As of December 2024, nearly 4.3 million non-EU citizens who fled Ukraine following Russia’s invasion were granted temporary protection in the European Union. This special status applies to displaced non-EU nationals unable to return to their home country.
Germany is the EU country that has provided refuge to the most non-EU citizens fleeing Ukraine, accounting for 27.3% of the total EU figures. Poland follows with 23.3%, while the Czech Republic hosts 9.1%.
“Russia (12,381), Nigeria (4,988), and Azerbaijan (4,235) are also among other non-EU countries with citizens under temporary protection,” according to the latest data from Eurostat.
Between November and December 2024, the number of individuals under temporary protection in the EU rose by over 25,590 people, or 0.6%. Germany saw the largest increase with 8,830 additional people, followed by Poland with 3,705, and the Czech Republic with 3,435.
However, the number of people under temporary protection decreased in Denmark (-1,995), Italy (-1,310), and France (-595).
In terms of population ratios, the highest number of temporary protection beneficiaries per thousand people were found in the Czech Republic (35.7), Poland (27.1), and Estonia (25.8).
Ukrainian nationals represented over 98.3% of all individuals under temporary protection in the EU. Adult women made up nearly half (44.8%) of this group, with the majority aged between 35 and 64. Adult men represented 23.2%, while children accounted for 31.9%—with boys comprising 16.7% and girls 15.2%.
