Financial support or alternative residency status: how EU Member States are handling over 3 years of temporary protection for Ukrainians

The Netherlands is one of the 7 EU Member States that requires a financial contribution from displaced Ukrainians with sufficient income. Several other countries have implemented measures to offer these displaced persons an alternative residency status.

> Read the full EMN inform (comparison between 26 EU Member States and EMN Observer Countries)* and the EMN Netherlands two-pager

The new measures are the result of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the subsequent extension of the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD).

Financial contribution in the Netherlands and 6 other Member States

In July 2024, the Netherlands introduced a mandatory financial contribution for displaced Ukrainians living in municipal reception centres and who have income. This was done at the request of municipalities, who wanted to maintain public support for assistance to these displaced persons. On 1 October 2025, the mandatory contribution was increased. In addition, 6 other Member States (FI, IE, LT, PL, SI, SK) have made such a financial contribution mandatory. In these countries, the requirement applies only to those living in reception centres. Vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, pregnant women, or people with disabilities, are exempt from the financial contribution in all of these countries.

From temporary protection to alternative residency status

Several countries have introduced measures to facilitate the transition to an alternative residency status for displaced Ukrainians. In Austria, Italy, and Luxembourg, these measures apply only to displaced persons who are employed or self-employed. In Greece, Slovakia, and Slovenia, arrangements are in place for all Ukrainians, whether employed or not. The measures differ from country to country:

• Luxembourg has had a specific residence permit for employed Ukrainian workers since April 2023. The temporary protection status is revoked, and income and housing requirements apply. The permit is valid for 1 year and can be extended.
• Slovakia offers a special residence permit after 90 days of stay, valid for 5 years. Since July 2024, there has also been a temporary work residence permit that Ukrainians can apply for without a labour market test, provided they have worked in the country for at least 6 months and continue in the same role. The temporary protection status ends.
• Greece states that the residence status can be changed without a national visa. The temporary protection status is only revoked upon the issuance of the new residence permit.
• Croatia has recently introduced legal changes to facilitate longer stays. The status cannot be directly changed, but the period of temporary protection now counts towards acquiring the right to long-term residence.
• The Czech Republic has had a special residence permit since February 2025, which comes with specific requirements. This permit is valid for 5 years and provides the right to regular residence status and unrestricted access to the labour market.
• In France, local authorities assess eligibility for permanent residence permits with each extension of temporary protection. The individual has the right to refuse this and retain temporary protection status.

The Netherlands and 16 other EMN Member and Observer Countries (BE, BG, CY, DE, EE, ES, FI, HR, HU, IE, LV, LT, MT, SE; NO, RS) have no special procedures or arrangements to facilitate the transition to a different residency status. In these countries, Ukrainians can apply for a regular residence permit under the same conditions as other nationals.

*Participating countries: Austria (AT), Belgium (BE), Bulgaria (BG), Cyprus (CY), Czech Republic (CZ), Germany (DE), Estonia (EE), Greece (EL), Spain (ES), Finland (FI), France (FR), Croatia (HR), Hungary (HU), Ireland (IE), Italy (IT), Lithuania (LT), Luxembourg (LU), Latvia (LV), Malta (MT), Netherlands (NL), Poland (PL), Sweden (SE), Slovenia (SI), Slovakia (SK); Norway (NO), Serbia (RS)