EU-Wide Snapshot of Temporary Protection for Ukrainian Citizens
As of the end of May 2026, 4.38 million Ukrainian citizens displaced by the war were registered under temporary protection in European Union member states. This figure increased by 7,795 individuals over the previous month, a rise of 0.2%. The top host countries were Germany, Poland, and Spain.
Germany sheltered 1,283,270 people, accounting for 29.3% of all Ukrainian refugees in the EU. Poland granted temporary protection to 967,505 Ukrainians (22.1%), while Spain hosted 267,400 (6.1%). Notably, the number of refugees grew in 22 out of 26 countries with available data during May. The largest increase occurred in Italy, which saw a gain of 6,250 people (15.3%). Germany added 3,610 individuals (0.3%), and Spain recorded an uptick of 2,295 (0.9%).
Shifts in Refugee Numbers Across Member States
However, four EU countries experienced a decline in their Ukrainian temporary protection rolls over the month. The most significant drop was in Bulgaria, where the count fell by 12,345 people (14.8%). Poland saw a decrease of 3,750 individuals (0.4%), and France reported a loss of 665 (1.3%).
The highest concentrations of refugees per 1,000 residents were found in:
- Slovakia (26.8)
- Poland (26.5)
- Cyprus (25.9)
The EU average stood at 9.7 per 1,000 residents. As of May 31, 2026, Ukrainian nationals made up over 98.5% of all individuals under temporary protection in the EU. Among them, 43.4% were adult women, 26.8% were adult men, and 29.8% were minors.
The legal basis for this protection is the EU Council decision of March 4, 2022. In June 2025, the European Council extended its validity from March 4, 2026, to March 4, 2027.
These figures highlight the European Union's continued support for Ukrainian refugees who fled the war. — Source: European Council
The steady rise in temporary protection recipients points to an ongoing influx of Ukrainians into the EU, despite reductions in some countries. The extension of this status until March 2027 further signals the EU's commitment to aiding Ukrainians during this difficult period.
As Ukrainian refugees continue to seek safety in the EU, recent developments have highlighted the complexities they face. For instance, Ukrainian women will need to verify their exemption from mobilization to maintain their temporary protection status. This requirement underscores the ongoing challenges faced by those displaced by the conflict, even as the EU extends its support measures for refugees.