Changes for Ukrainian Refugees in Europe Starting April: New Rules in Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, and More.

The European Council has extended the Temporary Protection Directive for Ukrainian refugees until March 4, 2026, allowing nearly 4 million Ukrainians to legally stay in Europe. At the same Time, significant changes in residence and social support rules will be implemented in different EU countries starting in April 2025.

Continuation of Temporary Protection in the EU

The European Union has officially extended temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until March 2026. As stated by Nicole de Moor, Belgium's Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration: 'As bombs fall in Ukraine, the situation there is dangerous.' This decision does not change the categories of persons covered by temporary protection defined in March 2022.

Temporary protection grants refugees the right to reside, access the labor market and housing, medical assistance, social security, and access to education for children.

Changes in Poland: CUKR Card and New Residence Rules

Starting in 2025, Ukrainian refugees in Poland with PESEL UKR status will be able to obtain a CUKR residence card, allowing them to legally reside and work in the country for 3 years. This card will be available to citizens who had PESEL UKR status as of March 4, 2024.

Important conditions for obtaining the CUKR card:

• Applications can only be submitted online through the electronic system of the Office for Foreigners
• To obtain the CUKR card, it is necessary to have continuous UKR status for at least 365 days
• After receiving the CUKR card, refugees will automatically lose their PESEL UKR status and, accordingly, will not be able to receive associated benefits
• With the new status, Ukrainians will be able to leave Poland for up to 6 months without losing their residence permit

The legal stay period for Ukrainian refugees in Poland has been extended from June 30, 2024, to September 30, 2025.

Germany: Changes in Social Benefits and Employment Incentives

In 2025, Germany plans to reduce Bürgergeld social assistance by 30% for three months for employable individuals who refuse job offers. This decision aims to encourage refugees to seek work and relieve the budget burden.

The amount of Bürgergeld will remain at the 2024 level and will be:

• 563 euros for single adults
• 506 euros for partners in marriage
• 471 euros for teenagers aged 14-17
• 390 euros for children aged 6-13
• 357 euros for children under 5 years old

Significant changes may occur after the parliamentary elections in Germany in February 2025. The conservative parties CDU/CSU propose to cut social benefits for newly arrived Ukrainian refugees and limit access to housing and medical services. According to their proposal, newly arrived Ukrainians would receive not Bürgergeld (563 euros) but asylum seeker assistance (460 euros).

At the same time, the German government plans to implement an employment incentive system: Ukrainians under temporary protection who find a job and work for at least a year will receive a bonus of 1000 euros.

Czech Republic: Long-Term Residence Permits and Refugee Status Reform

The Czech Republic plans to introduce a new type of long-term residence permit (dlouhodobý pobyt) starting mid-2025. This permit significantly differs from the permanent residence permit (trvalý pobyt) and will allow foreigners to stay in the country for up to 5 years with full access to the labor market.

In February 2025, the Czech authorities announced two important updates:

1. Extension of protection for refugees until March 31, 2026
2. Introduction of a new five-year residence permit with the right to work for individuals fleeing the war in Ukraine

To obtain such a permit, it is necessary to reside in the Czech Republic under temporary protection for at least two years and be economically self-sufficient.

Ireland: Housing Restrictions and Reduction of Social Support

Starting in March 2025, newly arrived Ukrainian refugees in Ireland will no longer be provided with free state housing. Those who have lived there the longest will be evicted first. This political lever aims to reduce the number of Ukrainians on state support and encourage them to live independently.

In recent months of 2024, the number of Ukrainians living in state shelters in Ireland has decreased from 58,830 to 35,833. The government has reduced social benefits and limited the stay of newly arrived refugees to 90 days.

Lithuania: Extension of Free Transport and Other Benefits

The Vilnius City Council extended free public transport for Ukrainian refugees for another year. This benefit has been available to Ukrainians since March 2022. A similar decision was made in other major cities in Lithuania.

As of early 2025, about 90 thousand Ukrainians reside in Lithuania, of which nearly 34% are officially employed. Temporary protection is valid until March 4, 2026, so Ukrainian...