EU temporary protection for Ukrainians falls slightly, extended through March 2028
The number of people from Ukraine holding temporary protection in the EU fell by 61,055, or 1.4%, in September 2026, reaching 4.37 million at the end of the month. The decline was concentrated in Poland and Czechia, while the number increased in 25 of 27 EU countries. The EU has extended temporary protection through March 2028.
Key points
- 4.37 million people who fled Ukraine held temporary protection in the EU at the end of September 2026.
- The EU-wide total fell by 61,055 people, or 1.4%, in one month.
- Germany hosted 1,300,070 people with temporary protection, or 29.7% of the EU total.
- Poland hosted 858,545 people, while Czechia hosted 391,720.
- Protection numbers increased in 25 of 27 EU countries between the end of August and the end of September.
- Poland recorded the largest decrease, with 80,850 fewer people protected, or 8.6%.
- The EU extended temporary protection from March 4, 2027, to March 4, 2028.
Why it matters
The figures show both the scale of temporary protection for people displaced from Ukraine and its recent direction. Although the EU-wide total declined, protection numbers grew in most member states; the overall fall was driven by substantial decreases in a small number of countries. Extending the status through March 2028 preserves the legal protection of millions of displaced people.
What happened
At the end of September 2026, 4.37 million people who had left Ukraine because of Russia's aggression held temporary protection in EU countries. The total declined by 61,055 people, or 1.4%, during the month. Germany remained the largest host country, with 1.3 million people, followed by Poland with 858,545 and Czechia with 391,720. From the end of August to the end of September, the number increased in 25 of 27 EU countries, but a sharp reduction in Poland and a smaller decline in Czechia pulled down the EU-wide total. The EU also decided in July to extend temporary protection until March 4, 2028.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian coverage emphasizes the continuing displacement of people from Ukraine, the slight overall decline in protection numbers and the EU decision to extend the status. It also highlights the largest host countries and contrasts growth in most member states with substantial decreases in Poland and Czechia.
Background
The total covers people who left Ukraine because of Russian aggression and received temporary protection in EU countries. Germany, Poland and Czechia together hosted a majority of them. Across the EU, the average was 9.7 people with temporary protection per 1,000 residents; Czechia had the highest ratio, at 35.9 per 1,000, followed by Slovakia at 28 and Cyprus at 27.4.