Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, France has become one of the countries that opened its doors to Ukrainians, saving them from war. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians found a temporary shelter here, and with it, a new hope. However, over time it became clear: the very status of temporary protection, introduced in March 2022 by the decision of the European Council, does not meet the challenges of a long-term crisis. People don’t just save themselves, they try to live — work, study, receive medical care, raise children. France, which from the beginning demonstrated solidarity with the people of Ukraine, moved to the next stage — the legislative improvement of this protection. The National Assembly of France supported in the first reading draft law No. 596, which should change the system of temporary protection.
What does draft law No. 596 provide for
The National Assembly of France supported in the first reading draft law No. 596, which should change the system of temporary protection. The document has already been approved by the Senate. This means that both houses of the French Parliament have given it the “green light”. And although detailed discussions and probably amendments are still ahead, the very fact of such support is of fundamental importance. This is a strategic decision that takes the French approach to the crisis to a new level.
Bill No. 596, initiated by Senator Nadia Sologub, who heads the France-Ukraine Friendship Group in the Senate, is based on real experience — the experience of the French state, public organizations, volunteers, and Ukrainian refugees themselves, who have been living in the temporary protection system for two years. And this experience revealed many gaps. People with higher education cannot work in their profession. Particularly vulnerable categories – the elderly, persons with disabilities, mothers with children – do not receive adequate social protection. In order to access certain services, many are forced to apply for refugee status, even though they do not actually plan to stay in France permanently. Therefore, draft law No. 596 aims to change this situation — not declaratively, but systematically.
The right to a profession: doctors from Ukraine get a chance
One of the most pressing challenges is the professional realization of people. In particular, we are talking about Ukrainian doctors who, due to the complexity of the French procedures for recognizing diplomas, cannot work in their specialty. The draft law offers a solution: a new status is created for doctors who received their education outside the EU – “associate trainee”. This will allow you to work in medical facilities in France without going through all the certification stages, but with a guarantee of safety and control. It is not about compromises with quality, but about an adapted model that takes into account both the professional level and the real needs of French medicine.
Social support
The draft law provides for a revolutionary innovation: people who are under temporary protection will be able to receive social benefits and assistance that were previously available only to persons with refugee status. In particular, it is about:
– assistance to adults with disabilities (AAH);
– personalized autonomy assistance for people over 60 (APA);
– minimum social payments, as well as housing support.
This decision has deep moral and practical significance. It recognizes that war does not simply displace people – it makes them vulnerable, and the state must ensure that they are adequately supported, regardless of their formal status.
Formalization of presence: from “temporality” to “normality”
A separate innovation is the recognition of temporary protection as a form of “normal residence” in France. This is not a change of legal category, but an important administrative step. It opens access to a number of services that were not available until now. For example, Ukrainians will be able to take French driver’s license exams on a general basis. It will also become possible to register cars with Ukrainian license plates, even if the owner does not have a French license.
Housing, intermediation, stability
The French budget for 2025 provides 328 million euros, which will be directed to the implementation of policies related to this law. This is, in particular, financing:
– housing rental programs for Ukrainians;
– intermediations — mediation systems between home owners and people who are looking for it;
– programs of social support and stabilization.
It is not only about a roof over the head, but about creating conditions for the normal functioning of families, ensuring access to education, medical services and legal support.
What will happen next?
The National Assembly passed the law in the first reading. Ahead is consideration in the second reading, introduction of amendments, discussion of details. The government plans to implement some of the provisions first in an experimental format — to assess effectiveness, identify weak points, and finalize mechanisms. But it is already obvious: this law will not remain on paper.
In addition, work is ongoing on other aspects — simplification of the procedure for renewing documents (France is considering the experience of Germany, where renewal takes place once every six months), recognition of the rights of persons accompanying children without official guardianship, expanding access to French language courses within the B1-B2 level (currently, only the A2 level is available free of charge, which does not meet the needs for study or work).
