Council of EU extends temporary protection for Ukrainians until 2026

On Tuesday 25 June, the Council of the European Union extended temporary protection to more than 4 million Ukrainians fleeing Russian aggression until 4 March 2026.

The interim protection mechanism was implemented on 4 March 2022. The decision to extend today does not modify the March 2022 decision on the categories of people eligible for temporary protection.

The Temporary Protection Directive grants Ukrainians the right to reside, access to the labour market, housing, social, medical, and other benefits.

It also assists member states in managing the entry of migrants in a systematic and efficient manner.

"Day after day, Russia terrorises the Ukrainian people with its bombing war. These are not safe circumstances. Those who fled from Russia’s aggression can continue to count on our solidarity," said Nicole de Moor, Belgian Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, who represents the country that holds the rotating presidency of the Council.

Currently, over 4.2 million people displaced from Ukraine are receiving temporary protection in the EU, with children accounting for one-third of this total.

On 11 June, the European Commission proposed to prolong the temporary protection for people fleeing Russian aggression against Ukraine for another year, from 5 March 2025 to 4 March 2026.

On 10 June, Polish President Andrzej Duda signed an amendment to the law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens in connection with the ongoing war in the country, which extended the period of legal stay of Ukrainian citizens in Poland.