Temporary protection in Spain for Ukrainians in 2026: extension, rights and the move to a residence permit

What temporary protection is and who qualifies

Temporary protection (protección temporal) is a special EU mechanism activated in March 2022 for people forced to leave Ukraine. It rests on the EU-wide temporary protection directive, which the EU Council has extended several times. In Spain temporary protection runs until 4 March 2027, and TIE cards have been extended automatically (Orden INT/96/2026). At EU level protection has been extended to 4 March 2028, but the Spanish order for 2028 has not been published yet. Since 5 August 2026 new applicants have to prove that they have fulfilled their military service obligations.

In Spain the status is granted and extended by the migration branch of the Ministry of the Interior (the asylum and refugee office, OAR), while the practical document work goes through the Oficina de Extranjería and police stations (Comisaria de Policia).

As a rule, the status is available to:

• Ukrainian citizens who left because of the war;
• stateless people and third-country nationals who held a valid residence permit in Ukraine;
• family members of the categories listed above.

Certain categories (for example third-country nationals with a non-permanent status in Ukraine) are assessed individually, and here a properly assembled body of evidence matters especially. If you are unsure whether your situation falls within a protected category, it is wiser to check before filing rather than after a refusal.

From 5 August 2026, new applicants are granted protection only if they have fulfilled their military service obligations in Ukraine. It is up to the applicant to prove this: with an exit stamp in the passport or a verifiable document, for example an extract from Reserve+. This does not apply to people whose protection in Spain had been in force continuously on 4 August 2026. Practice varies from province to province, so before you set off we will tell you which documents to take.

Rights: work, healthcare, education, benefits

The main value of the status is that it opens access to legal life and the economy straight away, without waiting for the long asylum procedure. Here is what temporary protection actually gives you:

• Work without a separate permit. You can take a job as an employee (cuenta ajena) or register as an autónomo (cuenta propia), with no additional work authorisation to obtain.
• Public healthcare. Access to the public health system and a tarjeta sanitaria issued through the health centre (centro de salud) for your registered address.
• Education for children. Enrolment in state schools and access to the education system on the same footing as residents.
• Banking and finance. Opening a bank account as a resident, which you need for work, renting and receiving payments.
• Housing. Renting and, if you have the funds, buying property (a purchase requires a NIE and a notary, with an escritura).
• Social support. Access to benefits, subject to conditions.

IMV and RMI benefits: what to expect

The two main levels of social support people ask about most often:

The exact amount depends on the size of your household, your income in the previous period and the region where you live, so it is more accurate to speak of a benchmark than of a fixed guarantee. Before filing it is important to check that you meet the criteria and that your registration (padrón) and documents are in order, so that the application is not rejected on a technicality.

TIE and extending the status in 2026

The physical proof of the status is the TIE card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) marked with temporary protection.

In Spain temporary protection permits and TIE cards have been extended to 4 March 2027 by Orden INT/96/2026. The extension is automatic: you do not need to book an appointment or file anything separately for it. At EU level protection has been extended to 4 March 2028, but the Spanish order for 2028 has not been published yet, so keep an eye on official announcements on the Ucrania Urgente portal.

If you do need a new card or another document, we will help you book the appointment and prepare the paperwork.

Moving to another residence permit: arraigo, work, nomad

Temporary protection is temporary by nature, and as a general rule the time spent on it does not count towards the five years needed for long-term residency. So the strategically sound move is not to wait for the last day but to build the transition to a full residence permit in advance. The main legal routes:

1. Arraigo (settlement)

A group of grounds for regularisation based on your ties to Spain. The most commonly considered are:

• arraigo social, with a sufficient period of residence and proven integration (registration, sometimes an employment contract or sufficient funds);
• arraigo laboral, on the basis of work activity and its documentary evidence;
• arraigo sociolaboral, a mixed option with an employment contract;
• arraigo para la formacion, through training leading on to employment.

The specific ground and set of requirements are chosen individually to match your residence history. What is critical here is that your registration (padrón) has been continuous and is documented.

2. Work permit

If you have an employer ready to offer a contract, you can move to residency based on employment (cuenta ajena), or work as an autónomo (cuenta propia) and switch to the corresponding ground. Clean paperwork matters: the contract, the taxes, the contributions.

3. Digital nomad visa (nomada digital)

Suited to those working remotely for foreign clients or a foreign company. You need to prove your income (the benchmark is tied to a multiple of the SMI), a track record of working together and the remote nature of the work. It is one of the most promising routes for young professionals and entrepreneurs, with tax advantages at the outset too.

Beyond that, the option remains of moving into the international protection procedure (asilo) with refugee status or subsidiary protection, but that is a separate track with its own timelines and risks, and it should be weighed up deliberately.

Common mistakes and risks

Most problems come not from the complexity of the law but from timing and formalities. What to watch out for:

• Not following official announcements. The extension to 4 March 2027 is automatic, but the Spanish order for 2028 has not been published yet. Check the Ucrania Urgente portal regularly so that a change in dates or conditions does not catch you out.
• Assuming the time automatically counts towards permanent residency. The period on temporary protection is generally not counted towards the five years for long-term residency. The route to a stable residence permit has to be built separately.
• Interrupting the padrón or never registering. For arraigo, continuous documented registration is critical. Gaps in your residence history close off some of the routes.
• Risky trips. Long absences, including trips back to Ukraine, can put the extension of your status in doubt. Short trips within the Schengen area are possible, but it is important to understand how the status works before you go.
• Applying for benefits without checking the criteria. Mistakes in income, household composition or registration lead to refusals under IMV and regional programmes.
• Thinking about the transition too late. The best time to choose your route (arraigo, work, nomad) is well before your current status ends, while there is room to gather documents without rushing.

How Krepko helps

Temporary protection is not a one-off piece of paper but a status whose dates need watching and which you should exit properly into a stable residence permit. The protection itself is granted by the state free of charge, usually within about a day at a CREADE centre, and Krepko does not apply for it or extend it on your behalf. What we do: we review your situation, keep track of your dates and help you choose the best route, whether arraigo, a work permit or nomada digital.

• gathering and checking documents, support at CREADE and at the TIE appointment;
• help with the padrón, a bank account and a school place for your children;
• a calendar of your dates and tracking of official announcements on the extension;
• assessing your entitlement to IMV and regional benefits;
• a strategy for moving to a full residence permit and preparation for filing;
• sworn translations, notary, bank and related services.

The principle is simple: one team, one point of contact. You do not run between different specialists or assemble the process from pieces: we coordinate the deadlines and documents, while the specialist legal steps are performed by a licensed professional. You can reach us on WhatsApp +34 624 309 985 or through the free consultation form.

We help with the move from temporary protection to standard residency, from choosing the ground to the new card. See our Residency in Spain service, or simply leave a request and we will tell you what your case needs.