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Refugee status is recognised with no set time limit for the protection it affords. Subsidiary protection is recognised for a limited time period with the possibility of extension. Usually, the time period ranges from one to five years, based on the individual circumstances of the beneficiary. In 2023, 74 persons were granted refugee status and 55 were granted subsidiary protection. Therefore, 74 permanent residence permits and 55 temporary residence permits were issued to beneficiaries of international protection in 2023. Out of 55 persons who were granted subsidiary protection, 52 were Ukrainian.[1]
An individual’s right to residence is expressly stated in the operative part of the decision granting them international protection.[2] With the help of integration staff of the UOIM, beneficiaries are then issued a residence card[3], which certifies their residency right and is required to access most rights. The procedure is free of charge for beneficiaries. The issued card is valid for 10 years. In practice, it can easily be renewed before expiry.
Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection are issued a temporary residence permit that indicates the duration of the granted status, which ranges between one and five years.[4] The card can also be renewed in case their subsidiary protection is extended. Pending the extension procedure, a card with a duration of one year is issued to them. In accordance with the IPA, when subsidiary protection is extended, it is so for an automatic duration of two years.[5] Individuals whose subsidiary protection is extended are issued a new residence permit with the same validity as the subsidiary protection.
[1] Official statistics provided by the Migration directorate, March 2024.
[2] Article 92(1)(2) IPA.
[3] Article 92(3) IPA.
[4] Article 92(1)-(2) IPA.
[5] Article 66(6) IPA.