnerships or informal relationships might not have the same options.

Ukrainians already in Germany or about to enter Germany:

The mobilization of all male citizens aged 18-60 has begun and it is not clear what the consequences will be for avoiding military service when leaving the country now.