Denmark is considering a proposal to limit shelter for Ukrainians fleeing the war from certain regions deemed to have been less affected. The plan, articulated by Immigration and Integration Minister Morten Bodskov, aims to include 14 specific Ukrainian regions on a restricted list: Cherkasy, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnytskyi, Kirovohrad, Kyiv region (excluding Kyiv city), Lviv, Poltava, Rivne, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Volyn, Zakarpattia, and Zhytomyr.
The Danish government is also looking to extend the special law providing temporary residency for Ukrainians until March 2028. This legislation enables individuals forced to flee Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict to obtain residency under simplified conditions.
As of now, Danish municipalities have taken in approximately 47,600 displaced Ukrainians, with some areas experiencing significant strain on resources. Bodskov noted, “Therefore, the government wants to adjust the rules so that only those Ukrainians who need protection the most can be granted residency permits under favorable terms.”
Additionally, there are proposals to change the rules governing social assistance for Ukrainians, which would require beneficiaries to work under the same conditions as other social assistance recipients. The government also intends to abolish special educational provisions for Ukrainian refugees, which currently allow them to study in English or Ukrainian and to access remote education from Ukraine.
Similar restrictions have been implemented in Norway and Switzerland, leading to a decrease in applications from Ukrainians in those countries, according to Danish ministry reports.
Context
- As of July 15, over 4.38 million Ukrainians were granted temporary protection across EU countries, which provides residency, employment rights, medical and social support, and access to education for children.
