Denmark to stop granting protection to Ukrainian men of conscription age

The Danish government is set to change the rules on eligibility for temporary protection in the country.

Source: European Pravda, citing the Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration

Details: According to the ministry, men aged 23-60 who are not exempt from military service will no longer be able to obtain a residence permit in Denmark.

The ministry recalled that following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a majority in the Danish parliament adopted the Special Act on Ukraine. This act grants the right to temporary residence in Denmark to persons who were forced to leave Ukraine.

The government will now tighten these rules to prevent Ukrainians from using them to avoid mobilisation into the ranks of the Ukrainian armed forces.

"Denmark stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in its fight for freedom. That is why we are now amending the Special Act on Ukraine, as our residence rules are not intended to be used to avoid mobilisation in defence of Ukraine. This undermines Ukraine's military efforts and weakens its ability to defend itself against Russian attacks," said Minister for Immigration and Integration Morten Bødskov.

The changes will not affect residence permits that have already been granted.

"The government is closely monitoring the situation regarding Ukrainian displaced persons and will continuously analyse whether further changes to the Special Act on Ukraine and the rules on displaced persons in Denmark are necessary," the statement reads.

As of early May 2026, approximately 47,600 displaced persons from Ukraine who had been granted residence permits under the Special Act on Ukraine were living in Denmark.

Background:

• The European Union plans to make a decision on the status of Ukrainian refugees in July 2026; if this is not achieved, then in September.
• The Temporary Protection Directive, which came into force in March 2022, gave millions of Ukrainians access to a range of rights in the EU without overburdening the asylum system. It was initially conceived as a short-term emergency measure, but its duration has been extended several times. The directive currently runs until 4 March 2027.

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