The Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) within the European Union (EU) was activated for the first time in 2022, responding to the mass displacement caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This activation marked a significant moment for the EU’s migration management framework, bringing a long-dormant mechanism into action. The TPD was designed to provide immediate, temporary protection to those fleeing crisis situations, offering displaced Ukrainians a broad array of rights, including movement, employment, and access to essential services. However, as the temporary protection period nears its end, the EU must explore exit strategies that transition beneficiaries to stable legal statuses if return is not possible, whether through extending protection, integrating them into existing asylum frameworks, or developing new legal pathways.