The European Commission has extended the Temporary Protection Directive for Ukrainians. It will be valid until 2024. Ukrainians will also not use up their temporary protection status even if they return home for a long time.
European Commissioner for Internal Affairs, Ilva Johansson reported that such a decision was made against the background of mass missile attacks on Ukraine by Russian troops on 10th October.
Commissioner Johansson, said: “From the first week of war the EU has granted immediate protection to those in need. Thanks to EU Temporary Protection, those same people arriving in the EU have access to the labour market. The talent pool makes access to the labour market easier. Our aim is to ensure that Ukrainians can continue to benefit from the Temporary Protection Directive, which I believe should continue to apply at least until March 2024. We also stand ready to support those who decide to go home to Ukraine and they can rely on us if they decide to come back to the EU. This week, I will discuss all these matters with Ministers in the upcoming JHA Council.”
In addition, Johansson said that those Ukrainians who decided to return home will not lose their temporary protection status due to the unstable situation in Ukraine.
"Many refugees are afraid to leave the Temporary Protection Directive register because they may have to flee again, and we understand that. Therefore, we have decided that you do not need to leave the registry - you can keep the temporary protection documents that you received. All you have to do is notify the national or local authorities where you are that you are returning to Ukraine. But you don't need to give the document, and you can keep the registration", - the European Commissioner explained.
The status of temporary protection is granted to Ukrainians who were forced to leave for EU countries because of the war. This status provides Ukrainians with assistance and a number of rights to work, housing, education, medical care, etc.
The measures were decided before Russia unleashed a barrage of missile strikes that hit many civilian sites in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, sending Ukrainians scrambling for cover.
Ms Johansson said that 4.2 million Ukrainians currently hold temporary protection status under the EU scheme, which gives them the right to live and work in any EU country and benefit from housing and schooling help.