The decision of the Council of the European Union to extend the temporary protection status for Ukrainian citizens until March 4, 2028, has brought long-awaited stability to millions of displaced persons. However, along with the extension, a new condition came into effect for initial applicants: confirmation of fulfillment of military duty or legality of departure from Ukraine.
In recent weeks, a legal conundrum has arisen in the migration authorities of several European countries: requirements to provide extracts from the “Резерв+” application or military registration documents have begun to be presented not only to men but also to Ukrainian women. In some cases, the absence of such certificates has led to delays or even refusals of registration.
We will explore the reasons for this situation, the official position of Ukrainian diplomacy, how Germany approaches this issue, and what applicants need to do to obtain a residence permit without problems.
Why are European officials requesting “Резерв+” from women?
The root of the problem lies in the wording of pan-European legislation. The EU Council’s decision of July 30, 2026, introduced a requirement to confirm military duty for new applicants. To avoid legal claims of gender discrimination, European legislators drafted the text in a gender-neutral form, without direct reference to the applicant’s gender or age.
At the same time, Brussels has not yet provided member states with centralized practical instructions for implementing this norm. As a result, local migration authorities have begun to interpret the regulation literally.
According to human rights defenders and diplomats, precedents for requesting military registration documents from women have been recorded in Spain, the Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria, and Belgium.
How the problem arose:
- EU Council Decision: The conditions for extending protection until 2028 and the requirements for confirming military duty were formulated in a gender-neutral manner to avoid discrimination.
- Lack of Instructions: The European Commission has not provided the Union’s member states with detailed instructions for the practical application of the new norms.
- Local Reaction: Migration authorities in several countries (Spain, Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria, Belgium) have begun requesting “Резерв+” data from all applicants, including women, if their passport does not have an exit stamp.
Why doesn’t the “Резерв+” app provide answers to European officials?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine draws attention to a fundamental nuance: the mere presence or absence of a profile in the “Резерв+” app for women does not explain the applicant’s legal status to a European inspector.
- Medical and Pharmaceutical Specialties: Ukrainian women with medical or pharmaceutical education are indeed on military registration, but this does not mean their automatic conscription or prohibition from leaving Ukraine.
- Voluntary Registration: Women in other professions can register voluntarily, but Ukrainian law does not restrict their right to freely cross the state border.
- Language Barrier and Data Formats: The application’s interface and extracts are generated in Ukrainian, and foreign officials cannot correctly interpret the markings contained within without special translation and notarization.
Official Clarifications from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine: The Main Document is the Passport Stamp
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has officially confirmed that such incidents are temporary and are due to the transition period before the release of a unified guide from the European Commission.
The Ukrainian foreign ministry emphasized the key criterion:
“If there is confirmation of the legality of departure, there should be no need to provide information from ‘Резерв+’. Known cases are not widespread and mostly concern situations where applicants could not confirm the legality of their departure from Ukraine - for example, by showing a stamp from the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine in their foreign passport indicating crossing the border to leave Ukraine.”
If a citizen of Ukraine crossed the border through an official checkpoint and has a corresponding stamp from the State Border Guard Service in their valid foreign passport, no additional certificates from the TCC or mobile applications should be required.
How are things in Germany?
In the Federal Republic of Germany, the approach of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) has been more pragmatic from the outset and strictly differentiated by categories.
- Women, Children, and the Elderly: For women of all ages (regardless of profession), as well as minors and individuals over 60, temporary protection under § 24 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) is granted in the standard manner. No demands for “Резерв+” data are made to Ukrainian women by German immigration authorities (Ausländerbehörde).
- Men Aged 23 to 60: Since July 31, 2026, for newly arrived men of conscription age, confirmation of the legality of departure (permits, deferment certificates, electronic military registration document in “Резерв+”) is mandatory.
- Previously Arrived Refugees: Those who entered Germany and obtained protection before July 31, 2026, continue to enjoy their status without any additional checks.
Comparative Table of Requirements for Initial Document Submission in the EU
| Applicant Category | Requirement in Germany (BMI) | Practice in Some EU Countries (Spain, Czech Republic, etc.) | Required Basic Document |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women (all ages) | “Резерв+” not required | Possible request if no exit stamp | Foreign passport with State Border Guard Service stamp |
| Men 23–60 years old (after 07/31/2026) | Confirmation of legal departure / TCC required | Confirmation of military registration required | “Резерв+” / deferment certificate + State Border Guard Service stamp |
| Men under 23 and over 60 years old | Not required | Not required | Passport with age confirmation |
| All refugees who arrived before 07/31/2026 | Not required (automatic extension) | Not required | Valid residence permit / registration |
Practical Guide: How to Avoid Delays When Applying for Protection
If you are planning to travel to the European Union or are preparing for your first visit to a migration office, follow this step-by-step guide:
- Check for an Exit Stamp: Ensure that Ukrainian border guards have placed a clear exit stamp in your foreign passport. This is the primary proof of legal border crossing.
- If You Left with a Domestic Passport or ID Card: Since no stamp is placed in an ID card, request an official electronic border crossing certificate in advance through your personal account on the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGSU) portal.
- For Women of Conscription Age (Doctors, Pharmacists): Having a profile in “Резерв+” is useful as backup confirmation of updated data, but emphasize the legality of your departure to the inspector.
- In Case of Unlawful Demands: If an inspector insists on a certificate from the TCC, refer to the official clarifications from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and demand a written justification for refusal, citing the directives of the national Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Journalist’s Perspective: What to Expect Next?
The current inconsistency is a typical example of “European bureaucratic inertia.” When political decisions are made in a short timeframe, national agencies close regulatory gaps in the safest way for themselves – by over-caution and requesting additional documents.
In the coming months, the European Commission will publish a unified circular for EU member states, which will clearly limit the scope of individuals subject to checks against military registries exclusively to men of mobilization age. Until then, Ukrainian women traveling to Southern and Central European countries only need to have documentary proof of legal border control passage. In Germany, the system works stably and predictably: protection for women and children is provided in the same volume.