Council of the European Union

12/02/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/02/2022 06:03

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.

The figures in the infographic are estimates and were last updated on 2 December 2022.