Hungary intends to continue providing protection to Ukrainian men of conscription age

The Hungarian Government reserves the right to grant protection to Ukrainian men of conscription age who enter the country. This is reported by ‘European Truth’, citing a statement by the Hungarian Prime Minister, Péter Magyar. According to him, a few weeks ago the European Union adopted a decision under which Ukrainian men of conscription age who have problems with their military registration documents will not be able to receive temporary protection in EU countries.

Hungary, the Prime Minister said, voted against this decision. “At the same time, the government has decided that Hungary will act differently and continues to reserve the right to grant refugee status to men of conscription age who flee to Hungarian territory,” Magyar stated. He clarified that this primarily concerns ethnic Hungarians from Transcarpathia. The Hungarian Prime Minister also criticised the EU’s decision, stating that he considers it “unworthy and incomprehensible”, as, in his view, it effectively restricts the ability of fathers and grandfathers to leave a country that is at war.                              

📌 As a reminder, at the end of July, the EU extended temporary protection for Ukrainians until 4 March 2028. At the same time, additional conditions apply to newly arrived Ukrainian citizens subject to military service, particularly regarding military registration documents. Ukrainians planning to move to Hungary should check the final conditions for obtaining protection immediately before their journey, as the rules are subject to change.