New report: Planning beyond Temporary Protection for refugees from Ukraine
New report: Planning beyond Temporary Protection for refugees from Ukraine
Viktoria, 38, with her son Artem on the beach in Sopot, Poland. She is from Dnipro in Ukraine and came to Poland with her two sons, Artem and Maksym.
As the European Union considers whether to extend Temporary Protection (TP) beyond March 2027, a new UNHCR report – Transitioning From Temporary Protection: Projected Stay, Legal Pathways, and Policy Options for Refugees from Ukraine – offers a forward-looking, evidence-based assessment to inform policy responses which strengthen outcomes for refugees from Ukraine and host countries, while supporting Ukraine's human capital and recovery capacity.
As the full-scale war in Ukraine continues, analysis shows that displacement is likely to remain significant beyond the current TP timeframe . Refugees’ intentions are also mixed: while some may transition to employment-based permits, asylum remains a critical option for others.
A sudden end to TP for Ukrainian refugees could risk legal uncertainty, loss of rights and undue pressure on asylum systems. Through this report, UNHCR calls for legal stay to be extended beyond March 2027, alongside concerted efforts to prepare pathways to transition from temporary protection which are inclusive of vulnerable refugees. The report underscores that planning for legal stay and inclusion ensures refugees are protected whilst also being able to pursue voluntary, safe and sustainable return when conditions permit.
Read the UNHCR report: Transitioning from Temporary Protection: Projected Stay, Legal Pathways, and Policy Options for Refugees from Ukraine (May 2026)
For questions related to Temporary Protection for Ukrainian refugees in Europe, please contact:
Gemma Woods, Senior Legal Officer, Regional Bureau for Europe: [email protected]
