Information guide

Temporary protection extended until 2027

The Council of Ministers decree of 29 December 2025 sets a new horizon for legal planning for Ukrainian refugees. Extending Article 20 until 4 March 2027 stabilises the status of people under protection, giving them uninterrupted access to the labour market, the education system and the national health service (SSN, Servizio Sanitario Nazionale).

If Ukraine is officially recognised as a “safe country” at EU level, Article 20 permits could be revoked before the deadline. To limit the negative consequences, your strategy should be to prepare for a move to other types of permit, without waiting for temporary protection to run out.

Despite the legislative stability, the permit is not renewed automatically, so the required procedural steps must be followed carefully.

Which to choose: rinnovo or conversione?
– Rinnovo (renewal) — if you need time or do not yet have a stable job.
– Conversione (conversion) — if you want to move to a long-term status and are formally employed.

1. Renewing the permesso di soggiorno per Protezione Temporanea (temporary protection residence permit, Art. 20)

Keeping your legal status requires active initiative from the document holder. The renewal procedure (rinnovo) is mandatory if you are to avoid falling into irregular stay.

What you need to do:

book an appointment at the Questura (police immigration office) — online via PRENOTAFACILE or by phone, depending on the city.

Checklist for renewing the permit

– 4 passport-size photos (formato tessera);

– your residence permit (permesso);

– your original valid passport;

– a full photocopy of your passport (personal data page and every page with stamps/visas);

– a document confirming your address (dichiarazione di ospitalità, etc.);

Dichiarazione di ospitalità (declaration that you are being housed): the minimum procedural requirement.

Residenza (certificato di residenza, registered residence): recommended as the “gold standard” of evidence — it shows deep social integration and is a strong argument in future status conversions;

– a €16 marca da bollo (revenue stamp);

– the receipt for the €30.46 payment;

– for children: birth certificate with translation.

Ukrainian citizens arriving in Italy during 2026 keep the right to obtain a first residence permit on the same grounds, which underlines the continuity of Italy’s humanitarian policy.

Completing the Article 20 procedures keeps you legal for now, but for long-term stability you should consider the conversion options described below.

2. Conversione: the path to long-term stability

Conversione (conversion) means moving from temporary protection to another type of permit, usually:
– permesso per lavoro subordinato (employment),
– permesso per lavoro autonomo (self-employment).

This step suits those who already work or have a job offer.

A conversion request can only be filed while you hold a valid permesso di soggiorno. This means the document must be valid on the day you apply — expired or revoked permits are not accepted for conversione.

You apply at a post office that offers the “Sportello Amico” service.

– At the “Sportello Amico” counter you will be given the envelope (kit), and they will check that it has been filled in correctly.
– After applying you will receive a ricevuta (receipt) — the official confirmation that temporarily replaces the permesso di soggiorno.
– The ricevuta shows a tracking code and the date of your Questura appointment for fingerprinting (fotosegnalamento).
– When applying you must pay the postal fee and the state charges (bollettini), whose amount depends on the type of permit you are converting to.
– All documents proving your work (UNILAV, contract, partita IVA (VAT number), etc.) must be valid and up to date.

Important
Conversion is only possible within the permitted categories (lavoro subordinato, lavoro autonomo).
If your permesso is about to expire, you are advised to apply in good time rather than waiting until the last day.
After applying through the post office, you are legally present in Italy on the basis of the ricevuta until the new document is issued.

3. Strategic paths for holders of Protezione Speciale (special protection, Art. 19)

Article 19 (special protection) acts as a strategic bridge, allowing an emergency status to be turned into stable labour migration.

In 2026 it is not possible to file a new application for Protezione Speciale (Art. 19 T.U.I.). After the changes introduced by earlier government decrees, this form of protection is no longer issued afresh and new applications are not accepted.

It is important to know, however, that the situation is different for those who already hold a valid permesso di soggiorno per protezione speciale issued earlier.

The decree published on 31 December 2025 (Decreto‑Legge 31 dicembre 2025, n. 201) contains specific provisions precisely for Ukrainian citizens who were already in Italy before 24 February 2022 and obtained a permesso di soggiorno per protezione speciale.

Under DL 201/2025:

– residence permits for protezione speciale issued to Ukrainian citizens can be renewed (rinnovati) at the request of the person concerned;
– renewal is possible until 4 March 2027;
– the rule only concerns those who already hold such a document, so it does not open the possibility of a new Art. 19 application.

An analysis of the available paths:

1. Conversion to a work permit (Lavoro): This is the priority path for people who are integrated into the country’s economy. Holders of Protezione Speciale are entitled to change their status to a Permesso di soggiorno per motivi di lavoro (work residence permit), provided they comply with employment law. This move takes the person out of the “temporary protection” sphere for good and makes them highly competitive on the labour market.
2. Renewal (Rinnovo): If there are no grounds for conversion, the renewal procedure is started. The case is examined by the Commissione Territoriale per la Protezione Internazionale (Territorial Commission for International Protection), which makes the process lengthy. Depending on the province, you book your appointment either through the Prenotafacile portal or by going to the Questura in person.

Where conversion under Article 19 is not possible, consider moving to the general international protection system.

4. International protection (Art. 10): how to proceed in the transition period

Using Article 10, Protezione Internazionale (international protection), is a preventive safety measure in case the temporary programmes end suddenly. It creates what is known as a “legal reserve”.

The procedure for applying for Protezione Internazionale

1. Expressing the intention: Submitting the application (form C3) to the immigration office. This is an absolute right both for people without documents and for holders of valid temporary protection.
2. Identification and registration: Fingerprinting and official registration of the application.
3. Legal suspension (Sospensione): The key rule is that the case will only be examined on its merits after temporary protection (Art. 20) expires or is officially revoked.
4. Activation of the proceedings: If the Emergenza Ucraina regime ends, the applicant’s file automatically moves into the active queue for examination by the Territorial Commission.

Strategically, it makes sense to apply for Protezione Internazionale in advance, to secure a place in the queue in case the political line on Ukraine’s “safety” changes.

5. Technical rules and regional differences in dealing with the Questura

The Italian migration system is highly decentralised. Each Questura has autonomy in setting the technical arrangements for dealing with applicants.

How to find your way:

– Booking systems: In the large provinces (Rome, Milan, Naples) the Prenotafacile portal dominates. In other areas you may have to appear in person or book by certified e-mail (PEC).

– Procedural accuracy: Failing to meet local requirements on how housing is documented can lead to your documents being refused.

Legal analysis confirms that the period until March 2027 is a unique window of opportunity. Legal status is only the basic tool that opens the way to:

Recognition of educational qualifications and academic degrees;

Access to state-funded vocational courses;

Full participation in the social and health care systems.

Use this period not just to renew your documents, but to develop long-term strategies that allow Ukrainian citizens to strengthen their dignity and professional position in Italy. Turning a temporary stay into lasting development is our shared professional mission.

Legal residence status is the first and fundamental step towards realising your personal and professional potential in Europe.

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