UNHCR welcomes Moldova’s extension of temporary protection to March 2027

Chisinau, 28 January 2026 — UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes the Government of the Republic of Moldova’s decision to extend the temporary protection regime for displaced people from Ukraine until March 2027, ensuring stability, sustained access to rights and services, and promoting inclusion. This marks the third extension of temporary protection in the country and mirrors the European Union’s decision to prolong temporary protection for people fleeing Ukraine.

Temporary protection grants refugees from Ukraine and their families a secure legal status and access to key services, while supporting self-reliance and contribution to host communities through access to work and education.

“Extending temporary protection until March 2027 provides much-needed stability and predictability for tens of thousands of refugees who have sought safety in Moldova. It reflects the Government’s continued commitment to protection at a critical moment, as the country advances on its European Union path. These efforts form a solid foundation for the next phase of refugee protection, where it will be essential to gradually move from temporary arrangements toward longer term solutions grounded in a more permanent legal status and full access to national social protection systems” said Katja Saha, UNHCR Representative a.i. in Moldova.

Since the start of the full-scale war in February 2022, more than 2.4 million people fleeing Ukraine have arrived in Moldova, many of them transiting onward. As of late 2025, Moldova hosts around 148,000 refugees from Ukraine, with more than 86,500 having obtained temporary protection. The majority are women and children.

The extension requires current TP holders will need to submit an online renewal application between 1 February and 30 April 2026. The application process will enable the collection of additional data on health, education, livelihoods, and specific vulnerabilities. It will support evidence-based planning for government ownership, and an efficient use of resources.

With the support of the international community, UNHCR continues to work in close cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the General Inspectorate for Migration and supports the implementation of temporary protection.

Notes to editors

Application for Temporary Protection (TP) extension

Current TP holders will be asked to submit an online application to extend their status between 1 February and 30 April 2026 via the official portal protectietemporara.gov.md.

Existing TP remains valid during submission and examination of the online request; once approved, the validity in the system will be updated automatically. Beneficiaries can verify the update by scanning the QR code on the back of their TP document.

Failure to submit an online extension by 30 April 2026 will lead to cessation of TP, however a new application can still be submitted thereafter.

Detailed instructions will be provided by the Government through official channels (General Inspectorate for Migration website and the dedicated website protectietemporara.gov.md).

The online application is free of charge.

For assistance, beneficiaries can call the IGM Green Line (0 800 015 27) or UNHCR Refugee Response Green Line (0 800 800 11).

Useful links

• TP portal: protectietemporara.gov.md (online application)
• General Inspectorate for Migration: igm.gov.md/en/temporary-protection/
• UNHCR HELP site (TP information and helpline details): help.unhcr.org/moldova/