The number of Russian citizens residing in the European Union has increased significantly since the start of the Ukraine conflict in 2022.
What happened
Eurostat data shows that 876,600 Russian nationals held valid EU residence permits at the end of 2025, representing a 13.6% rise from 2021. Germany hosts the largest community, with 218,000 residents, followed by Spain and Estonia.
Southern Europe has seen the sharpest growth, with Spain issuing residence permits to 44,400 Russian nationals over the period. In contrast, some EU states, such as Latvia, Estonia, and the Czech Republic, have recorded drops in Russian residents due to tough migration policies and security concerns.
Researchers have identified four distinct waves of emigration from Russia since February 2022, with the most recent wave sparked by renewed claims of impending mobilization for Moscow's war in Ukraine. Many of those leaving are young, educated, and working in professions vulnerable to political repression or in high international demand.
The economic impact on host countries has been visible, with some experiencing GDP growth due to the influx of people and capital. However, the effect has since moderated as host economies adapted.
