EU extends Ukrainian refugee protection to 2028, excludes new military‑age men

EU member‑state ambassadors agreed on 15 July 2026 to prolong the temporary‑protection scheme for Ukrainian refugees until 4 March 2028. The extension secures the right to reside, work, receive health care, social assistance and education for the roughly 4.4 million Ukrainians already covered.

For any new applicant, the EU will require proof that the person has fulfilled or is exempt from Ukraine’s military‑service obligations. Men of draft‑age – generally aged 23 to 60 – who cannot provide such documentation will no longer be eligible for the scheme. The change follows a request from Kyiv to help replenish its armed forces. Existing beneficiaries are unaffected by the new rule.

The decision was supported by several member states, notably Poland, and was presented by Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan. The policy aims to balance humanitarian protection with Ukraine’s defence needs while maintaining the EU’s collective response to the war that began in February 2022.