Extension of Temporary Protection in France 2026–2027: What Is Changing

By decision of the Council of the European Union of 15 July 2025, the extension of temporary protection in 2026–2027 for Ukrainian nationals in France is guaranteed at least until 4 March 2027 inclusive.

International Law Firm "Zahist" has a presence in France and assists clients with status extension matters — from filing an APS application to assessing whether a transition to an ordinary residence permit is appropriate. Our experience shows that applicants who monitor rule changes in advance avoid unnecessary refusals and delays during the next extension.

For how long temporary protection for Ukrainians has been extended

The temporary protection regime was activated by the Council of the EU decision of 4 March 2022 and has since been regularly extended by new decisions for as long as the grounds for its application remain.

The decision of October 2023 extended the regime until 4 March 2025, the subsequent decision of June 2024 — until 4 March 2026, and the decision of 15 July 2025 extended protection until 4 March 2027.

Deadlines for filing an APS extension application in 2026–2027

An APS is issued for six months and is renewed as many times as the temporary protection regime remains in force, that is, at least until March 2027 under the current decision.

An application for the next extension must be filed no later than three weeks before the expiry of the current permit via the “Démarches simplifiées” service.

A late application creates a risk of a temporary interruption of rights linked to the status, so the expiry date of the current APS should be noted in advance.

New fee for APS extension from May 2026

From 1 May 2026, a fee of EUR 100 has been introduced for APS extension, charged starting from the second renewal of the permit.

The first two APS issuances — the initial application and the first extension — remain free of charge, so the new requirement primarily concerns those who have already been under temporary protection for more than one year.

Transition to an ordinary residence permit: the 2026 trend

A government instruction of 4 December 2024 recommends that persons planning to settle in France for the long term obtain an ordinary residence permit rather than rely on unlimited APS renewals.

Since September 2024, holders of temporary protection may in parallel file applications for a permit based on employment, studies, or family reunification, while retaining their status until a decision is made.

Our experience shows that early preparation of employment history and proof of work in France substantially simplifies the transition to the ordinary procedure when the temporary protection period approaches its end.

Is the right to work retained during status extension

The right to employment granted together with the first APS is retained throughout the entire period of temporary protection and automatically applies to each subsequent renewal of the permit.

The employer does not need to re-verify the work authorisation after each APS extension — an updated copy of the valid document with the new period of validity is sufficient.

Our experience shows that employees who notify their employer in advance of the approaching APS renewal date avoid misunderstandings with HR regarding the lawfulness of continued employment.

Social support available during temporary protection

The current temporary protection regime already provides access to several forms of state support, the amount of which depends on household composition and income level.

What happens to children’s status upon APS extension

Children included in a parent’s application have their APS extended together with the parents, and a separate procedure for them is usually not required.

The right to education in state schools and preschool institutions is retained throughout the entire period of temporary protection, regardless of how many extensions have already been granted.

If a child reaches the age of majority while the regime is in force, a separate status extension procedure begins to apply to them, so it is advisable to clarify with the prefecture in advance the steps to take after the age of 18.

Changes under discussion: a bill to expand social guarantees

The French Senate is considering a cross-party legislative proposal aimed at expanding the list of social benefits available to holders of temporary protection.

The proposal provides for access to assistance for the autonomy of elderly persons, disability benefits, and certain other payments, but expressly excludes the right to revenu de solidarité active as inconsistent with the logic of a temporary status.

At present, the document has only undergone review by the relevant committee with amendments and has not yet become law, so it is premature to rely on expanded benefits.

Documents to keep ready for each extension

To ensure that the next status extension proceeds without delays, several basic documents should be collected in advance in up-to-date form.

1. A valid international passport or other identity document.
2. A current APS bearing a mark of the previous extension.
3. Proof of current residential address in France.
4. A receipt for payment of the extension fee, if it applies to the specific case.

Having these documents ready substantially speeds up the electronic application and reduces the risk of refusal due to a technically incomplete file.

Why some Ukrainians switch to the asylum procedure

According to official data, France receives nearly half of all asylum applications from Ukrainian nationals among all European Union countries — despite their entitlement to simplified temporary protection.

1. The regularity of administrative APS extension procedures, which some applicants find burdensome.
2. Uncertainty as to what will happen to the status after the temporary protection regime ends.
3. Difficulties in finding permanent housing within existing accommodation programmes.
4. A wish to settle in France for the long term and obtain a more stable legal status.
5. A perception that social support under temporary protection is insufficient compared with refugee status.

Switching to the asylum procedure has its own implications for processing times and the scope of rights, so such a decision should be taken after consulting a specialist, and not solely because of uncertainty surrounding the temporary protection regime.

Common mistakes when extending status in 2026–2027

The most frequent mistake is waiting for an official invitation from the prefecture instead of independently filing an extension application three weeks before the APS expires.

Another common problem is switching to the asylum procedure without first analysing how this will affect social benefits already received and the right to work.

Our experience shows that applicants who deliberately combine APS extension with preparation of documents for an ordinary residence permit retain more options for further settlement in France.

Expert view: how to plan status for the coming years

An analysis of our cases shows that persons who annually review the current Council of the EU decisions on the extension of temporary protection in 2026–2027 less often face unexpected changes in requirements when filing documents.

Another important factor is financial planning: with the introduction of the fee for APS renewal, these costs should be factored into the family budget in advance, especially where there are several family members.

We recommend that, in parallel with the next APS renewal, you assess the prospects of switching to a regular residence permit so as not to depend solely on further decisions of the EU Council regarding temporary protection.

International Law Firm "Zahist" has an office in France and continuously monitors changes in the temporary protection regime in order to promptly inform clients of new deadlines, fees, and opportunities to switch to another status.

An individual consultation helps accurately plan the extension of temporary protection in 2026–2027 taking into account the specific life situation, family composition, and long-term plans for residence in France.

Each decision to renew APS or switch to another procedure has its own consequences for rights and social support, so a personal analysis of the situation remains the most reliable way to avoid loss of status.

The earlier an applicant learns about the new deadlines and conditions, the more time remains to prepare documents and plan further steps without the risk of a break in status.