Ukrainian Refugees Abroad Can Now Claim War Compensation Through New European System
Netherlands, 24 February 2026
The Council of Europe’s Register of Damage has launched a groundbreaking compensation category allowing 6.8 million displaced Ukrainians worldwide to seek reparations for war-related losses. This marks the fifteenth claim category available, covering non-material harm from involuntary displacement since Russia’s invasion began.
New Claims Process Opens on War Anniversary Eve
The Register of Damage for Ukraine opened Category A1.2 claims for ‘Involuntary displacement outside of Ukraine’ on 22 February 2026, just one day before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion [1]. This timing underscores the urgency of providing compensation mechanisms as the conflict enters its fourth year, with over 6.8 million Ukrainians remaining displaced outside their homeland [1]. Category A1.2 specifically addresses non-material harm suffered by those forced to leave Ukraine or unable to return since 24 February 2022 [1]. The new category represents the fifteenth type of claim opened by the Register, demonstrating the expanding scope of documented damages from the ongoing war [1].
Eligibility and Application Process
Currently, Category A1.2 claims are open exclusively to Ukrainian nationals, though the system will extend to people of other nationalities following technical arrangements [1]. Individuals who have been granted temporary protection or asylum are automatically considered involuntarily displaced outside Ukraine for the purposes of this category [1]. Claimants can submit applications through the Diia web portal, where they must provide details about their departure circumstances from Ukraine, information about crossing state borders, and documentation of temporary protection, asylum, or other residence status in foreign countries [2]. The application process requires clear documentation of displacement occurring since the war’s outbreak on 24 February 2022 [2].
Scale of Displacement and Previous Claims Success
The magnitude of Ukrainian displacement represents one of Europe’s largest refugee crises since the Second World War [GPT]. Over 115,000 claims have already been submitted to the Register across all available categories, indicating substantial engagement with the compensation mechanism [2]. Beyond displacement claims, Ukrainian refugees can submit applications under 14 other categories covering various war damages, including loss of life, injury, property damage, and other violations of international law [2]. The Register of Damage serves as the first operational component of a broader international compensation mechanism established under the Council of Europe’s framework [1].
International Legal Framework and Future Implications
The compensation system gained significant legal backing in December 2025 when 35 states and the European Union signed the Convention Establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine [1][2]. This international agreement provides the legal foundation for what could become one of the most comprehensive war reparations programmes in modern history. The Register’s documentation efforts serve dual purposes: providing immediate pathways for individual compensation claims whilst building a comprehensive record of war damages that may prove crucial for future legal proceedings and post-conflict reconstruction planning. For Ukrainian refugees living in countries such as the Netherlands, this development offers tangible hope for acknowledgement and compensation of their losses, even as temporary protection arrangements continue to evolve across European Union member states [3].