Germany has extended the temporary protection of refugees from Ukraine until March 4, 2025, and residence permits will be automatically renewed, the press service of the German Ministry of the Interior reports.

"The residence permits of refugees from Ukraine who fled Russian aggression and were granted protection in Germany will be valid until March 4, 2025. The Federal Ministry of the Interior has provided for this in its resolution. Today, the Federal Council approved this resolution," reads a press release on the ministry's website.

According to the report, Ukrainian refugees "do not need to apply for an extension of their residence status and do not need any related meetings with the immigration authorities. The basis for further extension of temporary protection is the decision of the EU member states at the end of September 2023."

"All those who were forced to flee the war will remain safe with us and will have access to education and the labor market. We have extended the term of Ukraine's refugee protection status. The residence permits are automatically valid until March 4, 2025, without the need for refugees from Ukraine to visit the immigration service again," said Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser.

She added that the German authorities will continue to protect the lives of many Ukrainians and to support Ukraine closely. According to the German side, there are currently about 1.1 million people living in Germany who have entered the country since February 24, 2022, in connection with Russian aggression against Ukraine. About 350,000 of them are children and young people under the age of 18. About two-thirds of adult refugees are women.