German Interior Ministry: Some Ukrainian men may be deported
Germany will not automatically grant temporary protection status to Ukrainian men aged 23 to 60 who arrive in the country after July 31, 2026, and who cannot prove that they have been officially discharged from military service or have left Ukraine legally. The German Interior Ministry said that such individuals can apply for asylum.
According to the German Interior Ministry (MV), some Ukrainian men may be deported from Germany. The ministry reported this in response to a DW request on August 13.
The procedure for granting temporary protection status to Ukrainian men between the ages of 23 and 60 who are subject to military service has been changed in Germany. According to a recent decision of the Council of the European Union, this new restriction will apply to Ukrainian men who have arrived in Germany since July 31, 2026.
Now, in order to obtain temporary protection status, they will have to provide documents confirming that they have legally left the territory of Ukraine or have been officially released from military service. The new procedure does not apply to Ukrainian men who have previously received temporary protection status in Germany.
The German Interior Ministry said that Ukrainian men of military service age who do not have grounds for temporary protection but want to stay in the country can apply for asylum. Such applications are considered on an individual basis, based on the circumstances of each individual. At the same time, the ministry noted that the presence of military service obligations in Ukraine is not a sufficient basis for granting refugee status.
The German Interior Ministry also stated that Ukrainian citizens who are illegally present on the territory of the country may be deported.
The European Union recently extended the temporary protection regime for Ukrainians who fled the country due to Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine until March 2028. This status allows citizens from Ukraine to legally live and work in EU member states. However, according to the decision of the Council of the European Union, newly arrived men who cannot prove that they have fulfilled military obligations established by Ukrainian law will no longer be automatically granted this status. The decision notes that such a requirement is being introduced taking into account the current defense needs of Ukraine.
Each EU member state independently determines what documents Ukrainian men must provide to receive temporary protection.