EU countries agree to extend temporary protection for those fleeing Ukraine until March 2028
Today, EU countries agreed to extend the temporary protection status granted to those fleeing Ukraine until 4 March 2028, delivering on the EU’s commitment to support Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes. Extending protection by one additional year will provide clarity and predictability to all those fleeing the war.
In addition, recognising both the need to protect displaced persons and Ukraine’s need to defend itself against Russia’s illegal war of aggression, EU countries agreed that temporary protection should be granted only to those complying with their military obligations in Ukraine.
“We remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine against Russia’s illegal war of aggression. Today, we decided to extend the protection status we give to those fleeing the war for one additional year, until March 2028. This provides stability for those who found safety in the EU. The signal is clear: we continue to stand by Ukraine. And as part of our support, we also want to make sure Ukraine can defend itself. This is why our temporary protection scheme respects Ukraine’s legitimate needs.”
Jim O’Callaghan, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration of Ireland
Taking into account Ukraine’s evolving defence needs, going forward temporary protection will be granted only to those who satisfy their military obligations in Ukraine. This limitation will only apply to new applicants for temporary protection. It will not apply to those already benefiting from temporary protection in the EU.
In practice, to receive temporary protection, persons displaced from Ukraine will have to prove compliance with their military obligations. As an example, this could be done by showing a passport with the exit stamp provided by the Ukrainian authorities proving they left Ukraine legally and therefore satisfy military obligations. This could also be done by showing a document, in paper or electronic format, that confirms exemption or compliance with military obligations.
Temporary protection had so far been extended until 4 March 2027, with over 4 million displaced persons from Ukraine benefitting from protection in the EU since March 2022.
What is temporary protection?
Temporary protection provides immediate and collective protection to a large group of displaced persons who arrive in the EU and who are not in a position to return to their country of origin.
People benefitting from temporary protection enjoy the same rights across the EU. These rights include:
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residence
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access to the labour market and housing
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medical assistance
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social welfare assistance
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access to education for children
Next steps
The Council will formally adopt the decision to extend temporary protection in the coming weeks. The decision will then be published in the EU Official Journal and will enter into force the following day.
Background
The EU activated the temporary protection mechanism for displaced persons from Ukraine in March 2022. The mechanism was last extended until 4 March 2027. As of 31 May 2026, 4.38 million people who fled Ukraine are under temporary protection in the EU.
Temporary protection is an EU emergency mechanism which is activated in exceptional circumstances to provide collective protection to displaced persons. The EU directive on temporary protection was adopted in 2001, in the aftermath of the large-scale displacement due to the armed conflict in the Western Balkans. It was triggered for the first time in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In order to prepare for when conditions in Ukraine will be conducive to phasing out the temporary protection status, the Council agreed in September 2025 on a gradual and coordinated approach to transition out of temporary protection for displaced persons from Ukraine. This approach includes providing opportunities to transition to longer-term legal resident statuses based on employment, education or family grounds for instance for those eligible. It also includes measures to pave the way for a sustainable return and reintegration in Ukraine when conditions allow.