Temporary protection for Ukrainians in the EU extended until 2027: all the details, exceptions, and what happens next

The EU has extended temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 4, 2027. Find out which countries supported the decision, how the status granting this protection is being extended, and what the plans are after 2027

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The countries of the European Union have officially extended the temporary protection program for Ukrainian citizens until March 4, 2027. The decision was made by the EU Council in July 2025, taking into account the ongoing war and the lack of conditions for the safe return of Ukrainians home.

The program covers all 27 EU member states, as well as most associated countries — Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. This means that millions of Ukrainians who received temporary protection status after the start of the full-scale invasion can continue to legally live, work, and study in Europe.

How is temporary protection status extended?

The extension mechanism depends on the country:

● Automatically — in most countries, including Germany, France, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Italy, and Spain.

● Through an online application — in Poland, the Netherlands, and Austria.

● In person — in countries with local residence cards, such as Slovakia and Portugal.

The interior ministries of each country publish detailed instructions on renewal shortly before the current term expires — approximately in February 2026.

If you live in one of the EU countries and are unsure how to extend your status, you can consult with migration lawyers at Visit Ukraine. They will help you with paperwork, status verification, and preparation for transitioning to another type of permit after 2027.

Exceptions and special conditions

Ukrainians can only have temporary protection status in one EU country at a time. If you decide to change your country of residence, you must notify the local immigration authorities of the cancellation of your previous status.

In addition, some countries are introducing additional national support programs — for example, scholarships for students, housing rental compensation, or free language courses for integration.

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Which EU countries have extended temporary protection?

The list of countries that have confirmed the extension of the program until March 2027 includes: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

As well as associated states: Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

These countries have confirmed the automatic extension of permits and guaranteed continued access for Ukrainians to education, healthcare, employment, and social protection.

Exception: Poland – the government has announced the termination of the pan-European program in March 2026. Instead, the country plans to introduce its own legalization mechanism — the CUKR Card (Centrum Uznawania Kwalifikacji i Rejestracji). It will provide Ukrainians with a three-year residence permit, which will allow them to continue staying in the country without losing their rights and opportunities.

What will happen after 2027?

The European Commission is already working on a plan for a gradual transition from temporary protection to other types of residence. This is a so-called “soft transition” that will avoid mass termination of statuses.

Possible options for Ukrainians include:

● residence permits (RP) for workers, students, or family members;

● national humanitarian permits;

● long-term EU residence cards — for those who have lived legally for at least 5 years.

Ukrainians who plan to remain in the EU after 2027 should prepare their documents in advance and check their rights. This can be done conveniently with the support of legal experts at Visit Ukraine, who advise on legalization, work, study, and family reunification in Europe.

We remind you! Almost 4.3 million Ukrainians are still under temporary protection in EU countries, but its term is gradually coming to an end. What will happen after 2027: extension, return home, or transition to other statuses? Read what to prepare for and what decisions EU countries are considering.

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