Switzerland closes access to protective status for Ukrainian men of military age from August 20

From August 20, 2025, Switzerland has stopped granting special protective status S to Ukrainian citizens of military age.

The corresponding decision was made by the country’s Federal Council at a meeting on August 19, according to the government’s website.

The restrictions apply only to new applications submitted from August 20 onward. Those who have already received status S retain it. For all other categories of Ukrainian refugees, Bern extended the validity of the status until March 4, 2028.

In an official press release, the government explained its decision as follows:

“There are still no signs of a lasting stabilization of the situation in Ukraine. Therefore, status S for persons from Ukraine seeking protection will be extended until March 4, 2028. Support measures for persons with protective status S will also remain in effect until that date. In addition, from August 20, protective status S will be restricted for certain additional groups of persons.”

The government explained the introduction of restrictions for men of military age as a necessity to bring Swiss practice into line with that of the European Union, while noting that Bern is not legally obliged to comply with Brussels’ decisions.

On July 30, EU member states extended temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 4, 2028, while simultaneously restricting access to it. Under the new EU rules, from July 31 temporary protection is granted only to those who fulfill the military obligations in force in Ukraine. The requirement applies to Ukrainian citizens of conscription age, persons in the reserve, and those who have voluntarily joined the armed forces. Switzerland applied a similar approach.

More than 73,000 Ukrainians hold status S in Switzerland. It was introduced in March 2022 and grants the right to reside in the country; Ukrainians may renew it annually.

Shortly before this, the Czech Republic also began denying protection to Ukrainian men of military age.