Germany and Ukraine Collaborate on Returning Mobilization-Age Men from Abroad

How the New Return Process for Men in Germany Could Operate

According to Radiotrek — Світ: Ukraine and Germany are working together to establish a system for bringing back Ukrainian men of conscription age currently residing overseas. The initial step involves collecting detailed data on the locations of Ukrainians living in Germany. This information will help identify individuals subject to military service obligations. Once identified, official summons to report to territorial recruitment centers (TRCs) will be issued. Should these summons be ignored, authorities may escalate the matter to law enforcement for issuing warrants and possibly initiating extradition procedures.

The entire repatriation process is expected to take between six months and a year. It's important to note that extradition is a formal international legal process and does not guarantee immediate return upon receipt of a summons. As explained by Yaroslav Kuts,

"After the authorities receive comprehensive registration details of Ukrainians, the Ukrainian government will send out official summons instructing them to appear at the TRCs."

Furthermore, if an individual disregards these notifications,

"a dedicated unit will conduct formal proceedings including issuing suspicion notices, declaring them wanted, and forwarding cases for extradition to Ukraine."

Updates to Temporary Protection Rules

Relocating within the European Union does not exempt individuals holding temporary protection status from legal obligations. To move to another EU country, one must close all insurance policies, medical coverage, and resolve employment and other commitments in Germany. Yaroslav Kuts emphasized the necessity to:

• terminate all insurance policies,
• cancel all medical coverage,
• settle all work-related and other obligations.

Since August 5, 2026, Germany has adjusted its temporary protection regulations. Male applicants now must prove they have no military duties or are exempt from them. This requirement does not apply to those who lived in the EU before this date. Consular registration remains a key source of information on Ukrainians abroad. Ukrainian law enforcement has already utilized extradition procedures in criminal cases. For example, in July 2026, the National Police reported the extradition from Germany of a man suspected of organizing illegal border crossings for conscription-age individuals.

In summary, Ukraine and Germany are actively developing mechanisms within a joint working group to facilitate the return of men of conscription age who left Ukraine unlawfully.

This initiative is part of Ukraine's broader efforts to enforce military service obligations among citizens abroad. The cooperation with Germany highlights the critical role of international support amid the ongoing conflict. Implementing these procedures could significantly affect Ukraine's mobilization rates and demographic landscape.

As the collaboration between Germany and Ukraine progresses, understanding the methods used to identify Ukrainian men of conscription age becomes crucial. This process is not only pivotal for the repatriation efforts but also highlights the legal obligations individuals must consider. For a more in-depth look at how Germany can assist in this identification process, you can read about it here.