The government extended the granting of temporary protection to Ukrainian nationals until March 2028, while excluding from eligibility those who have not fulfilled their military service obligations in Ukraine and do not have permission to legally leave Ukraine.
The Minister of the Interior, Igor Taro, stated that “from now on, a Ukrainian war refugee applying for temporary protection must, where necessary, be able to prove that they have fulfilled their military service obligations in their home country. I emphasise that the burden of proof lies with the applicant for temporary protection. If they are unable to do so, they will not be granted temporary protection in the EU”.
According to data from the Police and Border Guard Board, at the beginning of August, 30,709 people in Estonia held a temporary residence permit on the basis of temporary protection.
- Ministry of the Interior | Siseministeerium (13 August, 2026), Valitsus pikendas Ukraina sõjapõgenikele ajutise kaitse andmist [Government extends temporary protection for Ukrainian war refugees],