Temporary protection for Ukrainians in the countries of the European Union will only be in effect until March 4, 2027. After this date, the automatic right to reside will cease, and millions of people will have to determine their further legal status. European institutions have already made it clear that this extension is final, so it is advised to start preparing in advance. Visit Ukraine reports on this here.
After the start of the full-scale war, Ukrainians were able to legally reside in the countries of the European Union without complicated migration procedures. The status of temporary protection opened access to work, education, healthcare, and social assistance, allowing for quick integration into new conditions.
Temporary protection for Ukrainians in the EU: what is currently in effect
As of today, there are about 4.3 million Ukrainians under temporary protection in the EU countries, with nearly a third of them being children. The largest communities have formed in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Spain. At the same time, different countries are witnessing a redistribution of migrants, and the number of Ukrainians in some countries is gradually decreasing.
The mechanism of temporary protection has clear time limits, and after 2027 it will cease to operate without alternative automatic extension.
The status of Ukrainians after 2027: what options will remain
After the expiration of temporary protection, Ukrainians will have only individual solutions regarding their further stay. The main options are as follows:
- obtaining a national residence permit in the country of actual residence
- voluntary return to Ukraine.
The national permit implies a full migration procedure. In different countries, the requirements vary, but usually involve having a job, a stable income, housing, education, business, or family reunification. Transitioning from temporary protection to a new status is unlikely to be automatic.
Experts emphasize that delaying preparation is risky. Simultaneous status changes for millions of people may overload migration services and lead to delays with documentation. Early preparation allows individuals to assess their chances, gather necessary documents, and avoid illegal stay after 2027.
Let's remind that Poland is ending temporary protection for Ukrainians already in 2026.