Refugees from Ukraine in the EU

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has forced millions of people to leave their homes and seek refuge in the EU and neighbouring countries.

In March 2022, the EU activated the temporary protection directive, an EU emergency scheme used in exceptional circumstances of a mass influx to:

• provide immediate and collective protection to displaced persons
• reduce pressure on the national asylum systems of EU countries

Rights under the temporary protection scheme include a residence permit, access to the labour market and housing, medical assistance, and access to education for children.

Currently over 4.2 million people from Ukraine benefit from the temporary protection mechanism. Data up to November 2023.

Refugees from Ukraine who benefit from temporary protection in the EU

More information:

• Refugee inflow from Ukraine (background information)
• EU response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine (background information)