Since August 5, 2026, the EU has changed the rules for first-time temporary protection applicants from Ukraine — and this is creating real difficulties for people who are about to submit an application.
What changed
For those applying for temporary protection for the first time who are subject to Ukraine's military service obligations, proof of a legal exit from Ukraine is now required. Accepted proof includes an exit stamp from Ukrainian border authorities in the passport, or an official document confirming exemption from or completion of military obligations. Without one of these documents, the temporary protection application won't be processed.
This rule applies only to new applicants who entered the EU from August 5, 2026 onward, and only to people subject to mobilization. Anyone who already received temporary protection and a TIE earlier is not affected — the validity of their cards is extended automatically (the latest extension runs to March 4, 2027), with no need to reapply for anything.
Why this creates a practical problem
Many people who crossed the border in the first weeks or months after the war began, or via other routes, simply don't have that stamp — it may not have been applied at the checkpoint, it could have been lost during evacuation, or the crossing happened through a route where no stamp was given at all. Obtaining it retroactively isn't always possible, and this is exactly the kind of situation where help understanding what alternative documentation a given office might accept becomes useful.
Difficulties booking an appointment — especially in remote provinces
A separate problem is finding a cita previa to submit the application. In the busiest provinces (Madrid, Barcelona) slots already get taken instantly, but in smaller, more remote provinces the situation is often even worse: offices process applications less frequently, slots open unpredictably, and there's much less information available about scheduling. As a result, people in smaller cities often end up stuck in limbo longer than those in major metropolitan areas.
How we can help
We help find and book cita previa appointments for applying for and renewing temporary protection, including in remote provinces where slots are especially hard to catch on your own. If you've run into the new requirements and aren't sure what documentation you have and what you need, message me and we'll go through your situation together and help with the appointment.