The European Union has announced that it plans to end its support program for Ukrainian refugees from March 2027, according to Ukrainian lawmaker Viktoria Hryb.
Hryb said the European Commission has informed Kyiv about the decision, urging the government to start preparing for the return of its most vulnerable citizens.
She said that after 2027, only Ukrainians who have official jobs and have obtained residence permits or citizenship will be allowed to stay in EU countries – all others will have to return home.
On Sept. 16, the EU Council approved new recommendations for member states on how to gradually phase out temporary protection for Ukrainians.
The document calls for a coordinated plan that helps refugees return and reintegrate in Ukraine while keeping their existing rights until March 4, 2026.
Danish Immigration Minister Kaare Dybvad Bek said EU solidarity with Ukraine “remains unchanged,” but it is time to prepare for the moment when its citizens can return home and take part in rebuilding the country.
The recommendations also urge member states to share data with Kyiv, inform refugees about their options, and help them apply for residence permits for work, study, or family reasons.
However, people will not be allowed to hold both temporary protection alongside residence status at the same time.
Some European countries have already started preparing financial aid for Ukrainians who choose to voluntarily return.
Ireland is developing a new program that could pay up to €2,500 ($2,900) for individuals and €10,000 ($11,600) to families.
In Norway, refugees under collective protection receive about 17,500 kroner ($1,500), while Sweden offers between 10,000 kroner ($1,600) and 40,000 ($6,400). Finland plans to provide up to €5,300 ($6,150).
Experts say the recommendations are not legally binding, so each country can decide how it wishes to act.
Vit Novotny, a senior researcher at the Brussels-based Centre for European Studies, told DW the move suggests that Brussels is unlikely to extend protection programs beyond 2027.
He added that if the war in Ukraine continues, some Ukrainians might stay under other mechanisms, such as Germany’s “temporary suspension of deportation” rule – which prevents sending people back to unsafe countries.
The EU’s Temporary Protection Directive was activated in March 2022 to shelter Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s full-scale invasion.
It has been extended twice, most recently until March 4, 2027. Under the new guidelines, EU states are expected to wind down the program while ensuring support for Ukrainians as they prepare to return home.