Ukrainian men aged 23 to 60 who are fleeing Russia's war against Ukraine and are not exempt from military service can no longer obtain temporary protection in Germany. DW reports this, citing the country's Interior Ministry, UNN informs.
Details
It is noted that this restriction applies to men who arrived in Germany starting on July 31, 2026. It was on this day that the relevant provision of the European Council decision entered into force. According to it, temporary protection is granted exclusively to those whose "military duty in Ukraine has been fulfilled."
To confirm this, Ukrainian men must provide evidence that they left Ukraine legally or are exempt from military service, Germany's Interior Ministry reported
It is indicated that the new rules do not apply to Ukrainian men aged 23 to 60 who were already in Germany before July 31, 2026, and have temporary protection. Their temporary protection, as well as that of all other Ukrainian refugees in Germany, is automatically extended until March 2028 in accordance with the European Council's decision.
Ukrainian men of mobilization age who have no grounds for temporary protection and wish to remain in Germany may apply for asylum in the country. Such an application will be considered on an individual basis by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees
At the same time, Germany's Foreign Ministry added that Ukrainian citizens who are illegally staying in Germany may be deported if there are valid general legal grounds for expelling foreigners in their case.
To remind you
As of the end of June, more than 4.4 million Ukrainians were staying in the EU under temporary protection, 24,000 more than in May. The largest number of such people is in Germany.