Denmark to stop granting protection to Ukrainian men of conscription age
Denmark will no longer grant temporary residence permits to Ukrainian men aged 23-60 who are not exempt from military service, aiming to prevent use of the asylum system to avoid mobilization. Already issued permits remain valid.
The Danish government announced amendments to the Special Act on Ukraine, which has allowed Ukrainians to seek temporary protection since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
Under the new rules, men aged 23 to 60 who are not exempt from military service will no longer be eligible for a residence permit in Denmark. The Ministry of Immigration and Integration stated that the changes are intended to prevent Ukrainians from using the country's residence rules to evade mobilization into 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 mobilization in defence of Ukraine. This undermines Ukraine's military efforts and weakens its ability to defend itself against Russian attacks," said Immigration and Integration Minister Morten Bødskov.
The changes will not affect residence permits that have already been granted. As of early May 2026, approximately 47,600 displaced persons from Ukraine were living in Denmark under the Special Act.
The European Union plans to decide on the status of Ukrainian refugees in July 2026, or in September if no agreement is reached earlier. The Temporary Protection Directive, which came into force in March 2022, currently runs until 4 March 2027.
