In 2023, a third of a million Ukrainians sought refugee status in Europe

More than a million people will apply for refugee status in the European Union by the end of 2023. A third of them are citizens of Ukraine.

This information announced Nina Gregory, the head of the EU Asylum Agency (EUAA), in an interview with Mediengruppe Funke publications.

October marked the highest monthly number of registered applications in the last seven years, totaling around 123,000.

Most refugees are heading to Germany, with nearly a third of all applicants seeking asylum there. The largest number of Ukrainian refugees, approximately 1.17 million people, reside in Germany.

By the end of October, a total of almost 4 million Ukrainians were registered in the EU, which is 320,000 more than in January.

The EUAA anticipates that the influx of refugees into the EU will not decrease in the coming year.

Meanwhile, some countries are implementing practices of offering benefits to Ukrainians for returning home. Recently, Czech President Petr Pavel signed a law extending temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens in the Czech Republic until March 2025. Simultaneously, it provides financial assistance to Ukrainians with temporary protection who decide to return home.

Prior to this, Norway decided to provide 1,500 euros to Ukrainians who wish to return to Ukraine. To receive this assistance, individuals must submit a notification of departure from Norway.