One-third of Ukrainian business representatives who migrated plan to return within the next year

25/ 05/ 2023

Among employees of the EBA member companies who have left the country after the full-scale invasion, 26% have expressed their intention to return to Ukraine within the next 6 months, while 9% plan to return within the following 7-12 months. Another 20% plan to return, but not earlier than in a year, and 22% believe they have most likely left forever. These are the intentions of participants in a survey conducted by the European Business Association and the research company Gradus Research among the EBA business audience. Overall, 81% of the surveyed representatives of the business audience remain in their permanent residence or have already returned home, 15% are currently abroad, and another 4% have relocated inside Ukraine. Only 20% of the respondents have changed their place of work due to moving and found a new job in their current location. While the majority, 80%, continue to work in the same place. Specifically, 43% of the respondents work for a Ukrainian company operating within Ukraine, and 27% work for an international company operating in Ukraine. 24% of the respondents work for a global company with offices outside Ukraine, and 6% work for a Ukrainian company with offices outside Ukraine. According to the survey participants, both security and economic factors will primarily influence their decision to return home. Specifically, 74% may return after the war is totally over, 48% - in case of higher living standards in Ukraine, 39% - in case of decently paid work in Ukraine, 26% - in case of no active combat and threat of shelling, 13% - in case of the ban on remote work, and 9% - due to the lack of affordable housing abroad. Anna Derevyanko, Executive Director of the European Business Association: The results indicate that people who were forced to move abroad continue to maintain a connection with Ukraine, primarily through their employers. In this context, the issue of tax residency is extremely relevant for those who have left. Currently, there is an ongoing dialogue both at the national and the EU level about the importance of exempting such incomes from taxation. We continue to appeal to the EU to find a political solution that would exclude the incomes of Ukrainians who continue to work for Ukrainian companies from taxation. This would support the weakened Ukrainian economy by the war and connect those who left with Ukraine. For reference: The survey was conducted as part of a comprehensive study Life Quality Barometer. The research partner - is Gradus Research. The survey targeted a business audience (359 individuals) consisting of employees from the European Business Associations member companies. The survey was conducted from April 7 to May 15, 2023.

These are the intentions of participants in a survey conducted by the European Business Association and the research company Gradus Research among the EBA business audience.

Overall, 81% of the surveyed representatives of the business audience remain in their permanent residence or have already returned home, 15% are currently abroad, and another 4% have relocated inside Ukraine.

Only 20% of the respondents have changed their place of work due to moving and found a new job in their current location. While the majority, 80%, continue to work in the same place.

Specifically, 43% of the respondents work for a Ukrainian company operating within Ukraine, and 27% work for an international company operating in Ukraine. 24% of the respondents work for a global company with offices outside Ukraine, and 6% work for a Ukrainian company with offices outside Ukraine.

According to the survey participants, both security and economic factors will primarily influence their decision to return home. Specifically, 74% may return after the war is totally over, 48% – in case of higher living standards in Ukraine, 39% – in case of decently paid work in Ukraine, 26% – in case of no active combat and threat of shelling, 13% – in case of the ban on remote work, and 9% – due to the lack of affordable housing abroad.

Anna Derevyanko, Executive Director of the European Business Association: “The results indicate that people who were forced to move abroad continue to maintain a connection with Ukraine, primarily through their employers. In this context, the issue of tax residency is extremely relevant for those who have left. Currently, there is an ongoing dialogue both at the national and the EU level about the importance of exempting such incomes from taxation. We continue to appeal to the EU to find a political solution that would exclude the incomes of Ukrainians who continue to work for Ukrainian companies from taxation. This would support the weakened Ukrainian economy by the war and connect those who left with Ukraine.”

For reference:

The survey was conducted as part of a comprehensive study “Life Quality Barometer.” The research partner – is Gradus Research.

The survey targeted a business audience (359 individuals) consisting of employees from the European Business Association’s member companies. The survey was conducted from April 7 to May 15, 2023.