Czech Republic to stop temporary protection for Ukrainian men 23-60 from August 5
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The Czech Republic will cease granting temporary protection to Ukrainian men of conscription age from August 5, Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar announced. The move affects men aged 23 to 60 who cannot prove they have fulfilled their military duties via the 'Rezerv+' app. It comes as the Czech Republic hosts the highest number of Ukrainian refugees per capita in the EU, with over 393,000 registered.
The Policy Change
On August 5, the Czech Republic stopped offering temporary protection to Ukrainian men aged 23 to 60 unless they can prove via the 'Rezerv+' app that they have completed their military service. The rule applies to both initial and renewal applications, as well as family reunification cases. Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar said the measure would reduce new arrivals by 'tens of percent' and ease pressure on the country's healthcare and social systems. Exemptions are made for those already holding valid protection status and maintaining it continuously.
Refugee Demographics
The Czech Republic hosts over 393,000 Ukrainian refugees, the highest per capita in the EU, according to Novinky.cz. While women predominated until 2025, men accounted for a larger share of recent arrivals, with about 21,200 men aged 18-65 arriving in the past year. Authorities have repeatedly stated that the country's capacity is exhausted and that a further influx could trigger a crisis.
EU Framework
The policy follows a recent EU Council decision extending temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 2028 but excluding unverified men of conscription age. The EU directive allows member states to deny status to new arrivals who cannot confirm fulfillment of military duties under Ukrainian law, citing Ukraine's defense needs. The rules apply only to applications submitted after August 5, 2026.
What's Next
The measure takes effect immediately and will be enforced for all new applications from August 5. It remains unclear whether other EU member states will adopt similar verification requirements or if Ukraine will pressure its allies to implement the EU decision broadly.
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Czech Republic to stop temporary protection for Ukrainian men 23-60 from August 5
