Information for people fleeing from Ukraine (EN)Last updated: 9 March 2022

People fleeing from Ukraine have the right to enter Hungary. The opportunities available in
Hungary depend on the nationality of those seeking protection.
I am a Ukrainian citizen and I fled from Ukraine to Hungary.
Ukrainian citizens who have a biometric passport can stay and move freely within the European
Union for 3 months. (A biometric passport is a passport that contains a built-in chip.)
The European Union offers temporary protection to Ukrainian citizens and their family members
who were living in Ukraine before 24 February 2022. This temporary protection in Hungarian iscalled “menedékes”. More on this protection below.
In the context of temporary protection, a family member is defined as a spouse, partner, minor
child and relatives living in the same household. Family members are entitled to this protection
even if they are not Ukrainian citizens.
I am a Hungarian citizen and I fled from Ukraine to Hungary.
Hungarian citizens cannot apply for temporary protection, as they are coming home to Hungary
and can stay here for any length of time without a special permit. But in the current situation,Hungarian citizens who have fled from Ukraine are entitled to the same services as Ukrainian
citizens who apply for protection.
I am neither a Hungarian nor a Ukrainian citizen, but I lived in Ukraine and fled to Hungary.
Since 8 March, only those who have Ukrainian citizenship can apply for temporary protection inHungary. Citizens of other countries cannot apply for such protection even if they are afraid toreturn to their country of origin (country of nationality). We encourage them and their helpers tocontact us as soon as possible.
Those who would only stay in Hungary for a short period because they want to return to theircountry of origin will receive a "temporary residence certificate" from the immigration office("National Directorate General of Aliens' Policing", OIF). With this document you have the right tostay in Hungary for a maximum of 30 days. Importantly, this document does not allow you tocross EU borders. If the person concerned does not have accommodation, he or she can ask theimmigration office to assign him or her a place to stay. This document does not entitle you to any
other type of assistance from the Hungarian state.
I was recognised as a refugee in Ukraine and now I have fled to Hungary.
Those who were previously given asylum in Ukraine are now entitled to temporary protection in
Hungary in the same way as Ukrainian citizens. Family members of refugees recognised inUkraine are also entitled to temporary protection.
What is temporary protection and how can I apply for it?
This protection is available to Ukrainian citizens, their family members and refugees and family
members recognised in Ukraine. It is possible to get this protection even if they did not come to
Hungary directly from Ukraine. But this protection is only available if you were in Ukraine before
24 February. Temporary protection is the same in all EU countries.
Temporary protection is not granted automatically, you need to apply for it. You must apply inperson, at any "collection point", any time of the day. The collection points are in Fehérgyarmat,Cigánd. The application can also be submitted at any of the offices of the immigration office (OIF)
during opening hours. You can find the addresses of the offices and customer services of theimmigration office (OIF) here (oif.gov.hu).
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The immigration office must complete the procedure within 45 days. The applicant must provethat he or she is a Ukrainian citizen or had been living in Ukraine as a recognised refugee or afamily member of a recognised refugee. The easiest way to do this is with an official document(for example identity card, passport, document proving family ties). Importantly, you can getprotection even if you do not have any documents. In this case, the authorities will ask moredetailed questions about where you come from at a hearing, to prove that you have a right toprotection.
What are my rights when I apply for temporary protection?
Once you apply for temporary protection, you have the right to benefits from the state. Thisincludes accommodation, food and medical care. If someone else is giving you accommodation,then you do not have to go to accommodation provided by the state, but you still have to tell theauthorities that you want temporary protection. In this case, you will receive less support, but will
still be entitled to medical care.
Those who get temporary protection can now work in certain jobs without a special permit. For
most jobs, those who get temporary protection can now get a work permit more easily. If they
have no place to live, the state will provide accommodation. They also have the right to healthcare and education for their children.
Those who get temporary protection will also receive a Hungarian identity card, which is different
from the identity card of Hungarian citizens.
Temporary protection is valid for up to 3 years.
What rights do Hungarian citizens fleeing Ukraine have?
In the current situation, they are entitled to the same support that the Hungarian state provides tothose who apply for temporary protection.
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee assists people fleeing from Ukraine. As before, people in needcan count on us to provide them with professional and free legal assistance, from counselling torepresentation.
You can contact us here:
ukrainecrisis@helsinki.hu | facebook.com/helsinkibizottsag | helsinki.hu/en

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