The information on this page was collected from public resources and does not constitute legal advice.
General information on border crossing?You can cross the border with Hungary by car and on foot at these points: Chop/Zahony, Luzanka/Beregsurany, Kosyno, Dzvinkove, Vylok/Tisabech. You can check the interactive map showing the waiting time at the border at dpsu.gov.ua/en/map You will find the procedures for border crossing here Help Points – If you are arriving from Ukraine to Hungary just now, there are some organisations that may be able to help you at the border and across Hungary with legal assistance, finding transportation, accommodation, relief items, among others. Members of the Charity Council are providing support at Help Points close to border crossing points between Ukraine and Hungary. You can ask for directions to the closest Help Point when crossing the border. If you arrive on foot, you may request the authorities to be taken there by bus. You can also get in touch with the organisations directly. Please see the list of Help Points here |
What documents do I need to enter?You can enter Hungary with any of the following documents:
Find more information here |
What happens after a border crossing?After the border crossing, you will most likely be welcomed by local volunteers who can help you get to the nearest train station. Also, the authorities will ask you whether you want temporary protection (valid for a year) or just a temporary residence permit (so-called ‘ideiglenes tartózkodásra jogosító igazolás’, initially valid for up to 3 months). Help Points – If you are arriving from Ukraine to Hungary just now, there are some organisations that may be able to help you at the border and across Hungary with legal assistance, finding transportation, accommodation, relief items, among others. Members of the Charity Council are providing support at Help Points close to border crossing points between Ukraine and Hungary. You can ask for directions to the closest Help Point when crossing the border. If you arrive on foot, you may request the authorities to be taken there by bus. You can also get in touch with the organisations directly. Please see the list of Help Points here |
How can I get from the border to the capital (a certain town)?You can get to several city in Hungary by train operating by MAV It is still possible to use the "Solidarity" ticket for free travel in second-class carriages. Stations at which this document is issued are listed in a special list at the link For persons with the status of a Ukrainian refugee or temporary protection, the following routes are free:
At the same time, it is impossible to use such a "Solidarity" ticket to travel between stations within Budapest. You can get tickets for free railway travel:
There are also benefits and discounts of various sizes for other trips for Ukrainians:
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How can I travel to another (specific) country?Ukrainians or citizens of other visa-free countries can continue to travel to other EU/Schengen countries for up to 90 days in 180 days. If you don't have a biometric passport, it is recommended to contact the respective embassy of your travel destination to see whether a border is open also for those not having a biometric passport. Rules can be different for traveling by plane, train, bus, or car. Travel options are:
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How long can I stay?You can stay in Hungary without a visa for 90 days in any 180 days period. Temporary protection is provided until 4 March 2023. The term will be automatically prolonged by an additional 6 months up to a maximum of 1 year. |
Where can an unaccompanied minor get help?The guardianship office of the Government of each county or Budapest assigns guardians to support unaccompanied children. Download more information here The Hungarian Helsinki Committee Menedék, the Hungarian Association for Migrants You can find details of Family reunification in Hungary on the UNHCR website A lot of useful information for unaccompanied minors can be found here |
Are there any Covid-related requirements and if yes, what are they?Currently, there are no Covid-related requirements at the border applicable to people fleeing war in Ukraine. |
Where do I register for temporary protection?You can register for temporary protection at the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing For more information about temporary protection or entering Hungary, you can contact the Government of Hungary’s toll-free hotline for people fleeing Ukraine. Those can be reached at 06 80 310 310 and 0 800 504 546 as well as on the mobile number +36 1 550 1828. Operators are available in Ukrainian, Hungarian, and English from 7:00 am until 9:00 pm. You can submit your application at the following client services of the asylum authority:
You may also submit your application at any Government client service (listed here Find more information at UNHCR |
What are my rights while I wait to get temporary protection?You are entitled to receive basic health care, examinations, and treatment within the scope of general medical care. In urgent cases — to specific out-patient and inpatient care and dental care; to maternity care and obstetric care; to oncology specialty care; to examination and treatment within the scope of other chronic patient care. Also, you are entitled to reimbursement for the expenses of translating your documents. You may also request accommodation at one of the accommodation centers, in the general case, you are entitled to accommodation, three meals per day, cutlery, and hygienic products (toiletries). Find more information here |
What documents will I receive once I get temporary protection?You will receive a temporary protection card and can apply for a special Hungarian ID card if necessary. At your request, a residence permit (that indicates your place of residence) is also issued. Find more information here |
May I temporarily return to Ukraine? What will happen to my protection status?If you need to go back to Ukraine for reasons for a short time for instance for family visits, to collect papers or to rescue family members, you don’t lose your temporary protection status. Any short visit to Ukraine should not be considered by EU countries as a decision to return voluntarily before the temporary protection ends. This means that a short trip back to Ukraine shouldn’t lead to the revocation of the residence permit and loss of rights attached to the status. For repatriation assistance, you should contact the embassy/consulate of your country of origin in the EU country where you are currently staying. The national authorities in this country can also help you to contact your embassy/consulate in case you encounter problems and may offer assistance for your repatriation. If you want to return to Ukraine, then most likely you will have to buy a train or bus ticket with your own money. |
Can I move around the country and the European Union freely while under temporary protection?Yes. If you have a temporary protection card, you can travel for 90 days freely to other EU countries within a 180-day period. If you want to settle down in a different country, please contact the immigration authorities/embassies of the target EU country, as some EU countries do not accept applications for temporary protection from those, who have already been granted temporary protection elsewhere. Find more information here |
Can I apply for asylum while under temporary protection? What is the difference?Applying for a refugee status is possible under temporary protection. The main differences from the temporary protection are the following: Temporary protection:
Asylum:
You can also apply for "family reunification" if a family member already resides legally in the EU. More information about asylum here |
How and where can I apply for the residency?Ukrainian citizens arriving with a passport may decide to stay in Hungary for 90 days without any specific permit or they can apply for temporary protection. Applying for temporary protection will enable residency for you. You can register for temporary protection at the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing Find more information on how to apply for temporary protection here However, if you are planning for other types of residency (for example; permanent), please click this website Find more information at National Directorate General for Aliens Policing |
How long I need to wait to get the residency?A decision on temporary protection status may take around 45 days. Find more information at Hungarian Helsinki Committee |
What if I don't have the international passport?If you do not have a biometric passport, you can enter Hungary. However, you will be escorted to various registration points for recording your information. It is important to have any documents verifying your identity. Find more information at Hungarian Helsinki Committee |
Where can I take a photo for my documents?There are many shops that offer such services. Look for printer shops and copy centers nearby your area on Google Maps. |
Where can I translate my documents?Hungarian Office for Translation and Attestation Ltd. (OFFI) |
How do I get Mobile phone/internet services?You can get free SIM cards at the transit zone in BOK-csarnok in Budapest or any of the stores of the following providers Yettel Free wifi is available at Budapest-Keleti and Nyugati Railway Stations. Network name: MAV-Free-WiFi. Volunteers are ready to help with connecting to the network if necessary. Find more information here |
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