ARP Payments in Ireland: How Much Will Ukrainians Receive in 2026?

Ireland is going to change the amount of ARP payments for homeowners who take in Ukrainian refugees. Find out what the amount of payments will be after the reduction and what other changes are expected in the near future

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The Irish government has announced a gradual phase-out of the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) program, which has been in effect since 2022. The monthly payment amount will be further reduced, and the program itself is set to be completely phased out. This was reported by the Irish Times.

Who receives these payments, how their amounts will change, and what will happen to the accommodation of Ukrainians in hotels—we explain further in this article.

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How does the ARP program work in Ireland?

The ARP program was introduced in Ireland in 2022 following the start of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It provided a monthly tax-free payment to individuals who provided housing to Ukrainian refugees—in spare rooms in their own homes or at their summer cottages.

During the program’s duration, it facilitated the accommodation of 42,000 people in 23,500 properties. The monthly cost of the program is 14.5 million euros.

The number of Ukrainians under temporary protection in the EU has decreased. Find out where the biggest changes were recorded in this article.

How have the payment amounts for providing housing to Ukrainians in Ireland changed?

The ARP payment amount has been revised several times:

• the initial payment amount was 400 euros per month;
• in December 2022, the amount was increased to 800 euros;
• last June, the government reduced the payment from 800 to 600 euros;
• the next reduction—from 600 to 400 euros—is planned as part of the program’s gradual phase-out.

The ARP program has been extended until March 2027

The program was set to expire in May 2026, but the government decided to extend it for another 12 months—until March 2027. At the same time, Minister of State Colm Brophy emphasized that this extension is part of the process of phasing out the ARP.

According to Brophy, the government will work to “make it clear that the program is coming to an end.” He also noted that Ukrainians in Ireland under temporary protection have the opportunity to look for housing on their own, and many of them are already doing so.

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The Impact of the ARP on the Rental Market in Ireland

The Irish government has acknowledged the program’s negative impact on the availability of private rental housing. An analysis by the Department of Housing found that reducing the payment from €800 to €600 helped reduce the incentive for landlords to leave the private rental sector.

Despite this, the government’s policy document notes that the ARP remains a significant incentive for transferring properties from the private rental sector into the payment scheme.

An analysis of regulatory risks also showed that the tax-free nature of the ARP makes the program more attractive than rental income in certain regions of the country.

New rules took effect on March 1, 2026: properties that were used as rental housing prior to 2022 are no longer eligible for the ARP program. Thus, payments are limited to those who offer spare rooms in their own homes or a second property that was not previously on the private rental market.

How many Ukrainian children in the EU have temporary protection — we covered this in a previous article.

What will happen to the accommodation of Ukrainians in Irish hotels?

Brophy confirmed that the government aims to phase out the temporary accommodation of Ukrainians in hotels and return these beds to the tourism sector. There are currently 531 accommodation contracts in effect, covering 22,450 beds in hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs.

Since the beginning of 2026, 25 such contracts have been terminated. During 2025, 195 contracts were terminated, and in 2024, 420.

How many Ukrainians are currently in state-funded housing in Ireland?

As of now, nearly 19,200 Ukrainians are in state-funded housing in Ireland. The peak figure was recorded in November 2023—60,000 people. New arrivals from Ukraine are currently provided with 30 days of accommodation in designated state-funded centers.

Staying abroad always involves health risks. Having health insurance allows you to receive timely medical care without significant financial costs and is a mandatory requirement for staying in many EU countries. The Visit Ukraine portal offers convenient health insurance plans for a safe stay abroad.

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Reminder! Temporary protection in the EU for Ukrainians has been extended, but the rules for 2026 have become stricter. The eligibility criteria have changed, restrictions have been introduced, and there are now differences between countries. Can you obtain renewed temporary protection in the EU? — we explain at the link.

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