{"id":35431,"date":"2025-03-04T15:35:07","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T12:35:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adcmemorial.org\/?p=35431"},"modified":"2025-03-04T15:35:07","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T12:35:07","slug":"three-years-since-the-activation-of-the-temporary-protection-directive-from-emergency-to-longer-term-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adcmemorial.org\/en\/news\/three-years-since-the-activation-of-the-temporary-protection-directive-from-emergency-to-longer-term-solutions\/","title":{"rendered":"Three years since the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive: from emergency to longer-term solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brussels, Belgium, 4 March 2025<\/em><\/p>\n

Today marks three years since the EU activated the Temporary Protection Directive<\/a> (TPD), which provided a safe pathway to protection for millions<\/a> of people fleeing the war in Ukraine. It was a powerful demonstration of the EU\u2019s unity and solidarity in the face of a humanitarian crisis, and proved to be an effective emergency mechanism for responding to large arrivals of people in a humane and orderly way. It alleviated pressure on national asylum systems and provided displaced people with immediate and collective protection, including the right to reside, work, study, and access health care and social support in the EU.<\/p>\n

The temporary protection regime is due to expire in March 2026, just one year away. 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\u2019s education. Predictability is necessary for people to rebuild their lives with dignity and stability. It is promising to see that post-TPD solutions are a priority for the Commission<\/a> and the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU<\/a>. Three years on, it is essential that the EU\u2019s response to the needs of people displaced from Ukraine shifts from emergency measures to longer-term strategies and solutions.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, some Member States \u2013 including Poland, the Czech Republic and Italy \u2013 have started developing pathways for people to transition out of temporary protection. However, many of these exit plans primarily rely on labour-based residence permits. Labour-based permits alone cannot be the answer, as many people covered by the TPD will not be able to meet the requirements. Not only does the proportion of temporary protection-holders who are employed vary greatly across Europe (from 8% in Hungary to 55% in the Netherlands<\/a>), but it will leave many people in a vulnerable situation behind, including some people with disabilities, students, the elderly, third-country nationals and stateless persons granted refugee or complementary protection in Ukraine, people who experience discrimination in the labour market (for example, people who have been racialised), and those who cannot work full-time because they are caring for children or infirm family members.<\/p>\n

The ad-hoc<\/em> solutions proposed by Member States also risk overlooking the status of individuals who may be displaced from Ukraine after March 2026, as they may not fall within the scope of any post-TPD measures, including family members of those already in the EU.<\/p>\n

Unless these gaps are addressed, Member States\u2019 asylum systems could be overburdened once temporary protection ends, even though the TPD\u2019s express purpose is to prevent this. The fact that some Member States have frozen asylum applications from people who fall under the TPD increases this risk. An EU-wide and coordinated approach would be beneficial not only for people displaced from Ukraine, but also for the countries and communities where they live \u2013 limiting the financial and administrative burdens associated with individually determining the status of the more than 4.3 million people who currently benefit from temporary protection.<\/p>\n