How many Ukrainian refugees return home every six months: IOM statistics

Since autumn 2023, there has been a steady return of Ukrainians from abroad, with around 100,000 people coming home every six months. Find out which countries they are returning from most often and why

Legal assistance on migration issues for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad

GET

Since the start of the full-scale war, millions of Ukrainians have been forced to leave their homes and go abroad in search of safety.

However, since the fall of 2023, there has been a steady trend of return, with about 100,000 Ukrainians coming home every six months. This is according to data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Why are Ukrainians returning?

According to the IOM, it is not all family members who return at the same time, but only individuals. This indicates a considered approach to making such a decision. The main reasons are:

- the desire to be close to loved ones and relatives;

- the need to care for elderly parents or relatives;

- the desire to resume a career and start a business in Ukraine.

Among those returning, 93% came from European Union countries, with the largest numbers coming from Poland (36%) and Germany (16%). This corresponds to the overall statistics on the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees in the first years of the war.

If you are unsure which countries accept Ukrainian refugees, consult a migration lawyer through Visit Ukraine.

Main reasons for returning

The IOM identifies several key factors that motivate people to return:

- expiry of temporary protection abroad;

- loss of employment or completion of education;

difficulties in adapting (language barriers, cultural differences);

- improvement of the situation in certain regions of Ukraine;

- emotional desire to live at home, even despite the risks.

At the same time, experts emphasize that the return process is not easy and requires state support — the provision of affordable housing, jobs, medical services, and quality education.

These conditions determine whether a person will stay in Ukraine for a longer period.

How many Ukrainians are still in the EU?

According to Eurostat, as of the beginning of summer 2025, there were 4.26 million Ukrainians with temporary protection status in EU countries. In April alone, the number of such persons increased by 2,525. The largest number of new refugees was recorded in Sweden.

Since the beginning of Russia's invasion, most Ukrainians have left for:

Germany — 1,189,355 people (27.9% of all Ukrainians in the EU);

Poland — 986,925 people;

Czech Republic — 370,600 people.

New changes for refugees in Poland

Important news for those who are still in Poland is the decision by the authorities to change the conditions of stay in collective accommodation centers (OZZ) from November 1, 2025.

From now on, they will only accept people from protected categories — pensioners, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.

To properly prepare for your return to Ukraine, we recommend consulting with experts at Visit Ukraine.

Reminder! The United Kingdom is radically changing its immigration rules: salary and qualification requirements are increasing, the visa channel for care workers is closing, and over 100 professions are being excluded from the visa system. Find out how these changes will affect Ukrainians and what is important to know for those who are planning to move or already working in the United Kingdom.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.