Source: EU may extend temporary protection for Ukrainians beyond 2027

The European Commission is discussing with EU member states possible unified solutions regarding the status of Ukrainians living in the EU after March 2027, including both the potential termination of temporary protection and its extension for another year.

As reported by a European Pravda correspondent in Brussels, the European Union is preparing to adopt a common decision on the status of Ukrainians in the EU and is considering extending temporary protection for Ukraine by an additional year.

According to European Pravda, the European Commission is holding consultations with member states on possible options for granting Ukrainians currently residing in the EU under temporary protection a new legal status from March 2027.

A concrete proposal is expected to be prepared by the end of May 2026 and will then be officially considered by representatives of the member states in Brussels.

All possible options are being considered – from transferring Ukrainian citizens to standard residence permit procedures in EU countries to creating a new special status for Ukrainian refugees.

Sources told European Pravda that extending temporary protection for another year, until March 2028, is also under discussion, given that the war in Ukraine is still ongoing.

As previously reported by European Pravda, the Temporary Protection Directive, introduced in March 2022, granted millions of Ukrainians access to a range of rights in the EU without overburdening asylum systems.

Initially designed as a short-term emergency measure, the directive has been extended multiple times and is currently in force until 4 March 2027.

Last year, the EU approved recommendations on transitioning Ukrainians out of temporary protection status.