Ukrainians in Lithuania get temporary protection and residence permits extended

The Government of Lithuania has extended temporary protection for Ukrainians who left the country due to the full-scale war until 4 March 2028. The decision aligns Lithuanian rules with the decision of the Council of the European Union.

This was reported by the Ministry of the Interior of Lithuania.

The extension allows Ukrainians who are in the country under temporary protection to continue legally residing and working in Lithuania. Temporary residence permits issued on this basis will be valid until 4 March 2028.

“The war in Ukraine continues, so for the people who have left it and today live in Lithuania, we must ensure clarity and stability,” — said Minister of the Interior of Lithuania Martinas Katelinas.

The Migration Department has been replacing the current digital residence permits of Ukrainian refugees since 5 October. The new documents will also be valid until 4 March 2028.

For Ukrainians already enjoying temporary protection, the replacement procedure has not changed. No additional requirements are introduced, and the document replacement is free of charge.

The application must be submitted through the Lithuanian migration system MIGRIS. After filling in the form, the applicant must book a visit time and personally come to the chosen division of the Migration Department with the originals of the necessary documents.

Ukrainians may choose any division of the Migration Department regardless of their place of residence in Lithuania. The finished digital document will be sent to the MIGRIS account through which the application was submitted.

For children under 16 years of age, the application is filled in by parents or guardians. Minors over two years old must also personally visit the migration division together with at least one of the parents or a guardian.

According to the Migration Department of Lithuania, more than 52,000 Ukrainian refugees currently hold valid residence permits on the basis of temporary protection.

In total, since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, almost 109,000 people arriving from Ukraine because of the war have been registered in the MIGRIS system. Some of them later left for other countries, returned to Ukraine, or received a residence permit in Lithuania on other grounds.

For new applicants, a separate rule introduced earlier applies: from 5 August 2026, Lithuania grants temporary protection to Ukrainians subject to military conscription only upon confirmation of fulfilment of the relevant requirements or legal exemption from them. This restriction does not apply to applications submitted before that date.