Ukrainian refugees in Austria do not plan to return home
After four years of war, most Ukrainian refugees in Austria no longer plan to return home, as new research shows strong signs of long-term stability and social integration.
Since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, millions have fled the country. In Austria alone, 88,860 displaced Ukrainians are currently registered. A new study conducted by the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) involving 2,608 Ukrainians found that attitudes towards returning home have changed significantly.
According to the study, only 1.9 percent of respondents said they have concrete plans to return to Ukraine in January 2026. This is a sharp decline compared to 30 percent in 2022 and 13 percent in 2023. Overall, 62 percent said they are likely or definitely do not want to return, while 28 percent remain uncertain.
Research also shows that many refugees feel an increasing connection to their host country. As early as 2024, 59 percent of Ukrainians in Austria said they feel they "belong" there. Despite these changing plans, support remains in place, as the protected status for Ukrainians continues until March 2026, granting them access to work, education, healthcare, and social benefits. About 80 new arrivals from Ukraine still reach Vienna every week.
Language skills play a key role in the satisfaction of refugees. Among those who rated their German language skills as good, 66 percent said they were satisfied with their lives in Austria, compared to only 37 percent of those who had no knowledge of the German language. At the time of the study, 47 percent of men and 44 percent of women were working, indicating an increase in participation in the Austrian labor market as the war continues with no clear end in sight.