Estonia plans to change the rules on temporary protection for Ukrainians
Estonia has supported extending the temporary protection mechanism for Ukrainians until March 4, 2028. At the same time, the European Union is discussing new conditions that may apply to those applying for this status for the first time.
Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro stated that the country will continue to provide protection to Ukrainians who cannot return home due to the war, temporary occupation, or ongoing Russian shelling.
At the same time, the draft decision provides for the possibility of denying temporary protection to Ukrainian citizens who have no legal grounds for leaving the country due to military service obligations. If this provision is approved at the EU level, it will apply only to new applicants.
For Ukrainians who have already been granted temporary protection status, the conditions will remain unchanged. They will continue to have the right to reside in EU countries, work, study, and access medical and social services.
Estonia also emphasized that EU countries should already be preparing for the end of the temporary protection program once the war ends, by establishing mechanisms to help Ukrainians transition to other forms of residency or return home safely.
Currently, approximately 4.5 million Ukrainians are benefiting from temporary protection in EU countries. A final decision on extending the program and any potential changes has yet to be made by the member states of the European Union.
Source: Estonian government.
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