On 28 February the Italian Official Gazette published Law 27/2026, converting with amendments Decree-Law 201/2025. The measure, which entered into force on 1 March, automatically prolongs all temporary-protection residence permits (permessi di soggiorno per protezione temporanea) issued to Ukrainian citizens until 4 March 2027(gazzettaufficiale.it). The extension aligns Italy with the latest EU Council Decision 2025/1460, which keeps the Temporary Protection Directive in force for Ukrainians displaced by Russia’s invasion.
The conversion law means holders do not need to visit police headquarters for a new biometric card; validity is updated by law and will be reflected in the immigration database. Questure will, however, issue replacement plastic cards upon request once current stocks are depleted. The law preserves access to employment, the National Health Service, education and social assistance for the estimated 173,000 Ukrainians currently residing in Italy under the scheme.
Organisations and individuals seeking extra support in navigating Italy’s evolving immigration landscape—including questions about temporary-protection extensions—can turn to VisaHQ. The platform offers step-by-step digital guidance, document verification and real-time tracking for a full spectrum of Italian visas and permits; more information is available at https://www.visahq.com/italy/
![Italy Converts Decree 201/2025: Temporary-Protection Residence Permits for Ukrainians Automatically Extended to March 2027]()
For employers, the automatic renewal removes the risk of “document gaps” that could have jeopardised right-to-work checks or payroll payments after the previous 4 March 2026 expiry. HR departments should download the circular that INPS (social-security agency) will release this week clarifying that the digital renewal code ‘27/2026 TP-UA’ is sufficient proof of lawful stay.
Immigration advisers are nonetheless urging permit-holders who plan to travel outside Italy over Easter to carry a print-out of the Official Gazette notice plus their expired card, as border guards in some Schengen states may not have updated systems by mid-March. Transport operators should brief staff accordingly to avoid denied boarding cases similar to those seen during last year’s renewal cycle.
Beyond Ukraine, the law also extends certain special-protection permits for non-Ukrainian refugees and earmarks €12 million to speed up asylum-office digitisation—a sign that Rome is finally investing in long-promised e-immigration platforms.
The conversion law means holders do not need to visit police headquarters for a new biometric card; validity is updated by law and will be reflected in the immigration database. Questure will, however, issue replacement plastic cards upon request once current stocks are depleted. The law preserves access to employment, the National Health Service, education and social assistance for the estimated 173,000 Ukrainians currently residing in Italy under the scheme.
Organisations and individuals seeking extra support in navigating Italy’s evolving immigration landscape—including questions about temporary-protection extensions—can turn to VisaHQ. The platform offers step-by-step digital guidance, document verification and real-time tracking for a full spectrum of Italian visas and permits; more information is available at https://www.visahq.com/italy/
For employers, the automatic renewal removes the risk of “document gaps” that could have jeopardised right-to-work checks or payroll payments after the previous 4 March 2026 expiry. HR departments should download the circular that INPS (social-security agency) will release this week clarifying that the digital renewal code ‘27/2026 TP-UA’ is sufficient proof of lawful stay.
Immigration advisers are nonetheless urging permit-holders who plan to travel outside Italy over Easter to carry a print-out of the Official Gazette notice plus their expired card, as border guards in some Schengen states may not have updated systems by mid-March. Transport operators should brief staff accordingly to avoid denied boarding cases similar to those seen during last year’s renewal cycle.
Beyond Ukraine, the law also extends certain special-protection permits for non-Ukrainian refugees and earmarks €12 million to speed up asylum-office digitisation—a sign that Rome is finally investing in long-promised e-immigration platforms.
