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Updated: 4 Mar 2025
Ukrainian citizens are able to stay anywhere within the EU for a period up to 90 days without any visa. The EU has implement the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD), to provide Ukrainians with immigration options throughout the EU. After arriving in an EU country, Ukrainian citizens will be able to apply for TPD status which will give them rights to travel freely, work and also give them access to social benefits such as housing and healthcare. The European Commission have developed this website to provide anyone fleeing the war with the latest information.
The French government, local authorities, and associations have been mobilised to support and welcome Ukrainian refugees to France. If you are travelling without a biometric passport it is advised to visit one of France’s embassies in a country neighbouring Ukraine in order to get documentation authorising your entrance to France. The French government have created this welcome guide to help answer some of the questions you might have.
Applying for Temporary Protection
If you wish to stay in France longer than 90 days, as a Ukrainian national, you are able to apply for a temporary residence permit (APS). The temporary residence permit is valid for 6 months and is renewable for up to 3 years. To apply for temporary protection please visit the prefecture in the region of France in which you are living, refer to this map for the locations of France’s prefectures.
You are advised to first visit the relevant prefecture’s website to check if you need to schedule an appointment.
To renew your temporary residence permit or to restore your residence permit after having left France for an extended period of time you will need to go to the prefecture in the region of France you are living in to apply. Do not apply to renew your residence permit more than 3 weeks before your current residence permit expires.
Life in France
This practical guide has been created to offer guidance for Ukrainian nationals who have arrived in France. It offers advice on many subjects, including temporary protection, healthcare, financial support and more.
Upon presentation of the temporary residence permit (APS), you will benefit from full coverage of your healthcare costs by Health Insurance as part of the universal health protection (PUMa) and under the complementary health solidarity (CSS).
If you do not yet have a temporary residence permit marked "beneficiary of temporary protection" and you need urgent or non-urgent hospital care, you must go to the nearest hospital with your identity document.
Find out more from your nearest primary health insurance fund or on the ameli.fr website.
Ukrainian nationals with a temporary residence permit (APS) are entitled to financial support, in the form of the ADA Card. The ADA Card is a payment card that can be used in shops, however it cannot be used to withdrawer money from ATMs.
The amount of financial support you can receive depends on the size of your family.
Details of how to apply can be found on OFII's website. It is recommended to apply using email for a rapid response.
Education in the UK is compulsory for children between three and 16 years old. Education is provided for free.
Enrolment is organised at local town halls or education offices.
Your temporary residence permit (APS) allows you to work without any particular formalities.
Pôle emploi can assist you in your job search, based on a thorough diagnosis of your needs and the job offers available in your area. There are job offers in all fields of activity.
Address:
Hlavné Námestie 7, 812 83 Bratislava
Telephone:
+421259347111Website:
https://sk.ambafrance.orgAddress:
13-15 rue, Strada Biserica Amzei, București 010392, Roumanie
Telephone:
+40213031000Website:
https://ro.ambafrance.orgAddress:
106 strada Bucuresti Chisinau, MD - 2004
Telephone:
+37322200400For a full list of the embassies and consulates click here