Government to ensure seamless continuation of temporary protection
The process of granting temporary protection will become easier both for the beneficiaries and the authorities. At its session on 27 February, the Government proposed amendments to the Aliens Act and the entry-into-force provision of the Act on Temporarily Amending the Aliens Act. The President of the Republic is to approve the amendments on 28 February.
The legislative amendments concern people who have fled the war in Ukraine but also other possible situations of temporary protection in the future. The Act on Amending the Aliens Act will enter into force on 5 March 2025. The Act amending the entry-into-force provision of the Act Temporarily Amending the Aliens Act will enter into force on 4 March 2025.
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. 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.
As the crisis in Ukraine drags on, there is a need to amend the legislation on temporary protection.
Residence permits will 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. The amendments to the Aliens Act will ensure that the temporary protection of Ukrainians will continue in a seamless manner after that.
The validity of residence permits and residence permit cards issued to beneficiaries of temporary protection as proof of their right of residence will continue directly by law. They will remain in force for as long as the Government’s decision on granting temporary protection is in effect. The amendment is broadly in line with the temporary amendment made to the Act in January 2023, which will expire on 4 March 2025.
In future, a residence permit on the basis of temporary protection would always be temporary. Persons intending to settle in Finland more permanently can apply for a residence permit based on work or studies, for example.
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 approximately 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, as they can, in principle, return to their home country. Temporary protection for these people will end on 31 March 2025. The Finnish Immigration Service has informed the persons in question about the matter.
Ukrainians have submitted about 79,000 applications for temporary protection in Finland
Since 2022, Ukrainians have submitted a total of 79,000 applications for temporary protection in Finland. There are around 45,000 Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection in Finland now. Approximately 15,200 Ukrainians are registered in the reception system, and about 30,000 Ukrainians have been allocated a municipality of residence. Others are thought to have returned to Ukraine or moved elsewhere in the EU.
Inquiries:
Tuuli Tuunanen, Chief Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 658 [email protected]