Source: APC
Photo: APC

 

Belgrade, March 11, 2026 – It has now been four years since the start of the war in Ukraine, when a large wave of refugees swept across Europe (over 8 million displaced), with many passing through our country and other Balkan states. This month also marks four years since temporary protection was granted to refugees from Ukraine who remained in Serbia. Since then, each year a new decision has been made to extend temporary protection for Ukrainians in Serbia, while during this time the refugees themselves have begun to build a more permanent life in our country.

Currently, more than 1,253 people from Ukraine officially have temporary protection in Serbia. According to estimates by the Asylum Protection Center, more than 744,341 people of Ukrainian origin entered Serbia from the start of the war until January 2026, while 717,227 left Serbia in the same period. Up to 27,000 Ukrainians stayed longer in Serbia during this time.

Their daily life in Serbia carries many difficulties — in accessing healthcare, education, and meeting basic needs, as well as in socialization and integration into society.

Ukrainian refugees face problems in accessing temporary protection itself — lack of information, procedures for seeking protection, access to police stations, and documents (paper ID cards) which make it difficult to prove identity and avoid discrimination (e.g., opening bank accounts, using city transport, accessing municipal and local public services, etc.).

The position of Ukrainian refugees in Serbia is highly uncertain. Each year temporary protection is extended, but this creates psychological pressure and fears about whether they will be able to stay in Serbia or be forced to leave, what will happen, instability and uncertainty, whether they will be able to continue working, receive medical care, or send their children to school.

Access to healthcare brings challenges in terms of unhindered access to health centers, obtaining medicines, and access to secondary and tertiary healthcare (hospital treatment). Access to education and inclusion in the Serbian school system also carries challenges, with a significant number of children attending online classes organized by Ukrainian authorities. In this way, children remain isolated from peers in the communities where they live, which slows their progress in learning the language, socialization, and integration.

When it comes to access to the labor market and finding employment, Ukrainians need a temporary protection decision. Many work illegally, are paid less than local workers, and are at risk of labor exploitation.

Particularly vulnerable categories of refugees from Ukraine are single mothers, children, the elderly, and the sick. Families are often separated, which affects family dynamics and children’s upbringing.

It is important to emphasize that coordinated support from the system is lacking, leaving people to manage on their own or with the help of civil society organizations to exercise their rights.

Support for integration is also missing. Ukrainians lack assistance in learning Serbian, programs to help them understand local culture and customs, training in Serbian regulations, or support in finding housing and employment. All of this falls on the shoulders of local civil society organizations.

From all of the above, it seems that finding a systemic solution regarding the legal status and residence of Ukrainian refugees in Serbia is a priority. In this regard, recommendations from the EU Commission and EU Council to member states are clear: to grant permanent residence to refugees from Ukraine residing on their territory, beyond the framework of temporary protection, since their stay and needs are no longer temporary but permanent.

By moving from temporary protection to permanent residence and protection in Serbia, Ukrainians would gain conditions to exercise guaranteed rights and be properly accepted and included in Serbian society. In this sense, the Asylum Protection Center proposes granting asylum or permanent settlement to Ukrainian refugees — something possible without legal changes or bureaucratic delays — thereby resolving their status efficiently and quickly, and enabling their successful and rapid integration and naturalization into our society.