Where is it easiest for Ukrainian retirees to stay in the EU after 2027: countries, requirements, and income levels

After 2027, it will be more difficult for Ukrainian retirees to remain in the EU without a new status. Find out which countries offer the best chances of legalizing their status, what income is required, and why you should start preparing your documents now

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For Ukrainians of retirement and pre-retirement age, the question of living in Europe after the temporary protection period ends is becoming increasingly relevant. While the main scenario for people of working age typically involves employment and obtaining a residence permit through an employment contract, the situation is much more complicated for retirees. As relocate.to writes, most migration systems in EU countries are built around employment rather than passive income. But there are exceptions—and it is precisely these that could become a viable path for some Ukrainians.

Why is it harder for retirees to legalize their status in the EU after temporary protection ends?

After 2027, Ukrainians in most EU countries will have to transition from temporary protection to other forms of legal residence. For those who are not working, this means that the basis for the new status must be:

● pension income;

● savings;

● income from rent or investments;

● other verified regular income.

That is why “work” routes are usually not suitable for retirees, but rather visas or statuses for financially independent individuals.

Portugal: one of the most realistic options for retirees

Among EU countries, Portugal remains one of the clearest options for older Ukrainians. The main route is the D7 visa, which is specifically designed for people with passive income, particularly retirees and rentiers. To qualify for this route, you must:

● confirm regular income from a pension or rental income;

● have rented or owned housing;

● submit a standard set of documents.

Language proficiency is not required at the time of obtaining the residence permit. After five years, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency or citizenship.

Estimated minimum income: from 870 to 1,300 euros per month, depending on family composition.

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Spain: an option for those with higher income

Spain offers a so-called “non-working” residence permit for people who live off income earned outside the country. This can be a pension or verified savings.

The key feature of this option is that you cannot work in Spain under this status. At the same time, after five years, you can also apply for permanent residency.

Approximate financial threshold: about 28,800 euros per year per person.

Italy: a path for those living on passive income

In Italy, there is a visa for people who wish to reside in the country on passive income. This category includes pensions, dividends, and rental income. Any employment in Italy under this status is prohibited. The following requirements also remain mandatory:

● health insurance;

● verified housing;

● documents proving sufficient income.

Estimated minimum income: approximately 31,000 euros per year per person.

Greece: Option via Investment or Financial Independence

In Greece, several possible channels for legal residency are available to retirees. One of the most well-known is the “golden visa” through real estate investment. Investment threshold: starting at €250,000, though it may be higher in certain regions.

The advantage of this route is that permanent physical residence in the country is not mandatory. Pension income can also be considered as proof of financial capacity. However, for most Ukrainian retirees, this option remains unrealistic due to the high financial threshold.

Finland: a separate social pathway through Kela

Finland stands out from other countries in that a Kela social pension is available to foreigners who have lived in the country legally for at least three years and have reached the age of 65. For some Ukrainians who arrived in 2023, this milestone will become relevant in 2026.

Key requirements:

● age 65+;

● at least 3 years of legal residence;

● confirmed permanent residence status.

This is not a traditional visa route, but rather a separate social option that may be important for those who have been living in Finland for a long time.

If a retiree is still working: more opportunities become available

Separately, relocate.to highlights situations where a retiree combines a pension with formal employment. In such cases, additional options become available:

● Austria — after 2 years of residence and 12 months of work, you can switch to the Red-White-Red Card plus;

● Poland — retirees with verified income and employment are considered a priority group for CUKR.

In other words, formal employment, even at an older age, can significantly improve the chances of obtaining a longer-term legal status.

How to choose a country based on income level?

A practical guideline looks like this:

● €1,000–1,400 per month — Portugal (D7) is the most realistic option;

● €2,400–2,600 per month — Spain and Italy become more accessible;

● savings of €250,000 or more — the Greek investment scenario becomes available;

● 3+ years of residence in Finland and age 65+ — it’s worth looking into the Kela pension.

It is income level that most often determines which country a retiree will realistically be able to stay in after 2027.

The main piece of advice, regardless of the country, is not to wait for temporary protection to expire. Preparing documents for a D7 visa or similar visas can take 3 to 6 months, and waiting lists at consulates are already stretching out for months. Therefore, as early as 2026, you should assess your income, determine which option is actually suitable for you, prepare proof of housing and financial income, and gather medical and personal documents.

If you plan to live abroad or apply for a new status, you should also obtain health insurance for travel abroad in advance. Ukrainians can do this online through Visit Ukraine—it is one of the basic documents required for many visa and immigration procedures.

We remind you! In 2024, women in the EU received pensions that were a quarter lower than men’s, according to Eurostat data. Read about which countries have the largest gap and how the average and median figures differ.

Photo: konstantinraketa / Freepik

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