Denmark plans stricter rules for newly arrived Ukrainians

Denmark plans to limit temporary protection for some Ukrainians: what will change

In April, the Danish government will consider a bill to change the rules for granting special protection to Ukrainian citizens. The initiative may have a significant impact on newly arrived Ukrainians, particularly men of military age.

Copenhagen proposes to reconsider the approach to temporary protection against the backdrop of a pan-European discussion on migration policy and support for Ukraine.

Details of the case

According to the European media, Denmark plans to stop granting temporary protection on a general basis to new applicants from 14 regions of Ukraine that are considered to be less affected by the hostilities.

Separate restrictions are proposed for Ukrainian men aged 23 to 60. According to the draft law, they may be denied a residence permit if they do not provide documents confirming their exemption from military service.

This applies to new applications - the rules will not be automatically retroactive to those who have already received protection.

When the decision will be made

The bill is scheduled for consideration in April. Denmark is acting in line with a wider trend in Europe: Norway has previously started discussing similar approaches.

If adopted, the document could change the conditions for Ukrainians to stay in the country and affect migration flows.

Context.

After the outbreak of full-scale war, EU countries activated the mechanism of temporary protection for Ukrainians. However, in 2025-2026, some states began to revise asylum rules amid the protracted war, the strain on social systems, and internal political debates.