Temporary Protection in the EU Through 2028: What Restrictions Might Be Imposed on Ukrainian Men of Draft Age

29.06.2026, 12:37 visitukraine.today

The European Commission plans to amend the conditions for granting temporary protection to Ukrainians. Some men of draft age may lose the ability to automatically obtain this status in EU countries. Learn more about the new conditions for temporary protection in the EU and exactly who will be affected by the restrictions

The European Commission has proposed extending temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens in the European Union until March 4, 2028. At the same time, the proposed changes include significant restrictions for a certain category of men.

We explain below exactly who might lose their right to automatic protection and under what conditions.

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The proposed changes target men of conscription age who arrive in EU countries after the new rules take effect. The key criterion will be whether or not they have official confirmation of their right to leave Ukraine.

A man will be eligible for temporary protection in the EU provided that he:

In the absence of such confirmation, temporary protection under the new rules will generally not be granted.

Can you travel after the 90-day visa-free period ends? — we explain here.

The restrictions do not apply to Ukrainians who have already been granted temporary protection status in one of the EU member states. The European Commission’s proposal applies exclusively to those who arrive after the updated rules take effect. The main goal of the initiative is to maintain support for existing beneficiaries of protection while taking into account Ukraine’s defense needs.

About IDP benefits in 2026 — read more in this article.

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The formal right to apply for asylum will remain in place for all categories of individuals. However, the asylum procedure differs fundamentally from the temporary protection mechanism: it involves an individual review of each case and does not guarantee automatic granting of status.

Currently, the European Commission’s proposal must undergo the approval process at the EU level. The new rules will take effect only after the decision is officially adopted and published. Until then, the current procedure for granting temporary protection remains unchanged.

Changes in EU migration policy could significantly affect the legal status of Ukrainians abroad. The immigration lawyers at the Visit Ukraine portal can help you navigate the nuances of temporary protection, the asylum process, and other legal options for staying in the EU.

Submit a request on the Visit Ukraine website to receive professional advice!

Reminder! In a previous article, we reported that the “Home” platform for Ukrainians abroad was launched in Ukraine.

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