The European Commission has started discussions about the future status of Ukrainians in EU countries after the temporary protection expires in March 2027. Among the options are both its extension and complete cancellation. This is reported by European Pravda citing sources in Brussels.
Temporary protection for Ukrainians in the EU: What the European Commission is planning
The European Commission is consulting with member states regarding a unified approach to the future status of Ukrainians.
Several scenarios are being considered:
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extension of temporary protection for another year until March 2028
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transition of Ukrainians to general rules for obtaining residence permits
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introduction of a new special status for refugees.
It is expected that a concrete proposal will be presented by the European Commission by the end of May 2026. After that, it will be reviewed by EU countries.
Status of Ukrainians in the EU after 2027: What options are being discussed
The current temporary protection system was implemented in March 2022 as an emergency mechanism for Ukrainians fleeing the war. It allowed millions of people to receive the right to reside, work, and access social services without complex asylum procedures.
As of now, the directive is valid until March 4, 2027, but it has already been extended several times.
The European Commission takes into account that the war in Ukraine continues, so the final decision must ensure stability for Ukrainians in the EU while not overburdening national systems.
The main factors influencing the decision are:
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security situation in Ukraine
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burden on social systems of EU countries
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level of integration of Ukrainians in European countries.
The decision regarding the future status of Ukrainians in the EU must be agreed upon at the level of all member states.
Let us remember, Norway changes rules for Ukrainian refugees: men aged 18 to 60 will no longer receive temporary protection.