The number of Ukrainians under temporary protection in the EU is rising: where is the biggest increase?

The number of Ukrainians under temporary protection in the EU continues to rise. Find out which countries are seeing the biggest increase, where the number of refugees is declining, and how the migration situation is changing

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The number of Ukrainian citizens in European Union countries under temporary protection continues to rise. As of the end of February 2026, 4.40 million Ukrainians with this status were registered in the EU. Over the course of the month, this figure increased by 22,415 people, representing a 0.5% rise. These figures were released by Eurostat.

Where in the EU has the number of Ukrainians grown the most?

The largest increase in the number of Ukrainians under temporary protection was recorded in several European countries. Germany took the lead—there, the number of Ukrainian citizens rose by 7,245 people (+0.6%). Significant growth was also observed in the Czech Republic — +2,445 people (+0.6%) — and Spain — +2,425 people (+0.9%).

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Where has the number of Ukrainian refugees decreased?

Despite the overall upward trend, the number of Ukrainians has decreased in some European Union countries. The largest decreases were recorded in:

● Estonia — a decrease of 710 people (−2.1%);

● France — a decrease of 465 people (−0.9%);

● Luxembourg — a decrease of 5 people (−0.1%).

Who exactly is under temporary protection?

Eurostat statistics also show the distribution of Ukrainians by category. Women make up the largest share—43.5%. Children account for 30.2% of the total, and men—26.3%.

Tip: For those planning to travel or move between European countries, it is important to prepare for the trip in advance. In particular, if traveling by car, it is worth checking that you have the necessary documents and paying road tolls — you can purchase an electronic vignette for travel on EU roads online via Visit Ukraine, which helps avoid fines and save time on the road.

We remind you! In the first quarter of 2026, the number of new asylum requests from Ukrainians in the EU dropped sharply by 57%. While some European countries are discussing strict entry restrictions for foreigners, others continue to provide full support. Read about where refugees have stopped going and where protection status has been extended until 2027.

Photo: aishazeyn / Freepik

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