Young men from Ukraine increasingly coming to Germany

Almost 1.3 million Ukrainian refugees have come to Germany since Russia launched its war of aggression in February 2022. At the start of October 2025, the central register of foreign nationals recorded 1,293,672 individuals who had been granted temporary protection since the war began. Until recently, the majority were Ukrainian women with children, or pensioners. Now, though, large numbers of men under the age of 22 have begun to arrive.

This is because Ukraine's government has changed the rules on who is permitted to cross the border. Since August 28, restrictions have been lifted on men aged between 18 and 22 leaving the country. This has led to a huge rise in the number of Ukrainian men in this age group registering in Germany: From around 100 a week to almost 1,000, according to the German Interior Ministry.

New influx of Ukrainian refugees?

The Ukrainian Consulting Center in Berlin confirmed that, since September, it has seen a big increase in the number of young men seeking its support.

"Before that, young men in this age [group] were not so much represented among the people whom we help," said Elina Waehner, the center's coordinator. She explains that the advice center held more than 440 consultations in September, and that 13% of them were with young men in this category. It's a significant increase on the summer, when they made up only 0.1% of the total.

Some of these young people go straight to the reception center for immigrants, while others initially stay with friends or relatives in Germany. The advice center comments that the young men are unusual in that they have a "relatively high level of education." Most of them want to obtain temporary protection to secure their right to stay in Germany; then they can apply to study, or look for a job.

Building a future in Germany

Giving men under 22 permission to leave the country provoked a mixed reaction. Critics say Ukraine cannot afford to lose its young generation, especially in times of mobilization. On social media, young men who leave the country are often reviled as "deserters" or "traitors."

"All my friends in Ukraine are happy for me," says Maksym, adding: "Not even the ones serving in the Ukrainian army have said I'm abandoning the country and ought to fight."

When he left Ukraine, Maksym says, there were only a few men his age on the bus. He comments that anyone taking this step sees it as an opportunity, but he said is prepared to return if integrating abroad proves too difficult. He believes that the things people learn in Germany can be put to good use if they do go back to Ukraine.

Serhiy said there were eight other young men on his bus, and they were all very happy after they got through passport control.

"Once we were through, everyone shouted: Hurrah, we did it!" he says.