Denmark has proposed major changes to its refugee policy for Ukrainians, aiming to stop granting emergency residence permits to military-age men fleeing the war. The move comes as Ukraine faces mounting pressure to replenish troop numbers amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The Danish government announced plans to amend its special wartime legislation, known as the Ukraine Special Act, which was introduced in 2022 to provide temporary shelter for Ukrainians displaced by the war. Under the proposed changes, Ukrainian men aged 23 to 60 would no longer qualify for temporary residence permits unless they can prove exemption from military service.
For Ukrainian men under the age of 23, residence permits would only remain valid until they reach draft age.
Morten Bødskov defended the proposal, stating that Denmark’s asylum system should not be used as a means to avoid military mobilization.
“Denmark stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in its fight for freedom. The Ukraine Special Act was never intended to be used as a tool to evade military service. Such actions weaken Ukraine’s defense capabilities,” Bødskov said.
Ukraine currently enforces strict mobilization laws, with men aged 25 to 60 required to serve, while most men between 22 and 60 are prohibited from leaving the country. However, draft evasion has become a growing concern, with reports of men attempting to flee abroad to avoid conscription.
As of May 2026, nearly 47,600 Ukrainians were residing in Denmark under the special protection law. The proposed policy shift could significantly affect thousands of military-age refugees currently living in the Nordic nation.
The decision reflects a broader trend across Europe. Earlier this year, Friedrich Merz signaled that Germany may also tighten protections for Ukrainian refugees, arguing that young men are needed to defend their homeland.
Similarly, Switzerland has already announced plans to reconsider asylum protections for military-aged Ukrainians, while reports suggest the European Commission is encouraging EU member states to review refugee policies.
Ukraine’s manpower crisis has intensified as Russian forces continue to advance along key frontlines. Controversial mobilization practices, often referred to online as “busification,” have sparked criticism and protests, with some recruits and families alleging abuse, forced enlistment, and neglect of medical conditions.
At the same time, public support for Ukrainian refugees in countries like Poland has reportedly declined, fueled by political tensions and historical disputes between Warsaw and Kiev.
Denmark’s proposal marks a significant shift in Europe’s approach toward Ukrainian refugees, signaling that wartime asylum policies may increasingly be tied to military obligations as the conflict enters another critical phase.
