Following Russia's military invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the EU activated the Temporary Protection Directive for the first time in its history. In response, Belgium set up a registration centre in Brussels to process applications from potential beneficiaries. Upon successful registration, individuals received a temporary protection certificate, granting them access to residence and support services.

Since the beginning of the war and until 31 January 2025 inclusive, the Immigration Office has issued temporary protection certificates to 93.343 Ukrainians. Most of these certificates were issued in 2022 (63.356), followed by a decline in 2023 (15.626) and 2024 (13.277), reaching 1.084 certificates issued in January 2025. According to Eurostat figures on 31 December 2024, other EU countries have welcomed far more Ukrainians than Belgium, particularly Germany (1.161.450 Ukrainians; 27.3% of the EU total) and Poland (991.630; 23.3%).

Ukrainians granted temporary protection in Belgium have been provided with accommodation, but these reception facilities will be gradually reduced. On 6 December 2024, the Flemish Government reaffirmed its commitment to subsidising public accommodation for temporarily displaced persons, while linking this to the gradual reduction of public reception facilities by March 2026. On 19 December 2024, the Walloon Government also decided to maintain the provision of accommodation in collective reception centres, while gradually reducing this offer, with a 50% reduction by April 2025, 37% by July, and 25% by October 2025, maintaining residual capacity for vulnerable individuals and new arrivals.

For further details about the number of temporary protection certificates issued in Belgium, please consult the data from the Immigration Office.