Germany has extended temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 4, 2028, while introducing separate eligibility requirements for newly arriving Ukrainian citizens subject to military service obligations.
The changes were announced by the Germany4Ukraine portal and outlined in a regulation issued by Germany's Federal Ministry of the Interior and published in the Federal Law Gazette (Bundesgesetzblatt).
"Based on the decision of the Council of the European Union, temporary protection for persons from Ukraine residing in Germany as beneficiaries of protection has been extended for another year, until March 4, 2028," Germany4Ukraine stated.
The corresponding EU Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1912 was adopted on July 30, extending temporary protection for people displaced from Ukraine for another year.
On October 8, Germany published a regulation extending special entry and residence rules for people arriving from Ukraine. The regulation, signed by Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt on September 30 and approved by the Bundesrat, will enter into force on October 9.
Under the regulation, the special arrangement allowing eligible individuals to remain in Germany for their first 90 days without a residence permit and apply for one after arrival has been extended until December 4, 2027.
Separate rules apply to Ukrainian citizens subject to military service obligations who are entering the EU for the first time.
According to Germany4Ukraine, individuals entering the European Union on or after August 5, 2026, will not be granted temporary protection if they fail to comply with Ukrainian legislation on military service obligations.
For men subject to military service, this means providing evidence that they are either not subject to the relevant obligations or are exempt from them and were legally entitled to leave Ukraine under Ukrainian law.
From October 9, this category of individuals will also be excluded from Germany's special 90-day exemption from the residence permit requirement unless they can demonstrate compliance with the relevant Ukrainian legal provisions.
However, the new restrictions on temporary protection do not apply to individuals who were already receiving temporary protection in the EU before the new rules were introduced.
This exemption also covers cases where military service obligations arose later, for example, upon reaching the relevant age or being called up for military service.
