Temporary protection in Estonia for Ukrainians

Where to apply for protection?

In Estonia, as in other EU countries, Ukrainians can apply for temporary protection status. The temporary protection granted is valid until March 2027.

Ukrainians are entitled to residence, work, financial support, health insurance and education. Citizens of Ukraine and their family members who resided in Ukraine before February 24 and left Ukraine due to the military conflict since February 24 can apply for temporary protection.

Applications for temporary protection can be submitted to the State Border Guard Service. It is necessary to book an appointment before the visit. The procedure consists of filling out an application form, as well as taking your photo and fingerprints. You must bring your identity documents or other documents, such as a birth certificate.

Temporary protection status for Ukrainians who have arrived in Estonia since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine is about to expire. However, it can be extended - below is how to do it.

Conditions for extending temporary protection status in Estonia

According to the Vice Chancellor of the Ministry of Culture, Eda Silberg, a refugee must have a registered place of residence to apply for an extension of temporary protection status. Adult refugees must either be employed or registered as unemployed with the Unemployment Fund. Minor refugees must attend kindergarten or school in Estonia.

In addition, every Ukrainian who wants to extend his or her temporary protection period must undergo an adaptation program.
It consists of a one-day training on life in Estonia and a basic Estonian language course lasting 100 academic hours, which is approximately three months.
At the end of the course, students will have a basic knowledge of Estonian and will know how to describe the environment, talk about themselves and their family, ask and answer simple questions.

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What is required to extend temporary protection?

In order to extend temporary protection, in addition to an electronic application, you must also visit the service hall of the Department of Police and Border Guard and take a new photo for the document in a digital kiosk. The location and opening hours of the service centers can be found here.
A person applying for an extension of temporary protection must have completed an adaptation program or be registered for it. You can register for the program here.

Documents:

• Application form for extension of temporary protection
  
• Information about close relatives and family members
  

After being photographed for the document, you will need to have access to the Internet to apply for an extension of your temporary residence permit in a self-service environment.
When submitting the application, you will need to provide your personal code and residence card details. In addition, the application must indicate in which Voivodeship Office you wish to receive a new residence card. In some cases, you may also be asked additional questions. In such cases, you will be contacted separately.

How do I register my place of residence?

You can register your place of residence at a local authority. To register your place of residence, you must provide a document confirming the right to use the premises (for example, a lease agreement) or the consent of the owner of the premises. If you have a lease agreement, this will be sufficient and you do not need the owner's consent. Read more about registering a place of residence here.

When can I apply for an extension of temporary protection?

An application for an extension of a residence permit on the basis of temporary protection can be submitted in a self-service environment no earlier than three months before the expiry of the residence permit. It is recommended to submit an application for an extension no later than one month before the expiry of the residence permit.
If a residence permit based on temporary protection has already expired, an application for an extension of temporary protection can only be submitted at a Border Guard Service Office.