The European Union will extend temporary protection for Ukrainians beyond March 2027

Magnus Brunner, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, made this statement at a briefing in Luxembourg.

Brunner confirmed Brussels’ intention to extend the legal status allowing Ukrainians to live, work and study in the EU for another year.

At the same time, the European Commission intends to discuss this issue with Ukraine, as well as take into account the views of the countries that have taken in the largest number of Ukrainian refugees. One of the main points of discussion is whether to deny protection to men aged between 23 and 60. Such a proposal has already been put forward by a number of EU member states, notably Germany and Poland, which have the largest numbers of Ukrainians.

For men who already have temporary protection in the EU, there should be no changes. The discussion concerns new arrivals specifically.

In the coming weeks, the European Commission will draft the proposals into a concrete legislative initiative. It is expected to be adopted in July or, if there is a delay due to European officials’ holidays, by September.

As previously reported, the EU may strip Ukrainian men of the mechanism that allows them to live and work in the EU — but not all of them.

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