Pursuant to a decision of the Council of the EU, temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine resulting from Russia’s attack on Ukraine is extended until 4 March 2025. Temporary protection provides immediate and collective (not requiring individual applications to be processed) protection for refugees who cannot return to their country of origin.
The scope of temporary protection is:
- right of residence,
- access to the labour market and housing,
- medical assistance,
- social assistance,
- children’s access to education.
Persons entitled to temporary protection (if they were living in Ukraine on or before 24 February 2022):
- Ukrainian citizens and their family members,
- Non-Ukrainians and stateless persons under international protection in Ukraine and members of their families,
- Non-Ukrainians with a permanent residence permit who cannot safely and permanently return to their country of origin (and who may also be subject to adequate protection in an EU country).
Possibility of temporary protection:
- Ukrainian citizens who fled Ukraine shortly before 24 February,
- Ukrainian citizens who found themselves on the territory of the EU shortly before 24 February
- persons escaping from Ukraine (regardless of their category) may enter the EU before returning to their place of origin.
Temporary protection is granted automatically. However, you need to apply for a residence permit in the EU country where you have decided to stay.