New restrictions for people liable for military service and extension of protection in the EU
Congress#Main events
On 26 June 2026 the European Commission officially published a proposal for a Council of the EU decision extending the temporary protection directive for Ukrainian citizens by one more year — until 4 March 2028.
The step is meant to provide stability and legal certainty for the millions of Ukrainians who have found refuge in European Union countries because of the ongoing Russian aggression. The proposal is expected to be finally approved by the Council of the EU in the near future, after which the Member States, Italy included, will adapt their national procedures to extend the validity of residence permits (permesso di soggiorno per protezione temporanea).
The main change is a restriction of the status for newly arrived men of conscription age who do not have official permission to leave the country. The measure is intended to support Ukraine's defence capability and takes into account the Ukrainian authorities' requirements on the fulfilment of military obligations. For people who are already in the EU, the conditions of protection remain unchanged. Programmes are also being developed for voluntary return and for the further integration of citizens after the war ends.
As of April 2026, the situation of people displaced from Ukraine within the European Union is reflected in the following figures:
- Total number of beneficiaries: about 4.4 million people are under temporary protection in the EU (over 4.54 million in total, counting non-EU countries such as Iceland, Norway and Switzerland).
- Demographic profile: 58% are women and about 30% are minors.
- Trend: the number remains stable, with a slight upward tendency (from 4.21 million in 2024 to 4.37 million in 2026).
Main host countries (as of 2026):
| Country | Number of beneficiaries |
|---|---|
| Germany | ~1.28 million |
| Poland | ~970,000 |
| Czech Republic | ~380,000 |
The proposal (COM(2026) 345) is based on Article 4(2) of Directive 2001/55/EC. The main reason for the extension is the continuing danger in Ukraine, which makes a safe and lasting return impossible for most displaced persons.
Aims of the proposal:
- Legal certainty: extending protection from 5 March 2027 to 4 March 2028 provides stability for refugees and Member States.
- Preventing overload of asylum systems: without temporary protection, national asylum systems could be paralysed by millions of applications for international protection filed at the same time.
- Supporting Ukraine's defence capability: adjusting the rules for granting the status to take Ukraine's mobilisation needs into account.
The most significant change is the introduction of restrictions for people who are required to perform military duties in Ukraine.
Key provisions:
- New arrivals: people who leave Ukraine after this decision enters into force will not be granted temporary protection unless they can prove that they left lawfully, in compliance with their military obligations.
- Who is affected: primarily men aged 23–60, as well as people who voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine before the age of 23, and women liable for military service.
- Verification method: the Ukrainian Reserve+ app, which can generate documents confirming exemption from military obligations, may be used to prove the right to leave the country.
- No retroactive effect: the new restrictions do not apply to those who already hold temporary protection status in the EU. Even if a person turns 23 while in the EU, their status is not automatically revoked.
Alternative routes:
People who are refused temporary protection keep the right to apply for international protection (refugee status) under the general rules. However, the European Commission notes that avoiding military service is not, in itself, usually sufficient grounds for asylum, although each case will be examined individually.
The EU is preparing for a gradual exit from emergency measures, with a focus on integration and voluntary return.
Main initiatives:
Pilot programme for voluntary return and recovery
A joint EU–Ukraine project to provide practical support (finding work and housing, access to education) for those who decide to return.
Transition to national statuses
EU countries are introducing mechanisms for refugees to move to long-term residence permits (in Italy, the permesso di soggiorno per motivi di lavoro subordinato/autonomo — a residence permit for employment or self-employment).
“Ukraine is fighting for the free world, and Europe stands unwaveringly in support of Ukraine in the war against Russia. Today's proposal responds to the urgent need of millions of Ukrainians… It also responds to Ukraine's current defence needs.” — Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission.
“Temporary protection should not be granted to new arrivals who are not allowed to leave Ukraine because of their military obligations… This is what Ukraine asked us for – and we are doing it.”
For the proposal to take effect:
- Approval by the Council of the EU: the decision must be adopted by qualified majority (expected by July 2026).
- Publication: the new rules (including those on people liable for military service) will enter into force on the day following publication in the Official Journal of the EU.
- Implementation: the general extension of protection will officially start on 5 March 2027.
IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR EVERYONE UNDER TEMPORARY PROTECTION IN ITALY: the right to compensation for damage
The National Congress of Ukrainian Associations in Italy (CNAUI) appeals to every fellow Ukrainian who was forced by the war to leave their home and obtained temporary protection status.
We remind you that it is necessary and extremely important to submit your claims to the Register of Damage caused by the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
Why does this concern each of us?
Being under temporary protection abroad does not take away your right to justice. Every Ukrainian citizen whose property has been destroyed or damaged, or who has suffered material losses or physical or moral suffering, has a legal right to claim compensation.
- A fully independent platform: the Register of Damage for Ukraine (RD4U) is an official international platform (set up under the auspices of the Council of Europe) that records all the crimes and destruction caused by the occupiers.
- The Ukrainian State does NOT have access to or control over your data: please note that Ukrainian state bodies and institutions have no technical or legal means to control, check or view the data and documents you submit. The platform is fully autonomous and international, which guarantees absolute confidentiality and an impartial process.
- Amounts determined automatically: once you have submitted your claim and attached the necessary evidence, it is this international platform that will finally determine and record the specific amounts of financial assistance and compensation for each case.
A guarantee of future reparations: entering your data in this Register is the only effective tool that will, in the future, make it possible to receive real payments, reimbursement and financial compensation for lost property or harm suffered, at the global level.
Documenting the truth: this is our common legal front. Every claim filed is further evidence of the aggressor's crimes for international courts.
What should you do?
Don't put it off. The Ukrainian State and international partners have made it easy to submit claims (including through the Diia app or the official Register portal). Gather all the documents you have and any photo or video evidence of the damage, and officially register your case.
Remember: temporary protection is about your safety today. Filing with the Register of Damage is about protecting your rights and your property, and restoring justice tomorrow.
Our State is by your side and the legal mechanisms work — all you need to do is take this important step and submit your claim!
