Grounds for termination of refugee status or temporary protection

Refugee status may be terminated if:

1. Voluntary return to the country of citizenship

• A person voluntarily decides to return to the country from which he or she fled, even if the circumstances have not yet changed.

2. Obtaining new citizenship

• If a person acquires the citizenship of another country that can provide them with appropriate protection, the need for refugee status ceases.

3. Restoration of citizenship of the country of origin

• If a person has lost the citizenship of their country of origin, but then voluntarily decides to acquire it again.

4. Change of circumstances in the country of origin

• If the danger that led to the granting of refugee status (war, persecution, etc.) no longer exists. For example:
• The end of a military conflict.
• Cessation of persecution on political, religious or other grounds.

Temporary protection status is terminated in such cases:

1. Obtaining another legal status

• For example, if a person receives refugee status, permanent residence permit or citizenship of the host country, temporary protection automatically becomes irrelevant.

2. Voluntary return to the country of origin

• If a person voluntarily decides to return to his or her country of origin, temporary protection is terminated.

3. Reaching the maximum period of temporary protection

• Temporary protection has a limited duration:
• It is initially granted for 1 year.
• Then it is automatically extended twice for 6 months (i.e. for a total period of 2 years).
• By decision of the Council of the EU, temporary protection can be extended for another 1 year (for a maximum period of 3 years).
• Upon expiry of this period, the person loses the status of temporary protection.

4. Decision of the EU Council to terminate temporary protection

• The Council of the EU may decide to terminate temporary protection early if it considers that the situation in the country of origin has become safe for return.
• This decision is based on an assessment of the current situation in the country from which the person was forced to leave.