Seven Belgian MEPs from the Greens, Socialists and Renew groups have raised concerns that children born in Ukraine after 24 February 2022 to mothers with temporary protection in Belgium are being denied the same status, leaving them without secure residence, health insurance or basic rights after 90 days. The MEPs argue this undermines family unity and the best interests of the child, as protected under EU law.
The parliamentary question, tabled on 8 June 2026, targets the European Commission, asking whether it is aware of the situation and has assessed its compatibility with the Temporary Protection Directive and Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382. The MEPs note that families are instead directed to family reunification procedures, which they say contradicts the directive's aim of preserving family unity and avoiding diverging statuses within the same family.
the Commission must clarify whether Belgium's approach complies with EU rules, whether it respects family unity and children's best interests, and what action it will take to ensure a consistent approach across Member States. The MEPs implicitly call for extending temporary protection to these children, citing recital 14 of the Council decision, which allows Member States to extend protection to additional categories.
The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will signal whether it views Belgium's practice as a breach of EU law or a permissible national interpretation, and could lead to infringement proceedings or guidance to Member States.