The information on this page was collected from public resources and does not constitute legal advice.
General information on border crossing?To enter Spain, you must first cross the border through an EU country, i.e. Poland. Check the interactive map of waiting time at the countries that border with Ukraine here You can enter Spain by plane, train, car or ferry. A citizen of Ukraine to arrive in Spain must have a biometric passport. In case of its absence, you must contact the nearest diplomatic institution of Ukraine in the EU and obtain a certificate confirming your identity and citizenship. You need to have an internal passport with you and, if available, a document confirming your residence on the territory of Ukraine until 02/24/2022. |
What documents do I need to enter?You can enter Spain with any of the following documents:
In order to prove family/marital status, birth certificates and a marriage certificate are required. If you don't have a biometric passport or other travel document, you need to contact the consular department of Spain in one of the countries bordering Ukraine (eg Poland, Romania, Hungary, etc.), so they can help you. Birth certificate, ID, or any document confirming your residence in Ukraine prior to February 24, 2022 would help, when reviewing your case. For minors: a minor's birth certificate, a document confirming family ties or a relationship with a guardian or with persons accompanying and caring for the minor. Alternatively, you can contact Ukrainian embassy in the country you are currently in, so they can issue you a travel document based on the evidence / documents that you have. The telephone number of the DPSU hotline ("Trust" Service) is 1598. You can use it for questions of a consultative nature within the competence of the State Border Service of Ukraine. For more information about the documents with which you can cross the border, and about the categories of citizens who are allowed to travel outside Ukraine, see here |
What happens after a border crossing?Once you cross the border you can apply for temporary protection status. Temporary protection will last one year and if the grounds triggering the temporary protection remain, the Government can extend the stay for one additional year (i.e. three years in total). You can contact one of the reception, care and referral centers for people displaced from Ukraine (CREADE). There you will be able to spend the night for several days, receive financial and legal assistance, as well as help in submitting documents for obtaining temporary protection. More information about CREADE and the addresses of their centers can be found here The hotline for immigrants from Ukraine - 91 399 00 09, from Monday to Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
How can I get from the border to the capital (a certain town)?Renfe In particular, tickets for journeys on trains operated by public services of the Cercaniฬas, Rodalies and Media Distance networks (equivalent to short and medium distance journeys) will be free throughout 2023. You can also find other transportation services below: |
How can I travel to another (specific) country?You can travel to another country by:
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How long can I stay?You can stay in Spain without a visa for 90 days in any 180 days period. If you are granted temporary protection you can stay for 1 year. The term will be automatically prolonged by an additional 1 year if the grounds triggering the temporary protection remain. |
Where can an unaccompanied minor get help?Each Autonomous Community or city has a department which is responsible for assisting unaccompanied minors. If you identify an unaccompanied minor, you should report it to the community social services by calling telephone number 012. The social services team will find a legal guardian for the unaccompanied minor and start the relevant legal procedure. Contacts for Madrid Social Services can be found here ![]() Guardia Civil (national police) unaccompanied minor unit telephone: +34 918 073 900 / +34 915 144 679. |
Are there any Covid-related requirements and if yes, what are they?There are no restrictions on entry into Spain due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Vaccination and recovery certificates are preferred, but not required. You can book your vaccination appointment in the vaccination centers with your foreign-residents identification number (NIE) and healthcare card. |
Where do I register for temporary protection?Documents can be processed at the Reception, Assistance and Coordination Centers (CREADE) The decision on registration of the status is made within 24 hours. Submitting a request is free. After obtaining a residence permit, you must issue a foreigner identification card (TIE) |
How to extend the status of temporary protection?The temporary protection and therefore the residence and work authorisation will last 1 year and will be automatically extended for another year after that first year, except if the office who granted temporary protection has not decided to end it. Source |
What are my rights while I wait to get temporary protection?After applying for temporary protection, you will be issued a receipt of the application filed. That receipt will include a foreigners national identity number (โNรบmero de Identidad de Extranjeroโ, commonly known as โNIEโ) which will be assigned to you. Having applied for temporary protection allows you to stay in Spain and receive social support (including health care). Once granted, you will be entitled to stay and work in Spain for a maximum period of 1 year that can be extended up to 3 years. In addition to this the person under temporary protection will be entitled to:
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What documents will I receive once I get temporary protection?You will receive a document which confirms that you have been granted temporary protection which gives the right to stay and work in Spain.
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May I temporarily return to Ukraine? What will happen to my protection status?Beneficiaries of international protection (asylum) cannot return to their country of origin while they are considered a refuge. |
Can I move around the country and the European Union freely while under temporary protection?Yes, you can move freely around the country and, also around the European Union for 90 days within a 180-day period. But you can benefit from the rights granted with the temporary protection only in the country that issued your residence permit. If you get to another Member State, you can contact the competent authorities there in order to benefit from these rights. |
Can I apply for asylum while under temporary protection? What is the difference?Individuals under temporary protection may apply for asylum as a refugee. The main differences between the temporary protection and asylum are the following: Temporary protection:
Asylum:
You can find more details in the FAQ here |
How and where can I apply for the residency?Documents can be processed at the Reception, Assistance and Coordination Centers (CREADE) The decision on registration of the status is made within 24 hours. Submitting a request is free. After obtaining a residence permit, you must issue a foreigner identification card (TIE) |
How long I need to wait to get the residency?You will receive the decision on the temporary protection (residency) request within 24 hours following your application. |
What if I don't have the international passport?If you do not have a passport or other travel document, you can present you driver's license, ID, birth certificate or any other identity document and a document confirming your residence in Ukraine until February 24, 2022. |
How to issue a foreign passport while abroad?The State Migration Service of Ukraine, together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, opened a new division of DP "Dokument" in Spain. Currently, there are 5 mobile software and technical complexes operating in Madrid - specially equipped white minibuses with the symbols of Dokument State Enterprise. Source There you can order the following services:
Currently, Ukrainians can have their documents made in the following cities: |
How can a Ukrainian refugee register a newborn in this country?You can register the birth of a child only at the consulate. There, the determination of his origin and the assignment of his surname, first name, and patronymic are carried out. The application for registration must be submitted immediately, but no later than one month after the birth of the child, and in the case of a stillborn child - no later than three days. The registration process takes place at the place of birth or at the place of residence of the child's parents or one of them (with a written application). At the same time, in case of illness, death of the parents or for other reasons it is impossible to register the birth - the application can be submitted by relatives or other persons authorized by the representative of the health care institution in which the child was born or is currently. What is required for registration?
Registration is free, and based on its results, parents are issued a birth certificate. How to return to the homeland with a child born in the Spain? In order for Ukrainians to return home with a child born in the Spain, they must have with them:
Is the status of a citizen of Ukraine preserved during the birth of a child in the Spain? A newborn Ukrainian in the Spain retains the status of a citizen of Ukraine. Data on citizenship and nationality in the act record of birth and certificate are not filled in, which is why a corresponding entry is made in the column "For marks". In addition, a person whose parents or one of his parents were citizens of Ukraine at the time of his birth is a citizen of Ukraine. The place of birth of the baby does not affect the possibility of him acquiring Ukrainian citizenship. |
Where to apply in case of death of a Ukrainian abroad? How to repatriate the deceased to their homeland?There are several steps involved in the process of body repatriation from abroad to Ukraine: 1. Notify the authorities. The first step of body repatriation from abroad to Ukraine is to contact the local authorities in Spain, so you can register the death. Ukrainian embassy 2. Arrange the correct documents. Youโll need to have all the right paperwork before you can repatriate your loved one home from abroad to Ukraine. If you are repatriating a body to Ukraine for burial or cremation, the documents you will need include:
All the mentioned documents should be authenticated, legalized and translated into Ukrainian by the certified translator. The originals of abovementioned documents and notarized translations, must accompany the casket containing the deceased, or urn with ashes, to Ukraine. The passport of the deceased person should be sent to the Embassy of Ukraine along with a notarized and authenticated copy of the Certificate of Death, and a translation from Spanish to Ukrainian. The Embassy is to make correspondent procedures with the passport and can forward it back if it is required to accompany the casket containing the deceased, or urn with ashes, to Ukraine. The Embassy is to be informed of the date, time, and the place of delivery of the casket containing the deceased, or urn with ashes, to Ukraine. Only the next of kin relatives of the deceased, or persons correspondingly authorized by them, can receive the casket or urn. 3. Transport the deceased to Ukraine. The casket containing the body, or urn with ashes, must be sealed by the Funeral Home. There are no strict requirements with respect to the urn with ashes; however, the body should be transported in a metal casket, made of zinc-plated steel or tinplate not more than 0,4 thick. For the air cargo transportation, it is necessary to specify a cemetery in Ukraine as well as Ukrainian Funeral Home which will take care of the casket, or the urn with ashes, in Ukraine. Both are a subject of private choice by the relatives or friends of the deceased person. Source |
Where can I take a photo for my documents?There are many shops that offer such services. Look for printing shops("imprimir") and copy centers nearby your area on Google Maps. |
How do I get Mobile phone/internet services?You can buy a SIM card at one of the following mobile providers:
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