EU capitals are weighing whether to restrict access for Ukrainian men of conscription age under a possible extension of the bloc’s Temporary Protection Directive (TPD), the emergency program that has granted refuge to more than 4 million people since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
According to Euractiv, the idea is being discussed as part of broader talks on the future of the program, which allows Ukrainians to live and work across the EU without going through national asylum procedures.
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The current framework runs until March 2027, following a one-year extension agreed last year.
According to an internal Council of the EU document seen by the outlet, one option under consideration is prolonging the scheme while narrowing its scope – including through “the exclusion of men of conscription age” or individuals who left Ukraine through irregular channels.
Any such changes would apply only to new arrivals seeking protection status.
The discussions come as EU governments prepare for what could become a sixth year of emergency arrangements for displaced Ukrainians.
The European Commission has already urged member states to plan a gradual transition away from temporary protection toward more stable residency pathways, though implementation has been uneven across the bloc.
Some capitals argue the framework may need recalibration amid reports that a growing share of recent arrivals are military-age men.
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Officials cited in the document also suggest that revising the scheme could serve Ukraine’s own interests – both in maintaining military manpower and preparing for post-war reconstruction.
Ukraine, now in the fifth year of its war with Russia, has faced mounting pressure on recruitment and manpower. The government lowered the mobilisation age from 27 to 25 in 2024 and has introduced additional measures to strengthen military registration and enlistment.
The issue is expected to be discussed this week by EU justice and home affairs ministers, who will offer political guidance on the next steps. Any formal extension or revision of the TPD would require a proposal from the European Commission.
As of March 2026, 4.33 million Ukrainians were registered under temporary protection across the EU. Germany hosts the largest share (1.27 million), followed by Poland (961,405) and Czechia (379,820).
Women account for 43.3% of beneficiaries, children 30.1%, and adult men 26.6%.
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