4.38 million Ukrainians are living in the EU under temporary protection. 28.8% of them are in Germany, 22.1% in Poland, 9.1% in Czechia. And every single one of them is thinking the same thing right now: what happens after March 4, 2027? Will they extend it again, or will I need a different status - and which documents should I be preparing already?
The EU Council officially extended temporary protection until March 4, 2027 with a decision dated June 13, 2025. But here’s the catch - the EU openly stated this is the final extension. After that, it’s national residence permits only. That means document translations, gathering certificates, and preparing separate application packages for each country.
Let’s break down what’s changed, what each country requires, and which documents you should be translating right now to avoid a last-minute scramble in 2027.
What is temporary protection and why 2027 is the deadline¶
Temporary protection (Temporary Protection Directive, TPD) is a mechanism the EU activated on March 4, 2022 - for the first time in the directive’s 20-year existence. The idea is simple: instead of each Ukrainian individually applying for asylum (and waiting for months), the EU granted collective protection status - with the right to live, work, access healthcare, and attend school.
Initially, protection was granted for one year. Then extended. Then again. Council Implementing Decision 2025/1460 from July 2025 extended it to March 4, 2027.
But legal scholars are already raising red flags: the Directive (Article 4(2)) provides for a maximum of three years of temporary protection. Five years pushes beyond the legal framework. As migration law researcher Meltem Ineli-Ciger writes:
Article 4(2)…does not provide a legal basis for prolonging protection beyond the three-year limit without formal amendment.
In plain terms: what’s currently called “temporary protection” isn’t quite temporary anymore from a legal standpoint. And that’s exactly why the EU is preparing a transition plan.
On September 16, 2025, the EU Council adopted a recommendation on a coordinated transition. Key points:
- Member states should offer Ukrainians national residence permits - through employment, education, or family ties
- Voluntary return programs should last at least one year after protection ends
- “Exploratory visits” to Ukraine - so people can go back, assess the situation, and return
- Unity Hubs (information centers) - assistance with paperwork and job searching
What does this mean for you? Start preparing documents for a national status transition now. Don’t wait until 2027.
Statistics: how many Ukrainians are under protection and where¶
According to Eurostat data as of January 31, 2026, 4.38 million people from Ukraine are under temporary protection in the EU.
| Country | Number | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 1,260,230 | 28.8% |
| Poland | 965,990 | 22.1% |
| Czechia | 397,185 | 9.1% |
| Spain | ~170,000 | ~3.9% |
| Italy | ~165,000 | ~3.8% |
| Netherlands | ~135,000 | ~3.1% |
But if you look at numbers per 1,000 population, it’s a different picture:
| Country | Per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|
| Czechia | 36.4 |
| Poland | 26.5 |
| Slovakia | 25.8 |
| EU average | 9.7 |
Demographics: 43.5% are adult women, 30.3% are children, 26.1% are adult men.
Worth noting: in 2025, 683,395 new temporary protection decisions were issued - that’s 14% fewer than in 2024. The trend is declining, but the numbers are still massive.
Document requirements by country: what changed in 2026-2027¶
This is where it gets interesting. Each EU country implements temporary protection differently, and document requirements can vary dramatically.
Germany¶
Permits under Section 24 of the Residence Act are automatically extended until March 4, 2027. No appointment needed, no visit to the Auslanderbehorde.
Restriction: you must have entered Germany by December 4, 2025.
Documents for initial registration: - Passport photo - Passport or ID confirming citizenship - Proof of residence in Ukraine before February 24, 2022 - Family relationship documents (if applying with family)
Monthly financial assistance:
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Single person | €563 |
| Spouse/partner | €506 each |
| Teenagers 14-17 | €471 |
| Children 6-13 | €390 |
| Children under 5 | €357 |
What changed in 2026: tightened employment requirements, reduced integration course funding, repeat language courses are no longer free.
Tip: if you’re planning to stay after 2027, start job searching and learning the language now. Niederlassungserlaubnis requires at least B1 German and proven income.
Poland¶
Extension is automatic until March 4, 2027. But Poland went further - it’s preparing a complete replacement for temporary protection.
CUKR Card (new 3-year residence permit): - Replaces temporary protection - Requirements: active PESEL UKR, valid foreign passport, 365+ days of continuous residence - Cost: 340 PLN (stamp duty) + 100 PLN (card production) = 440 PLN (~€100) - Application: online only through the MOS 2.0 system (launch expected mid-2026)
Catch: those who lost and then regained UKR status cannot apply for CUKR (breaks the continuity requirement).
The CUKR card isn’t just an extension - it’s effectively a new type of residence permit with different rights and limitations.
The “800+” child benefit continues, but from February 1, 2026, it’s tied to the child’s school attendance.
Czechia¶
Two-step process: 1. Online registration by March 15, 2026 2. In-person appointment with biometrics
5-year “Lex Ukraine” residence permit: - Registration of interest: April 1-30, 2026 through the Foreigners’ Portal - Second round with biometrics: October 2026 - Income requirement: CZK 440,000/year (~€18,000) in taxable income + CZK 110,000 per dependent - Children 6-14 must prove school attendance in Czechia - Documents: proof of income, lease agreement/property deed, apostilled police clearance certificate
According to UNHCR Czechia, around 400,000 Ukrainians hold temporary protection in Czechia, but only ~15,000 Lex Ukraine permits were issued last year.
Financial assistance (first 5 months):
| Category | Monthly amount |
|---|---|
| Adult | CZK 4,860 |
| Child | CZK 3,490 |
| After 150 days without work | CZK 3,130 |
Netherlands¶
Extension through an online application to IND (not automatic!).
Major change: from 2027, protection applies only to Ukrainian nationals - other nationalities with temporary residence in Ukraine are no longer eligible.
Post-2027: “transition document” - a 3-year transition document that IND will issue automatically without a separate application. Details expected spring 2026.
Documents: Dutch address, photo ID, proof of residence in Ukraine. IND registration required within 4 weeks of municipal registration.
France¶
This one’s trickier: extension is not automatic. You need to submit an extension request 3 weeks to 3 days before your current permit expires.
Documents: - Passport - Civil status documents - Proof of residence in Ukraine before February 24, 2022 - Proof of accommodation in France
Status is issued as a 6-month temporary residence permit. Some Ukrainians choose refugee status over temporary protection - they perceive it as offering better social guarantees.
If you’re in France and need a translation for the Prefecture, it must be a traduction assermentee (sworn translation).
Italy¶
Extension requires document submission before your current permit expires. The booking system has been operational since mid-January 2026.
Documents: - Photo ID confirming citizenship - 3 passport-size photos - Dichiarazione di ospitalita (declaration of hospitality) - Dichiarazione di presenza (declaration of presence)
Important: Italy does not recognize expired passports with extended validity - you need a new biometric passport.
Conversion option: permesso di soggiorno can be converted to a work permit, and employers can process conversions outside quota limits.
Financial assistance for new arrivals: €300/month per adult (first 3 months) + €150/month per minor child.
Spain¶
Extension is automatic. No repeat applications needed.
Documents: biometric passport, birth certificate (for children), proof of address, photos, €17 administrative fee.
The TIE card confirms status and work authorization.
What changed: cash financial assistance was discontinued in 2026. However, you can now apply for an Entrepreneurs Act Permit without leaving Spain.
Austria¶
Extension via online application (permits are automatically extended and mailed to the registered address).
Documents: photo ID, proof of protection status in Ukraine, proof of residence before February 24, 2022, family relationship documents.
Blue Card holders can work without a separate work permit.
Switzerland (not EU, but relevant)¶
S-status extended until March 4, 2027.
What changed: - From December 1, 2025: S-status holders no longer need a separate work permit - Travel restriction: maximum 15 days per 6 months in Ukraine. Violation = status withdrawal - From November 1, 2025: 7 Ukrainian regions declared “safe” (Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi). New applicants from these regions may be denied S-status
Existing S-status holders are NOT affected by the new “safe regions” restrictions - this only applies to new applicants.
Document translation: what to translate and how¶
Here’s a list of documents you’ll most likely need for extending temporary protection or transitioning to a national permit:
| Document | Needed for | Translation type |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | All countries | Sworn/certified |
| Birth certificate | All countries | Sworn + apostille |
| Marriage/divorce certificate | Family ties | Sworn + apostille |
| Diploma / school certificate | Work, education | Sworn + apostille |
| Police clearance certificate | Czechia, Poland (CUKR) | Sworn + apostille |
| Employment record book | Pension issues, work | Sworn |
| Medical certificates | Pflegegrad, insurance | Sworn |
| Income certificate | Czechia (Lex Ukraine), rental | Sworn |
Important rule: documents from one EU country presented in another don’t require an apostille (EU Regulation on public documents). But Ukrainian documents do. First get the apostille in Ukraine through the Ministry of Justice, then get a sworn translation.
Tip: the apostille and translation are two separate documents. You need to translate both the original and the apostille stamp.
Translation costs vary by country: - Germany (sworn translation): €30-60 per page - Poland: 100-200 PLN per page (~€23-46) - Czechia: 600-1,500 CZK per page (~€25-62) - France: €30-50 per page - Italy: €25-50 per page
If you need a quick translation of standard documents (birth certificate, diploma, certificates) - you can try uploading your document to ChatsControl and getting an AI translation in minutes. You’ll still need a sworn translator for official certification, but an AI draft saves time.
Transitioning to permanent status: what to prepare now¶
The EU explicitly recommends starting the transition early. Here are the available programs by country:
| Country | Program | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | Transition document | 3 years post-2027 |
| Czechia | Lex Ukraine 5-year permit | 5 years |
| Poland | CUKR Card | 3 years |
| Italy | Conversion to work permit | Varies |
| Latvia | Switch to regular permit | 3 years |
Documents worth preparing now:¶
- Employment contract and salary statements - virtually all national permits require proof of employment
- Lease agreement or property deed - needed for most applications
- Insurance - health and social
- School attendance certificates for children - Czechia and Poland require these
- Language certificate (B1/B2) - for Niederlassungserlaubnis in Germany, for Einburgerung
- Apostilled police clearance certificate - Czechia requires it, other countries may request it
- Proof of financial self-sufficiency - bank statements, income certificates
As the European Policy Centre notes:
Divergent rules may push people toward countries with more accessible permits, straining the Schengen system.
In other words, different rules across countries could trigger “intra-EU migration” - people moving to wherever it’s easiest to get status.
Critical warning¶
In most countries, time spent under temporary protection does NOT count toward the required residency for permanent status. This has been confirmed for Belgium, the UK, and several other countries.
After March 4, 2027, staying without a national permit may be considered illegal. Mass deportations are prohibited under international law (non-refoulement principle), but individual removal decisions are legally possible.
Special cases and nuances¶
United Kingdom (not EU)¶
UPES (Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme) has been extended to September 2027. From April 8, 2026, beneficiaries with 18 months of stay can apply for a 24-month extension. The renewal window has been expanded from 28 to 90 days before expiry.
However: time under Ukraine schemes does NOT count toward long-term residence.
Norway (not EU)¶
From September 28, 2024: residents of Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Rivne, Ternopil, Volyn, and Zakarpattia regions no longer have automatic entitlement to protection. State support for those in private accommodation has been discontinued.
Ireland¶
Financial assistance: €38.80/week (adult), €29.80/week (child). Free public housing for new arrivals was discontinued from March 2025. Work is permitted from day one.
Common mistakes when extending and how to avoid them¶
-
Expired passport. Italy rejects applications with expired passports even if the validity was “extended.” You need a new biometric passport. Check if yours is valid - and if not, apply for a new one through DP “Document” or a consulate.
-
Missed application deadline. In France, you need to submit the extension request 3 weeks before expiry. Miss it, and you’re technically illegal. Set a calendar reminder.
-
Name discrepancies across documents. Ukrainian surnames are often transliterated differently across documents. If your passport says “Shevchenko” but your translated birth certificate says “Shevtchenko” - that’s grounds for rejection. More on this issue in our article about name transliteration.
-
Translation done by the wrong type of translator. Germany requires a beeidigter Ubersetzer, France needs a traducteur assermenter, Italy requires a traduttore giurato. A translation from “just a translator” won’t be accepted.
-
Apostille after translation. The correct order: first apostille on the original, then translate both the original and the apostille stamp. More details in our apostille guide.
FAQ¶
Will temporary protection be extended after 2027?¶
The EU’s official position is no. The June 13, 2025 decision is positioned as the final extension. After 2027, the plan is to transition to national residence permits. However, legal experts note that if the war doesn’t end, political pressure could force the EU to find another solution.
Does time under temporary protection count toward permanent residence?¶
In most countries - no. Belgium and the UK have officially confirmed that time under temporary protection doesn’t count toward the 5-year residency requirement for permanent status. The situation varies in other countries - check with local authorities.
What documents should I translate for transitioning to a national permit?¶
The basic set: passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), diploma/school certificate, police clearance certificate, income certificate. All with apostille and sworn translation. If you need help with document translation, you can upload to ChatsControl for a quick draft.
What happens if I don’t get a national permit before 2027?¶
Mass deportations are prohibited under international law (non-refoulement principle). Students will be allowed to finish their academic year. Vulnerable groups may receive extensions. But individual removal decisions are legally possible. Don’t risk it - start the process now.
Can I move from one EU country to another under temporary protection?¶
Technically you have freedom of movement, but temporary protection is tied to a specific country. If you have temporary protection in Poland, you don’t have the right to protection in Germany simultaneously. To relocate, you’d need to close your status in one country first and apply in the other.
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