New rules for internally displaced persons from 22 October: who may lose IDP status and how to protect your rights

Since 22 October 2026, Ukraine’s new Law No. 4924-IX “On Ensuring the Rights and Freedoms of Internally Displaced Persons” has been in force. It changes the rules for registering displaced persons and sets out new grounds for losing IDP status, as well as new approaches to state assistance. What does this mean for people who were forced to leave their homes?

Under what conditions can IDP status be lost?

Under Part 2 of Article 10 of Law No. 4924-IX, a person may be removed from the register if they have moved abroad for permanent residence or have stayed outside Ukraine for more than 90 consecutive days or more than 180 days in total within a year.

However, this does not mean that the status is automatically cancelled after 90 days abroad. The law provides for exceptions where there are valid reasons for staying abroad. The list of such reasons and the permitted periods are to be determined by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

Do you need to reissue your IDP certificate?

No. Certificates issued earlier remain valid. The new law provides for a gradual transition to confirming status by means of an extract from the Unified Information Database on Internally Displaced Persons.

The relevant provisions are set out in Article 8 and the Final Provisions of Law No. 4924-IX.

What will happen to payments?

Article 22 of the new law provides for state support to be granted on the basis of an assessment of displaced persons’ needs.

This means that the circumstances of each individual or family will be taken into account when assistance is determined. At the same time, the law’s entry into force does not in itself mean that existing payments will automatically stop. The specific terms of assistance are set by the Government.

How to appeal against the loss of status?

If a person has been removed from the register without good grounds, they have the right to challenge that decision.

Article 32 of Law No. 4924-IX provides for administrative and judicial appeal.

First of all, you should obtain the decision on deregistration, find out the grounds for it and gather documents that support your position. If the issue cannot be resolved through administrative channels, you can apply to an administrative court in accordance with the Code of Administrative Procedure of Ukraine.

If you have any further questions about IDP status, state payments or challenging decisions of public authorities, please contact the lawyers of the “Strategic Advocacy” law association.