EU Council extends temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 2026

The EU Council has decided to extend temporary protection until March 4, 2026, for over 4 million Ukrainians fleeing Russia's aggressive war, according to the Council's website.

In early June, the European Commission recommended the EU Council extend the temporary protection status for Ukrainians in the EU by another year due to ongoing security threats in Ukraine.

"Day after day, Russia terrorizes the Ukrainian people with its bombing war. These are not safe circumstances. Those who fled from Russia’s aggression can continue to count on our solidarity," said Nicole de Moor, Belgian Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, commenting on the Council's decision.

According to their national procedures member states may have to adopt additional implementation acts to formalise the prolongation.

Currently, nearly 4.2 million Ukrainians in EU countries have temporary protection status.

Temporary protection grants Ukrainians certain rights in the EU, including the right to residence, access to the labor market, housing, social, medical, and other assistance. It also helps member states manage the arrival of people in an organized and efficient manner.

The EU activated the Temporary Protection Directive with a unanimous decision by member states on March 4, 2022. Its duration was twice automatically extended for one year until March 4, 2025.

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