Temporary protection in Hungary

Obtaining the status as a person in need of protection (menedékes).

In Hungary, the following people can attain this status:

- Ukrainian citizens who were present in Ukraine prior to February 24, 2022; 

- Stateless persons or third-country citizens who were under international protection or equivalent protection of the Ukrainian state prior to February 24, 2022, as well as their family members; 

- Ukrainian citizens who entered Hungary after February 24, 2022.

Persons having Hungarian citizenship cannot be granted the status of a person in need of protection because they have the freedom to enter Hungary at any time and travel freely within its borders. At the same time, if they do not have better support, these people receive the same aid and benefits as people in need of protection in Hungary.

A person in need of protection's status is not granted automatically; an application must be presented in order to get it. This can be done in person at any time of day at properly equipped reception stations or during specified reception hours at the National Directorate-General for Aliens' Affairs, 1117 Budapest, Budafoki t 60. A passport and a photograph are required to submit an application.

Formally, Hungary's migration service has 45 days to assess the request. Consultation on temporary protection status is available through the Hungarian Helsinki Committee or by phoning the 1818 hotline (information is available in Ukrainian).

Hungary now offers temporary protected status (asylum) for one year, with the option of extending it until March 2024.

Following temporary protection, Ukrainians can work in some occupations without a work permit (a so-called list of professions with a labour shortage). Ukrainian individuals with a biometric passport who have filed for or received temporary protection in Hungary can currently work in any job without acquiring a separate work permit.

Ukrainians granted temporary protection status in Hungary are entitled to monthly financial assistance from the state in the amount of 22.8 thousand forints (2 thousand hryvnias), with a kid receiving 13.7 thousand forints (1.2 thousand hryvnias). If a person needs assistance, they must notify the Migration Service Directorate when filing an application; nevertheless, once working, the forced migrant loses their claim to monthly support.