Austria has hosted around a hundred thousand Ukrainian refugees on its territory since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. To this day, the country provides assistance to Ukrainian citizens in accommodation, food and financial aid. Find out what you need to enter Austria, what are the conditions and payments

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside of Ukraine

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Austria, like other European Union countries, has introduced simplified conditions for applying for asylum for Ukrainians against the backdrop of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We have collected information on the rules for moving to Austria and social support in this article.

Entry rules

Entry without a biometric passport is allowed, but only for Ukrainian citizens fleeing to fight in the war. This rule does not apply to travellers. If your passport is about to expire or you are travelling with a child without a passport, please contact the Embassy of Ukraine in Austria (1180 Wien, Naaffgasse 23).

Ukrainians who come to Austria can stay in the country without a visa for up to 90 days. For a longer stay and social support, as in other EU countries, it is necessary to apply for temporary protection status in Austria. Currently, this right allows you to stay in the country legally until 4 March 2025.

It is possible to apply for refugee status in Austria, but it is subject to a number of restrictions: you need to hand over your personal documents, which means that you cannot return home or find a job for a long time to complete the paperwork. Read more about the difference between temporary protection status and refugee status here.

Where to apply for protection?

To obtain temporary protection status, contact the police registration offices. The addresses of the relevant municipal institutions are available here.

Your right to reside will be confirmed by an identity card for displaced persons (Blue Card). It will be sent by post to the address of registration.

With this status, you can travel to EU countries for up to 90 days and also travel to Ukraine for a short time without losing your right to reside in Austria. If you plan to return to Ukraine permanently, you need to go through the procedure of deregistration at the institution where you applied for protection.

Accommodation

Upon arrival, you will be placed in temporary accommodation and provided with food and health insurance. More detailed information can be found here.

Austria provides Ukrainians with free long-term accommodation located throughout the country. You cannot choose a region. The type of accommodation varies, but you will not have to share a room with other people. If you want to live with relatives, let the staff know and they will try to arrange shared accommodation or place you nearby.

Austrians also accommodate Ukrainians in their own homes. To find one, contact:

    - Federal Agency for Care and Support (BBU);

    - Diakonie housing agency;

Ukrainians can rent a home on their own, while retaining basic care and food benefits. It is also possible to apply for a rental subsidy. The rental subsidy for a family (2 persons or more) is up to EUR 300.00 per person per month.

There are several online platforms for finding an apartment: willhaben.at and immobilienscout24.at.

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Financial assistance

If you are accommodated in organised accommodation, you will be covered with all living expenses, meals or money for them. As part of the support, you are entitled to a clothing allowance of EUR 150.00 per person per year.

For those who live in a private house, in addition to the subsidy for accommodation, you can receive financial support. For adults - up to EUR 260.00, for minors - up to EUR 145.00 per person per month. 

If you have a child with special needs (at least 50% disability), an additional amount of €155.90 per child per month is paid.

Medical services

Ukrainians who have been granted temporary protection in Austria have the right to access medical services: to receive medical advice and free medicines. Registration is carried out when applying for social services. After registration, you will be assigned an insurance number.

However, we would like to remind you that if you are planning a trip abroad, you should take care of your insurance policy, as it is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside Ukraine. In order to avoid troubles abroad and to be calm for yourself and your loved ones, Visit Ukraine recommends taking out health insurance in advance.

Education

Children who come to Austria with their parents have the right to attend educational institutions. Information on kindergarten registration can be obtained from the municipality in which you live (e.g. MA10 in Vienna). For information on school placement, please contact the education authority's counselling centre.

The school year in Austria starts on 1 September. Children start school at the age of 6 and attend 9 school years.

Where can I find a job?

Once you have been issued with an IDP card (Blue Card), you will have access to the Austrian labour market. You register and search for a job through the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS). The Centre will collect your data, such as education, professional experience and skills, as well as other personal information and offer you a job offer. If you have found a job on your own, your employer can also apply to the AMS for a work permit.

You can look for a job on your own on the platforms: karriere.at and jooble.

Car

Ukrainians planning to arrive in Austria by car can find all the rules and requirements here.

For those travelling or planning to travel to Europe by car, a Green Card insurance policy is available. You can apply for it here.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

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Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

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