Requesting temporary protection
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Temporary protection status is a specific protection status applied at EU level for people who have fled the war in Ukraine. It is available to anyone who was a resident of Ukraine before 24 February 2022 and who has arrived in Luxembourg since 24 February 2022, or shortly before.
Who is concerned
Temporary protection is applicable to displaced persons from Ukraine since 24 February 2022 as a result of the military invasion by the Russian armed forces that began on that date, and who fall into one of the following categories:
- Ukrainian nationals residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022;
- stateless persons, and nationals of third countries other than Ukraine, who were granted international protection or equivalent national protection in Ukraine before 24 February 2022;
- family members of the persons referred to in points 1. and 2., irrespective of the nationality of the family members.
The following are considered family members insofar as the family was already present and residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022:- a person's spouse;
- the unmarried minor children of the persons referred to in points 1. or 2., or their spouse, whether they are legitimate, born out of wedlock or adopted;
- other close relatives who were living in the family unit at the time of the circumstances surrounding the mass influx of displaced persons and who were wholly or mainly dependent on a person referred to in points 1. or 2.;
- stateless persons and nationals of third countries other than Ukraine, who can prove that they were legally residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 on the basis of a valid residence permit issued in accordance with Ukrainian law, and who are unable to return to their country or region of origin in safe and durable conditions.
It should be noted that temporary protection may only be granted to persons who have met their military obligations in Ukraine, and that they can provide proof to that effect, where applicable.
Prerequisites
To be eligible for temporary protection, you must have been residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 and have left the country since or shortly before 24 February 2022.
In other words, people who fled Ukraine shortly before 24 February 2022, as tensions were rising, or who found themselves on the territory of the European Union (for example, on holiday or for work reasons) just before that date and who, due to the armed conflict, are unable to return to Ukraine.
Excluded persons
The following persons may be excluded from temporary protection:
- those in respect of whom there are serious grounds for believing:
- that they have committed a crime against peace, a war crime or a crime against humanity, within the meaning of the international instruments drawn up to provide for provisions relating to such crimes;
- that they have committed a serious offence under common law outside Luxembourg prior to being admitted to Luxembourg as beneficiaries of temporary protection;
- that they have engaged in acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations;
- persons in respect of whom there are reasonable grounds to believe:
- that they pose a threat to national security; or
- who have been convicted with a final judgement for a particularly serious crime or offence, and who constitute a threat to the Luxembourg community.
How to proceed
Submitting the application
All displaced persons arriving in Luxembourg from Ukraine must book an appointment with the Ukraine one-stop shop.
The appointment can be booked online via MyGuichet.lu. This procedure can be carried out with or without authentication (see under 'Online services and forms').
The Ukraine one-stop shop is open every Thursday from 8.00 to 11.30.
You must attend your appointment in person at the Ukraine one-stop shop, located at 12–14 Avenue Emile Reuter in Luxembourg, bringing your identity documents with you.
During the appointment, the following will take place:
- registration of your personal details;
- verification by the General Department of Immigration of whether the conditions for granting temporary protection are met;
- identity checks carried out by the Grand Ducal Police.
Provisional certificate of temporary protection
If the conditions for granting temporary protection are met, a provisional temporary protection certificate is issued. You must then request an appointment with the General Department of Immigration in order to obtain a biometric card. These documents allow its holder to remain on Luxembourg territory, but do not confer a right of residence in accordance with the legislation on the entry and residence of foreigners.
Validity period
The temporary protection document is valid until 4 March 2027.
Format of the document issued to show the temporary protection status
As soon as you are granted temporary protection status, you must begin the procedure to obtain a biometric card. The card is valid from the date your status is granted. Pending the issue of your biometric card, and in order to prove your status as a beneficiary of temporary protection, you will receive:
- the agreement of the temporary protection; and
- a certificate printed on secure paper that is valid for a limited period of 2 months.
Rights granted
As a beneficiary of temporary protection, you are exempt from having to apply for a temporary work permit. You may therefore freely access the labour market in Luxembourg without needing a specific authorisation, provided your temporary protection remains valid. You may also register as a jobseeker with the National Employment Agency (Agence pour le développement de l’emploi - ADEM).
Children are entitled to access the education system (Pdf, 127 Kb) on the same terms as Luxembourg residents. As a reminder, in Luxembourg, schooling is compulsory from the age of 4 until the age of 18. Information on the schooling of children is available from the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth.
You are still entitled to the basic reception conditions provided by the National Reception Office (Office national de l’accueil - ONA), which include accommodation, food and clothing, as well as a monthly allowance and access to medical care.
You can:
- apply for family reunification with your family members who are receiving temporary protection in another Member State, as well as with family members who have not yet entered the territory of a Member State;
- at any time, opt out of protection with a view to voluntarily returning to your country of origin. In this case, Luxembourg will take the necessary measures to facilitate this return;
- submit an application for international protection at any time.
Online services and forms
Online services
Who to contact
Ministry of Home Affairs General Department of Immigration - Department for refugees
- Address:
-
26, route d'Arlon
L-1140
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
B.P. 752 L-2017 Luxembourg
- Phone:
-
(+352) 247 84565
from 9.00 - 12.00 and 14.00 - 16.00
- Fax:
- (+352) 247 84050
- Email address:
- immigration.asile@mai.etat.lu
Closed ⋅ Opens tomorrow at 8.30
- Tuesday:
- 8.30 to 12.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.30 to 12.00
- Thursday:
- 8.30 to 12.00
- Friday:
- 8.30 to 12.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.30 to 12.00
Related procedures and links
Procedures
Links
Further information
-
Arrivals in Luxembourg - Ukraine
on the website of the Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees
-
L’Éducation nationale accueille les élèves ukrainiens
on the website of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth
Documents
Pdf • 127 Kb
Legal references
-
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382 of 4 March 2022
establishing the existence of a mass influx of displaced persons from Ukraine within the meaning of Article 5 of Directive 2001/55/EC, and having the effect of introducing temporary protection
-
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2409 of 19 October 2023
extending temporary protection as introduced by Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382
-
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1836 of 25 June 2024
extending temporary protection as introduced by Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382
-
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1460 of 15 July 2025
extending temporary protection as introduced by Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382
-
Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1912 of 30 July 2026
extending temporary protection as introduced by Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382
