EU member states extend temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees

On 13 June, the Council of the European Union voiced its unanimous support for a proposal to extend temporary protection for more than 4 million Ukrainian refugees by one year, until 4 March 2027, demonstrating the EUs solidarity with the Ukrainian people. 

Since March 2022, the EU has given safety and shelter to over 4 million refugees from Ukraine based on the temporary protection directive. This extension does not change the terms of the decision made in 2022 as regards the categories of people who may receive temporary protection and the rights they enjoy.

Temporary protection is an EU emergency mechanism which provides immediate protection to a large group of displaced persons who arrive in the EU and who are not in a position to return to their country of origin. This system also alleviates pressure on national asylum systems since people falling under this type of protection do not need to apply for asylum on an individual basis.

People benefitting from temporary protection enjoy certain rights including residence, access to the labour market, medical assistance, social welfare assistance, and access to education for children. Although the EU’s temporary protection law sets minimum standards of protection, the actual level of assistance varies from one member state to another. 

“The Polish presidency also initiated discussion on a strategy to phase out temporary protection once a just peace is achieved. In the near future, we will work towards common, EU-wide solutions in this area, including in the context of returns to Ukraine,” said Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak.

This recommendation will address matters such as switching to other legal residence statuses, paving the way for a gradual return of refugees to Ukraine and stepping up the provision of information about available options.

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Press release