The number of Ukrainian refugees in Lithuania has increased significantly: what the new statistics show

The Lithuanian government has reported an increase in the number of Ukrainian refugees and new data on their status. Find out how many Ukrainians remain in the country and what documents they need to update

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The number of Ukrainians who have received temporary protection and are living in Lithuania due to the war continues to grow. Over the past year, the number of refugees has increased by more than 10,000, indicating that more and more Ukrainian citizens are choosing to remain in this country.

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How many Ukrainian refugees are currently in Lithuania?

According to the Lithuanian Migration Department, as of March 5, 2026, there were 53,379 Ukrainian refugees living in the country who had received temporary protection due to the war.

For comparison:

in March 2025, there were 43,071,

and at the beginning of March 2024, there were 39,468.

Thus, in just one year, the number of Ukrainians remaining in Lithuania has increased by more than 10,000 people.

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Temporary protection for Ukrainians in the EU

After the start of the full-scale war, the European Union activated a temporary protection mechanism for Ukrainians on March 4, 2022. Initially, it was introduced for one year, but has been extended several times.

Currently, digital residence permits for Ukrainians in EU countries, including Lithuania, are valid until March 4, 2027. At the same time, they must be renewed annually to confirm the right of residence.

How many Ukrainians have exchanged their residence permits?

In early March, the migration services completed the next stage of issuing digital temporary residence permits.

According to the latest data:

more than 42,500 Ukrainians have exchanged their digital permits this year;

in 2025, there were about 37,000.

This is another indication that many Ukrainians plan to stay in Lithuania for a longer period.

Why are Ukrainians staying in Lithuania?

According to Indre Gasperė, director of the Lithuanian Migration Department, Lithuania has clearly stated its support for Ukraine since the beginning of the war, so for many refugees, the country has become a safe place to live.

She notes that more and more Ukrainians who have lived in Lithuania for over a year:

are learning the Lithuanian language;

are actively looking for and finding work;

are starting their own businesses;

are integrating into local communities.

Such stories of successful adaptation are often shared among friends and relatives in Ukraine, which may also influence other people's decisions to move to Lithuania.

What does a digital residence permit give you?

The Migration Service reminds you that electronic residence permits can be:

printed;

or stored on a smartphone.

The document confirms the legal status of residence in Lithuania and, if you have a valid Ukrainian passport, gives you the right to travel to countries in the Schengen area.

Why is it important to update your documents?

Ukrainians who have not extended their temporary residence permits may encounter difficulties when:

receiving medical services;

applying for social assistance;

applying for child benefits;

applying for compensation for heating or utilities.

As is well known, since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, more than 103,000 Ukrainians who left because of the war have been registered in the MIGRIS migration system.

However, not all of them remained in the country. Some people went to other Western European countries, returned to Ukraine, or obtained a residence permit in Lithuania on other grounds.

At the same time, current statistics show that a significant proportion of Ukrainians decide to stay in Lithuania, where they gradually integrate into society and build a new life.

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Let us remind you! Ukrainians often face a number of questions when they need to take out health insurance for traveling abroad. What does the policy cover, which one is better to choose and whether it is possible to extend the insurance while already abroad are just some of them. Answers to the most frequently asked questions about insurance in the Visit Ukraine material at the link.

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