Denmark’s parliament is expected to pass a law on Thursday that closes the special Ukrainian residence scheme to men aged 23 to 60 who fall under Ukraine’s mobilization rules.
The Folketing is set to vote on the bill on Thursday, August 27. Avisen Danmark, citing the news agency Ritzau, reports that a large majority of parties supports the change. The bill was tabled by Minister for Immigration and Integration Morten Bødskov of the Social Democrats.
The proposal amends the so-called special law for Ukrainians, introduced in March 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That law allowed Ukrainian citizens to obtain residence in Denmark without going through an ordinary asylum case. It applied regardless of gender, age, or mobilization duty.
Per Bødskov, speaking during the bill’s first reading, Danish residence rules are not meant to be used to avoid mobilization into the Ukrainian armed forces. He said such use helps undermine Ukraine’s war effort, and that Danish legislation should ensure Ukrainians can continue their fight for freedom.
According to the Ministry of Immigration and Integration, around 9,300 men in the affected age group who hold or have held a permit under the special law were still registered as living in Denmark as of May 1, 2026. The ministry says it cannot state how many of these men are subject to military service obligations in Ukraine.
The change to Danish immigration rules applies only to applications submitted after June 25, 2026, the date the bill was introduced. In practice, it will affect newly arrived Ukrainian men in the age group who have military obligations, or men already covered who need their residence permit extended.
European rules tightened in July
As reported by Avisen Danmark, the European Union tightened its rules for new applicants for temporary protection from July 30. Under those rules, applicants must be able to document that they have fulfilled their military obligations in Ukraine in order to obtain residence in another European country.
Denmark is not covered by the EU rules because of the Danish opt-out on justice and home affairs. With the bill, the government is proposing that Denmark follow the new European line anyway.
At the first reading, the government parties were joined in support by the Danish People’s Party, Liberal Alliance, the Conservative People’s Party, and the Denmark Democrats. Amanda Heitmann of Venstre stated that her party is also positively inclined toward the bill.
The Red-Green Alliance was the only party present at the first reading to oppose the amendment to the special law. The 2022 law remains in force for Ukrainians outside the affected group and for applications submitted before June 25, 2026.
