Ukrainian citizens who have received temporary protection in the countries of the European Union are obliged to comply with the laws and regulations established by local authorities. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to serious consequences, including the termination of social benefits, loss of the right to temporary protection, or even forced return to the country of origin. Sanctions are applied not only for criminal violations, but also for administrative offenses, including violation of the rules of residence, registration, or conditions for receiving assistance.
Administrative and financial violations
One of the key areas for which Ukrainian refugees can be held liable is incorrect declaration of income or receipt of assistance from several states at the same time. In this case, payments may be canceled and temporary protection status may be revoked. In Germany, an example is the Bürgergeld program, where concealing income or assets when receiving benefits entails financial sanctions and, in some cases, criminal liability. Similar regulations apply in other EU countries, where tax evasion or providing false information when receiving social benefits may be grounds for punishment.
In Poland, forgery of documents or illegal border crossing is also considered a reason for deportation. In this way, the state protects its resources and ensures fairness in the distribution of social assistance, which makes any attempts to circumvent established procedures risky for refugees.
Long stay outside the country and the impact on benefits
An important aspect is the lack of specific restrictions in the Temporary Protection Directive on the maximum permissible period of stay of Ukrainians outside the EU country. This means that each case is considered individually. However, in some countries, a long stay abroad may affect social benefits.
For example, in Poland, cash assistance is stopped if a refugee is absent for more than 30 days. In Germany, a similar rule applies to the place of registration of a refugee: if a person does not live in the place of registration for more than 21 days, they may be denied Bürgergeld benefits. In addition, social assistance may be reduced by 30% if the refugee has refused an offered job or does not attend mandatory language courses as part of integration initiatives.
Thus, long trips abroad and failure to fulfill integration obligations pose a direct threat to the maintenance of social support, even if the temporary protection status has not formally been lost.
Domestic violations and social rules
In many EU countries, domestic rules, such as the observance of a quiet period, are strictly regulated. In Germany, on weekdays it is forbidden to make noise from 13:00 to 15:00 and from 22:00 to 7:00, on Saturdays from 19:00 to 8:00, and on Sundays and public holidays silence must be observed throughout the day. Violation of these rules can be considered hooliganism. Similar requirements apply in Sweden: systematic violation of silence can lead to eviction from communal housing. Such examples demonstrate that even everyday misdemeanors can have a significant impact on the lives of refugees.
Another element is the mandatory sorting of waste, which is standard in many European countries. In Germany, for example, failure to comply with these rules or improper waste disposal leads to administrative fines: cigarette butts in an unauthorized place – from 50 to 150 euros, improper sorting – up to 300 euros, and for throwing away oversized items or hazardous waste, fines can reach 5,000 euros. Proper sorting includes understanding container labeling and the ability to hand over plastic and glass bottles for recycling in supermarkets or vending machines for a small fee.
Use of driver’s licenses
Ukrainian driver’s licenses remain valid in EU countries for driving a vehicle during the temporary protection period, which has been extended until March 4, 2027. However, in certain situations, police officers may require the exchange of the document for a local equivalent. This decision can be appealed by confirming the validity of the Ukrainian certificate and the presence of temporary protection.
At the same time, the use of expired, lost or invalid documents is prohibited regardless of the country of residence. In such cases, refugees are recommended to contact consular offices or relevant departments to obtain a duplicate or confirmation of the right to drive a vehicle.
Rules in Germany
Ukrainian refugees in Germany should know that, just like local residents, they are prohibited from photographing or filming people, vehicles, houses and other private property without the permission of the owner or the person being filmed, as well as from publishing such photos on social networks or distributing contacts and other personal data. The law provides for severe penalties for offensive gestures and words: sticking your tongue out at another person can result in a fine of 150 euros, calling someone a “joke” can result in a fine of 750 euros, and calling someone an “idiot” can result in a fine of 1,500 euros.
A quiet period must be observed: on weekdays from 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM and from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, as well as on Sundays, it is forbidden to make noise in apartments and on the street. In addition, teachers, doctors, and civil servants cannot be given gifts or offered money, and the contract must be terminated in advance, as contracts are usually extended automatically.
Public transport also has its own rules: to get out of a subway car, you must press the “stop” button in advance, and at the entrance you must let passengers who are getting off. The bus may not stop at a stop if the passenger is just sitting and not preparing to board.
Fines are provided for the distribution of copyrighted content through torrents or other channels, and the use of VPNs is possible, but such technologies attract the attention of the police. Legal work in Germany is possible only after obtaining an official work permit.
Therefore, compliance with the rules of residence in EU countries is mandatory to maintain social benefits and legal status. Ukrainian refugees who work, integrate into communities and comply with local legislation are given the opportunity for stable residence and social support, while contributing to the development of the economies of host countries.
At the same time, even minor violations, from improper waste sorting to long trips or failure to comply with household rules, can have administrative or financial consequences. Understanding legal norms and complying with the requirements of local authorities is a key factor in ensuring that Ukrainian refugees can maintain stability, security and social support during their stay in Europe.
