Brussels – Belgium has granted temporary protection to more than 92,000 Ukrainians between the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2022 and the end of 2024, according to figures presented on Wednesday by Freddy Roosemont, Director-General of the Belgian Immigration Office, during an Interior Committee session in the Chamber of Representatives.
Following the Russian invasion, the European Union activated an emergency measure to provide Ukrainian refugees with temporary protection. This special status, extended until spring 2026, allows Ukrainians to bypass the conventional asylum process and immediately access social assistance, housing, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
Recent European Commission data indicates that approximately 4.3 million Ukrainians currently benefit from this status across the EU, with Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic hosting the largest number of refugees.
A Shifting Influx
By the end of 2024, Belgium had issued temporary protection permits to 92,257 Ukrainians. The most significant wave of arrivals occurred in the first year of the war, with 63,354 individuals receiving protected status in 2022. This number dropped significantly in subsequent years, with 15,626 Ukrainians obtaining protection in 2023 and 13,277 in 2024.
However, not all those granted protection have remained in Belgium. Some have relocated to other EU countries, while others have chosen to return to Ukraine as the conflict situation evolves. The exact number of those who still reside in Belgium remains unclear.
Concerns Over Social Assistance Costs
The financial implications of supporting Ukrainian refugees have sparked debate among Belgian lawmakers. Darya Safai, a legislator from the Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (N-VA), called for a “more realistic social policy” in response to the rising costs associated with temporary protection.
While acknowledging the need to assist displaced Ukrainians, Safai argued that providing them with full integration income was a flawed approach.
“The 2024 budget showed that the government spent no less than €335 million on subsistence for Ukrainians,” she said. “These individuals could have been net contributors if we’d approached this more realistically.”
Her remarks reflect broader concerns about Belgium’s capacity to sustain financial support for Ukrainian refugees amid budgetary constraints and growing pressures on the social welfare system.
A Balancing Act
Belgium’s approach to Ukrainian refugees mirrors broader EU efforts to address the humanitarian crisis while managing financial and social challenges. With temporary protection extended for at least another two years, debates over resource allocation, labor market integration, and long-term settlement policies are expected to continue.
For now, Belgium remains committed to its obligations under the EU framework, but discussions around potential policy adjustments are likely to intensify as the conflict drags on and economic considerations come into sharper focus.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
