Commission proposes to extend temporary protection for people fleeing Russian aggression against Ukraine until March 2026

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

Today, the Commission has proposed to extend the temporary protection for people fleeing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine for another year, from 5 March 2025 to 4 March 2026.

Given continued Russian attacks on the civil and critical infrastructure across Ukraine, safe and durable conditions for the return of people to Ukraine are not currently in place. The Commission therefore considers that the reasons for temporary protection persist, and that it should be prolonged for another year as a necessary and appropriate response to the current situation.

The ultimate goal is to ensure that all those fleeing Russia’s war of aggression can find protection in the EU, and that those almost 4.2 million people that are already benefiting from temporary protection in the EU Member States are provided with as much stability as possible under the current circumstances.

The Temporary Protection Directive grants immediate protection and access to rights in the EU, including residency rights, access to the labour market, accommodation, social welfare assistance, medical and other assistance. It also helps Member States to manage arrivals in an orderly and effective way.

Next steps

The Commission will present the proposal to the Ministers at the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 13 June. It is then for the Council to formally adopt the proposal.

Background

The EU activated the Temporary Protection Directive on 4 March 2022 with a unanimous decision by Member States and it was automatically extended by one year and further extended for an additional year by the Council until 4 March 2025. Currently, almost 4.2 million people displaced from Ukraine enjoy temporary protection in the EU, among which one third are children.

The legal basis for the proposal is Article 4(2) of the Temporary Protection Directive, which provides that, where reasons for temporary protection persist, the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, can extend temporary protection by up to one year.

The EU Migration Preparedness and Crisis Blueprint Network with a focus on Ukraine and the Solidarity Platform Ukraine will continue their operations to provide a common situational awareness of the migratory implications of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, preparedness and a coordinated response to the crisis.

The Commission will continue to closely monitor the impact of future new arrivals on the reception capacity of Member States. Going forward it is important to continue working towards ensuring a greater balance of efforts among Member States.  

For more information

The Commission’s proposal for a Council Implementing Decision on extending temporary protection

Temporary protection for those fleeing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: one year on

Solidarity with Ukraine

Welcoming people fleeing the war in Ukraine

Quote(s)

As long as Ukrainians are in need of shelter from Putin’s bombs, the European Union will provide it: this is the one constant that emerges in all discussions with our 27 Member States. By extending temporary protection for the millions of Ukrainians in the EU by a further year, we are saying this again loud and clear.

Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life

The EU stands united in protecting people fleeing Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine. Temporary protection has already given hope to almost 4.2 million people in the EU. We will continue to provide Ukrainian people with temporary protection for as long as it takes. I am confident that the Council will quickly take the decision to prolong temporary protection for an additional year.

Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs