Compensation for the Death of a Close Family Member: What You Need to Know

As of 16 January 2025, it is possible to submit claims under category A2.1 of the Register of Damages Caused by the Aggression (the Register of Damages).

This category provides for compensation for non-material harm resulting from emotional pain and suffering due to the loss (death) of a close family member.

Under what conditions can a claim be submitted under category A2.1?

You are entitled to submit a claim under this category if:

• Your close family member, or another family member in relation to whom you have a legal interest to submit a claim, has died;
• The death occurred as a result of the full-scale invasion starting on 24 February 2022;
• The death occurred within the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine, including occupied territories and territorial waters, or was directly linked to an event that took place on the territory of Ukraine.

Who can submit a claim?

Claims under this category may be submitted by:

• Parents;
• A spouse or civil partner;
• Children of individuals who died as a result of the war since 24 February 2022.

Other family members may also submit a claim if they can prove a legal interest by providing evidence of close personal ties and dependency on the deceased.

What kind of harm is subject to compensation?

Category A2.1 provides compensation for non-material harm in the form of emotional pain and suffering caused by the death of a close family member.

Other types of damage, such as loss of income or financial support caused by the death, are not covered under this category. However, such damages may be compensable under a different category of claims in the future.

How to submit a claim?

Currently, claims can only be submitted online through the Diia web portal.

In the future, submission will also be possible through Administrative Services Centres (CNAPs). Updates regarding this will be posted on the official website of the Register of Damages.

What information and evidence must be submitted?

Claimants must provide information on:

• Their own identity;
• The identity of the deceased family member;
• Their relationship to the deceased;
• The circumstances that caused the death.

Some of this information will be automatically retrieved from state registries and information databases. Other data must be submitted manually.

It is recommended to provide as much information as possible (if available) about the event that caused the death, including:

• The date and place of death;
• A description of the circumstances of death;
• Documentation confirming the death (death certificate, criminal case materials, other evidence).

Can a claim be submitted if the deceased was a military servicemember?

Yes, claims can be submitted regardless of whether the deceased participated in combat activities.

What is the compensation amount and when will it be paid?

The Register of Damages is only the first element of the future compensation mechanism, which will also include a claims review commission and a compensation fund.

The consideration of claims on the merits, evaluation, and decisions on compensation payments fall under the responsibility of the upcoming compensation mechanism, not the Register of Damages.

Updated information about the creation of the compensation mechanism will be available on the official website of the Register of Damages.

Answers to frequently asked questions about submitting claims to the Register of Damages for harm caused by the death of a close family member can be found [at this link].

The form and rules for submitting a claim under Category A2.1 – Death of a Close Family Member can be found [here]. Official website of the Register of Damages.

Submit a claim under Category A2.1 – Death of a Close Family Member [via this link].

Video instruction “How to Submit a Claim to the International Register of Damages via Diia” available on the official “Diia” YouTube channel [via this link].

This informational material was created as part of a project implemented by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), with funding from the European Union’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or DRC. Neither the European Commission nor DRC can be held responsible for the content of this material.