European Union hosts 4.43 million Ukrainians under temporary protection

New Eurostat data reveals that 4.43 million people fleeing Ukraine were benefiting from temporary protection in the European Union as of late July 2026. This represents a 0.5% increase from the previous month.

The distribution of refugees remains highly uneven across member states. Germany hosts the largest number with approximately 1.29 million people (29.1% of the EU total), followed by Poland with 953,060 (21.5%) and the Czech Republic with 395,225 (8.9%). Together, these three nations accommodate nearly 60% of all protected individuals.

While absolute numbers are highest in Germany and Poland, the impact relative to local populations is most significant in Central and Eastern Europe. The Czech Republic has the highest incidence with 36.2 people under protection per 1,000 inhabitants, followed by Slovakia and Cyprus.

In Poland, reports indicate rising tensions and xenophobic incidents. Ukrainian officials have noted an increase in harassment and bullying in public spaces and educational institutions. Data shows a 30% increase in reported hate crimes against Ukrainians in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year, prompting the Polish Ministry of Interior to establish a specialized department to investigate nationalist-motivated crimes.