The Danish authorities plan to stop issuing residence permits to Ukrainian citizens aged 23 to 60 who do not have an exemption from military service. This was stated by Denmark’s Ministry of Immigration and Integration.
After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, Denmark adopted a special law that allowed people forced to leave Ukraine to obtain temporary residence permits through a simplified procedure. The government now intends to tighten those rules so that, according to the statement, Ukrainian men cannot use the scheme to avoid mobilization into the Ukrainian army.
“Denmark strongly supports Ukraine in its struggle for freedom. That is why we are amending the special Ukraine law, because our residence permit rules are not intended to be used to evade mobilization into Ukraine’s defense forces. This undermines Ukraine’s military effort and weakens its ability to defend itself against Russian attacks,” Immigration Minister Morten Bødskov said.
The authorities separately emphasized that the new rules will not affect permits already issued.
As of May 2026, 47,600 Ukrainians were living in Denmark with residence permits granted under the special law.
In early June, it was also reported that the Ukrainian authorities had asked the European Union not to extend the so-called Temporary Protection Directive for men of mobilization age, namely those from 23 to 60.