There are over 4.4 million Ukrainians with temporary protection in the EU: where are the most of them and what has changed in the rules

The number of Ukrainians using the temporary protection mechanism in the European Union countries continues to grow. As of the end of June 2026, 4.41 million Ukrainian citizens had this status. At the same time, against the background of the extension of the protection mechanism until 2028, conditions for new male applicants have already changed in some countries.

According to Eurostat, in just one month, the number of people under temporary protection increased by 24,380 people, or 0.6%.

Germany and Poland accepted the most Ukrainians

The largest number of Ukrainians with temporary protection remains in three countries – Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic.

As of June 30, the figures were as follows:

Germany – 1,286,230 people, or 29.2% of the total;

Poland – 961,170 people, or 21.8%;

Czech Republic – 390,810 people, or 8.9%.

Thus, these three states alone account for almost 60% of all recipients of temporary protection in the European Union.

In June, the number of people with this status increased in 24 of the 27 EU countries. The most noticeable increase was recorded in Italy – by 4,115 people, the Czech Republic – by 3,835 and Germany – by 2,960.

At the same time, Poland became one of the few exceptions: there the number of recipients of temporary protection decreased by 6,335 people. A slight decrease was also recorded in Belgium and Ireland.

Where is the largest concentration of Ukrainians

If we count not the absolute number of people, but the ratio of recipients of protection to the country’s population, the leader is the Czech Republic.

There, for every thousand inhabitants, there are 35.8 people with temporary protection.

Next are:

Slovakia – 27.2 people per thousand population;

Cyprus – 26.8.

For comparison, the average in the European Union is 9.8 people per thousand population.

Ukrainians make up more than 98.5% of all recipients of temporary protection in the EU. Among them, 43.4% are adult women, 27% are men, and another 29.6% are minors.

Temporary protection extended until 2028

The European Union has extended the temporary protection mechanism for Ukrainians until March 4, 2028.

The corresponding decision of the EU Council was published on August 4, 2026.

For millions of Ukrainians already under temporary protection, the extension of the mechanism means maintaining their legal status and the guarantees associated with it.

At the same time, additional conditions are provided for certain categories of new applicants.

New requirements for Ukrainian men

According to the above rules, new male applicants must confirm the fulfillment of military duty to Ukraine or the presence of legal grounds for exemption from it.

As confirmation, documents on legal departure from Ukraine, as well as paper or electronic documents on the fulfillment of military duty or exemption from it, can be used.

At the same time, the innovations do not apply to Ukrainians who already have temporary protection in EU countries, provided that the relevant status is maintained.

At the same time, when applying for protection again or changing the country of residence, the lack of the necessary confirmation may be a reason for refusal.

What has changed for Ukrainians in Germany

In Germany, the new requirements apply, in particular, to Ukrainian men aged 23 to 60 who arrived in the country after July 31, 2026 and do not have an exemption from military service.

To receive temporary protection, they must confirm the fulfillment of military duty or provide documents certifying the legality of leaving Ukraine or exemption from service.

However, the changes do not apply to Ukrainians who were in Germany until July 31 and have already received temporary protection in accordance with §24 of the Law on the Residence of Foreigners.

The German Ministry of Internal Affairs also reminded that the deportation procedure may be applied to foreigners who are in the country illegally, if there are appropriate legal grounds.

The Czech Republic is already reporting refusals

In the Czech Republic, new requirements for applicants came into effect on August 5, 2026.

They also apply to new applications and do not apply to people who already enjoy temporary protection.

Ukrainian men must confirm the fulfillment of military duties. For this, data from Ukrainian electronic military registration documents or documents confirming legal travel abroad can be used.

According to the Czech Ministry of Internal Affairs, cases of refusals have already been recorded for Ukrainians who were unable to provide the necessary confirmation.

Thus, despite the extension of temporary protection in the EU until 2028, for those who are only planning to formalize the status, the conditions may differ from those that were in force before. Therefore, before moving or submitting a new application, Ukrainians should separately check the current requirements of the EU country in which they plan to receive protection.