From July 31, 2026, Germany has officially changed its approach to admitting Ukrainian refugees. The government has stopped the automatic granting of temporary protection status (under § 24 of the Residence Act) for newly arrived Ukrainian men of conscription age. Now, to obtain a residence permit, it will be necessary to prove the legality of departure from Ukraine.
Let’s break down who exactly will be affected by the new regulations, what will happen to those already living in Germany, and what alternatives remain for those who do not fall under the new rules.
Who the New Restrictions Affect
The new requirements apply to Ukrainian citizens who meet all three criteria simultaneously:
- Male gender.
- Age from 23 to 60 years (conscription age).
- Arrival in Germany from July 31, 2026, onwards.
According to clarifications from the German Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), to obtain temporary protection for this category of persons, it is now necessary to document compliance with military duty.
What documents are acceptable:
- Documents confirming legal departure from Ukraine (e.g., permits under the “Shlyakh” system, deferment certificates, etc.).
- Documents confirming exemption from military service.
- Electronic military registration document in the “Резерв+” app with relevant markings.
Who the Changes Will NOT Affect
If you are already in Germany, there is no cause for panic. The law is not retroactive.
The restrictions do not apply to men aged 23 to 60 who:
- Entered Germany before July 31, 2026.
- Have already applied for or received temporary protection status (§ 24).
For this category of citizens, their protection status, along with all other Ukrainian refugees (women, children, elderly people), will be automatically extended until March 4, 2028, in accordance with the July decision of the EU Council.
Comparative Table of Statuses
| Date of Arrival in Germany | Required Documents from TCC | Temporary Protection Status (§ 24) | Duration of Protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before July 31, 2026 | Not required | Automatically extended | Until March 4, 2028 |
| From July 31, 2026 | Mandatory (legal departure/exemption) | Issued only with documents | Until March 4, 2028 |
What to Do for Those Who Arrived After July 31 Without Documents?
If a man of conscription age arrived in Germany after the new rules came into force and does not have documents confirming legal departure or exemption from service, he loses the right to receive § 24.
However, this does not mean immediate deportation. Such individuals still have other legal mechanisms available.
1. Applying for Asylum (Asyl)
Men who have not received temporary protection have the right to seek political asylum. Each case will be considered individually by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
Important nuance: The German Federal Ministry of the Interior has explicitly emphasized that the mere unwillingness to serve in the army or having a military obligation in Ukraine is not sufficient grounds for granting asylum. One must prove an individual threat of persecution (e.g., for political reasons), which is extremely difficult in the context of Ukraine.
2. Risk of Deportation
Lack of temporary protection status automatically places a person in the status of having no legal grounds for stay, if they have not applied for asylum or do not have other visas (work, student).
The government notes that Ukrainian citizens staying in Germany illegally may be deported if there are general legal grounds for expelling foreigners. Nevertheless, in practice, deportation to a country where active hostilities are ongoing is associated with legal and humanitarian difficulties. The risk exists, but this process will not be quick or mass.
Analysis: How Will This Affect Migration?
Germany’s decision is an expected step that aligns Germany’s internal policy with the July decision of the EU Council and the requests of the Ukrainian government.
For migrants, this means the following:
- The end of the era of “open doors” for everyone. Germany is ceasing to be an unconditional “safe haven” for men who left Ukraine illegally (e.g., through green corridors or rivers). Migration legislation is beginning to differentiate between refugees from war and draft dodgers.
- Redistribution of migration flows. Individuals without legal exit documents will be forced to seek alternative countries where the temporary protection directive is still applied less strictly, or try to legalize their status in Germany through complex work visas (which requires high qualifications).
- Increase in illegal employment. Men who are denied § 24 but physically remain in Germany (while awaiting asylum decisions or hiding) will join the ranks of the shadow labor market, as they will not be able to work legally without the appropriate residence permit.
Recommendation: Those who are only planning to travel to Germany and fall into the age category of 23-60 are strongly advised to ensure they have all supporting documents in digital (the “Резерв+” app) or paper form in advance. Without them, moving to Germany as a refugee no longer makes sense.