Eligibility Quiz
Requirements
You qualify for temporary protection if you meet all of the following:
Nationality and residency before the conflict:
- You are a Ukrainian citizen who was residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 and left on or after that date, OR
- You are a family member of a Ukrainian national (spouse, stable partner, unmarried minor child, or dependent parent or adult child living outside the EU), OR
- You are a stateless person or third-country national who held international protection or equivalent national protection in Ukraine before 24 February 2022, or held a permanent residence permit in Ukraine and cannot safely return to your country of origin
Proof of presence and departure:
- You must demonstrate you were residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 (through documents, residence records, or other evidence)
- You must show proof you left Ukraine on or after 24 February 2022, primarily through an exit stamp in your passport
Critical edge case — missing exit documentation: If you fled without an exit stamp (because you came from an area under attack, dangerous conditions prevented border processing, or you crossed informally), you are not eligible for temporary protection. You may instead be offered special protection (protezione speciale) under Article 19 of the Consolidated Immigration Act if you do not apply for international protection.
Disqualifier — existing international protection: If you already hold refugee status or another form of international protection, you cannot access temporary protection. However, you have the right to apply for international protection at any time; your application will be examined when your temporary protection expires.
No age, income, education, or employment requirements apply — temporary protection is available regardless of your skills, financial situation, or employment status.
Conditions & Warnings
Proof of departure from Ukraine (exit passport stamp) is required. Those unable to provide proof are typically denied temporary protection and offered special protection instead.
Renewal applications must be submitted within 60 days before expiration; missing the deadline can automatically suspend work authorization.
Processing delays are common: Questura backlogs have reached 6 weeks in some areas. Plan ahead for renewals, especially at the start of the year.
Travel outside Italy is restricted by Italian law; you need prior authorization from the Questura that issued your permit, despite EU rules allowing 90-day Schengen travel.
Border guards in some Schengen states may not have updated systems reflecting the March 2026 automatic extension; carry a print-out of the Official Gazette notice and your expired card when traveling.
Qualifications
Fees
Procedure is free of charge. Optional administrative fees (€80–120) may apply for document processing or third-party services, but are not mandatory government fees.