Today, July 15, EU countries agreed to extend temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine until March 4, 2028. At the same time, member states decided that this protection will be granted only to those citizens who are fulfilling their military obligations to Ukraine. But this restriction only applies to new applicants.
"Given the dynamics of Ukraine's defense needs, temporary protection will henceforth be granted only to those persons performing their military duties in Ukraine. This restriction will apply exclusively to new applicants for temporary protection. It will not apply to those who already enjoy temporary protection status in the EU," the Council of the European Union said in a statement.
In practice, to obtain temporary protection, displaced persons from Ukraine will have to prove their military service. For example, this can be done by presenting a passport with a departure stamp from the Ukrainian authorities confirming that they left Ukraine legally and are therefore fulfilling their military service. This can also be confirmed by a document in paper or electronic format certifying exemption from military service or its fulfillment.
Previously, the temporary protection was extended until March 4, 2027. In total, since March 2022, more than 4 million Ukrainian refugees have found asylum in EU countries.
The Council of the EU will formally adopt a decision to extend the temporary protection in the coming weeks. The decision will then be published in the Official Journal of the EU and will enter into force the day after publication.
Temporary protection provides immediate and collective protection to a large group of displaced persons who arrive in the EU and are unable to return to their country of origin.
People enjoying temporary protection have the same rights throughout the EU. These rights include:
right to residence;
access to the labor market and housing;
medical assistance;
social assistance;
children's access to education.
