The EU may exclude Ukrainian men of draft age from temporary protection: what do we know?

The EU is discussing the future of the Temporary Protection Directive for Ukrainians, which is currently in effect until March 2027. Find out whether men of draft age could lose their right to temporary protection if the scheme is extended again

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EU capitals are considering excluding Ukrainian men of draft age from a possible future extension of the Temporary Protection Scheme — a mechanism that has provided refuge to over four million Ukrainians since the start of russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. This is mentioned in an internal EU Council document reviewed by Euractiv.

Read also: Can Europe return men to Ukraine? The Ministry of Internal Affairs explains how the procedure works.

What does the internal EU Council document propose?

Among the options under discussion is extending temporary protection while narrowing its scope. Specifically, the document notes a proposal to “exclude men of conscription age” or individuals who left Ukraine illegally.

Key point: any such restriction would apply exclusively to new applicants seeking temporary protection after a potential revision of the scheme. Current beneficiaries will remain under protection until the end of the directive’s current term.

Back in March of this year, Euractiv was the first to report that EU countries were exploring the possibility of another extension of the scheme, which could extend its validity for a sixth consecutive year.

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Why do some EU countries support the restrictions?

A number of national governments have expressed concern that “a growing proportion of recent arrivals consists of men of conscription age.” Several states insist that revising the system is “also in Ukraine’s own interest”—both to support its resistance to russian aggression and to facilitate future efforts to rebuild the country.

If you or your loved ones are in the EU and want to understand how changes to temporary protection status will affect your specific situation, it is advisable to consult with experts. Visit Ukraine’s immigration lawyers help Ukrainians navigate the legal landscape and protect their rights abroad.

How many Ukrainians currently have temporary protection in the EU?

As of March 2026, 4.33 million Ukrainians had temporary protection status in EU countries. The largest numbers were accepted by:

● Germany — 1.27 million people;

● Poland — 961,405 people;

● the Czech Republic — 379,820 people.

These three countries together account for over 98% of all beneficiaries. By gender and age distribution: 43.3% are women, 30.1% are children, and 26.6% are adult men.

What is happening with temporary protection: the European Commission’s position

Last year, the European Commission called on national governments to prepare for the gradual phasing out of the scheme and, in 2024, adopted recommendations for a “coordinated transition” of Ukrainians to more stable legal statuses. However, progress in this direction remains uneven across member states.

At this time, the European Commission has not yet announced whether it will officially propose a new extension of the scheme. A Commission spokesperson, in response to a query from Euractiv, confirmed that negotiations with national governments are ongoing.

The future of the temporary protection scheme will be discussed by migration ministers at this week’s Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting.

They are expected to provide political guidance on next steps. However, any potential extension or revision of the directive must be formally initiated by the European Commission.

We remind you! While the influx of refugees to Europe has dropped to a minimum, the number of actual deportations is breaking records. EU countries are tightening control measures, issuing hundreds of thousands of departure orders and sending people back. Read which countries most often deport foreigners and why they are denied entry at the border.

Photo: claudiodiv / Freepik

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