News and guides · 339 articles
What changed in passport, visa and residence photo rules — every update dated and sourced.
PolandPoland has fully moved the process of applying for residence permits (residence cards, karta pobytu) into a digital format. From 27 April 2026, the use of the government MOS portal is mandatory, and paper applications are no longer considered. In addition, from 4 May 2026, Ukrainian citizens with UKR status gained the ability to file online applications for a special 3-year CUKR card.
UkraineDiia.Signature works from a smartphone while abroad: in Ukraine it is a qualified electronic signature (QES), equal to a handwritten one. In the EU, via Diia.Signature-EU (Ukraine is the first third country on the EU Trusted List), it operates as an advanced signature (AdES) — legally binding and accepted in EU courts, but without the QES presumption of authenticity. The exception is Latvia, where full mutual recognition has been in force since January 2026. Important: from 2026, activating Diia.Signature requires a smartphone with NFC and a biometric document.
UkraineA step-by-step guide to issuing a power of attorney and other notarial acts at a Ukrainian consulate in 2026: the exact consular fee, the list of documents, registration in the URPA, online filing via "e-Consul" and the document's validity in Ukraine.
GermanyThe German government is preparing the so-called Rechtskreiswechsel: Ukrainians who entered the country after 1 April 2025 are to receive not Bürgergeld (€563 for a single adult), but lower basic benefits under the Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz (€455).
GermanyA child from Ukraine in Germany has the same legal entitlement to a Kita place as German children: from age 1. This guide explains § 24 SGB VIII, how to get a Kita-Gutschein, where and when to apply, how many hours the voucher covers and how much it costs parents (using Berlin as an example — care is free, payment is only for meals).
ItalyA step-by-step guide to converting an Italian temporary protection residence permit (protezione temporanea, Emergenza Ucraina) into a work permit: the legal basis, conditions, list of documents, exact fees, submission channels and where to file the application.
MaltaA step-by-step guide for Ukrainians in Malta: obtaining temporary protection through IPA, getting a residence card at Identità, renewal, validity until 4 March 2027, and rights to work, healthcare and social benefits. We also explain separately how temporary protection differs from Malta's SRA status.
PolandA step-by-step guide to nostrification of a Ukrainian diploma in Poland in 2026: when it is needed and when the diploma is recognised automatically, how to submit an application to a university, which documents to prepare, how much it costs, how to obtain funding from the Funduszu Pracy and what concessions apply to persons under temporary protection without an original diploma.
UkraineA Ukrainian consulate registers a marriage only between two Ukrainian citizens lawfully residing abroad. A marriage to a foreigner is registered under the local law of the country. Any marriage abroad is valid in Ukraine under Art. 58 of the Law "On Private International Law" without re-registration; to use the certificate you need an apostille (or consular legalisation) and a notarised translation into Ukrainian.
SloveniaTemporary protection for Ukrainians in Slovenia has been automatically extended until 4 March 2027 — no separate application is needed. New cards (izkaznica) are issued free of charge and no longer show an expiry date; old cards dated 4 March 2026 remain valid. Applications are submitted to the upravna enota at the place of residence within 3 days of arrival. A new Temporary Protection Act has applied since 19 July 2025, regulating absence from the country; the cash allowance for private housing after 2 years of status has been reduced by 15%.
How the EU social insurance coordination rules work for Ukrainians: contributions are paid in one country (the country of work), periods are aggregated for the pension, and an A1 confirms the country of insurance. EU coordination applies only where there is an employment link with at least two EU states; pensions Ukraine↔EU are credited by bilateral agreements.
Temporary protection in the EU applies in only one Member State at a time. To legally move and obtain protection in another country, you must first cancel/end the status in the previous one — otherwise the shared registration platform will detect double registration. Protection has been extended until 4 March 2027 (Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1460).
USAAs of June 2026, USCIS has not accepted new Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) applications since 27 January 2025. Re-parole is processed only through Form I-131 and decided case-by-case based on urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit; file no earlier than 180 days before parole expires. TPS protection and work authorization under TPS Ukraine run until 19 October 2026; the regular re-registration window (17 January – 18 March 2025) is closed, but late filing with evidence of good cause is still possible, and you can apply for TPS for the first time as a late initial filer until 19 October 2026. No new extension has been announced yet.
EUGermanyPoland+1Temporary protection in the EU has been extended until 4 March 2027. Family members under Directive 2001/55/EC are the spouse/partner in a stable relationship, minor unmarried children, and dependent close relatives who lived as one family in Ukraine before 24 February 2022. Reunification is possible only for those who fall under the Directive; registration rules and documents differ in Germany (§24 AufenthG, Ausländerbehörde), Poland (PESEL UKR, new CUKR card from 4 May 2026) and Czechia (KACPU, OAMP MV).
UkraineA step-by-step guide on how a Ukrainian citizen can order a criminal record extract online through Diia and immediately get an apostille for submission abroad (work, residence permit, visa) in 2026 — with extract types, terms and cost.
UkraineA step-by-step guide to the recognition of a Ukrainian certificate of complete general secondary education for university admission in the EU in 2026: when a MON apostille is needed, the rates effective from May 2025, verification through ENIC-NARIC and an EDEBO extract, translation requirements. Separately — the specifics of Poland (no apostille or nostrification needed) and Germany (the certificate alone is not enough).
EUGermanyPolandUkrainian medical diplomas are third-country qualifications, so Directive 2005/36/EC on automatic recognition does NOT apply to them. The right to work as a doctor, nurse, pharmacist or dentist in each EU country is granted under national rules: an equivalence assessment of the diploma, a language exam (usually B2 general + C1 specialist language) and, where required, a knowledge exam. The article explains the real steps using Germany and Poland as examples.
GermanyWohngeld is a state housing supplement for those whose income is above social-assistance level but not enough for the rent. Ukrainians with a §24 AufenthG permit are entitled to Wohngeld (§3 WoGG) if they do NOT receive Bürgergeld, Sozialhilfe, Grundsicherung, AsylbLG benefits or BAföG (these cannot be combined). After the Wohngeld-Plus reform, BMWSB cites an average payment for previous recipients of ~370 €/month (+~190 €); according to Destatis statistics the actual average at the end of 2024 is about 287 €/month. The application is submitted to the local Wohngeldstelle, payment starts from the 1st of the month of application, the decision takes about 8 weeks, the approval is usually for 12 months.
UkraineA Ukrainian driving licence can be ordered online in case of loss, damage, expiry or change of details — without exams and without a new photo (it is taken from the old one in the MIA register, if the licence was issued after 01.01.2013). For those abroad: in the Diia app card delivery works only within Ukraine, but through the Electronic Driver's Cabinet you can order international card delivery to 27 European countries (Poland, Germany, Czechia, Italy and others; the list is expanding). An alternative is to get an e-licence in Diia right away. Consulates do not issue new licences — only a certificate of validity for exchange into a local licence.
SwitzerlandOn 19 June 2026 the Swiss Federal Council launched a consultation on the future of protection status S for Ukrainians after 4 March 2027 and a possible restriction of access for men of call-up age.
United KingdomA UK visa requires a photo on a plain light background with a neutral expression and no glasses: printed — 45 mm (height) × 35 mm (width), or digital JPEG from 600×750 px, sized 50 KB–6 MB, taken in the last month.
SpainThe Spanish TIE card (as well as the NIE and temporary protection) requires one recent colour photo measuring 32×26 mm on a plain light white background, front-on, with the head uncovered and no dark glasses.
FranceA photo for a French visa and residence permit must be in colour, sized 35×45 mm, with a face height of 32–36 mm, on a plain light background (light grey or light blue, not white), with a neutral expression and a closed mouth, taken less than 6 months ago.
IrelandFor an Irish visa and passport you need a colour photo of 35×45 mm (maximum 38×50 mm) on a plain light background — white, cream or light grey, with a neutral facial expression, without glasses that cause glare on the lenses, taken no earlier than 6 months ago.
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