Irregular Status in Migration Policy: Why It Matters in Ukraine Now

In March 2025 Europe Without Barriers, in partnership with the DignityFIRM project, organized an expert discussion on migration governance and irregular status in Ukraine. The event focused on migrants staying in Ukraine without legal residence, especially those who lost protection, failed to complete legalization, or are working informally. The disruption of administrative processes, internal displacement, and weakening oversight mechanisms further contribute to the emergence and persistence ofirregular status in Ukraine. These challenges increase the risk of exploitation and hinder Ukraine’s ability to manage migration effectively during its path towards EU accession. This Policy Brief presents conclusions to improve Ukraine's opportunities to adapt EU approaches to its context and implement mechanisms that reduce undeclared work, protect vulnerable groups of migrants, and ensure transparency in labour relations.