The countries of the European Union on 15 July 2026 agreed to extend the temporary protection for Ukrainians until 4 March 2028. At the same time, new applicants will be required to confirm compliance with military obligations in Ukraine. This was reported by the Council of the EU.
The restriction will not automatically apply to all those liable for military service, but to people who cannot prove that they left Ukraine legally and complied with Ukrainian legislation on military registration. As proof, one can provide a passport with the appropriate border-crossing stamp, a paper or electronic document on a deferral, exemption from duties, or another lawful ground for departure.
The new rules will not apply to Ukrainians who already have temporary protection in EU countries at the time the decision comes into force. Their status and the rights provided by it will be preserved.
Important clarification: the restriction for new applicants will not take effect from March 2027, but only after the formal adoption of the decision, its publication in the EU Official Journal, and its entry into force. The extension of protection until 2028 will apply from 5 March 2027.
The Council of the EU must formally adopt the decision within the coming weeks. After publication it will take effect the next day. Currently, temporary protection in the European Union is used by 4.38 million people who fled Ukraine. Temporary protection provides the right to residence, employment, medical and social assistance, housing, and access to education for children.
Reminder: earlier we wrote:
- The EU plans to restrict temporary protection for Ukrainians subject to mobilization
- The EU may restrict temporary protection for Ukrainian men of conscription age
- Nearly one million conscription-age men from Ukraine are in the EU
- The EU extended protection for Ukrainians until 2027: what will happen after that?
- Nearly 5 million Ukrainians have fled the war to the EU: there they plan to scale back refugee protection
- Tension is rising in Poland and Germany over conscription-age Ukrainians
- The EU will not forcibly deport conscription-age Ukrainian men
