The European Commission is currently consulting with EU member states regarding potential new legal statuses for Ukrainian refugees residing in the EU after March 2027. One of the options on the table includes extending temporary protection for an additional year.
According to reports, discussions are focused on creating a unified approach to the status of Ukrainian refugees. The Commission aims to prepare a detailed proposal by the end of May 2026, which will be reviewed by representatives of the member states in Brussels.
Among the alternatives being explored is the transition of Ukrainian citizens to general residency permit conditions in EU countries, pending the establishment of a new special status for these refugees. Another possibility is to extend the current temporary protection until March 2028.
Slow Return of Refugees Expected Post-War
Vasyl Voskoboynik, head of the Office of Migration Policy and president of the Ukrainian Association of International Employment Companies, has indicated that Ukraine may experience a gradual return of its citizens from abroad. He estimates that only 10-15% of Ukrainians will return home after the conflict concludes.
Currently, approximately 4.2 million Ukrainians hold temporary protection status outside their home country.
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The European Commission is exploring options for the future legal status of Ukrainian refugees in the EU after March 2027, including potential extensions of temporary protection. Experts predict a slow return of refugees to Ukraine following the war, with only a small percentage expected to come back.