The phenomenon of human migrations has been present since the beginning of the human species, and as a long-lived phenomenon it is the subject of numerous contemporary researches. From prehistoric times to the present, there are various causes of migration, among which the most common are changes in the environment, armed conflicts, the search for work, colonization, and others. An important aspect of migration research is the determination of their character as voluntary or forced. Voluntary migrations, which are usually driven by economic, family and educational reasons, are far more frequent and numerous than forced migrations, but it is precisely the minority of the migrant population that is forced to migrate for certain reasons that is the most threatened and vulnerable group in need of the protection of their rights and freedoms the most. The group of forced migrations also includes environmental migrations that cause sudden or progressive (gradual) devastating changes in the environment, which lead to the degradation of living conditions and the quality of life of people in a certain area. In modern times, environmental migrations are associated with numerous unfavorable consequences of climate change, as well as with the environmental crisis in general. Driven by the complex issue of environmental migration and migrants in the public and professional circles, a debate has developed around the use of the term "environmental migrants"/"environmental refugees" and the legal definition of the status of this group of migrants. The analysis of the Convention on the Legal Status of Refugees from 1951 leads to the conclusion that this type of migrants cannot be classified as refugees. Since political or other social circumstances do not force them to move, they do not have the rights and opportunities to exercise the protection guaranteed by refugee law. Nevertheless, for reasons of humanity and universal human rights guaranteed to all, it is necessary to ensure this group of migrants the protection of their rights and freedoms, which are often and in various ways threatened during movement along migrant routes. Despite the lack of explicit protection under international law, the developed legal mechanisms of subsidiary and complementary protection are also applicable to this group of migrants. These instruments of legal protection are found in international, regional and national legal regulations, and organizations whose mission is to provide assistance to migrants in meeting their needs and realizing basic human rights and freedoms take care of their application at the international, regional and national levels.