Germany has begun deporting Ukrainian workers who have status in Poland

Germany has started to document cases of forced return of Ukrainian workers who legally reside and work in Poland but have been posted to Germany. The issue is already under consideration by the European Commission, as such actions may violate EU law. This is reported by InPoland.

It concerns citizens of non-EU countries, particularly Ukraine, who have valid residency or work permits in Poland. According to German regulations, for a short-term assignment to Germany, they need to obtain a separate Vander-Elst visa. The absence of this visa becomes a basis for detentions and deportations.

Deportation of Ukrainians from Germany: what is happening

The European Commission stated that the requirement for an additional visa violates the principle of the free provision of services within the EU. Brussels has already sent official remarks to Berlin and given two months for clarification. If Germany does not change its rules, the matter may reach the EU Court.

According to Stefan Schwarz, head of the European Institute of Labor Mobility, numerous cases have been documented where the German federal police detained workers posted by Polish companies and forcibly transported them to the Polish border.

Vander-Elst visa and problems obtaining it

As employers note, obtaining such a visa in practice is nearly impossible. The procedure is complicated and lengthy, and the appointment system at German diplomatic missions often has no available slots. In addition, documents can only be submitted for one worker at a time, making it impossible to post entire teams.

Documented cases were accompanied by two-year bans on re-entry to Germany or the Schengen area, as well as interrogations and searches, despite having all legal documents.

Recall that the Prime Minister of Bavaria called for the deportation of Ukrainians from Germany.