Despite having begun to apply Council Directive 2001/55/EC of July 20, 2001 on minimum standards for the provision of temporary protection to persons displaced by the conflict in Ukraine, there are still many practical aspects that need to be addressed in the coming days in order to have a clear picture of the actual implementation of the directive.
However, the GD Global Mobility team has made a summary of some of the most important points.
Conflict in Ukraine: How is temporary protection obtained?
Temporary protection is not granted automatically, but requires the formalization of an application and a study and response by the administration. This procedure is fast, taking into consideration the situation of displaced persons, and should be resolved within 24 hours of the application.
In order to formalize the application for temporary protection, an appointment must be made at one of the places authorized for this purpose. Currently, there are three large reception centers in Alicante, Madrid, and Barcelona, in addition to several police stations authorized to formalize applications in other autonomous communities.
As of March 17, 2022, the appointment can be made by calling the 24-hour information and appointment telephone number, on 910 474 444. Similarly, in Barcelona, the Ukrainian consulate is managing the assignment of prior appointments to apply for temporary protection at the Rambla Guipúzcoa police station. But it is understood that once the main reception center is reactivated on Friday, March 18, this could change.
The applicant must take their original passport and a recent passport-size photo with them to the appointment. If they do not have a passport, the applicant should go to the Ukrainian consulate in Spain to be granted a special identification document with which to apply for temporary protection.
During the appointment, the official must interview the applicant to prove that they meet the requirements for requesting temporary protection, as well as identify the needs that the applicant may have and provide them with necessary information (access to housing, health care, etc.).
As of the moment, the applicant will be granted temporary protection on the same day as the appointment. They will be granted a white card, similar to that of asylum seekers, but this time with a validity of one year, and automatically with a work permit. This card can be automatically extended until its expiration date.
Who can apply for Temporary Protection?
- Ukrainian nationals staying in Spain before 02.24.2022 who, as a result of the armed conflict, cannot return to Ukraine.
- Third-country nationals or stateless persons legally residing in Ukraine on the basis of a valid legal residence permit (whether permanent or otherwise as students) issued in accordance with Ukrainian law and unable to return to their country or region in a safe way.
- Ukrainian nationals who were not legally registered in Spain before 02.24.2022 and who, as a result of the armed conflict, are unable to return to Ukraine.
- Members of their families (except for the third case of unregistered persons): (i) spouse or common-law partner; (ii) their young unmarried children or those of their spouse; (iii) other close relatives who depend on them.
Benefits and aid granted by temporary protection
Persons under temporary protection are entitled to the following:
- To work as a self-employed person or for another.
- To access those benefits provided for them in the host system.
- Medical attention.
- Children under the age of eighteen shall also have the right to access education under the same conditions as nationals of the host EU country.
Access to these benefits is not automatic simply because the applicant is eligible for temporary protection. To access them, the applicant must explain the specific needs they have during the application interview, and the official will provide them with relevant information on how to apply for any of the benefits available to them.
Main centers where temporary protection can be applied for
Main centers:
- Madrid Reception, Care, and Referral Center. Pozuelo de Alarcón.
- Barcelona Reception, Care, and Referral Center. Fira de Barcelona.
- Alicante Reception, Care, and Referral Center. Ciudad de la Luz.
Centers in Autonomous Communities:
ANDALUSIA
- Almeria provincial police station.
- Cadiz provincial police station.
- Algeciras local police station.
- Cordoba provincial police station.
- Granada provincial police station.
- Huelva provincial police station.
- Jaen provincial police station.
- Seville provincial police station.
- Malaga Care, Registration, and Referral Center.
ARAGON
- Huesca provincial police station.
- Teruel provincial police station.
- Zaragoza provincial police station.
PRINCIPALITY OF ASTURIAS
- Superior Headquarters of Asturias (Oviedo).
- Gijon local police station.
BALEARIC ISLANDS
- Palma de Mallorca provincial police station.
CANARY ISLANDS
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife provincial police station.
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria provincial police station.
CANTABRIA
- Superior Headquarters of Cantabria (Santander).
CASTILLA - LA MANCHA
- Albacete provincial police station.
- Ciudad Real provincial police station.
- Cuenca provincial police station.
- Guadalajara provincial police station.
- Toledo provincial police station.
CASTILE AND LEÓN
- Ávila provincial police station.
- Burgos provincial police station.
- León provincial police station.
- Salamanca provincial police station.
- Segovia provincial police station.
- Soria provincial police station.
- Valladolid provincial police station.
- Zamora provincial police station.
CATALONIA
- Barcelona provincial police station.
- Girona provincial police station.
- Lleida provincial police station.
- Tarragona provincial police station.
VALENCIA
- Castellón provincial police station.
- Valencia provincial police station.
EXTREMADURA
- Badajoz provincial police station.
- Caceres provincial police station.
GALICIA
- A Coruña provincial police station.
- Lugo provincial police station.
- Ourense provincial police station.
- Pontevedra provincial police station.
- Vigo local police station.
REGION OF MURCIA
- Superior Headquarters of Murcia.
CHARTERED COMMUNITY OF NAVARRE
- Superior Headquarters of Navarre (Pamplona).
BASQUE COUNTRY
- Bilbao provincial police station.
- San Sebastián provincial police station.
- Vitoria provincial police station.
LA RIOJA
- Superior Headquarters of La Rioja (Logroño).
AUTONOMOUS CITY OF CEUTA
- Superior Headquarters of Ceuta.
AUTONOMOUS CITY OF MELILLA
- Superior Headquarters of Melilla.
