The extension of temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees in the European Union is significantly influencing their long-term plans. Many Ukrainian women who fled to EU countries at the start of the war are now living with uncertainty, worrying about the future of their temporary status or seeking ways to obtain a permanent residence permit valid after March 2028. This summer, the EU and Switzerland extended the temporary protection for Ukrainians already in the region until March 2028. However, new arrivals must now prove they were exempt from military service in Ukraine and left the country legally. According to Eurostat, over 4.4 million Ukrainians currently benefit from this temporary protection in the EU, with fewer returning to Ukraine over time. Experts suggest that older women with higher education may be more likely to return due to better career opportunities at home. In countries like Poland, Germany, and Ireland, Ukrainian women shared their experiences under the temporary protection regime. In Poland, Inna Bezroda, who fled from Kyiv with her two children in 2022, now lives in Warsaw with her husband, who supports the family. Inna has cancer and cannot work, so her husband's job provides the family with health insurance and medical care. However, if she were to live alone, she would lose access to free healthcare after 2026 due to new policies. Inna notes that while Polish society's attitude toward Ukrainians has slightly worsened, she has found support and friendship among locals. Poland hosts over 970,000 Ukrainians under temporary protection, with most working in jobs that do not match their qualifications. Despite the challenges, Ukrainians in Poland contribute significantly to the country's economy, helping to increase its GDP. In Germany, the situation for Ukrainian refugees differs. As of 2026, around 1.3 million Ukrainians have temporary protection status, and a growing number of men are among them. Many Ukrainian men, like Maksym, are struggling with restrictions that prevent them from traveling freely between Ukraine and Germany. Maksym runs a tourism business focused on Ukrainian customers and is waiting for the war to end so he can return to a more stable life. However, he criticizes the restrictions and believes many may seek refuge outside the EU if they cannot stay in Germany. The job market in Germany is challenging for Ukrainians, with only 39% employed, due to strict integration policies and a closed labor market. In Ireland, the right to stay is closely tied to employment and housing. Natalia Minailo, who arrived in 2022 with her daughter, has been working part-time in a museum and running guided tours. Ireland introduced a pathway to permanent residency for Ukrainians who meet strict employment and housing criteria, but the housing crisis makes this difficult. Many Ukrainians still live in state-provided housing, but finding private housing is nearly impossible due to high rents and competition. Natalia, who lives with an Irish family, hopes for an extension of the temporary protection to give her more time to meet the housing requirements. While she has grown attached to Ireland, she still considers Ukraine her homeland and remains uncertain about her future. For now, she continues to live day by day, navigating the challenges of her new life in Ireland.