Temporary Protection (TPS) for Ukrainians extended until March 2027

EU decides to further extend protection status for refugees from Ukraine

On July 15, 2025, the Council of the European Union made an important decision: The temporary protection for people who fled Ukraine to escape the Russian war of aggression will be extended for another year – until March 4, 2027. The corresponding decision has now been published in the Official Journal of the EU ( Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1460 ).

In doing so, the EU is sending a strong signal of solidarity – and at the same time providing legal clarity for around 4.3 million Ukrainians who currently live in the EU under this protection status.

What does temporary protection mean?

The so-called "temporary protection" is a special form of humanitarian protection that provides people from war and crisis zones in the EU with rapid and unbureaucratic access to residence, medical care, education, and the labor market (see Section 24 of the Residence Act ). This protection was first activated for Ukrainians on March 4, 2022, shortly after the start of the Russian war of aggression. Since then, the protection status has been extended several times – most recently until March 4, 2026. The current extension until 2027 is a direct response to the ongoing tense humanitarian situation in Ukraine: Millions of people there still need humanitarian assistance, airstrikes on civilian targets continue, and safe return is not possible for many displaced persons.

What do those affected need to know?

The following things are now of particular interest to people from Ukraine:

• The protection will continue automatically. People currently registered under temporary protection status do not need to reapply. The extension will be automatic.

• Multiple registration is not possible. Those already granted temporary protection in one EU member state cannot claim this status in another country. "Double registration" will be rejected by the authorities.

• Access to rights remains intact. Extended protection ensures continued access to housing, social benefits, healthcare, education, and the labor market in the country where the protection status was granted.

Why this extension is necessary

The protection status fulfills two crucial functions: First, it offers the people concerned security, stability, and prospects. Second, it also protects the asylum systems of the member states from becoming overwhelmed. If the temporary protection were to end abruptly, millions of people would have to apply for asylum simultaneously – a scenario that would be almost unmanageable.

The EU assumes that the need for protection will not diminish as long as the war continues. The number of newly arriving refugees could also rise again if the situation escalates further.

Conclusion: A necessary step with a signal effect

By extending temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 2027, the European Union is committed to continuity, humanity, and stability. This decision provides Ukrainian refugees in Germany and the entire EU with greater planning security and simultaneously signals that the EU will continue to stand in solidarity with Ukraine – for as long as necessary. VISAGUARD is available to advise people in Berlin who are covered by the protection or have questions about the extension.