Which regions of Ukraine will not provide temporary protection to refugees?

Some European countries have begun to deny temporary protection to Ukrainians from ‘safe’ regions, restricting their rights to residence and social assistance. Find out which countries are less likely to accept Ukrainians and how to protect your rights in such cases

Legal counselling on migration issues

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Special restrictions apply to refugees: some countries have begun to refuse temporary protection to residents of ‘safe’ Ukrainian regions or those who have already been granted status in another country. This raises questions among refugees — it is important to understand who will be refused and where, as well as how to act in a difficult situation.

What is temporary protection and how does it work for Ukrainians?

General principles (EU Directive)

Temporary protection is based on Directive 2001/55/EC. It was first activated in March 2022 and applies to Ukrainian citizens and their relatives who were in Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

■ Legal status — up to 3 years, automatically renewable;

■ Access: to work, housing, social benefits, education;

■ Active in most EU countries.

Ukrainians who were in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, as well as their family members (spouses, minor children) are eligible for temporary protection.

Why are some countries starting to restrict status

Over time, refugee flows continue, putting pressure on infrastructure. Some states are imposing restrictions based on their perceptions of ‘safe’ regions of Ukraine or are trying to prevent the ‘transfer’ of status of refugees already protected.

If you are unsure which countries accept Ukrainian refugees, consult a migration lawyer through Visit Ukraine.

Countries that already restrict or plan to restrict temporary protection

NORWAY

From the end of 2024 and as of 13 January 2025 Norway is refusing collective protection to residents of the following regions: Cherkasy, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnytskyi, Kirovohrad, Kyiv (only the region, not the city), Lviv, Poltava, Rivne, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Volyn, Zakarpattia, and Zhytomyr.

Applications are assessed individually according to standard asylum rules.

UNITED KINGDOM

The British government is advising Ukrainians to remain in ‘safe’ parts of Ukraine. Therefore, the national scheme is not being applied on a large scale — most applications are considered unfounded.

The rejection letters state that the risks associated with military action ‘do not meet the threshold of persecution’ under the Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees, as applicants can allegedly move to ‘safer’ regions of Ukraine.

THE NETHERLANDS

More and more attention is being paid to those entering under EU schemes. Those who have already been granted protection in another EU country may be refused or have their status revoked.

This is happening, in particular, because the temporary accommodation system in the Netherlands is already under serious pressure. The growing number of applicants is placing a burden not only on housing but also on social services, healthcare and municipal budgets.

SWITZERLAND

Switzerland is preparing to reduce collective protection for Ukrainian refugees. Swiss cantons responsible for providing housing and integration for people with S status report growing pressure on local budgets. Most Ukrainians are still not financially independent: two-thirds do not have a stable income, which places an additional burden on the social protection system.

The country plans to introduce a selective approach to granting S protection status. Ukrainians whose last place of residence was not in areas of active combat or occupied territories will not be automatically granted protection.

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Countries do not grant temporary protection a second time

Unfortunately, the answer to the question of whether it is possible to obtain temporary protection a second time in all European countries is no.

Ukrainians who received temporary protection in one of the European countries after the start of the war will not be granted it a second time in the Czech Republic, Poland, Switzerland and Norway.

What to do if you are at risk of losing your status or being denied protection?

If your status is at risk, we advise you not to waste any time and consult a lawyer — Visit Ukraine provides support to Ukrainians from anywhere in the world.

You should also:

▪️ File an appeal — most countries have procedures for appealing a refusal (e.g., Finland and Spain)

▪️ Gather evidence of your connection to ‘dangerous’ regions or the reasons for your request.

▪️ Find alternatives — it may be worth applying for a visa to another country or international asylum.

If you are returning to Ukraine — how to prepare

If you are returning to Ukraine after staying abroad, you need to take a number of steps to ensure a smooth return and avoid problems with the law.

First, you must notify the relevant authorities of your return, update your personal documents and, possibly, resolve issues related to military registration. You should also take care of the safety and financial aspects of your trip.

To properly prepare for your return to Ukraine, we recommend consulting with experts at Visit Ukraine.

Reminder! The United Kingdom is radically changing its immigration rules: salary and qualification requirements are increasing, the visa channel for care workers is closing, and over 100 professions are being excluded from the visa system. Find out how these changes will affect Ukrainians and what is important to know for those who are planning to move or already working in the United Kingdom.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

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