The EU’s policy regarding refugees from Ukraine has changed: people are leaving the Czech Republic, Germany is reducing support, and Poland is faced with a dilemma.

According to Czech media, more than 200,000 Ukrainian refugees who entered the country after the start of the war have already left the Czech Republic. These refugees either went to another EU country or returned home.

A total of 561,605 Ukrainians applied for temporary protection in the Czech Republic. At the same time, out of 359,000 registered Ukrainians, about 115,000 work legally and will pay €500-700M in taxes to the Czech Republic budget.

Meanwhile, the Council of German Districts is calling for a reduction in benefits for newly arrived refugees from Ukraine. The Higher Committee of Districts believes that Ukrainians should not be given immediate citizenship benefits. Instead, they should be offered benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. The Council of Districts advocates the transition from cash payments to in-kind benefits and the introduction of a work requirement.

In Poland, half of the population supports maintaining the current support for refugees from Ukraine, but almost 40% are against it.