After crossing the border, you need to contact the information point, where they will help you find temporary housing and send you to a specific address. Ukrainians are accommodated mainly in the cities of the country in hotels, apartments, private houses and dormitories. Refugees live here for free or for minimal payment.

The Estonian state offers short-term accommodation to war refugees and supports them in finding a long-term place of residence. Dwellings can be found all over Estonia; however, it can be more time consuming in Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu and Haapsalu. Estonia is a small country and the whole of Estonia is a liveable place. The Social Insurance Board in cooperation with Kinnisvara24 has opened a real estate portal that gathers together accommodation that people are offering specifically to Ukrainian war refugees. You can find the available residencies at kinnisvara24 . You can also search for rental apartments on the free market through kinnisvara24.ee  , city24.ee and kv.ee .

Read more information about housing here .

The Social Insurance Board in cooperation with Kinnisvara24 has opened a real estate portal that gathers together accommodation that people are offering specifically to Ukrainian war refugees. It is also possible to find housing that is offered for free there. More specific information here . If you have received temporary protection and move from temporary accommodation (hotel or ship) to a permanent residence (apartment or house), you are entitled to a lump-sum benefit to cover the costs of concluding a lease contract. Expenses will be reimbursed after you have found suitable accommodation.

To receive the compensation, an application must be submitted to the local government. The compensation is paid to the lessor of the residential space or to the war refugee who has been granted temporary protection. Compensation can also be claimed by a volunteer who has assisted a war refugee and who has incurred expenses related to the war refugee’s accommodation (e.g. the purchase of furniture or household appliances).

To apply for compensation, a war refugee must have received temporary protection and registered their place of residence with the local government. From 1 June, the maximum amount of the lump-sum benefit is 1200 euros and for contracts and expenditures incurred before 31 May, the maximum amount is 900 euros. At present, the maximum amount of compensation is 900 euros. The necessity for paying compensation is assessed by the local government. When applying for the compensation, the lease agreement and expense receipts must be submitted if expenses related to the dwelling have been incurred (e.g. brokerage fees, security deposite, purchase of repair supplies or furnishings).

The compensation is not paid if the war refugee settled with a family member legally residing in Estonia or if the war refugee already has a sufficient income. The necessity for paying compensation is assessed by a local government social worker.

If your income is very low, you also have the right to apply for a subsistence benefit from your local government. If you are renting an apartment or a house and therefore have to pay housing costs, the application for subsistence benefit must include the lease contract and documents proving housing costs (e.g. utility bills).

You can find more information here .

You can post your wishes in the Facebook group 'Friends of Ukraine in Estonia' . There are also several other Facebook groups for finding accommodation in Estonia. You'll usually find them by the keyword 'renting apartement(s)' ('korteri(te) üürimine')) and location, e.g. ‘Üürikorterid ilma maaklerita’ (apartments for rent without a broker ).

Regional advisers from the Social Insurance Board (SKA) also provide assistance in finding suitable accommodation to war refugees. Accommodation can be dwellings owned by private individuals, local governments, or the state (e.g. former dormitories or care homes). Contact the coordinator of your accommodation establishment (hotel or ship) for assistance.

If an adviser from the Social Insurance Board helps you find a place to live, they will also let the local government know so that it could provide additional social support or services.

Some NGOs also help to find housing. You can seek advice and assistance, for example, from the Estonian Refugee Assistance Council (Eesti Pagulasabi ), Hands for Ukraine .

The Social Insurance Board in cooperation with Kinnisvara24 has opened a real estate portal that gathers together accommodation that people are offering specifically to Ukrainian war refugees. You can find the available residencies at kinnisvara24.delfi.ee . You can also search for rental apartments on the free market through kinnisvara24.ee , city24.ee and kv.ee .

Read more information about housing here .

EU4UA is a platform for finding housing in Europe together with other Ukrainians

A new roommate search function has been launched on the EU4UA platform.

Renting housing with other people will allow:

• save money by sharing housing costs with other people;
• have a greater choice of housing;
• to find friends, expand the network of social contacts and feel supported in a new country.

Go to the platform via the link .

Do not forget to register your place of residence!

When you have received a temporary protection and residence permit in Estonia, you must register your place of residence in the Estonian Population Register. You can do this in the local government of your residence. After registering your place of residence, you are entitled to services and benefits intended for Estonian residents, such as social benefits, health care, free public transport, or a place in a school or kindergarten.

You must submit a document certifying the use of the room (e.g. lease contract) or the consent of the owner of the room. If there is a lease contract, it will suffice and the owner’s consent is not required.

If you move from one city, district, or municipality to another, you must also update your data in the population register. This is necessary so that the local government can plan nursery school and school places and pay subsistence and housing benefits.