New requirements for the integration of Ukrainians in Europe: reduction of social benefits

In the three years since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, Europe has been adapting its approach to supporting Ukrainian refugees. In 2022, refugees received free housing, food, financial assistance, and transportation tickets. However, by 2025, the conditions had become stricter, with a decrease in economic aid and a shift in focus to employment and integration.

According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, there are currently about 5.1 million Ukrainians in Europe, which constitutes the largest migration crisis on the continent since World War II. More than 90% of these refugees are women and children.

Poland: Support exists, but is limited

Poland remains one of the key destinations for Ukrainians, offering access to healthcare services, education, and the labor market, while children are able to study alongside local citizens. However, financial support has become less: after the first four months of living in state institutions, refugees must pay for their own housing (except pensioners, large families, and people with disabilities). However, Ukrainians can receive PLN 800 (€180) per child per month. Thanks to simplified employment conditions, 69% of non-disabled Ukrainians in Poland have a job, which is significantly higher than in other EU countries.

Germany: Generous social benefits, but low employment rates

Over 1 million Ukrainians live in Germany and are entitled to basic social assistance – €502 per adult plus funding for rent and utilities. For a mother with a child, this benefit can reach €1,300 per month. However, the employment rate among Ukrainians in Germany is only around 25%, which is significantly lower than in Poland or the Czech Republic. This is due to the language barrier and high social benefits, which reduce the motivation to seek employment. There are also problems with housing: the rental market is oversaturated, and prices remain high.

Czech Republic: less financial assistance – faster integration

The Czech Republic has accepted the largest number of Ukrainians per capita. Since the summer of 2024, free accommodation has been reduced to 90 days, after which refugees must pay for housing themselves. Although financial support has been reduced, the employment rate remains high, with more than 60% of Ukrainians holding a job. This primarily involves employment in the service sector and manual labor, with the government providing support for language courses and retraining.

Spain, Italy, Romania, Slovakia

Spain has accepted 200 thousand Ukrainians, but social assistance here is at a minimal level. The employment rate is less than 40%.
Italy has hosted 170,000 Ukrainians, but only a third of them have been able to find work.
Romania and Slovakia initially compensated for housing costs, but these programs have been reduced since 2024. In Slovakia, free housing is provided for only 120 days.
United Kingdom and Ireland

The United Kingdom has a Homes for Ukraine program, which gives Ukrainians the right to work and health care, but after 6-12 months of staying with host families, refugees are forced to find housing on their own.
In Ireland, social assistance has been reduced from €232 to €39 per week after the first 90 days of stay, which is one of the sharpest cuts in support among European countries.
Scandinavia and the Baltics

In Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, Ukrainians receive about €300 per month and housing in reception centers. Here, the emphasis is on rapid integration and employment. In Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, employment rates are as high as 50%, but state assistance is limited.

Europe remains open to Ukrainians, although the approach has shifted: instead of generous payments, the emphasis is now on self-reliance. Temporary protection status offers fundamental guarantees, but does not ensure a comfortable life without work. For families with children and those fleeing war, Europe remains an option for safety, but the new conditions may prove disappointing for those expecting free support.