Новые условия для беженцев из Украины в Евросоюзе в 2026 г. / БЕЖЕНЦЫ 2026

New conditions for refugees from Ukraine in the EU in 2026 Germany is closing its largest shelter for Ukrainian refugees, Ireland is reducing the length of stay in public housing, and Poland is preparing to end temporary protection status for refugees from Ukraine as early as spring 2026. Hello, friends! You're on Liliya Redfox's channel. Today I want to share the main changes in the EU regarding Ukrainian refugees. At the EU level, the recommendation to extend temporary protection status for Ukrainian refugees will be in effect until March 4, 2027. However, after that, the pan-EU directive will likely not be extended. Therefore, each country will introduce its own rules regarding the statuses and residence permits that Ukrainians can receive in return—or they will be offered the option to return home. EU countries currently host 4.3 million Ukrainians who have received temporary protection. The issue has become particularly acute given that many European countries, including Germany, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Ireland, and others, have recorded a significant influx of new refugees and applications for temporary protection status since September 2025. This occurred after Ukraine's exit permit for men aged 18 to 22 came into effect at the end of August. In mid-September 2025, the EU Council agreed on general recommendations on how EU countries should implement the transition from temporary protection status for Ukrainians to their return to Ukraine or other residence options. At the same time, EU countries agreed that for such a transition, conditions in Ukraine should "facilitate the gradual abolition of temporary protection status." These recommendations are still very general and not binding, but they do provide several approaches that are important for Ukrainians and could be implemented at the level of individual EU countries in the coming years. Among the approaches recommended by the EU Council are: Transition to other legal statuses instead of temporary protection. Ukrainian refugees may be offered other ways to remain in the country—for example, national long-term residence permits issued for employment, study, family reasons (family reunification), or other specific conditions. This also includes the "Blue Card"—a simplified right to residence and work permits for highly qualified citizens from outside the European Union. Ukrainians enjoying temporary protection should be able to apply for such permits—however, they cannot receive them simultaneously with temporary asylum status. Encouraging return to Ukraine. The EU Council proposes that EU countries establish "voluntary return" programs that would help Ukrainians organize their return to Ukraine. This includes, in particular, allowing "familiarization visits" to Ukraine, the rules for which should be agreed upon among EU countries. It is also proposed that the terms of "return programs" to Ukraine be time-limited. The terms of these voluntary return programs are expected to be agreed upon with the Ukrainian authorities and other EU member states. Information campaigns for Ukrainian refugees regarding their future options. It is expected that Ukrainians abroad will be widely informed about what will happen after their temporary protection ends: what options they have to apply for residence status, what their rights and the benefits of various options are, and what support is available for returning to Ukraine. The EU also plans to fund the creation of Unity Centers—information and support hubs for Ukrainian refugees that will provide assistance with documents and employment advice in Ukraine and their host country. Are Ukrainians at risk of deportation from the EU? What else can they expect after March 2027? Currently, the EU Council has not issued directives, but only general advice for EU member states. Experts remind that individual countries will develop their own rules at the national level regarding the fate of Ukrainians after the end of their temporary protection.