After three years of full-scale war in Ukraine, Europe is gradually changing the conditions for helping Ukrainians. While in 2022 refugees received free housing, food, and financial support, in 2025 the emphasis is shifting to employment and integration, and financial support is being reduced.
According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, there are currently about 5.1 million Ukrainians in Europe, mostly women and children.
Poland
It remains the main destination for Ukrainians. Children attend school, and able-bodied Ukrainians have simplified access to the labor market — 69% are already working. However, financial assistance has been reduced: after the first 4 months of living in state dormitories, refugees pay for housing themselves, with the exception of pensioners, families with many children, and people with disabilities.
Germany
Basic social security remains generous — 502 euros per adult, including rent and utilities. For a mother with a child, the benefit can reach 1,300 euros per month. However, the employment rate of Ukrainians is low — about 25%, mainly due to the language barrier and the high level of social assistance.
Czech Republic
Reducing free residence to 90 days encourages Ukrainians to integrate into the labor market more quickly. Over 60% are already working, mainly in the service sector and manual labor. The state finances language courses and retraining.
Spain, Italy, Romania, Slovakia
Social assistance is limited, and most refugees must quickly find work. In Slovakia, free housing is only available for 120 days.
Great Britain and Ireland
Ukrainians can work and use medical services, but after 6–12 months in a host family they must rent housing on their own. In Ireland, the benefit is reduced from 232 to 39 euros per week after the first 90 days of residence.
Scandinavia and the Baltics
Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland provide around 300 euros per month and accommodation in accommodation centres, with an emphasis on integration and work. In Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, the employment rate of Ukrainians reaches 50%, but state assistance is minimal.
So Europe has not closed its doors to Ukrainians, but the shift from generous benefits to basic guarantees and demands for self-reliance means that refugees must now integrate and find work more quickly. For those expecting full support, the new conditions may be disappointing.
