Government proposes amendments to legislation on temporary protection

The Government proposes amendments to the legislation on temporary protection. The aim is to streamline the granting of temporary protection from the perspective of both the beneficiaries and the authorities. The amendments concern people who have fled the war in Ukraine but also other possible situations of temporary protection in the future. The Government submitted the proposal for the amendments to the Aliens Act to Parliament on 5 December.

Temporary protection is based on the EU Temporary Protection Directive, which was activated for the first time on 4 March 2022 in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 
As the crisis in Ukraine drags on, there is a need to reform the legislation on temporary protection.

In June 2024, the Council of the European Union decided to extend temporary protection for the fourth year until 4 March 2026. While the decision is in force, Finland and all other EU Member States are obligated to grant temporary protection to the group specified in the decision and to issue a residence permit to indicate it.

Residence permits would be valid directly by law for as long as temporary protection is in effect

By law, temporary protection can last up to three years, meaning that temporary protection granted on the basis of the war in Ukraine will cease on 4 March 2025. After that, extending the temporary protection mechanism will require legislative amendments. 

According to the proposal, the validity of residence permits and residence permit cards issued as proof of the right of residence for beneficiaries of temporary protection would continue directly by law for as long as the government decision on granting temporary protection is in effect. The Government will make its decision based on how temporary protection will continue in the EU. 

Temporary protection for certain third-country nationals to end 

Temporary protection will continue to be granted not only to Ukrainian citizens and their family members but also to third-country nationals who have been residing in Ukraine under a permanent residence permit or have been granted international protection in Ukraine. 

However, Finland will no longer grant temporary protection to those 200 third-country nationals who have fled Ukraine and who have not been granted a permanent residence permit or international protection in Ukraine. They will no longer need temporary protection.  Third-country nationals who have worked or studied in Ukraine under a temporary residence permit need to return to their home country or to apply for a residence permit in Finland based on work or studies, for example. Temporary protection for these people will end on 31 March 2025. 

Ukrainians have submitted about 77,000 applications for temporary protection in Finland

In 2022–2024, Ukrainians have submitted a total of about 77,000 applications for temporary protection in Finland. There are around 46,000 Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection in Finland now. Approximately 23,000 Ukrainians are registered in the reception system for asylum seekers, and about 23,000 Ukrainians have been allocated a municipality of residence. Others are thought to have returned to Ukraine or moved elsewhere in the EU.

The amendments are scheduled to enter into force at the beginning of March 2025.

Inquiries: 
Tuuli Tuunanen, Chief Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 658, firstname.lastname@gov.fi 
Miira Mikonsaari, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 309, firstname.lastname@gov.fi