The European Union has finally approved the extension of temporary protection for Ukrainians until 4 March 2028. The written procedure was completed on 30 July, an EU official told Suspilne. The decision is due to come into force following its publication in the Official Journal of the EU; current beneficiaries of the status will retain their fundamental rights.
Briefly about the main points
- Temporary protection has been extended for a further 12 months.
- The new expiry date for the scheme is 4 March 2028.
- Current status holders will not be subject to a repeat exit check.
- New applicants will be required to provide evidence of their military service or lawful departure.
- EU countries will determine the document verification procedure themselves.
Which rights remain unchanged and what is changing for new applicants?
Temporary protection It allows people to stay in EU countries without having to go through the standard lengthy asylum procedure. Those granted this status retain the right to legal residence, access to the labour market, healthcare, social support, housing in accordance with the rules of the specific country, and the right for their children to attend local educational institutions.
However, the decision does not mean that all national benefits will remain unchanged. Each EU Member State sets the level of benefits, housing schemes and access to certain services independently.
For people who apply for this status in future, a requirement is being introduced to confirm that they have fulfilled their military obligations to Ukraine or that they have legitimate grounds for leaving the country. Under the European Commission’s draft decision, this rule is to apply from the day following the publication of the act in the Official Journal of the EU, i.e. before the start of the new annual protection period on 5 March 2027.
Possible forms of proof include a passport bearing a stamp confirming lawful border crossing, documents relating to deferment, exemption or completion of military service, as well as a document generated in the «Reserve+.» document. The list is not exhaustive: the specific procedures for verification will be implemented by the EU Member States.
The status will not be revoked for current recipients
The restriction regarding military service applies only to prospective applicants. Ukrainians who already have temporary protection do not need to re-confirm the legitimacy of their previous departure due to the extension of the scheme.
This applies in particular to men subject to military service: the decision does not provide for the automatic revocation of their status. They must, as before, comply with the national procedures of their host country — in particular, renewing their documents, registration or residence permits, if required by local regulations.
Temporary protection may only be granted in one EU Member State at a time. The European Commission reiterated this rule, citing the Court of Justice of the European Union’s ruling in the Krasiliva case.
The EU is preparing for the transition following the end of the special arrangements
As of the end of May, around 4.38 million people who had fled Ukraine were benefiting from temporary protection in the EU. The extension provides them with a defined legal framework until March 2028; however, the European Union is simultaneously preparing for a phased exit from the emergency mechanism.
For those planning to stay in Europe for longer, countries may offer other grounds for residence — such as work, study, family reunification, long-term residence or national permits. Such a transition is not automatic: it will depend on whether the conditions for the specific type of permit are met.
At EU level, they are also considering voluntary return programmes and reintegration in Ukraine, once security conditions permit. The current decision does not provide for the compulsory simultaneous return of all people once temporary protection has ended.
