Hungary to grant protection to Ukrainian men liable for military service – European Commission
Hungary has refused to apply EU restrictions on granting temporary protection to Ukrainians with outstanding military service obligations.
European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert reported this, according to Censor.NET, citing European Pravda.
Details
Budapest will exercise its right to apply the EU Temporary Protection Directive only partially in order to continue providing refuge to those fleeing Ukraine to avoid military service.
"Member states have some discretion when it comes to applying the framework of the Council of the EU decision and the Temporary Protection Directive. This is provided for in Article 7 of the Temporary Protection Directive, and Hungary has informed us in this regard that it is exercising this option," Lammert explained.
The European Commission spokesperson recalled that the Council of the EU had decided that "member states should, in principle, not grant temporary protection to newly arrived persons whom the Ukrainian authorities have not authorised to leave Ukraine because of their military obligations".
"Member states have some discretion in implementing this, and that is precisely the stage we are at now," Lammert concluded.
Background
- On 4 August 2026, the EU extended temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens for another year, until 4 March 2028.
- The decision stipulates that temporary protection should be granted to Ukrainian citizens who fulfil their military obligations under Ukrainian law.
- For this purpose, they may be asked to provide a document confirming their military status or their right to leave Ukraine. The EU rules mention the Rezerv+ app among such documents.
- The provision applies to both men and women. It does not apply to people who already held temporary protection in the relevant EU country as of 30 July and have continuously maintained that status.
