Thousands of Ukrainians of retirement age in Europe are concerned about the expiration of temporary protection on March 4, 2027. Find out which countries offer a realistic chance of staying and what steps you need to take now
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Thousands of Ukrainians of retirement age are already asking themselves the same question: what will happen after March 4, 2027, when the temporary protection regime in the European Union comes to an end? The answer depends not only on age and country of residence, but also on each person’s specific circumstances. The publication relocate.to writes about this. We’ll break down where Ukrainian retirees have the best chances of staying and what they need to prepare for now.
The transition after temporary protection: what will be decisive?
The European Commission is already openly discussing a coordinated exit from the temporary protection regime. This means that member states should not wait until 2027 but should begin preparing other legal grounds for Ukrainians to stay today: employment, family ties, long-term residence statuses, or humanitarian permits.
For older people in this system, it is not the mere fact of reaching retirement age that is decisive, but a combination of circumstances. First, health status, the inability to return safely, and the need for care or medical treatment. Second, integration: length of residence in the country, access to housing, family and medical ties, participation in community life, and language proficiency. Third, the specific country of residence, as it is this that determines whether there is a real “bridge” there after temporary protection.
Read also: The gender pension gap in the EU — women receive a quarter less than men.
Germany: humanitarian mechanisms as the main tool for the elderly
Germany remains one of the countries where more options are open to older Ukrainians than it seems at first glance. Permits under §24 AufenthG for Ukrainians have been automatically extended until March 4, 2027, and during this time, one can work legally. This provides time not only to wait it out but also to prepare the next step.
It is important to understand that a separate rule applies to certain skilled employment pathways: a person aged 45 or older who is obtaining a work residence permit for the first time must typically demonstrate a gross annual salary of at least 55,770 euros or prove adequate pension coverage. However, this rule applies exclusively to the skilled worker pathway—not to humanitarian or integration permits.
This is precisely why the humanitarian provisions of §25(4) and §25(5) of the AufenthG are particularly important for older Ukrainians in Germany. They allow for the granting of a residence permit if departure would be exceptionally difficult or practically impossible. For retirees, this may apply in cases of serious illness, the need for medical treatment, dependence on care, occupation of their home region, lack of housing, or the absence of a safe place to return to in Ukraine.
Another important tool is §23a of the AufenthG, the exceptional hardship mechanism. Through commissions for special cases, the federal states may support a residence permit if there are urgent humanitarian or personal reasons. This is not a mass scheme, but for vulnerable older people, it can be critically important.
It is also worth mentioning §25b AufenthG—a residence permit in cases of established integration. For this, the length of stay, integration into the country’s life, language proficiency, and social ties are important. At the same time, the law explicitly allows for waiving certain income or language requirements if a person cannot meet them due to illness, disability, or old age.
Therefore, the main task for Ukrainians in Germany right now is not to look for the “perfect job,” but to document their integration: medical certificates from German doctors with a detailed description of the diagnosis and treatment, language course certificates, proof of volunteer work, employment, and family and social ties. It is this documentation that will form the basis for any future permit.
As for financial support, the official Germany4Ukraine resource clearly explains: if your income is insufficient, you can receive social benefits. If a person is already of retirement age or has limited working capacity, they should apply not to the Jobcenter but to the Sozialamt for Sozialhilfe. This does not mean an automatic “right to a German pension,” but it does mean that an elderly Ukrainian with legal status will not be left without any systemic support.
What older Ukrainians in Germany should do right now:
● Check the validity of your permit under §24 AufenthG—if it has been extended until March 2027, use this time to prepare.
● Gather everything that confirms your life in Germany: course certificates, medical records, proof of social and family ties.
● If returning to Ukraine is impossible — document the reasons in writing. Occupation, lack of housing, need for medical treatment — all of these are grounds for humanitarian reasons under §25(4) or §25(5) of the AufenthG.
● If your income is insufficient — contact the Sozialamt for Sozialhilfe.
● Consult a lawyer or organizations such as Caritas, Diakonie, or AWO—they provide free assistance in most federal states.
By the way, if you’re planning trips between EU countries or have already returned to Ukraine and are traveling abroad, you should arrange for health insurance. Getting a policy for traveling abroad is convenient via the Visit Ukraine platform—it takes just a few minutes and provides peace of mind in any unforeseen situation.
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Poland: The Clearest Administrative “Bridge” After Temporary Protection
If we’re talking not about humanitarian exceptions but about a technically clear transition route, Poland looks like the strongest option today. Polish authorities have officially confirmed that for Ukrainians with PESEL UKR status, a transition model to the CUKR residence card is in place, which is valid for three years. Applications are submitted exclusively online via the special MOS portal.
This card is not issued automatically. The applicant must meet several conditions: be a citizen of Ukraine or a family member of such a citizen, have legal residence in Poland under temporary protection, hold UKR status as of June 4, 2025, and on the day of application, as well as have maintained UKR status continuously for at least 365 days.
For elderly Ukrainians, this is often a more convenient path than going through a complex humanitarian procedure. The chance to remain in Poland after temporary protection appears most realistic not because a person is a pensioner, but because the country is creating a separate transitional status for a large group of people with UKR status.
At the same time, there is a common misconception: Poland is often described as a country where “pensioners are simply given a Polish pension or a supplement.” In reality, ZUS explicitly explains that the right to a Polish pension or to receive both a Polish and a Ukrainian pension simultaneously arises when a person has insurance periods in both countries and meets the conditions for receiving benefits in each of them. This is a bilateral agreement between Poland and Ukraine, not a universal supplement for everyone.
Poland also pays special attention to vulnerable groups: the government has explicitly stated that people with disabilities, pensioners, and pregnant women may continue to stay in collective accommodation centers. This is important not as a “permanent status,” but as an indication that elderly Ukrainians are considered a priority group.
What older Ukrainians in Poland should do right now:
● Check your PESEL UKR status and the date you received it—a key requirement for CUKR is maintaining continuous status for at least 365 days.
● Register on the MOS portal and prepare your documents. Paper applications are not accepted—only online. If you have difficulty using digital tools, contact the Social Welfare Center (OPS) or volunteer organizations.
● If you have insurance coverage for work in Poland — contact ZUS to clarify your entitlement to pension benefits.
● If you live in a collective accommodation center — check with the administration regarding your rights as a priority category.
● Free legal assistance is provided by Caritas Polska, Polska Akcja Humanitarna, and regional migration counseling centers.
Czech Republic: a viable option for self-sufficient individuals, more complex for those needing support
Czech Republic has been among the countries where Ukrainians not only have their temporary protection extended but also a distinct pathway to a longer-term stay for several years now. Temporary protection was extended in 2026 through online registration, with authorities emphasizing that the continuity of previous residence is crucial for the future transition to a different status. Even for people with limited mobility in nursing homes or medical facilities, a special extension procedure is provided.
The main transitional tool here is a special long-term residence permit for people with temporary protection. The official portal of the Czech Ministry of the Interior describes it as a mechanism for those who wish to remain in the country for a longer period. And here is a key point: this transition is intended for economically self-sufficient individuals.
Back in 2024, the Czech Ministry of the Interior explained the rationale behind this system: transitioning from temporary protection to long-term residence is only possible if the individual has been under temporary protection for at least two years, is financially self-sufficient, and is not dependent on the welfare system. If an elderly person has a stable Ukrainian pension, family support, rents housing, and can document their self-sufficiency—the Czech Republic can indeed be a strong option. But if resources are limited, the person requires constant care, or lives primarily on welfare, this path looks significantly more difficult.
If a person cannot return to Ukraine due to a real threat—such as occupation, shelling, or lack of access to necessary medical treatment—they may apply for international protection with the OAMP MV ČR. The grounds for this are §44 of the Act on the Residence of Foreigners or subsidiary protection. An important advantage: time spent under such protection counts toward the residency period required to obtain a permanent residence permit.
There is a separate category for exceptional circumstances (§42a)—for those who are physically unable to leave due to age, illness, or the lack of Ukrainian documents. This status is considered on a case-by-case basis and does not require proof of income.
What older Ukrainians in the Czech Republic should do right now:
● Prepare medical certificates, proof of pension, evidence of family ties in the Czech Republic, and documents regarding risks in Ukraine.
● Contact the UNHCR, the Czech Ministry of the Interior, or the NGO “Člověk v tísni” for a free consultation.
● Applications are accepted by the OAMP in Brno and regional offices. Applications must be submitted no later than 6 months before the current status expires.
Spain: Residence without the right to work as the main route
For Ukrainian retirees in Spain, the most realistic way to remain after 2027 is through residence without the right to work (residencia no lucrativa) or a family residence permit. The first option is suitable for those who can support themselves—through a pension, savings, rental income, or investment income. The main requirement is to prove financial capacity: approximately 400% of the IPREM per year (about €28,800 for a single person) plus about €7,200 for each family member. You’ll also need private health insurance with no deductible, a criminal record check, a medical certificate, and a valid passport.
An alternative is a family residence permit (reagrupación familiar or arraigo familiar) if the retiree has children or other close relatives in Spain with citizenship or long-term residency status. In this case, the relative must prove sufficient income and housing—approximately €900–1,000 per person plus an additional amount for each subsequent family member.
Regardless of the country where the elderly person is located, the most important thing right now is not to wait. 2026 is the time to gather medical, social, and immigration documents, confirm integration, and seek individual consultation. There is no automatic right to remain after temporary protection expires, but viable options exist—and they require preparation.
We remind you! IDPs who have lost their documents due to the war or occupation can confirm their work history to apply for a pension. Read how to confirm work history through witnesses, what documents the court accepts, and what to do to receive a pension.
Photo: zavalishina / Freepik
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Frequantly
asked questions
When will temporary protection for Ukrainians in the EU end?
Currently, temporary protection for Ukrainians in EU countries has been extended until March 4, 2027.
Can a Ukrainian pensioner remain in the EU after 2027 without a job?
Yes, if there are other grounds: humanitarian circumstances (illness, inability to return), family ties in the host country, or financial self-sufficiency. For example, Spain has a separate type of residence permit — residencia no lucrativa — for those who can support themselves without the right to work.
Is it mandatory to have insurance when traveling abroad from Ukraine or between EU countries?
For most European countries, health insurance is a mandatory requirement when applying for a visa or residence permit. Even if it’s not a requirement, it’s critically important to cover medical expenses. Ukrainians can easily purchase an insurance policy online through the Visit Ukraine platform — it takes just a few minutes and is valid in most countries worldwide.