Last week marked three years since the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD), a safe pathway which is currently benefiting more than 4.3 million people forced to flee Ukraine. The TPD is a powerful demonstration of the EU’s unity and solidarity in the face of a humanitarian crisis. However, the TPD is set to expire in March 2026 - just one year from now. 

Of the many challenges faced by people displaced from Ukraine, uncertainty about their legal status in the EU is among the most pressing. This lack of clarity impacts nearly every aspect of life: from securing stable employment and arranging long-term housing, to planning children's education. Predictability is necessary for people to rebuild their lives with dignity and stability.

With this in mind, 109 organisations call on the EU to give people under temporary protection greater certainty by shifting from emergency measures to longer-term solutions. As the humanitarian situation in Ukraine remains dire and the country’s future uncertain, the statement makes the following recommendations:

1. We call on the EU to go beyond repeatedly renewing temporary protection and propose a coordinated and collective solution that would offer a more durable status and pathway to long-term residence. An EU-wide approach with strong EU leadership and coordination is vital to prevent fragmentation and people falling into irregularity, with persons with disabilities being disproportionately affected.
2. Another one-year extension of the temporary protection regime beyond March 2026 must be considered as an exceptional and interim measure, to prevent displaced individuals from becoming undocumented or falling into uncertainty and losing their jobs, education, housing, or healthcare. If this interim arrangement is necessary, we urge the European Commission to propose as soon as possible a Council Implementation Decision extending the TPD until March 2027, while offering clarity on the future protection and residence status of people displaced from Ukraine.
3. We call on Member States not to roll back support to people displaced from Ukraine, and to fully implement the provisions enshrined in the TPD. This includes ensuring full access to the rights and basic services it guarantees. It is essential that Member States respect their obligations regarding non-refoulement and avoid any measures that could directly or indirectly result in premature returns, jeopardising the safety and well-being of those in need.

Read the full statement here.