Ukrainians in the EU face fines and deportation — what's the reason.

Ukrainians can travel to the Schengen Zone countries without a visa for up to 90 days within each 180-day period. However, sometimes people stay abroad longer, not realizing the consequences this may lead to.

Regarding what will happen to Ukrainians who have 'overstayed in the EU', Christina Zhitnyak, a migration law lawyer, explained on the website of the 'Bachynskyi and Partners' law firm.

Why it is important to adhere to deadlines

The visa-free regime between Ukraine and the EU is an international agreement. It gives Ukrainians the opportunity to travel freely, but only as long as they do not exceed the 90-day limit on stay. If many people start exceeding this period, the EU may reconsider or even suspend the visa-free regime.

Each entry and exit to the Schengen Zone is recorded in the electronic SIS system. That is, even if the border guard did not say anything, the system knows how many days you spent abroad.

'Staying for more than 90 days without a visa or residence permit is illegal. In most EU countries, this is considered a migration offense, even if you do not work and do not receive social benefits.'

If a person stays in the EU longer without a visa or residence permit, they are considered an illegal migrant. For a long stay, legal grounds are needed — for example, employment, education, or temporary protection.

What to do if the visa-free period has expired

If you have already violated the rules — do not ignore the situation. There are several options:

• Contact the migration service — sometimes it is possible to obtain permission to stay for a short period.
• Voluntarily leave — this does not negate the violation but may ease the situation in the future.
• Apply for temporary protection — a special status for Ukrainians is in effect in many EU countries due to the war.

What threatens violators

Violating the stay terms carries serious consequences:

• Entry bans — from 6 months to 5 years.
• Fines — from 100 to 1200 euros, depending on the country.
• Deportation — possible even with police escort.
• Visa refusals in the future — even for a slight overstay.
• Entry in the SIS database — border guards will see violations in all Schengen countries.

'If you leave through a country that is more lenient towards violators, the risks are lower. But it all depends on your situation and travel history.'

So, if you have remained in the EU after the allowed period has expired — do not delay. Try to legalize your stay or return to Ukraine as soon as possible.