On 22 October 2026, the new Law of Ukraine “On Ensuring the Rights and Freedoms of Internally Displaced Persons” comes into force. It changes the state’s approach to working with IDPs. However, people who already have the status will not have to go through the procedure again. Lawyer Liliia Yermolenko explains what exactly will change and what to pay attention to.
From 22 October, a new law on internally displaced persons will take effect in Ukraine. As a result, people with IDP status may have questions: will they need to replace their certificate, confirm the fact of displacement again or re-register?
If a person already has IDP status, the new law coming into force does not in itself mean that they have to submit documents again or go through the registration procedure. So there is no need for re-confirmation.
Your current IDP certificate does not need to be replaced either
IDP registration certificates issued before 22 October remain valid. This means there is no need to contact the relevant authorities just because the new law has come into force.
At the same time, a person may, if they wish, replace the certificate with an extract from the Unified Information Database on IDPs. The extract can be in paper or electronic form. Both forms will have the same legal force.
You will not have to confirm again where you left from
Another question IDPs may be concerned about is whether they will have to prove again that they lived in the territory they left. If a person has already been registered as an IDP, there is no need to confirm this fact again.
The relevant information is already in the Unified Information Database on IDPs. At the same time, the new law introduces an obligation to report a change of place of residence.
If an IDP has moved to another city or town in Ukraine, they must inform the relevant authority or Administrative Service Centre (TsNAP) within 30 calendar days of arriving at the new place of residence.
So after 22 October, it is important not only to actually change your address but also to update the information about it on time.
What will change for those who go abroad
The new law also separately regulates IDPs’ stays outside Ukraine. It provides for deregistration if a person stays abroad for more than 90 consecutive days or more than 180 days in total within a year.
However, there are exceptions for justified reasons for staying outside Ukraine. Which reasons will be considered justified and what time limits will apply in such cases is to be determined by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Therefore, the final rules on IDPs’ long-term stays abroad should be assessed in light of the relevant government procedure.
What IDPs need to do now
If a person already has IDP status, there is no need to re-issue documents specifically before 22 October.
However, lawyer Liliia Yermolenko advises paying attention to a few practical things: check that the information about your place of residence is up to date, remember to report a move within the set deadline, and take the new rules into account if you stay abroad for a long time.
There is also no need to rush to replace your current IDP certificate – it remains valid.
In essence, 22 October will not be the date when IDPs have to “start all over again”. The new law does not provide for mass re-issuing of certificates or re-registration of people.
At the same time, the very approach to internal displacement is changing – from simple registration to systematic work with people’s needs, their adaptation and integration, as well as creating conditions for a safe, voluntary and dignified return.
This material was prepared with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation within the project “From Participation to Influence: IDP Councils as a Platform for Dialogue and Change”. The material reflects the position of the authors and does not necessarily coincide with the position of the International Renaissance Foundation.
