Cyprus extends temporary protection for Ukrainians until 4 March 2027: how the residence permit is renewed

Cyprus has extended temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens for another year — until 4 March 2027. The extension happens automatically: those who already hold temporary protection status on the island do not need to file a new application or apply for a new document. This follows from the EU Council decision, which applies to all member states.

What exactly happened

On 13 June 2025, EU member states unanimously supported extending temporary protection for Ukrainians, and the formal Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1460 was adopted on 15 July 2025. Protection has been extended from the previous date of 4 March 2026 to 4 March 2027. The decision changes neither the categories of persons covered by protection nor the scope of their rights — only the period of validity changes.

Cyprus implemented this decision at the national level: the Ministry of the Interior announced that the right to temporary protection is automatically extended by one year for those Ukrainians who have already received such status in the Republic of Cyprus.

Who this concerns and what to do

If you already have temporary protection in Cyprus:

• You do not need to file a new application with the Asylum Service.
• You do not need to apply for a new biometric residence permit from the Civil Registry and Migration Department — the previous status is extended automatically.
• Keep your registered address of residence up to date. Correspondence about the permit is usually sent to the address held in the register, so if you have moved — update it so you do not miss anything.

Exception: fingerprints for children

According to some reports, in certain cases it may be necessary to provide fingerprints (biometrics) — in particular for a child who has turned 6 after the previous document was issued. We have not found this exception in official explanations from the Asylum Service or UNHCR Cyprus, so treat it as unofficial information. Be sure to verify the exact procedure, age and timeframes directly with the Asylum Service of the Republic of Cyprus.

If you are applying for the first time

Persons applying for temporary protection for the first time are still required to submit an application — electronically through the Asylum Service website or in person at the Asylum Service headquarters in Nicosia. The automatic extension applies only to those who already hold the status.

Does support change

The scope of rights and support remains unchanged along with the extension of the status. Beneficiaries of temporary protection in Cyprus retain:

• a residence permit;
• access to the labour market;
• access to housing, including the rent subsidy scheme (Rent Subsidy Scheme) for those temporarily staying in hotels;
• medical care;
• access to education for children.

For questions about the rent subsidy scheme and other social services, there is a free government hotline 1450.

What happens next

Alongside the extension of protection, on 16 September 2025 the EU Council adopted a recommendation on a coordinated exit from the temporary protection regime after 2027 — in particular, the transition to other legal statuses (for example, long-term residence) and a gradual return to Ukraine. This is a recommendation, not a decision to cancel the status: the current period of protection is until 4 March 2027. Verify current details on the website of the Asylum Service of the Republic of Cyprus and on the UNHCR Cyprus page, and keep your registered address updated.