The number of Ukrainians seeking refuge in European Union countries has reached its highest level in two years after Kyiv eased travel restrictions for men of military age, according to official data.
In September, EU member states issued 79,205 new temporary protection decisions for Ukrainians—an increase of 49 percent from the previous month and the largest monthly rise since August 2023. The sharp uptick followed Ukraine’s decision to allow men aged 18 to 22 to leave the country freely.
By the end of September, 4.3 million Ukrainians were living in the EU under temporary protection—a special mechanism designed to accommodate large numbers of people unable to return home. The highest numbers were in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic, with the latter recording the highest ratio of protection recipients to population—35.7 per thousand people.
Poland recorded the largest increase in absolute numbers, adding nearly 13,000 new beneficiaries, followed by Germany (+7,600) and the Czech Republic (+3,500). A slight decrease—by 240 people—was observed only in France.
Among those granted protection, 44 percent were women, 31 percent minors, and about 25 percent men. Ukrainians accounted for more than 98 percent of all individuals receiving temporary protection under the EU program, which was extended in June until March 2027.
The release of the statistics coincided with rising political tension in Germany and Poland, where some politicians warn that the influx of young Ukrainian men could erode public support for Kyiv. Right-wing parties have seized on the issue, accusing refugees of evading military service and straining welfare systems.