Residence and Payments Conditions: Updated terms for Ukrainians in Europe

The countries of the European Union continue to provide asylum to Ukrainians who were forced to leave the territory of Ukraine due to the war.

In October 2023, the EU officially extended the temporary protection mechanism for Ukrainians until 4 March 2025. As of the end of November 2023, 4.27 million Ukrainian citizens had this status in EU countries. The main countries that received beneficiaries of temporary protection were Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic.

Let’s take a look at the key and promising changes that await Ukrainians under temporary protection in the European Union in 2024.

Germany

Cancellation of Unemployment Benefits for Refusing Employment

Ukrainians with temporary protection status in Germany, like Germans, have the right to receive unemployment benefits, known as Bürgergeld. Approximately 700,000 Ukrainians, with 480,000 being of working age, receive these benefits. However, only 19% of Ukrainians are currently employed in Germany.

In late 2023, the German Minister of Labor, Hubertus Heil, announced the development of a draft law to reduce payments for unemployed individuals who refuse job offers without valid reasons. Under the new rules, Ukrainians will not receive payments for two months, but housing and utilities will still be covered during this period.

After two months, employment centers will offer jobs again. If a person refuses once more, they will face fines ranging from 10% to 100%.

These changes may be approved by German lawmakers at the beginning of 2024.

Accelerated Employment for Ukrainians with Temporary Protection

In October 2023, the German government introduced a new project called “JobTurbo” to accelerate the employment of Ukrainians. This initiative includes several important changes in the functioning of employment centers:

• Ukrainians will have the opportunity to learn the language directly at their workplace, eliminating the need for separate language courses. Previously, employment centers funded language learning at B2 level and above, but now this responsibility shifts to employers.
• Job searches for Ukrainians will occur simultaneously with course attendance. If a person finds a job, they can attend courses in their free time.
• Currently, health issues are the only valid reason for refusing employment, and qualifications and personal job preferences lose their significance.
• The new program for employment center consultations includes visits every six weeks for advice.

Increased Payments to Ukrainians with Temporary Protection

Starting from early 2024, social assistance payments to Ukrainians and German citizens have increased by 12%. Bürgergeld, issued as primary support for job seekers, now stands at:

• Single individuals/single parents — €563
• Couples per partner — €506
• Adults — €451
• Adolescents aged 14-17 — €471
• Children aged 6-13 — €390
• Children under 5 — €357

These increased amounts apply to both German citizens and Ukrainians with temporary protection from January 1, 2024.

The Czech Republic

Temporary Protection Renewal Process

The process of renewing temporary protection involves several stages. Initially, individuals must register online from January 1 to March 15, 2024. This registration allows them to receive temporary protection until September 30, 2024.

When visiting the migration department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for a new visa sticker, an updated document must be presented. This ensures the extension of temporary protection until March 31, 2025.

In 2024, a new requirement is introduced: providing a residence certificate with an officially certified signature from the owner or landlord. However, this does not apply to those residing in state humanitarian housing.

One of the changes is that temporary protection will no longer be extended to Ukrainian citizens already facing deportation. Previously, deportation was postponed until the expiration of temporary protection.

Also, starting from January 1, 2024, in the Czech Republic, the registration of vehicles with Ukrainian license plates becomes mandatory. Failure to register by the end of the year will be considered a violation of the law, resulting in fines.

Residence in Temporary Housing

From July 2023, the duration of stay in state humanitarian housing was limited to 5 months (150 days). Vulnerable categories of Ukrainians with temporary protection could use such housing without time constraints and free of charge.

In 2024, the limit for staying in state humanitarian housing will be reduced to 3 months. This new rule will take effect from September 1, 2024. Ukrainians with temporary protection who have already spent 90 days in this housing by that time must leave emergency accommodation or transition to standard rental conditions, paying for their stay.

Financial Assistance for Voluntary Return Home

The Czech government is considering establishing rules for financial assistance for Ukrainians who decide to return to their country voluntarily. Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan announced that this assistance would be offered to those who, despite the war, want to return, especially for family reasons.

If approved, the assistance will cover certain expenses related to returning to Ukraine, such as buying tickets or paying for accommodation before departure in specific cases. However, it will not involve cash payments. The Czech government will determine permissible expenses and the maximum amount of monetary payments.

Education

Starting from September 2024, the ability to determine specific start dates for schooling in kindergartens and schools for Ukrainian children, as well as creating separate classes for them, will no longer be available. Schools have the right to adjust the curriculum only for Ukrainian children with temporary protection of less than one year.

Free nostrification (recognition of foreign education documents) of a diploma will only be available to Ukrainians with temporary protection for less than 12 months. Other individuals will need to pay a nostrification fee of 3000 crowns (5100 UAH).

Poland

At present, temporary protection for Ukrainians in Poland is active until March 4, 2024. The authorities have not yet made a decision on extending this status until 2025.

Cancellation of benefits and payments for Ukrainians in Poland in 2024

A final decision on canceling benefits and payments for citizens from Ukraine in Poland has not been made. However, according to information from the spokesperson of the Polish government, Piotr Mueller, previously adopted provisions may lose their validity with the onset of the new year.

The phase of mass migration of Ukrainians from the war has already passed, and in Poland, there is hope that the need for financial assistance to Ukrainians may diminish.

Increase in child allowances in Poland from January 2024

Starting from January 1, 2024, the monthly allowance for minor children in Poland for Ukrainians has increased. Previously, they received 500 zlotys per child, and now this amount will be 800 zlotys.

Those who already received these payments do not need additional documents to receive the increased assistance—the new amount will be automatically credited. However, Ukrainians planning to receive this assistance for the first time will need to provide documents confirming their legal residence in Poland and that they are raising minor children.

From February 1, 2024, applications for childcare assistance for the period from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025, will be accepted in Poland.

This material was created by the NGO “Institute of Analytics and Advocacy” as part of a project implemented in partnership with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and funded within the framework of civil protection and humanitarian aid from the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed belong solely to the author (authors) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or DRC. Neither the European Commission nor DRC is responsible for any use of the information contained in this material.