Germany has changed its protection rules for Ukrainian men
Germany will no longer grant temporary protection to newly arrived Ukrainian men between the ages of 23 and 60 who are not exempt from military service. The new rule applies to those who arrived in the country on or after July 31, 2026.
Germany has changed the conditions for granting temporary protection to Ukrainians. The restriction applies to men aged 23 to 60 who are subject to military service in Ukraine and have no legal grounds for exemption from it. This applies only to Ukrainians who arrived in Germany on or after July 31, 2026.
Those who arrived earlier and have already been granted temporary protection are in a different situation. Their status will be automatically extended until March 2028. In other words, the new rules do not mean that Germany is en masse revoking the protection of Ukrainian men who are already in the country.
Can Ukrainian men be deported?
The German Ministry of the Interior has specifically clarified that the mere absence of temporary protection does not automatically lead to deportation. “Ukrainian citizens who are in Germany illegally may be deported if there are valid general legal grounds for the deportation of foreign nationals,” the German Ministry of the Interior stated.
At the same time, Ukrainians can apply for asylum in Germany. Such applications will be reviewed by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. But there is also an important point to note here. The mere fact that a man is subject to military service in Ukraine is not an automatic basis for granting asylum. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the individual’s specific circumstances.
What Has Changed in the EU
The new rules are linked to the European Union’s general decision regarding Ukrainians. In July, EU countries agreed to extend temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 4, 2028.
However, separate conditions have been established for Ukrainian men of draft age. To receive temporary protection, they must confirm that they are fulfilling their military obligations in accordance with Ukrainian law.
Consequently, the rules have become stricter for Ukrainian men of draft age who decide to travel to Germany after July 31, 2026. At the same time, men who were already in Germany before that date and had temporary protection will automatically retain it until 2028. DW reports this.
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