Background: Since March 2022, Ukrainians who have been forced to flee due to Russia's war of aggression have been granted special protection status in the EU. This status applies in all 27 EU member states. Among other things, it allows refugees to work and receive social benefits and medical care without having to apply for asylum.
In Germany, this protection is implemented through Section 24 of the Residence Act.
The EU has extended the protection status several times—most recently until March 4, 2027. A further extension is currently considered unlikely. What will happen after the temporary protection ends?
EU discusses post-protected status period
The EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, recently stated after a meeting of EU interior ministers in Brussels that discussions about the period after 2027 are already underway.
The issue was also discussed at the meeting with Ylva Johansson, Special Envoy for Ukrainian Refugees. She is tasked with coordinating the positions of EU member states and preparing possible joint solutions.
Brunner emphasized that these consultations were necessary because temporary protection would only remain in place until March 2027. EU member states should prepare for possible changes before then.
Two possible paths: stay or return
No concrete decisions have yet been made on how the residence of Ukrainian refugees will be regulated after 2027. However, the EU member states agreed on a common framework in the fall of 2025. This framework contains recommendations on how to proceed after the end of temporary protection.
There are two main options:
Firstly, Ukrainians who wish to remain in an EU country on a long-term basis should be able to switch to Residence permit national Residence permit more easily. This would allow them to continue living legally in the EU even after their protection status has ended, provided they meet the relevant requirements.
In Germany, the following Residence permit would Residence permit , for example:
- § Section 16a AufenthG: Residence for vocational training
- Section 16d of the Residence Act: Recognition of foreign professional qualifications
- Section 16f of the Residence Act: Language courses or school attendance
- Section 17 of the Residence Act: Search for a training or study place
- Sections 18a and 18b of the Residence Act: Residence for the purpose of gainful employment
- § Section 19c AufenthG: other employment
- § Section 21 AufenthG: Self-employment
- §§ 27-36 Residence Act: Family reunification
In addition to a Residence permit the EU, programs for voluntary return are also to be prepared. These programs could, for example, provide refugees with financial or organizational support for their return to Ukraine.
There are also plans to allow Ukrainians to make so-called exploratory visits to their home country. This will enable them to assess whether it is possible to return. This should not result in them losing their protection status in the EU.
To ensure that refugees are informed about their options at an early stage, EU countries are also proposing information campaigns and advisory services.
Another idea is to set up so-called Unity Hubs. These are contact points for Ukrainian refugees, which are to be financed by EU programs. There, those affected could receive support with documents and applications, as well as advice on finding work in the host country or in Ukraine.
What happens now?
The current consultations serve to prepare for the period after 2027. They are a strong indication that temporary protection will not be extended again.
The recommendations of the EU Council —i.e., the switch to national Residence permit, return programs, and Unity Hubs—are not legally binding, but merely ideas. They are intended to serve as guidance for member states.
By early 2027, all EU countries are now required to clarify which rules will apply to Ukrainian refugees. The aim is to make the transition from temporary protection as orderly as possible and to give the people, countries, and authorities affected more planning security.
