European Union countries have begun consultations regarding the future legal status of Ukrainian citizens after the temporary protection directive, currently extended until March 2027, expires. The first discussion on this issue, featuring the EU Special Representative for Ukrainian Affairs Ilva Johansson, took place on March 5 during a meeting of justice and interior ministers.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Possible Scenarios for Ukrainians After 2027
EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner stated that negotiations have just begun, and EU member states need to determine the next steps for Ukrainians under temporary protection. He reminded that in June 2025, the European Commission published recommendations for member states regarding a common approach to this issue. Now, EU governments must develop a joint strategy for the period following the expiration of the current protection mechanism.
“We do not know yet, as we have just started negotiations, but we must be prepared for the moment when this temporary protection directive expires at the beginning of 2027,” Brunner said in response to questions about options for Ukrainians in the EU after March 4, 2027.
European Commission Recommendations and Next Steps
According to the commissioner, temporary protection, by definition, is time-limited. After its conclusion, new solutions must be proposed for Ukrainians remaining in EU countries. The European Commission recommends considering the possibility of transitioning Ukrainians to other types of national or legal status, including obtaining residence permits based on employment, education, or research activities.
It is worth noting that the temporary protection directive was first applied by the European Union in 2022, following the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It granted millions of Ukrainians the right to live, work, and receive social guarantees legally in EU countries. This regime has now been extended until March 2027, but efforts are already underway to find long-term solutions for Ukrainian citizens.