EU prepares to extend temporary protection
The temporary protection of Ukrainians is now in its fifth year and currently set to continue until 4 March 2027. Extending the protection requires a new Council decision, which is expected in the summer.
The matter is currently being discussed at the EU level. The European Commission is expected to present its proposal in June. The Council will then take a final decision most likely in July. The EU is expected to extend the temporary protection for another year.
There are currently around 4.3 million Ukrainians under temporary protection in the EU and Schengen area. Approximately 50,000 of them reside in Finland.
At the same time, the EU has begun discussions on preparing for the end of temporary protection. In summer 2025, the Council adopted the so-called exit recommendations as part of the preparations. This stems from the fact that there are no plans at the EU level to introduce a special residence permit for Ukrainians, and a more permanent stay in the Union will take place by transferring to existing national residence permits.
Permanent residence in Finland requires a transfer to existing residence permits, such as work, study or family residence permits. Alternatively, the person must return to Ukraine at the end of the protection.