Poland remained the European Union’s second-largest host country for people who fled Ukraine and are covered by temporary protection. At the end of July 2026, 953,060 beneficiaries were registered in Poland, representing 21.5% of the EU total. Unlike most member states, however, Poland recorded a monthly decline of 8,110 people.
According to Eurostat, 4.43 million people who fled Ukraine after Russia’s invasion had temporary protection status in the EU at the end of July. The EU-wide number increased by 19,945, or 0.5%, compared with the end of June.
Germany and Poland host more than half of beneficiaries
Germany remained the largest host with 1,290,225 beneficiaries, or 29.1% of the EU total. Poland ranked second with 953,060 people, followed by Czechia with 395,225, or 8.9%.
Together, Germany and Poland host more than half of all people covered by temporary protection in the EU. Including Czechia, the three countries account for close to 60% of the total.
Poland records an 8,100 monthly decline
The largest monthly increases were recorded in Czechia (+4,415), Romania (+4,055) and Germany (+3,995). Poland moved in the opposite direction, with the number falling by 8,110, or 0.8%. France and Cyprus also recorded declines.
Eurostat cautions that monthly changes should not be interpreted solely as physical arrivals or departures. National procedures for removing people from registers differ, meaning part of the movement may be administrative.
Czechia has the highest ratio to population
Relative to population, Czechia had the highest number of temporary-protection beneficiaries, at 36.2 per 1,000 residents. Slovakia followed with 27.5 and Cyprus with 26.7. The EU average was 9.8 per 1,000 inhabitants.
Women remain the largest group
Adult women accounted for 43.4% of beneficiaries across the EU, minors for 29.4%, and adult men for 27.1%. More than 98.5% of people with temporary protection status were Ukrainian citizens.
Why the figures matter for Poland
The data have both social and economic significance for Poland. Ukrainian citizens have become an important part of the Polish labour market, particularly in services, logistics, retail, manufacturing and construction. At the same time, the July decline in temporary-protection registrations does not automatically mean an equivalent fall in the number of foreign workers, as the two statistics measure different populations.
The EU temporary protection mechanism, launched in March 2022, has been extended until 4 March 2027. It provides people fleeing the war with legal residence and access to employment and public services without requiring the standard asylum procedure.
Source: Eurostat, 10 September 2026.
