Military registration and temporary protection in the EU: can you really be refused without Reserve+?

In recent days, social media has been circulating claims that European Union countries have supposedly begun requiring Ukrainians liable for military service to prove that they have complied with their military obligations in order to obtain temporary protection. In particular, it is claimed that information from the Reserve+ app can serve as such proof, and that without the relevant documents temporary protection may be refused.

Is this accurate, and what does European law actually provide for?

What does the law say?

In June 2026, the European Commission proposed extending the temporary protection mechanism for Ukrainians until 4 March 2028. At the same time, a new approach was proposed for people applying for this status after the relevant amendments come into force.

Under the proposed provisions, new applicants may be required to confirm that they left the territory of Ukraine in accordance with the requirements of Ukrainian legislation on military duty. One of the possible ways of providing such confirmation named in the European Commission documents is information from the Reserve+ app.

However, several important nuances should be taken into account.

First, these changes do not affect Ukrainians who already benefit from temporary protection in EU countries. Their status has been extended until 4 March 2028.

Second, at this stage there is no question of an automatic refusal for everyone who does not have the Reserve+ app or another military registration document. The final decision on granting temporary protection is taken by the competent authority of the particular EU member state, taking into account all the circumstances of the case.

In addition, the rules for implementing the temporary protection mechanism may differ depending on the national legislation of an individual country. That is why reports of supposedly uniform rules across the entire European Union should be assessed critically and verified against official sources.

What to do if you are refused?

If the competent authority of an EU country has refused to grant temporary protection, this does not mean automatic deportation.

In most states, a refusal can be challenged through administrative or judicial procedures in accordance with national legislation. A person may also have the right to apply for another form of international protection or to obtain a different lawful basis for staying in the country.

If a refusal is received, lawyers recommend:

• reading carefully the grounds for the decision;
• checking the time limits and the procedure for appealing it;
• seeking professional legal assistance;
• finding out whether other lawful grounds exist for staying legally in the relevant country.

Every situation is individual, so the legal consequences may differ depending on the state in which the person is located and the specific circumstances of the case.

If you have questions or need a professional assessment of your particular situation, contact the specialists of the Strategic Advocacy law firm. Our attorneys and lawyers will analyse the circumstances of your case, provide an expert explanation, assess the possible risks and propose an individual course of action taking into account the legislation of the specific country and your personal circumstances.