EU temporary protection numbers for Ukrainian refugees fall slightly in early 2026

As of March 31, 2026, a total of 4.33 million non-EU citizens who fled Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion held temporary protection status.

Eurostat lists the three EU countries that have accepted the highest number of refugees from Ukraine and granted them temporary protection status: Germany with 1,274,955 people, or 29.4% of the EU total; Poland with 961,405, or 22.2%; and Czechia with 379,820, or 8.8%.

Among EU countries, the number of people under temporary protection increased in 14 countries and decreased in 13. The largest absolute increases were observed in Germany (+7,480 people, or +0.6%), Spain (+2,665, or +1.0%), and Romania (+2,125, or +1.0%).

The largest decrease was recorded in Italy (minus 30,365 people, or minus 47.4%), which is linked to the simultaneous expiration of a large number of permits at the end of the month due to the annual document renewal procedure. It is followed by Czechia (-19,810, or -5.0%) and Finland (-8,080, or -10.2%).

Ukrainians most often receive temporary protection in Czechia, Poland, and Slovakia, according to Eurostat data. Women make up 43.3% of the refugees from Ukraine, children account for 30.1%, and men comprise 26.6%.