Long-term policy on returns and residence
Unfortunately there seems to be no let-up in Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine and political agreement has been reached on extending temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine in the European Union (EU), until 4 March 2027. The government supports Ukrainians who already wish to return and is working on a wider return programme. The government is also working on plans for an alternative to residence rights in the form of a transition document for refugees when the Temporary Protection Directive (Richtlijn Tijdelijke Bescherming, RTB) ends.
The European Commission has proposed offering protection to refugees from Ukraine for another year. All of Europe’s Justice and Interior Ministers have agreed to the proposal to extend the RTB until 4 March 2027. The European Commission is recommending that countries collaborate as much as possible as they prepare for the post-RTB period and the government also believes that it is important to do so.
Voluntary returns
The government is also developing a return programme, which will help refugees return voluntarily to Ukraine whenever possible. The government wants to link this return programme to Ukraine’s reconstruction and, with this in mind, will provide additional training and support to refugees within the framework of the programme. The programme should be ready for use for refugees from Ukraine once it has become possible to return to Ukraine on a long-term basis.
Possible new residence permit for refugees from Ukraine when temporary protection ends
Because it will not be possible for everyone to return at the same time, the government is also exploring options for introducing a new temporary right of residence for refugees from Ukraine for when their temporary protection under the RTB ends, possibly in the form of a transition document.