EU plans on discussing increasing departure of Ukrainian immigrants
(MENAFN)
EU member states are set to debate the future of millions of Ukrainian immigrants currently residing in the bloc at an upcoming Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting scheduled for June 12–13, Euractiv reported Wednesday. The discussions will focus on phasing out the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD), a special scheme that has allowed Ukrainians to bypass normal asylum procedures since early 2022, and reviewing their broader legal status in the EU.
EU member states are set to debate the future of millions of Ukrainian immigrants currently residing in the bloc at an upcoming Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting scheduled for June 12–13, Euractiv reported Wednesday. The discussions will focus on phasing out the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD), a special scheme that has allowed Ukrainians to bypass normal asylum procedures since early 2022, and reviewing their broader legal status in the EU.
The debate arises as EU countries face increasing difficulties managing the large Ukrainian immigrant population. By March 2025, over 4.3 million Ukrainians had been granted temporary protection, according to Eurostat. While Brussels stresses the importance of ongoing support, several member states are reconsidering how much aid they can sustainably provide. Germany, home to more than 1.2 million Ukrainians, has begun reducing welfare benefits due to budget pressures.
Poland, a key supporter of Ukraine since the conflict with Russia intensified, has pushed back against accepting additional migrants under the EU’s migration pact. Rising social tensions there reflect public concerns about Ukrainians being viewed as welfare-dependent or linked to crime. Poland currently hosts about 2.5 million Ukrainians, roughly 7% of its population.
The TPD, activated shortly after the Ukraine war escalated, grants temporary residence, housing, employment, education, healthcare, and social benefits to Ukrainian refugees. Originally set to expire in March 2025, it was extended to March 2026. However, as geopolitical dynamics evolve, EU officials are quietly accelerating talks on exit strategies for Ukrainian immigrants. The European Commission is reviewing the legal framework and is expected to present a new proposal soon.
According to the UNHCR, over 6.3 million Ukrainians are registered across Europe, with an additional 560,000 living outside the continent as of April. Experts warn the TPD’s extension may be the last, as after three years, its validity is legally questionable. Martin Wagner, Senior Policy Advisor at the International Center for Migration Policy Development, said last month that “we are already on thin ice with the latest extension,” highlighting the urgency of decisions ahead.
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