Information and legal assistance for refugees from Ukraine

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, 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: 12-16, Wednesday: 14-18, Friday: 10-14 pm.

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

  • Baptist Aid

    The Baptist Aid helps the people fleeing from Ukraine by providing – amongst other things – the following services: information, hot meals, provisional accommodation, organising travels, counselling and help to find a job. 

    Contact: karpataljaert@baptistasegely.hu

     

     

  • Cordelia Foundation

    Cordelia Foundation provides psychological assistance with psychiatrists, psychologists, special therapists, trained interpreters and other helpers to those people fleeing Ukraine. 

    Contact details: 

     

  • Jesuit Refugee Service

    The Jesuit Refugee Service helps the people fleeing from Ukraine with an accommodation programme. The JRS also helps the refugee children’s access to schools by organising teaching material on Hungarian as a foreign language and by organising workshops to children. 

    Contacts

    • jmsz.hu
    • info@jmsz.hu
    • +36 30 459 8605 Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 9:00-12:00
  • Lutherans

    The Lutherans help the people fleeing Ukraine with accommodation, counselling, clothes, food and medicine.

    Contact: Andrási Júlia: julia.andrasi@lutheran.hu +36205133152

     

  • Menedék Association

    The mobile team of the Menedék Association can help with answering questions related the the following topics: residency, family reunification, applying for jobs, long term settlement, access to health care and information related to education. After a needs assessment, they can also organise programmes for children and access to psychological support. 

    Contact info: Accommodation centres can apply for the free help here, while private persons providing accommodation should request help via email: menedek@menedek.hu

    Menedék Association also provides information and help in cases of workplace exploitation.

    Contact info: Victims of workplace exploitation can ask for help by email at safe.employment@menedek.hu or by phone on the free-to-call number: +36 80 625025

  • Migration Aid

    You can contact Migration Aid if you need

  • Mira Ház

    Community programmes in Mira Ház on weekdays between 3-7 pm: programmes for children, families, yoga for women, sports, Hungarian language classes, free internet, information provision and a cup of tea. The volunteer mentors trained by Artemisszió also help refugees and private individuals providing accommodation to refugees. 

    Contacts: 

     

  • Next Step Association

    Next Step Association’s ongoing mental health program is now offering free mental health support for those struggling with the recent changes imposed on them by the war waged on Ukraine. They have set up a free delivery and pick-up centre in their office in the city centre of Budapest, where all those who have fled the Ukrainian crisis are welcome to pick up essential items to make their lives easier. (food & clothes & personal hygiene)

    Contact details: 

  • Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (TASZ)

    TASZ is helping to ensure that refugees from Ukraine receive the healthcare they deserve in Hungary. On our website you can find basic information about healthcare access and our email legal helpline team will try to answer any other legal problems you may have in the healthcare system. Feel free to contact us with these questions even in Ukrainian or Russian.

    https://tasz.hu/ukraine-healthcare

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.

 

Read and share our information leaflets and news with groups in which you are active.

 

Hungarian Helsinki Committee