Residence permit after temporary protection: where in the EU is it easier for Ukrainians to obtain status by 2027

The deadline for which temporary protection for Ukrainians has been extended in the European Union countries has already been determined: the current regime is valid until March 2027. For many Ukrainian refugees who have arranged children for school, started working, rent housing and do not plan to move abruptly, the issue of further status has ceased to be a distant topic. In 2026, some states opened or detailed the routes for transition from temporary protection to a residence permit, and against this background it quickly became clear that the most convenient solutions are not located where you look first.

What determines the choice of country

The popularity of Germany or Austria is explained by understandable reasons: large Ukrainian communities, developed social systems, familiar support rules. However, if we evaluate not the amount of assistance, but the consistency of the procedure, the number of documents, the waiting period and the accessibility of the application, Poland and the Czech Republic attract attention first of all. As of 2026, these two countries offer the simplest transition models, although each of them has its own limitations, without which it is very easy to make a mistake with the choice.

Before submitting documents, the source of income is of key importance, since the type of future certificate depends on it. For a person with an official job or stable confirmed earnings, the most obvious path is opened by Poland and the Czech Republic, where the rules are already tied to the status of Ukrainians who have lived there for a certain period of time. For those who receive funds from other sources, for example, from remote work, entrepreneurial activity or passive income, Spain or Romania are more often considered, where confirmation of financial capacity plays an important role.

The period of stay under temporary protection is no less important, because in different countries it determines the right to apply. In the Czech Republic, according to the rules of Lex Ukraine, at least two years of residence with such status are required. In Poland, the condition is milder: it is enough to have PESEL UKR status for 365 days, after which the opportunity to switch to the electronic procedure opens.

It is also worth considering how long a person plans to stay in the country. If a longer horizon of stability is needed, the Czech Republic looks attractive due to the five-year period of the permit. If an easy start and simpler application are more important, the preference is more often towards Poland, where the residence permit is issued for three years.

For families with plans for family reunification, a different set of rules becomes decisive. In this case, attention is often shifted towards Germany and Belgium, where family mechanisms are better developed, although the procedure for obtaining a residence permit itself usually requires more steps, more confirmations and a longer wait.

Czech Republic: longer validity period with higher requirements

The Czech model, updated within the framework of Lex Ukraine from March 9, 2026, is designed for those who have already passed the initial adaptation period and can confirm housing and income. Submission is possible after two years of temporary protection, and the main requirements include an income of 440 thousand Czech crowns per year, availability of housing and no criminal record.

In contrast, the result in the Czech Republic is much longer in terms of duration: a residence permit is issued for five years. For many Ukrainians, this is a weighty argument, since a five-year document allows you to make plans without constantly returning to status procedures, enter the full labor market and prepare for further settlement of your situation on a more stable basis.

Poland: digital procedure without queues

Among all available routes, the Polish option looks the simplest due to the combination of three factors: fully electronic submission, a clear list of requirements and a relatively short starting threshold. Since 2026, the CUKR system has been operating in Poland through the MOS portal, where the application is submitted online. This requires a passport, PESEL UKR status for at least 365 days and a photo, and the state fee is PLN 340.

After registering through gov.pl, the applicant fills out a form, adds a photo and goes through the standard stages of application without live queues and without separate interviews, if the package of documents is properly completed. The residence permit issued within this route opens the right to work and do business, and also creates the basis for a subsequent transition to a more stable long-term status. For Ukrainians who have already settled in Poland and have PESEL UKR for more than a year, this option seems the most predictable.

What other countries should be considered

Apart from the Polish and Czech routes, there are several states where the transition is also possible, although each of them puts forward its own set of requirements. In Spain, Ukrainians may be eligible for the arraigo mechanisms, the EU Blue Card or the digital nomad program, with two years of temporary protection and employment or proven income as the basis for consideration. The Netherlands has a three-year transition permit, for which the important conditions are the refusal of the asylum procedure and a clean reputation.

In Germany, the path to a residence permit is usually linked to work, income or transition to the EU Blue Card, while for permanent status, language skills at level B1 become a significant criterion. In Belgium, they focus on the Single Permit or long-term visa type D, where work, income and housing remain key. Both countries remain important for families who need strong family reunification tools, although the path itself is rarely short there.

In Italy, the conversion of temporary protection into status based on work or self-employment is used, so a valid permit, contract or proven work activity becomes the basis. In Romania, the focus is shifting to formal employment and recognition of qualifications, which often makes the country a popular option for those looking for a lower entry threshold. Greece maintains the model of extending temporary protection or transitioning through an employment contract and filing a police report. In France, a residence permit is issued through the prefecture based on work or family circumstances, but this procedure is generally perceived as more complicated and less convenient for a quick start.

Who chooses which route more often

For people who already work under an employment contract or have a stable freelance income, Poland or the Czech Republic are most often considered, as they combine clear rules, access to the labor market and relatively simple administration. The Polish option is suitable for those who want to transition to a new permit faster, while the Czech one is more likely to interest those who are willing to undergo a more difficult selection for the sake of a five-year period.

For digital professionals and people working remotely for international companies, Spain and the Netherlands are logical candidates. Both countries have routes where proven income and professional profile play an important role, although the set of documents there is usually wider than in the Polish electronic procedure.

For pensioners or applicants living on passive income, Spain and Italy look more attractive, where financial capacity is a critical factor. For families with children who are important for schools, medical support and the ability to register family members within the same system, Germany or Belgium are more often considered. For those who are just starting to understand the procedure and are looking for an easier start through official employment, Romania attracts special attention.

What to do before submitting documents

Since the approach of March 2027 will inevitably increase the load on state systems, postponing the preparation of documents until the last period is risky. In Poland, electronic applications have been open since March 2026, so for those who meet the basic conditions, the sense of early submission seems obvious.

When checking the rules, official sources are of the utmost importance, because changes are happening quickly in this area. For Poland, gov.pl remains the reference point, for the Czech Republic, mvcr.cz, and it is there that you should check the deadlines, list of documents, and technical details of the procedure.

When choosing a country, your own status should be decisive, not someone else’s experience, since the same procedure works differently for a contract employee, for a person with a remote income, for a family with children, or for an applicant without sufficient experience of being under temporary protection. As of March 2026, Poland and the Czech Republic appear to be the easiest transition routes for Ukrainians, while other countries remain real options for individual life situations and professional profiles.

This article was prepared based on the above rules as of March 2026, so before submitting documents, it is worth checking the current requirements on the websites of the government agencies of the country where you plan to apply for a residence permit.