News item | 28-09-2023 | 5:00 PM
The war in Ukraine is not over yet. That is why the EU member states decided today in Brussels to extend the current Temporary Protection Directive (RTB) by one year, until March 4, 2025. This will allow refugees from Ukraine to stay in EU member states for one year longer.
When millions of people from Ukraine fled the war with Russia, the Council of the European Union activated the RTB on March 4, 2022. This means that refugees from Ukraine have the temporary right to reception, medical care, work and education in all EU member states. The current national legislation and regulations that regulate this will also remain in force until March 4, 2025.
State Secretary Eric van der Burg: “The situation in Ukraine is unfortunately still very uncertain. It is therefore necessary to provide clarity about the stay of refugees from Ukraine in European member states until March 2025. I wholeheartedly support this, because refugees still need to be accommodated in a safe place due to the continuation of the war.¨
What happens after the RTB?
By extending the RTB, refugees from Ukraine can stay in the Netherlands until March 4, 2025. The government is currently developing strategic policy choices for the stay and return of refugees from Ukraine after March 4, 2025. The Netherlands is committed to a coordinated European solution to prevent major differences in approach between EU countries. Since the activation of the RTB, we have seen that a coordinated approach works well.
Who falls under the RTB?
After registration in the municipal Personal Records Database (BRP), the IND checks whether refugees from Ukraine fall under the RTB. This remains the same group, even with an extension until March 4, 2025.
This group includes refugees in the Netherlands with Ukrainian nationality who left Ukraine after November 26, 2021. And people with Ukrainian nationality who had been in the Netherlands for a long time before November 27, 2021 (for example, for work and who can no longer return safely). In addition, third-country nationals from Ukraine without Ukrainian nationality but with a permanent residence permit are covered by the directive, as are third-country nationals from Ukraine with (inter)national protection. Family members of these groups also fall under the directive.
On September 2, 2023, the State Secretary for Justice and Security decided to freeze the consequences of the termination of temporary protection for third-country nationals with a temporary residence permit in Ukraine until the Council of State rules on appeal.