Germany will deport, in accordance with the general rules, Ukrainian men aged between 23 and 60 who arrived after 31 July 2026, are not exempt from military service and are in the country illegally, reports DW. To be granted temporary protection, they must provide proof of lawful departure from Ukraine or an exemption from military service.
Briefly about the main points
- The new requirements apply to men aged 23–60 who arrived after 31 July 2026.
- To be eligible for protection, you must provide proof of lawful departure or discharge from service.
- Those who have previously been granted temporary protection retain their status.
- A refusal of temporary protection entitles you to apply for asylum.
- Military service does not in itself guarantee asylum.
What documents might be required for the defence?
The Council of the EU’s documents list, among other possible forms of proof, a passport bearing a stamp confirming lawful departure from Ukraine, as well as a paper or electronic document confirming discharge from service or the fulfilment of military service. Temporary protection is a separate, large-scale resettlement mechanism that does not require the usual individual asylum procedure.
Who will not be affected by the changes and what further procedures might be involved
Ukrainians who were already granted temporary protection in Germany by the specified date are not affected by the new rules. Within the EU, the temporary protection scheme for other Ukrainians has been extended until 4 March 2028.
A person who is not entitled to temporary protection may apply for asylum. At the same time, military service in Ukraine does not automatically qualify a person for such status. If there are no legal grounds for their stay, Ukrainians who remain in the country illegally will be subject to standard return procedures; this does not mean automatic and immediate deportation.
