Ukrainian refugees in the EU may lose their status after the ceasefire: what do we know?

Ukrainian refugees in the EU are at risk of losing their legal status after the cessation of hostilities in Ukraine. Find out what solutions are being prepared by EU countries and how this threatens Ukrainians abroad

Legal assistance on migration issues for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad

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Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union has granted temporary protection to nearly 4.3 million Ukrainians. This status, based on the Temporary Protection Directive, allowed citizens to reside legally in the EU, work, receive medical care, social services, and access education. The main refugee flows were accepted by Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

However, against the backdrop of a possible cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, the media began to emphasize that the status of temporary protection in the EU could be revised or even lost. At the same time, according to Euractiv, there is no unified EU strategy for further actions after the ceasefire.

By the way, you can read more about what to prepare for those who left for Europe because of the war, whether they can be forcibly returned, and how realistic it is to legalize in the EU outside of the temporary protection status in an interview about the return of Ukrainians after the war with lawyer Anna Fedoryshyna, an expert on international and immigration law at Visit Ukraine.

What might change after the war ends for Ukrainians with temporary protection?

Despite the fact that temporary protection has been officially extended until March 2026, according to the publication, the European Commission has already begun preparations for the next steps. This is primarily due to the fact that the scenario in Ukraine can change overnight, and host countries will have to decide whether to curtail protection, insist on integration, or push refugees to return home.

The following options are currently being considered:

● extension or termination of temporary protection;

● assistance in obtaining national status for those who plan to stay (for work, study, family reunification, etc.)

● support for the voluntary return of Ukrainian citizens home after the situation stabilizes.

However, none of the options has been approved yet. And the host countries may change the rules the very next day after the ceasefire, which creates a high risk of legal uncertainty for millions of Ukrainians.

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Which countries plan to integrate Ukrainians in their countries for a longer period of time?

Some EU member states are not waiting for a common European position and are developing their own long-term programs for Ukrainian citizens. Among them:

● Poland. Poland plans to introduce a 3-year national temporary residence status for Ukrainians who have been under temporary protection for more than a year.

● Czech Republic. Introduces a new 5-year residence permit for those who: have been living in the country for more than 2 years, have an official job and ensure that their children attend school. However, Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan has already stated that no new temporary residence permits will be issued after the war ends.

● Other countries. Austria, Italy, Estonia, and Latvia also have national programs for Ukrainians, but the level and duration of protection varies significantly. For example, in some countries, it is only a work permit without an automatic extension of residence.

Waiting for the EU decision on Ukrainians: when will there be clarity?

According to Euractiv, in June, the issue of the future of temporary protection will be considered at a meeting of EU interior ministers. Although Czech Interior Ministry spokeswoman Hana Mala emphasized that any decision must be agreed upon by the entire EU, the dynamics indicate that a common position could be reached as early as the first half of 2025.

If you are abroad and do not know how to act in connection with the possible revocation of temporary protection, Visit Ukraine's legal team is ready to help. Our experts offer:

● advice on migration legislation in the EU;

● assistance in preparing documents for national permits

● support in communication with the authorities and obtaining legal status.

Protect your status in advance - contact Visit Ukraine's lawyers to plan your future in peace, regardless of political changes.

We remind you! In April 2025, Ukrainian migrants in the United States received deportation notices. Later, the Department of the Interior reported that there was a mistake. Read what are the grounds for deportation from the United States and how to avoid violating migration laws in our previous article.

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