New rules for internally displaced persons: they may be removed from the registry for prolonged absence from Ukraine

From October 22, 2026, a new law “On ensuring the rights and freedoms of internally displaced persons” will come into force in Ukraine, which changes the rules for IDP registration. In particular, a person may be deregistered even without their personal application in case of prolonged stay outside Ukraine. This refers to Law No. 4924-IX, adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on July 1, 2026. The document takes effect three months from the date of its publication – October 22, 2026.

According to Article 10 of the law, deregistration at the request of the IDP themselves is provided, in particular, in the case of return to the abandoned place of residence or departure abroad for permanent residence. At the same time, the law establishes cases when a decision to deregister may be made without the person’s application.

One such ground will be departure abroad for permanent residence or staying outside Ukraine for more than 90 consecutive days or more than 180 days in total during a year.

Exceptions are provided. If a person stays abroad longer than the established periods for justified reasons, they may not be deregistered. The list of such reasons and the maximum periods of stay abroad must be determined by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

Also, IDPs may be deregistered without an application if the person:

• did not notify within the established period about voluntary return to the abandoned place of residence;
• submitted knowingly false information that was the basis for their registration;
• received a criminal conviction that has come into legal force for crimes against the foundations of Ukraine’s national security or for justifying or denying Russian aggression;
• left abroad for permanent residence;
• stays outside Ukraine longer than the periods established by law without justified reasons.

In addition, the law provides for the possibility of deregistration if conditions for safe, voluntary and dignified return to the abandoned place of residence have been restored, as well as in the event of a person’s death or their being declared dead. The procedure for establishing the fact of restoration of safe conditions must be determined by the government.

At the same time, deregistration is not irreversible. If the circumstances that led to a person’s deregistration change, they will have the right to submit an application again to be registered as an internally displaced person.

Previously issued IDP certificates will remain valid after the new law comes into force and will not require mandatory replacement. If they wish, a person will be able to replace such a certificate with an extract from the Unified Information Database on Internally Displaced Persons.

Earlier we wrote:

• Without a new application: some displaced persons’ payments will be extended for six months
• A modular settlement for displaced persons will appear in the Korabelnyi district: Senkevych signed the order
• There are houses but no money for utilities: Mykolaiv may lose housing for displaced persons in the Korabelnyi district
• Five houses for IDPs are stalled: Mykolaiv deputies did not approve the land in the Korabelnyi district
• €140 million for housing: IDPs from occupied territories will receive vouchers, veterans — preferential mortgages