Currently, 4 million 380 thousand Ukrainians are under temporary protection in the countries of the European Union, who were forced to leave the country due to the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation.
This was reported by the Deputy Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine for European Integration, Ilona Gavronska, referring to Eurostat data.
It is noted that the largest number of Ukrainians under temporary protection is currently in Germany – 1,260,230 people, Poland – 965,990 and the Czech Republic – 397,185. At the same time, the highest indicators of the number of refugees per thousand inhabitants were recorded in the Czech Republic (36.4), Poland (26.5) and Slovakia (25.8), while the average indicator in the EU is 9.7 per thousand inhabitants.
According to Eurostat, last year the EU issued 683,395 new temporary protection permits for Ukrainians — 14% less than in 2024. However, the total number of people with the appropriate status continues to grow: in January of this year alone, it increased by 23,110 people compared to December.
Number of Ukrainians under temporary protection in the EU as of the end of January 2026. Eurostat / Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine
The security situation currently remains the main condition for Ukrainians to return home, while the state is already preparing for “possible changes in the context of the potential end of temporary protection” in March 2027, Gavronska added.
“We are in constant contact with European institutions and, together with international partners, are developing a strategic framework for responding to possible changes. At the same time, it is fundamentally important for Ukraine that our citizens in EU countries are treated with dignity. Our common task is to create conditions under which Ukrainians will be able to realize their potential, while maintaining the opportunity to make an informed decision regarding return and reintegration in Ukraine,” Havronska noted.
The official also reported that work is underway to develop tools for interacting with Ukrainians abroad and preparing for their possible return. According to her, this includes opening Centers and Unity Spaces, as well as launching a digital platform that will provide Ukrainians abroad with access to verified information.