The European Union has agreed to extend its Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) for Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion until 4 March 2028, the Finnish Ministry of the Interior confirmed on Friday, 31 July 2026. Finland’s government will formally transpose the one-year prolongation at its cabinet session on 6 August, but officials say beneficiaries of protection in Finland will automatically see their residence permits extended in the national database. Under the updated EU rules, only new applicants who can demonstrate they fulfilled Ukraine’s military-service obligations and exited the country legally—via an exit stamp or comparable proof—will qualify. Those conditions will not apply retroactively to the roughly 62 000 Ukrainians already registered in Finland since 2022. The Interior Ministry stressed that the EU is not creating a bespoke long-term status; Ukrainians wishing to remain beyond 2028 must transition to existing Finnish residence categories based on work, study or family ties. So far, 7 500 have already done so—4 300 on work grounds and 2 800 on family grounds. For employers, the four-year horizon offers welcome certainty. Ukrainians hired under the TPD can continue to work without separate work permits, easing talent shortages in construction, ICT and healthcare. However, HR teams should start mapping longer-term pathways, including the fast-track D-visa introduced in 2024 and Finland’s specialist permit, to retain key personnel past 2028. The renewed protection also means municipalities must budget for housing, schooling and integration services for at least two additional academic years. Finland’s Employment and Economic Development Offices (TE-toimistot) are expected to expand Finnish-language training and job-matching programmes, while the Ministry of Social Affairs is updating guidance on access to social security. Mobility advisers should note that Ukrainian nationals continue to enjoy visa-free travel within Schengen for up to 90/180 days, but the EU’s new Entry/Exit System—launching later this year—will record departures and could flag over-stays once temporary protection lapses. Early education of Ukrainian assignees about post-2028 options will therefore be critical to avoid last-minute scrambling.
Source: Yle News
