More than 470,000 Ukrainians have left Germany: how many refugees will be in Germany in 2026

Germany remains one of the key countries for Ukrainian refugees after 2022. Find out how many Ukrainians have left Germany, how many remain under temporary protection, and whether the country expects a reduction in migration in 2026

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Since 2022, more than 471,000 people who arrived from Ukraine after the start of the full-scale war have left Germany. At the same time, more than a million Ukrainians with temporary protection remain in the country. This was reported by the German Ministry of the Interior in response to a request from DW.

How many Ukrainians have left Germany since 2022

As of January 31, 2026, more than 471,000 people who arrived from Ukraine after February 24, 2022, have left Germany.

At the same time, according to data from February 7, 2026, the Central Register of Foreigners in Germany recorded 1.157 million people who entered the country due to russia's war against Ukraine and received temporary protection status.

Among them:

● about 484,000 men;

● about 672,000 women;

● approximately 305,000 minors.

Separately, the German Interior Ministry emphasized that 85,266 registered persons with temporary protection are men between the ages of 18 and 26.

Will the number of Ukrainian refugees in Germany decrease?

The German ministry noted that it does not have accurate data on the number of Ukrainians who entered the country in January 2026. The reason is that Ukrainian citizens can enter Germany without a visa and stay there for up to 90 days.

At the same time, the German Interior Ministry emphasized that it does not expect a significant reduction in the number of refugees arriving in the European Union and Germany in the near future. The main reasons cited are the ongoing hostilities and constant russian attacks.

However, the ministry noted that based on the current situation, it is impossible to make reliable predictions or form specific expectations regarding further migration dynamics.

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The impact of Ukraine's decisions on migration processes

At the end of August 2025, the Ukrainian government allowed men between the ages of 18 and 22 to travel abroad without restriction. After that, the number of Ukrainians arriving in Germany rose sharply.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has publicly raised this issue at least twice. In particular, he called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to ensure that young Ukrainian men do not come to Germany in increasing numbers.

Thus, the issue of Ukrainian migration remains a subject of political debate in Germany, despite the continuation of the temporary protection mechanism.

What Ukrainians planning a trip to Germany need to know

Ukrainians can enter Germany without a visa and stay in the country for up to 90 days. If you intend to stay for a longer period, you must apply for the appropriate status or use the temporary protection mechanism.

When planning a trip to Germany or another EU country, it is worth taking care of medical insurance in advance. For Ukrainians traveling abroad, the Visit Ukraine platform offers online medical insurance, which allows you to avoid additional risks and meet the requirements of the host countries.

We remind you! Germany is changing its social support rules for the unemployed, making the system more stringent. Read about what Grundsicherung is, what sanctions will be introduced in 2026, and how these changes will affect Ukrainians in Germany.

Photo: Hannibal Hanschke/Getty Images

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