Decline in Ukrainians Under Temporary Protection Across the EU
By September 2026, the number of Ukrainians under temporary protection within European Union countries fell by more than 61,000 individuals. Poland experienced the largest decrease, with over 80,000 fewer people registered under this status. In contrast, Germany reported a rise, welcoming over 5,000 additional Ukrainian asylum seekers during the same period.
As of September 30, 2026, a total of 4.37 million Ukrainians and other displaced persons affected by the war in Ukraine were under temporary protection across the EU. Compared to August 31, 2026, this represents a 1.4% decline in the overall number of people benefiting from this status. Germany remains the leading host country, accommodating approximately 1.3 million Ukrainians under temporary protection. Poland follows with 858,545 individuals, and the Czech Republic hosts 391,720.
Trends in Migration Flows
Between late August and late September 2026, Germany saw an increase of over 5,000 Ukrainian asylum seekers. Meanwhile, Poland experienced a significant reduction of more than 80,000 individuals under temporary protection. Romania and Italy also recorded growth, with 3,900 and 2,500 more Ukrainians respectively. Conversely, the Czech Republic noted a decrease of 6,600 people.
Regarding the proportion of Ukrainians under temporary protection relative to the local population, the Czech Republic leads with 35.9%, followed by Slovakia at 28%, and Cyprus at 27.4%. The EU-wide average stands at 9.7%. According to Eurostat,
“compared to August 31, 2026, the number of people from Ukraine under temporary protection decreased by more than 61,000 (-1.4%)”.
The observed decline in Ukrainians under temporary protection may result from various factors, including some refugees returning to Ukraine or changes in circumstances affecting their stay in the EU. Meanwhile, the increase in asylum seekers in Germany suggests that many Ukrainians continue to seek safety and stability in European countries. These shifts highlight the ongoing complexity and fluidity of migration patterns amid the protracted conflict in Ukraine.
The significant decline in the number of Ukrainians under temporary protection in Poland raises concerns about the overall trend of migration within the EU. This situation is further highlighted by a recent report indicating that the country has seen a loss of over 13,500 individuals with temporary protection. For more insights on this trend and its implications, you can read more about the recent statistics on Ukrainian migrants in Poland here.