Is it true that the European Union is preparing to deny temporary protection to Ukrainian citizens liable for military service, and does this threaten those who have already settled in Slovakia? The European Commission is finalizing the most significant changes to the Temporary Protection Directive, which will introduce substantial restrictions for new arrivals.
Who Will Be Affected by the New Restrictions
According to the draft changes, new applicants for asylum will have to prove their right to legally stay abroad. Ukrainian citizens will need to provide an official certificate from Ukrainian authorities stating that they are not subject to mobilization.
This requirement will apply to all persons liable for military service, regardless of gender. This means that a document exempting them from conscription will be requested from both men and women who are subject to military registration in Ukraine. The Deputy Minister of the Interior of Poland, Maciej Duszczyk, confirmed that work on these rules is nearing completion. The initiative to restrict conscripts came from the Ukrainian government back in early June 2026, and European partners decided to support it.
Will Status Be Revoked for Those Already in the EU
The most important consequence for over 4.3 million Ukrainians in Europe is that the new rules will not be retroactive. If you have already obtained dočasné útočisko (temporary protection status) in Slovakia or another EU country, these changes will not affect you at all.
The restrictions will apply only to individuals applying for protection for the first time after the new rules come into effect. European officials clearly distinguish between refugees who have already integrated and people who plan to leave Ukraine in the future. Statistics show that interest in leaving remains high. In the first five months of 2026 alone, almost a thousand new applications were received in neighboring Poland, with most submitted by men of conscription age.
Implementation Timeline and Protection Extension
The European Commission plans to officially approve the updated directive in July of this year. However, the new restrictions will actually come into force only in March 2027. This decision is linked to the schedule for the general extension of status for Ukrainians.
Currently, refugee status in Slovakia is officially valid until March 4, 2027, as the Slovak government adopted the relevant resolution back in February. European Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner proposed extending temporary protection for another year, until March 4, 2028, as a safe return of people home remains impossible. The Estonian Minister of the Interior, Igor Taro, supported this initiative but emphasized the importance of implementing a filter for new applicants.
What to Do Now
If your relatives or friends plan to move to Slovakia and are liable for military service, they should consider the upcoming changes in European legislation.
- For new applicants, there is a window of opportunity until March 2027, before the new requirements for certificates from the TCC (Territorial Recruitment Centers) become mandatory throughout the European Union.
- For those who already have status, it is enough to follow the official announcements from the Slovak Ministry of Interior regarding the procedure for extending cards for the 2027–2028 period.
- If there are doubts about maintaining protection in the long term, it is worth considering switching to standard forms of legalization in Slovakia. These include obtaining a residence permit through official employment, study, or starting a business.
