According Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson, 4.2 million Ukrainians are currently affected by this status.
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Renewed protection for Ukrainian refugees in Europe. The European Union has extended “at least until March 2024” the temporary protection granted to refugees who have fled Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion, Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson announced on Monday 10 October.
The commissioner specified that 4.2 million Ukrainians were currently affected by this status, granted for the first time by the EU. This temporary protection gives them rights in terms of access to housing, the labor market, the school system and social benefits in particular.
The shelling of Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities on Monday “show that it is important that we continue to welcome those who need to flee to the EU”she added.
The Swedish commissioner also assured Ukrainians who had decided to return home that they could return to the EU if the situation deteriorated again there, and recover their temporary protection status.
“We have decided that it will not be necessary to deregister from temporary protection if you return (in Ukraine). The only thing you need to do is inform the national or local authorities of your host country that you are returning to Ukraine”she clarified.
This directive, which applies for one year, can be extended for a third year, that is to say until March 2025 with the approval of the Council.