End of Automatic Protection: German Interior Ministry Closes Doors to Ukrainian Men

The German Interior Ministry has tightened temporary protection rules, denying special status to draft-age Ukrainian men arriving after July 31, 2026, without proof of military service compliance or legal departure.

New Temporary Protection Rules in Germany for Ukrainian Men

Newly arrived refugees from Ukraine of draft age must be exempt from military service to receive temporary protection in Germany. Individuals staying in the country illegally are subject to deportation, the German Ministry of the Interior announced on Thursday in response to questions from Deutsche Welle. Ukrainian men aged 23 to 60 who are fleeing Russia’s war against Ukraine and have not been exempted from military service in Ukraine can no longer receive temporary protection in Germany, the ministry stated.

Deadline of July 31, 2026, and Military Service Proof Requirement

This restriction applies to men who arrived in Germany after July 31, 2026. The relevant provision of the EU Council decision entered into force on that date, the ministry specifies. According to the decision, temporary protection is granted exclusively to those who “have performed military service in Ukraine.” To confirm this, Ukrainians must present proof of legal departure from Ukraine or exemption from military service obligations, the German Ministry of the Interior reported.

Legal Protection for Prior Arrivals and Extension to 2028

The new rules do not apply to Ukrainian men aged 23 to 60 who were already staying in Germany by July 31, 2026, and hold temporary protection under Article 24 of the Migration Act. Temporary protection for them, as for all other Ukrainian refugees in Germany, is automatically extended until March 2028 in accordance with the EU Council decision.

Individual Asylum Applications and BAMF Stance on Military Service

Draft-age Ukrainian men who lack the basis for temporary protection and wish to remain in Germany may apply for asylum in the country. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) will review each application individually, the German Ministry of the Interior stated. At the same time, it clarified: “Military service in Ukraine does not in itself constitute a basis for protection under asylum law.”

Announcement of Deportation for Illegal Residents

Answering a question about the possibility of deporting Ukrainian men aged 23 to 60 who cannot prove they are exempt from military service and legally left their homeland, the Interior Ministry stated: “Ukrainian citizens staying illegally in Germany may be deported if general legal grounds for expelling foreigners exist in their case.”

EU Compromise: Tighter Rules Due to Kyiv’s Defense Needs

In July, EU countries agreed to extend temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until March 4, 2028. Thus, the special status for refugees fleeing the war between Russia and Ukraine will be extended for another year. At the same time, an exception was introduced for Ukrainian men of mobilization age due to the “justified needs of Ukraine” so that it can “defend itself,” commented Jim O’Callaghan, Minister of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration of Ireland, which currently holds the EU presidency.