As of 30 April 2026, the European Union was hosting 4.37 million non-EU citizens who fled Ukraine under temporary protection, according to the latest data. The figure marks
an increase of 42,990 people compared with the end of March 2026, representing a 1.0% monthly rise.
The scheme, activated in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, continues to distribute displaced Ukrainians across all member states, with concentrations remaining heavily uneven.
Germany, Poland and Czechia remain main destinations
Germany continues to host the largest number of beneficiaries, with 1,279,660 people, accounting for 29.3% of the EU total.
Poland follows with 971,255 people (22.2%), while Czechia ranks third with 384,435 beneficiaries (8.8%).
Together, these three countries account for a majority share of Ukrainians under protection in the EU.
Mixed monthly changes across member states
The number of beneficiaries increased in 24 EU countries, while 3 recorded declines.
The strongest absolute growth was seen in Poland (+9,850; +1.0%), Italy (+7,020; +20.8%), and Germany (+4,705; +0.4%).
By contrast, decreases were recorded in France (-440; -0.9%) and Ireland (-125; -0.1%).
Highest per-capita pressure in Central Europe
When measured per thousand residents, Czechia shows the highest ratio of temporary protection beneficiaries at 35.2. Poland follows with 26.6 and Slovakia with 26.5. The EU average stands at 9.7 per thousand.
Demographic profile
Ukrainian citizens account for more than 98.5% of all people under temporary protection in the EU.
Women make up 43.4% of beneficiaries, adult men 26.7%, while minors represent nearly one-third at 29.9%.
Policy context
The temporary protection framework is based on the EU Council Implementing Decision 2022/382, adopted on 4 March 2022, which established protection measures in response to the mass displacement caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine.
In June 2025, the European Council extended the scheme, ensuring protections remain in place until 4 March 2027. Photo by Dpsu.gov.ua, Wikimedia commons.