Temporary protection in Spain, who qualifies and how long it lasts

Key rules

• End date: Temporary protection currently runs to 4 March 2027, and anything later needs a new EU decision.
• Work: Your permit already allows work, so you need no separate work permit.
• Where to apply: You apply in person in Spain, normally with an appointment.
• No resources: If you have no money, you can ask for a place in the state reception system.

Who qualifies

Temporary protection covers people displaced from Ukraine. You qualify if you are:

• a Ukrainian national who lived in Ukraine before 24 February 2022, or a family member of one;
• a stateless person, or a third-country national with international protection or permanent residence in Ukraine, who cannot return safely, or a family member of one;
• a third-country national with valid Ukrainian residence who cannot return safely to your own country.

Spain also covers Ukrainians who were already in Spain before 24 February 2022, including those without legal status. If you are in another group, you may still have other residence options. The Ministry of Interior decides these cases one by one.

How to apply

You apply in Spain, in person. Go to one of these:

• a reception and referral centre run by the Ministry of Inclusion (Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante, Málaga or Vitoria);
• a police foreigners' office (Oficina de Extranjería);
• a national police office.

You normally need a prior appointment through the Interior Ministry website. Offices and appointment systems change, so check with the police or the Ministry of Interior before you travel. The documents and checklist below show what to bring.

After the interview you receive a certificate of temporary protection and an NIE.

What it gives you

• A residence permit that lets you work as an employee or self-employed. You do not need a separate work permit.
• Access to the public health system. Register at your town hall (padrón), then ask for your health card at your local health centre. Each region runs this, so the steps can differ.
• Access to education, social services and some benefits.
• A residence card for temporary protection, valid for one year. It is renewed automatically or through a police procedure. Renewal steps can change with each EU extension.

If you have no resources, you can enter the state reception system. It offers housing, food, social and psychological support, Spanish lessons and legal help. You start in a reception centre, then move to a phase where you get help with rent and settling in. Ask a reception centre or an NGO to get in. You may also qualify for the minimum income (IMV). Confirm current benefits with the Ministry of Inclusion.

How long it lasts

Your protection and permit run to 4 March 2027. Your residence card ends when EU protection ends. Anything after that date depends on a new EU decision, so watch for news and check with the Ministry of Interior.

Timeline and deadlines

• Your protection and residence permit run until the current end date: until 4 March 2027

• Renew your one-year residence card, automatically or through the police procedure: when your card reaches its one-year validity

• Look for news of a new EU decision on extending protection: before 4 March 2027

Documents you need

• Your passport or national ID, to prove who you are.

• Proof of residence in Ukraine, to show you lived there before the cut-off date.

• Proof of your entry date into Spain.

• Proof of family ties, such as a document showing your relationship, if you apply as a relative of someone covered.

• Proof of registration at your town hall (padrón), which you will need later to get your public health card.

Checklist

• Gather your passport or ID, proof of residence in Ukraine, your entry date and, for relatives, proof of family ties.

• Go in person to a reception and referral centre (Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante, Málaga or Vitoria), a police office for foreigners or a national police office.

• Collect your certificate of temporary protection and your NIE (foreigner identity number) after the interview.

• Check with the Ministry of Interior whether the EU has extended the protection end date.

• Ask a reception centre or an NGO about the state reception system if you have no resources.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a separate work permit with temporary protection?

No, you do not need a separate work permit, because your residence permit already lets you work as an employee or be self-employed. You can start looking for work as soon as you hold the permit.

How do I get a public health card with temporary protection?

You first register at your town hall (the padrón), then ask for the health card at your local health centre. Once you have it, you can use the public health system like other residents.

What happens to my residence card when a year has passed?

Your residence card is valid for one year, in line with the EU extensions. It is renewed automatically or through a procedure at the police, and it ends when the EU protection ends.

What help can I get if I arrive in Spain with no money?

You can ask to enter the state reception system, which offers accommodation, food, Spanish lessons and legal help. After an initial phase in a reception centre, you move to a phase with help with rent.