Spain temporary protection for people displaced from Ukraine has had a new condition on military obligations since 5 August 2026. Anyone filing a new application must have met their military obligations in Ukraine and, where applicable, provide evidence. It was set by Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1912, the same one that extends the protection until 4 March 2028.
What changes for you today
If you already held temporary protection in an EU Member State up to and including 4 August 2026 and keep it without a break in that same State, the condition does not apply to you. If you are about to file a new application, it does: bring the proof with you. The procedure is otherwise the same and is in the guide on how to apply for temporary protection. The text of the rule, with the extension, is in the guide to Decision (EU) 2026/1912.
What happened
The Council of the EU adopted the Decision on 30 July 2026 and the Official Journal of the EU published it on 4 August. It entered into force on 5 August. Besides the extension, article 2 says that temporary protection is only granted to people who have met their military obligations in Ukraine, with evidence where applicable.
A correction of errors was also published on 5 August and fixed the dates of that article: the condition applies from 5 August 2026 and leaves out anyone who held protection up to and including 4 August. The first text spoke of 30 and 31 July.
How it works now
The procedure has not changed:
- Where: in person, with a phone appointment, at the CREADE centres in Pozuelo (Madrid), Barcelona or Málaga, or at an enabled National Police station (list of police stations). The Torrevieja CREADE (Alicante) does not take applications: its appointments are for information and access to the reception system, and to apply you go to a police station. Addresses are in the guide to the CREADE centres.
- What you bring and what you get: passport, or an ID or travel document. At the appointment they take your photo and fingerprints and give you a receipt with your NIE. The decision arrives within 24 hours at most (Order PCM/169/2022).
- How long it lasts: the protection is extended until 4 March 2028.
- Official page: the procedure is described on the page of the Ministry of Inclusion.
What changes
- Before 5 August 2026: the application did not include this condition.
- From 5 August 2026, in new applications: you must also have met your military obligations in Ukraine, with evidence where applicable.
- How to prove it (recital 18): a legal exit from Ukraine, shown by the border crossing or the exit stamp in the passport, counts as proof that you left with permission. If the legality of the exit cannot be confirmed, an official document that is easy to verify, on paper or electronic (for example from the Reserv+ app), must confirm the exemption or the fulfilment. The burden of proof is on the applicant.
- Who it reaches (recital 20): Ukrainians who are not subject to conscription can also have military obligations, regardless of age or gender, because they enlisted or because of responsibilities linked to military activities.
- Where it applies: it is an EU decision, the same across Spain. It does not depend on the province or the centre.
What happens next
As of 27 October 2026, the official page for the procedure does not yet mention this condition. Which document each police station or CREADE accepts, ask there when you book the appointment.
What you can do
- If you are going to file a new application, bring your passport. If it has the Ukrainian exit stamp, that is the proof of an authorised exit.
- If there is no stamp or the exit cannot be confirmed, prepare beforehand an official verifiable document, on paper or electronic, that confirms the exemption or the fulfilment. The Decision names the Reserv+ app as an example; the guide to the Ukrainian consulate and the e-VOD explains what the e-VOD from that app is.
- If you enlisted or have responsibilities linked to military activities, prepare the proof even if you are not subject to conscription, whatever your age or gender.
- Book the appointment by phone at the centre that covers you and ask there which document they accept.
Official source: Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1912 · Correction of errors · Temporary protection procedures, Ministry of Inclusion.
Informational only; check the official source and a professional for your specific case.