3.2 million Ukrainian refugees: where can they go?
Over the past three weeks and as of today, 18 March, 3.2 million people, mostly women and children, have fled their Ukrainian homes and sought shelter, protection and safety in neighboring countries.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, nearly two million refugees have fled to neighboring Poland, others have fled to Romania, Moldova, Hungary and Slovakia. You can find the latest numbers here.
At border crossings local organisations and mostly volunteers have arrived to provide immediate support, and after three weeks, these local responses are now amplified by international NGOs and UN agencies. Many refugees have also crossed further into Europe, to areas wheter they have family members or friends. European borders remain open.
Refugee Pathways response
Refugee Pathways has been reviewing information on the situation at the borders and continues to research (mostly complementary) resettlement opportunities for Ukrainian citizens. We highlight these opportunities on our social media channels, in this blog and on our website.
This blog outlines entry and stay requirements in several European countries where we see Ukrainians seeking safety. We also provide updated information about entry and support situations at the main border crossings in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and other close-by nations.
Germany
Over 150,000 Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Germany. Ukrainian nationals who were in Ukraine prior to 24 February are granted immediate and easy protection in Germany. Immediate basic services and support are provided at all major train stations where refugees arrive. For housing support, relevant resources based on location can be accessed here. More information, also in Ukrainian, can be accessed here.
Switzerland
Over 8,000 Ukrainian refugees have sought protection in Switzerland. Switzerland grants Ukrainian refugees with the immediate “Permit S” given to people in need of protection who are seeking protection in Switzerland. The permit entitles Ukrainians to stay in Switzerland on a provisional basis for one year. With the permit, Ukrainians can remain in Switzerland, seek out job opportunities and travely freely within the country. Additional support, including housing and health care are provided, but in differing ways depending on the canton in which a refugee or refugee family is. Several refugee support organizations and volunteers provide direct and immediate assistance at train stations and in major cities. For the latest updates on the situation of Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland click here.
Austria
Ukrainian refugees arriving in Austria can access direct support by contacting Austria’s support hotline 43 1 2676 870 9460, run by Ukrainian-speaking staff. In Austria, refugees can access housing and registration support immediately upon arrival. Refugee Pathways can support with any required translation to identify the needed help. Anyone who lives in Austria and would like to offer housing to refugees, find more information here.
France
In France, Ukrainian refugees receive temporary protection upon arrival, which includes the right to stay and work in France, access education and health care services.
Spain
Spain has admitted over 4,000 Ukrainian refugees and has simplified procedures for admission. Ukrainian refugees recieve easy temprary proection after their arrival and have immediate access to permits of residence and work.
Portugal
Portugal has simplified the protection requirements for Ukrainian refugees. Temporary protection will be given to arriving refugees for close to one year, and can be extended for two six-month periods depending on the situation and developments in Ukraine, which affects the safe return of the refugees. In Portugal, Ukrainian refugees can obtain legal status and have the right to work, social security and education. Health care and assistance is also readily available and support points have been established to quickly help any Ukrainian refugees arriving with urgent medical needs.
Poland
By March 18, nearly two million Ukrainians have fled to Poland. The neighboring country has established reception points for Ukrainian citizens entering through the border crossings. Find the locations of the reception points and more information here. For more information you can also visit UNHCR’s regularly updated page dedicated to Ukrainians arriving in Poland here.
People fleeing the armed conflict in Ukraine are admitted to Poland, even without any documentation. If arriving indidivudals or families do not have immediate accommodation, they may stay at one of the nearest reception points. There are buses that transport the refugees, for free, from the border crossing to the nearest reception point for help.
At reception points, people have access to temporary accommodation and shelter, as well as access to basic services, including food and medical assistance. Local and international organizations provide direct support.
— No documents are required to enter Poland, but if available, Ukrainians should bring any identification documents that they have (internal passport, foreign passport, birth certificates of children, medical documentation). Ukrainians who are already in Poland will have their legal stay extended —
For direct support from the government, the government established a hotline and email address
Support hotline: +48 47 721 75 75
Support email: ukraina@udsc.gov.pl for more support
up-to-date information from the Polish government
Additional support can be found through the IOM hotline: +48 22 490 20 44. The team speaks Ukranian, Russian, French, English.
Hungary
As of 18 March, over 291,000 Ukranians have fled to Hungary. Refugee crossings from Ukraine into Hungary have been continuous at five border crossing, long queues on the Ukrainian side have been reported.
Local and international organizations, including the UN, are at the border and support new arrivals. If you need immediate protection assistance, you can reach UNHCR at +36 1 336 3060 or hunbu@unhcr.org
To apply for temporary status or a residence permit, visit the asylum aurhotity, the National Directorate General for Aliens Policing (NDGAP):
Budapest: 1108 Budapest, Harmat út 131. (Every day: 8.00–16.00)
Debrecen: 4033 Debrecen, Sámsoni út 145. (Mon: 7.30–13.00, Tue: 7.30–16.00, Thurs: 12.00–17.30, Fri: 7.30–12.00)
Nyíregyháza: 4400 Nyíregyháza, Szent István út 9. (Mon: 10.00–15.00, Wed: 10.00–15.00)
Miskolc: 3526 Miskolc, Hatvanötösök útja 2. (Mon-Tue: 7.30–16.00, Wed: 7.30–18.00, Fri: 7.30–14.00)
For more information you can visit the NDGAP websites in Hungarian, Ukrainian or English.
Charity organizations providing assistance at the border and nationally:
Caritas Hungary — Email: karpataljaert@caritas.org.hu
Hungarian Baptist Aid — Email: karpataljaert@baptistasegely.hu
Hungarian Interchurch Aid — Email: karpataljaert@segelyszervezet.hu
Hungarian Reformed Church Aid — Email: karpataljaert@jobbadni.hu
Hungarian Red Cross — Email: karpataljaert@voroskereszt.hu
Hungarian Helsinki Committee (free and legal aid):
Information in Hungarian, in Ukrainian, in English, and in Russian is available here. Email: ukrainecrisis@helsinki.hu. Phone: +361 321 4323 (Monday/Thursday 10.00–18.00, Tuesday 10.00–17.00)
Menedék Association:
Information in Hungarian, Ukrainian, Russian and English here, and here in English or Hungarian. Email: menedek@menedek.hu Phone: +36 1 322 1502
UNHCR’s contact in Hungary:
Email: hunbu@unhcr.org
Phone: +36 1 336 3060
For more infomration about seeking aslumy in Hungary, housing or family reunification, visit UNHCR’s dedicated webpage for Ukrainians in Hungary here.
Hungary recently announced that people who employ Ukrainian refugees will recieve financial support, while housing and transptoritation assistance is provided to the refugees.
Hungary has also announced the opening of a humanitarian corridor for citizens from third-party countries (i.e., Iran or India) fleeing Ukraine. This corridor will allow these citizens to enter Hungary without a visa, but they will be taken to the nearest airport in Hungary and are not allowed to remain in the country.
Moldova
Over 355,500 Ukrainians have fled to Moldova over the past three weeks. Ukrainians can enter Moldova without international travel documents and COVID-19 restrictions (ban on entry) as well as entry requirements (proof of vaccine) no longer apply to Ukrainians, allowing swift entry.
Moldova has opened temporary placement/reception centers and shelters at its border crossings and in close proximity to the border in Palanca, Ocnita and Calarasauca. More information can be accessed here: https://ua.interfax.com.ua/news/general/801796.html
Romania
Over 509,000 Ukrainians have fled to Romania since the beginning of the Russian invasion. Thousands of refugees have passed through Romania to Bulgaria, Hungary and other european countries. At the Romanian border crossings, basic services and humanitarian aid, including shelter and food, are provided. Visit UNHCR’s website dedicated to Romania to access immediate support here.
Romanian National Council for Refugees (CNRR)
Services: information, legal counselling
Website: https://www.cnrr.ro/index.php/ro/
Email: office@cnrr.ro
Phone: (004) 0213126210
Hotline: (004)0730073170
UNHCR Romania
Office Phone: +40 21 201 7873 (Monday-Friday: 9:00–17:30)
Hotline: +40 723 653 651 (available 24/7)
Email: rombu@unhcr.org.
Slovakia
23,000 Ukrainians have fled to Slovakia over the past three weeks. Slovakia’s borders remain open and the country is providing Ukrainians a temporary accomodation status that guarantees free health care and legal work opportunities. Immediate basic services and humanitarian support are also provided at border crossings and to refugees across the country. Note that Slovakia has made public transport free of charge for Ukrainians.
Ukrainian citizens can now apply for the temporary protection status electronically.
For useful information and contact information, visit this offical Slovak Government website (contacts are in English, Ukrainian and Slovak):
Information for Ukrainians entering Slovak republic
More infomration and support can also be accessed (in English, Ukrainian, Slovak, Russian) here: http://www.ukraineslovakia.sk/
For the latest updates, visit the UNHCR website dedicated to Slovakia here.
People In Need also provides direct assistance: https://www.peopleinneed.net.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is accepting Ukrainian refugees and the Ministry of Health has removed the entry ban and all preventive measures imposed due to COVID-19 on arrivals from Ukraine. Detailed entry information is available in Ukrainian here: https://buff.ly/3C1vKN3
In Czech Republic, Ukrainian refugees recieve residence permits, work permits and social security support. At local Regional Assistance Centers, arriving refugees can apply for a special long-term visa (this should be done within three days of arrival). Those indiviudals who have been granted the special long-term visa will be ellighble to apply for Emergency Immediate Assistance.
Latvia
Over 4,500 Ukrainians have reached Latvia from Poland. In Latvia, Ukrainian refugees are supported with housing and other basic support and assistance.
Iceland
Iceland has removed Ukraine from its safe country of origin list and applications for international protection from Ukrainians are now handled as a priority. More information can be accessed here: https://buff.ly/3sngo1T
The Netherlands
Ukrainian refugees can remain in Netherlands for an initial six month period that can be extended. Ukrainians are not required to apply for an official visa, but can do so if they wish. For general information, housing, legal aid, health care or any other support, the newly created Refugee Help website provides comprehensive information in Ukrainian.
Refugee Pathways continues to monitor the situation in Ukraine, at the border crossings and across Europe to provide updates on resettlement opportunities and support for Ukrainians. We continue to update this blog accordingly.
18/3/2022
