The Norwegian government has announced significant changes to its refugee acceptance policies for Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60. These individuals will no longer qualify for temporary collective protection and must now apply for asylum under standard procedures.
This policy shift, confirmed by the government press service, is set to take effect soon. Justice Minister Astrid Aas-Hansen stated that Norway has already welcomed the largest number of Ukrainian refugees in the Scandinavian region, leading to increased pressure on local services and housing shortages.
“We are tightening restrictions because we believe that as many people as possible should remain in Ukraine to participate in the defense and support of Ukrainian society,” Aas-Hansen explained.
The new regulations will not apply to men who are officially exempt from military service or deemed unfit, nor will they affect those evacuated from Ukraine for medical reasons. Single parents and guardians arriving with children will also be exempt from these new rules.
Additionally, the changes will not impact Ukrainians who have already received temporary collective protection in Norway.
The government first announced these changes in late February 2026. Earlier, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized that mobilization is an internal matter for Ukraine, while Oslo focuses on establishing a stable support mechanism for incoming refugees.
As of the end of 2025, nearly 27,000 Ukrainians who arrived in Norway since the onset of the Russian invasion were officially employed in the country.
Norway has updated its refugee policies, requiring Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 to apply for asylum instead of collective protection. This decision aims to alleviate pressure on local services while encouraging more individuals to remain in Ukraine.