#Ukraine Destitution and homelessness: the situation of vulnerable Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection

Information and legal assistance for refugees from Ukraine

After August 21, only refugees from the Ukrainian territories affected by war operations will be entitled to central state accommodation in Hungary
Those who are now living in state accommodation, but no military operations are taking place in their former residence, can apply for continued housing until July 10, given their special situation.
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee published the sample application which, according to information, is regularized by the defense committees (védelmi bizottságok), and which can be sent through them to the government commissioner Norbert Pál, who will decide on the fate of the applicants.
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee asks those affected by the new regulation and their assistants to write to ukrainecrisis@helsinki.hu. Those whose assistance is now withdrawn by the government can request legal assistance.

 

The Hungarian government has extended the temporary protection of people from Ukraine living in Hungary for another year.

They can continue to legally live in Hungary, work, rent an apartment, go to school and use health services. They DO NOT NEED to renew their cards at the authority, they will certainly remain valid until March 4, 2025.

Information leaflets for people fleeing from Ukraine

Downloadable sample applications for refugees obliged to move out

Those who have been forced to move, but wish to remain in their current accommodation with their families, can submit an application to the locally competent Protection Committee. For this, we prepared the following sample applications:

Sample application in Hungarian here.
Sample request’s Russian translation here.

Sample response for accommodation providers to continue to receive the allowance for both parents of underage children

On 1 August, the Hungarian government amended Decree 104/2022 on the care of persons arriving from Ukraine. In violation of the Constitution, government agencies and protection commissions interpret the amended provisions as not including both parents of underage children as eligible for subsidised housing. This creates a difficult situation for families and accommodation providers alike.

The Hungarian Helsinki Committee helps accommodation providers continue to receive the allowance for both parents of minor children. We encourage accommodation providers to send the attached letter to the county government offices and protection commissions to request the daily allowance for both parents. In the meantime, please get in touch with the Helsinki Committee so that we can support you at the earliest possible stage. We are working hard to end this unlawful practice and protect the rights of the people staying with you effectively.

The Hungarian Helsinki Committee assists refugees from Ukraine. Asylum seekers can count on us.

Since 24 February 2022, we have continuously been on duty, doing what we are good at: providing information, free legal assistance and accessible information notes for those who have to flee Ukraine. We are also responding to questions from international organizations and the media about the current situation.

You can contact us here:

ukrainecrisis@helsinki.hu
facebook.com/helsinkibizottsag

 

We set up a hotline for refugees from Ukraine where we can answer your questions in Russian on Monday: 9-12, Thursday: 14-18, Friday: 10-16.

Please call us at: +36 70 302 6219

 

Did you have a problem with our services? Were you harmed in any way when receiving our assistance? Contact us!

Other aid organizations

If you need help with questions that are not legal

Updates on the protection situation in Hungary

The Hungarian Helsinki Committee provides regular, reliable information on the situation at the Ukrainian-Hungarian border and of refugees fleeing Ukraine due to the Russian invasion.

Our updates on the protection situation in Hungary from 2022:

Analysis on what Hungary is asking additional funds for from the European Union is here.

Thematic reports from 2023

 

  • Labour exploitation of refugees from Ukraine — Throughout 2022, we observed some reports of unfair labour conditions by applicants or beneficiaries of temporary protection who started to work in Hungary. Most reports complain about an unfair salary (e.g. receiving a substantially lower salary than agreed beforehand) or the fact that persons are employed without a contract.
  • The situation of Romani refugees fleeing Ukraine — This short paper summarizes the HHC’s experiences gathered through monitoring visits since the beginning of the war regarding the situation of Romani refugees in Hungary. Due to the strong anti-Roma sentiments in Hungary, many had to face additional hardship during their reception.

We regularly monitor reception facilities where Ukrainian refugees are accommodated throughout Hungary. We summarize our findings in short, thematic reports.

We do what we have always been doing: protect the rights of refugees

You can support us so that we can continue helping more people

 

Support us with donations, it will help us continue offering high quality and free legal assistance for those in need.

 

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