Ukrainians in Europe – how much can refugees in EU countries receive?

IDPs from Ukraine seeking asylum abroad due to the outbreak of a full-scale war can receive financial support from the countries in which they are located. Most Ukrainian refugees choose Germany, France, Italy, Poland and the Czech Republic as their destination. The social benefits provided by these European countries range from 150 to 600 euros per person. This is stated in the material of the OBOZ.UA publication.

Ukrainians in Germany

Thanks to significant social support, Germany accepts almost a third of Ukrainian refugees into the EU. The Bürgergeld program provides assistance to both Germans and Ukrainians with temporary protection. From January 1, 2024, the standard amounts of this assistance are as follows:

• single persons/single parents – 563 euros (23,658 UAH);
• in a married couple for one partner – 506 euros (21,262 UAH);
• adults in establishments – 451 euros (18,951 UAH);
• teenagers 14–17 years old – 471 euros (19,792 UAH);
• children 6–13 years old – 390 euros (16,388 UAH);
• children under 5 years old – 357 euros (15,001 UAH).

Thus, a family of a mother and two children aged 6 and 14 years would be entitled to receive 1,424 euros (equivalent to 59,838 hryvnia). In addition, the Employment Center also provides additional assistance in the amount of 750-850 euros per person (which corresponds to 31,516 hryvnia – 35,718 hryvnia) to pay for rent.

Ukrainians in the Czech Republic

From September 1, 2024, the Czech Republic is changing the conditions for assistance to Ukrainian refugees. According to the new rules, the rental period for free housing for all categories is reduced from 150 to 90 days. According to the Czech Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, humanitarian aid for Ukrainian refugees in the first 150 days is:

• 3490 CZK (5816 UAH) – for children under 6 years old;
• 4188 CZK (6979 UAH) – for children from 6 to 10 years old;
• 5235 CZK (8724 UAH) – for children with disabilities;
• 4860 CZK (8099 UAH) – for adults;
• 7290 CZK (12,149 UAH) – for persons with disabilities.

Housing support for Ukrainian citizens is 2,400 Czech crowns (3,999 UAH) per month per person. In case of living in specially registered apartments, the amount increases to 3,000 CZK (4,999 UAH) per person. The maximum amount of assistance for families consisting of 5 people or more is 15 thousand crowns (24,998 UAH).

Ukrainians in France

In France, basic assistance for refugees is set at 6.8 euros (294 UAH) per day or approximately 204 euros (8,572 UAH) per month. However, depending on the size of the family, this figure may increase. For example, for a family of two people, support is 10.2 euros (420 UAH) per day, for three – 13.6 euros (547 UAH), and for four – 17 euros (715 UAH).

In addition, immigrants have the opportunity to benefit from rental reimbursement through the CAF Family Support Fund, which covers some of their housing costs, usually by sending payments directly to the landlord. In addition, Ukrainian immigrants can also receive humanitarian assistance in the form of food packages, have the right to free medical care and access to free education, including schools and kindergartens.

Ukrainians in Italy

Refugees from Ukraine in Italy are provided with monthly financial support in the amount of 300 euros (12,606 hryvnia) for each family member for three months. In addition, parents of children under 18 years of age can receive an additional benefit in the amount of 150 euros (6,303 hryvnia) for each child.

To receive these payments, applicants must live in private housing for at least ten days a month. In addition, refugees are required to renew their temporary residence permit every six months.

Ukrainians in Poland

IDPs in Poland have the opportunity to receive a one-time benefit from the government in the amount of 300 zlotys (equivalent to 2,900 hryvnia) per person. This financial support is provided to persons:

• who arrived in Poland on February 24, 2022 and are legally present in the country;
• who have received a Polish PESEL identification number.

Financial assistance is provided per person. This means that a family of four can receive a one-time benefit of 1,200 zlotys (equivalent to 11,593 hryvnia).

Poland has also introduced a program to assist the families of Ukrainians who arrived in the country after February 23, 2022. Under the “Family 800+” initiative, a Ukrainian family has the opportunity to receive an allowance in the amount of 800 zlotys (equivalent to 7,729 hryvnia) for each child monthly.

Let us recall that earlier on the page of the Czech Ministry of Internal Affairs for Ukrainian refugees Naši Ukrajinci it was reported that some Ukrainian refugees in the Czech Republic would be deprived of the right to temporary protection. We are talking about citizens who did not have time to extend its terms, since this had to be done before March 15, 2024.