From the first day of summer 2022, the rules for Ukrainian refugees have changed in some EU countries. What's new in the rules of residence, receiving social benefits, travel for Ukrainian citizens who fled the war in the material TSN.ua
We are talking about new rules for Ukrainians in Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Bulgaria and the Netherlands.
Restrictions on the admission of Ukrainian refugees
Countries are trying to regulate the reception and accommodation of Ukrainians in order to avoid overpopulation in big cities. In Switzerland, Ukrainian refugees can no longer independently choose where to settle in the country. Those who leave for Poland and Germany are not advised to go to large cities. in Poland it is Warsaw and Krakow, in Germany it is Berlin, Cologne, Munich. As of the end of May, Bavaria, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Hamburg, Brandenburg, Hesse no longer accepted refugees.
In Prague, from June 15, the registration center for Ukrainian refugees in the region Vysochany, this decision was announced by the mayor of the Czech capital Zdenek Grzyb.
From May 31, Ukrainians who went to Bulgaria and lived under the temporary accommodation program in hotels are being relocated to buffer centers in Sarafovo and Elhovo, to municipal or state hostels.
What has changed in social benefits
The Government of Poland, in order to encourage Ukrainians to look for work, from July 1 plans to stop paying financial assistance to Ukrainians. Only persons with disabilities, pregnant women, large families will continue to pay assistance.
The order of payments and the amount of social assistance in Germany has been changed. From June 1, Ukrainians should receive assistance; refugees must submit documents to the Job Center (local employment centers) in their city. Employment centers will provide not only payments, but also help in finding a job. To adapt in the country, Ukrainians who plan to stay in Germany can study at the integration courses of the German language and history. Since June 1, the amount of social payments in Germany for Ukrainians has increased – 300 euros per child and 440 euros per adult per month.
In the Czech Republic, the situation has not changed with the onset of summer. Since March 21, 2022, Ukrainian refugees receive 5,000 kroons each, provided that they crossed the border of the Czech Republic.
Ukrainian migrants in Bulgaria receive a one-time payment of 375 leva.
Conditions travel by public transport for Ukrainians in Europe
Until June 1, Ukrainians could travel by public, ground, underground and rail transport in European countries for free. It was enough just to show your passport or issue a free ticket at the railway ticket office. From June 1, the rules of travel have changed.
In Poland, public transport in Warsaw and Krakow has become paid. But since June, passengers from Ukraine can travel for free from and to such cities: Chelm, Dorogusk, Lublin, Hrubeshev, Przemysl, Zaguzh, Yaroslav and Rzeszow.
The remaining rules for the free use of the Polish railway remain unchanged. As before, Ukrainians who crossed the border on February 24 can travel for free on 2nd class trains TLK and IC. Free tickets will be issued upon presentation of a Ukrainian passport, or an Ukrzaliznytsia ticket, or a PESEL number along with any other identification document.
From June 1, Ukrainians in Germany, along with German citizens, can purchase a ticket for 9 euros per month, valid in public transport and regional trains. Long-distance trains will be paid. The right to get to the first place of their stay free of charge remains for those entering the country and having the appropriate stamp on crossing the border in their passport.
Travel for Ukrainians will also become paid in Bulgaria.
From June 1 the deadline for the decision on free travel in public transport in Switzerland has expired. However, this does not mean the complete abolition of free travel in this country. The country's public transport organization Alliance SwissPass informs that Ukrainians who left for Switzerland can apply to social authorities or municipal authorities for free tickets.
Abolish free travel for Ukrainians in Prague. According to the Prague Integrated Transport (Pražská Integrated Transport), from June 12 (previously it was planned to be done from June 1), public transport in Prague and the Central Bohemian Region will be paid for refugees from Ukraine. In the Czech Republic, they plan to introduce subscriptions costing about 7 euros per month. Intercity communication in this country will also become paid.
From June 1, 2022, the right of free travel for Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands will no longer be valid, the municipality of Rotterdam reports. From now on, the organization of the entry of Ukrainians into the Netherlands has been delegated to local authorities, who will also deal with financial support for Ukrainians fleeing the war.
Read also:
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