On March 3, 2022, the European Union Commission has agreed to the activation of its available Temporary Protection Directive. This Directive, which will take effect within the coming days, opens up desirable destination options within the European Union (EU) for Ukrainian national employees.
Crafted in 2001 and never triggered previously, the Directive will require EU Member states to provide temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees for up to one year. The Directive can be extended for an additional 12 to 24 months at the direction of the Commission. Note, individual EU countries may provide greater relief to Ukrainian refugees than is required in the Directive, but not less.
To begin, support has been provided on entry. The EU will grant residency rights and provide assistance in supporting Ukrainians traveling to the EU quickly, without going through lengthy formalities at the borders. Ukrainians will have the possibility to engage in work within the EU under the Temporary Protection Directive.
Where the identity of the person arriving cannot be established, the regular border check should apply. In addition, Member States can also decide to perform border checks during or after the transport of the travelers to a safe location, and not at the border crossing point. These two measures will help reduce waiting time at the border so that people can reach a place of safety without delay.
The EU countries this applies to are:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania,
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland,
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
Further updates and details are expected in the coming days and will be provided.
