EU Plans to Extend Temporary Protection for Ukrainians Beyond March 2027, With Possible Rule Changes
The EU plans to extend temporary protection for 4.33 million Ukrainians beyond March 2027. On June 4, the EU Council will discuss potential changes, including restrictions for those evading military service. This decision stems from slow transitions to other statuses and the risk of overwhelming asylum systems.
The European Union is considering extending temporary protection for Ukrainians beyond March 2027, despite previous plans to end it. This decision is driven by the slow transition of Ukrainians to other legal statuses and the risk of overwhelming national asylum systems in EU countries.
On June 4, the EU Council on Home Affairs will discuss this issue. The Cypriot presidency has prepared a document, «The Future Legal Status of Displaced Persons from Ukraine,» which outlines two options: extending protection without changes or with restrictions for those evading military service in Ukraine. This change is proposed by member states and, unofficially, by Ukraine.
Currently, 4.33 million Ukrainians benefit from temporary protection in the EU. The largest numbers are in Germany (28.7%), Poland (22.3%), and Czechia (9%). Since March 2026, a change has been in effect allowing EU states to refuse temporary protection to individuals who have already received it in another member state.