A legislative change will bar most Ukrainian men aged 18–60 from group based temporary protection in Norway, while specific exemptions and current beneficiaries remain protected.
The Government of Norway has approved changes to the legislation regarding temporary collective protection for refugees from Ukraine. Official information was released by the press service on March 27.
“Men aged 18 to 60, with some exceptions, will no longer receive collective protection in Norway”
– The Norwegian Government’s press service
How will the changes affect Ukrainian men in Norway
According to Justice and Public Security Minister Astri Aas-Hansen, since autumn 2025 the country has seen “too many migrants, especially young men” arrive.
Norway ranks highest among the Nordic countries in the number of Ukrainian arrivals, while municipalities face housing shortages and growing demand for services.
Aas-Hansen notes that tightening immigration policy aims to ensure that the country does not take in disproportionately many people compared with its neighbors, and to ease the search for work for those who are already in Norway.
“We also consider it important that as many people as possible stay in Ukraine in order to contribute to the defense effort and support Ukrainian society,” she added.
New rules mean that men aged 18–60 no longer fall under collective protection, where a temporary residence permit was granted based on a group assessment. Applications for asylum will be considered normally, and in line with the practice of the Immigration Service, only a small number of them have the right to protection on an individual basis.
Restrictions will apply only to new applicants and will not affect those who already have temporary collective protection in Norway. The rules will also not apply to men who are legally exempt from military service or “clearly unable to serve,” or those who have been evacuated for medical reasons.
Exceptions will apply to men who are the sole guardian of a child – this applies only to the father of the child or another close family member.
The intention to limit protection for Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 in Norway was announced as early as February this year.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Norway has provided political, military, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. At the same time martial law was introduced, restrictions were imposed on travel for those liable for military service and conscripts aged 18–60.
The establishment of the new rules means changes in access to temporary protection for Ukrainian men, while preserving fundamental exceptions and protective mechanisms for special circumstances.