The number of Ukrainian refugees in Europe has risen to a record high: what is the reason for this?

Europe has seen a sharp increase in the number of Ukrainians receiving temporary protection, with this figure reaching a record high over the past two years. Find out which countries have taken in the most refugees and why the number of people leaving Ukraine is rapidly increasing again

Help our volunteers who support Ukraine and all foreigners in the country 24/7

GET

European Union countries have recorded a new record in the number of Ukrainian citizens who have received temporary protection. In September alone, more than 79,000 Ukrainians were granted this status, which is the highest figure since August 2023. The data was published by Eurostat, noting a significant increase in migration requests from Ukrainian citizens.

Why has the number of refugees increased?

According to analysts, the increase in September was almost 49% compared to August. Experts cite the Ukrainian government's decision to temporarily allow men aged 18 to 22 to travel abroad as the main factor, which has expanded the possibility of obtaining temporary protection status for those who previously did not have the right to leave the country.

The protracted hostilities, destruction of infrastructure, problems with the operation of enterprises and limited access to stable sources of income in a number of Ukrainian regions have an additional impact on migration dynamics. As noted by European structures, a significant part of the applications are from families seeking safety and more predictable living conditions.

Many Ukrainians travel in their own cars, and before crossing the border, they need Green Card insurance, without which entry into EU countries is impossible.

You can apply for a Green Card for travel to Europe online, without queuing, on the Visit Ukraine portal. The policy is valid for all EU countries and is required when crossing the border.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Where most Ukrainians received protection

As of the end of September 2025, approximately 4.3 million Ukrainians had temporary protection status in the EU. The leaders in terms of the number of statuses granted were:

1. Germany — 28.3%

2. Poland — 23.5%

3. Czech Republic - 9%

These countries traditionally remain the main destinations for those seeking housing, work, educational programmes for children and humanitarian support.

Who exactly receives protection

Ukrainians account for over 98% of all persons who applied for temporary protection in the EU in September. The demographic profile is dominated by:

▪️ 44% — adult women, many of whom arrive with children;

▪️ 31% — minors who arrived with their families or under guardianship;

▪️ 25.1% — adult men, whose share increased after the rules for leaving Ukraine were relaxed.

Experts note that the change in migration flows may continue in the future, given both the internal decisions of the Ukrainian government and the EU's policy on extending and updating temporary protection mechanisms.

What do you need to know before travelling to Europe by car?

Many families continue to choose the car as the most predictable way to leave the country. To cross the European border, the driver must have:

▪️ valid car documents;

▪️ a driving licence;

▪️ registration documents;

▪️ Green Card insurance.

Without it, the car will not be allowed to drive on the roads of the European Union countries. You can apply for a Green Card online in 5 minutes on the Visit Ukraine portal.

Reminder! In most European countries, the penalty point system helps to reduce the number of accidents and make drivers more disciplined. Find out how penalty points work in France, Germany, Italy and Poland, which violations lead to the loss of driving privileges and how this affects insurance.

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.