The new EU rules on temporary protection apply to both women and men. If a person is subject to military service in Ukraine, their gender does not matter. This was stated by European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammer.
Earlier we wrote that Slovakia and other EU countries began to set new requirements for Ukrainian men who apply for dočasné útočisko (temporary asylum). Now the European Commission officially confirmed: the same rules apply to women who have military duty or service experience.
What has changed for Ukrainians in the EU?
The European Union extended temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 4, 2028. At the same time, a new rule appeared: Ukrainians who avoid military service risk not getting asylum in the EU.
Who and how will check this is decided by each country independently. This means that in Slovakia, local authorities will review each case under the new rules.
What documents might be required?
If you apply for temporary protection and are subject to military service, be ready to provide proof that you are not avoiding your duties. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reports that there have already been cases where even women were asked in EU countries to show data from the “Rezerv+” app.
There is no exact list of documents because each country may have its own procedures. However, the Embassy of Ukraine in Germany gives universal advice: when leaving Ukraine, ask border guards to put a stamp in your passport about crossing the border. This can help avoid problems when applying for status in the EU.
EU countries have already received a working document with explanations of the new rules. It is expected that in the coming weeks the European Commission will publish more detailed recommendations to help local authorities correctly interpret all provisions.
