What is the difference between temporary protection and refugee status? What is better to choose?

1. Refugee status:

• The process: Lengthy, bureaucratic, involves individual review of each application.
• Passport surrender: You must surrender your passport at the time of application.
• Restrictions: During the application period (up to 6 months), the person is not allowed to work.
• Objective: To protect people who are persecuted because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group.
• Benefits: Refugee status is a long-term solution and may become a basis for citizenship in the future.

2. Temporary protection:

• Process: Granted quickly, without consideration of individual applications, as a collective mechanism for displaced persons.
• Rights: Immediate right of residence, access to the labour market, housing, medical care and education for children.
• Time limit: Temporary protection is valid for a set period of time (up to a maximum of 3 years) and is not renewed after this period.
• Objective: To protect people displaced by war or massive influxes in order to reduce the burden on asylum systems.
• Passport retention: Individuals keep their documents and can work immediately after receiving temporary protection.

What is the best option?

• For Ukrainian citizens who have fled abroad due to the hostilities, temporary protection is usually the more appropriate choice. It provides immediate access to basic rights and opportunities.
• If necessary and in the case of a long-term stay abroad, a transition to refugee status can be considered after the expiry of temporary protection.