Q&A: What housing and welfare supports do other countries give Ukrainian refugees?

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks  at the 6th German-Ukrainian Business Forum of the DIHK, the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations and the German-Ukrainian Chamber of Industry and Commerce on Tuesday. Picture: Kay Nietfeld/dpa via AP

With the Government examining changes to how Ireland responds to Ukrainian refugees to move more in line with other EU states, how exactly do other European nations treat those seeking refuge from Ukraine?

Germany

In Germany, any Ukrainian refugee arriving in the country is eligible to gain access to emergency state shelters.

While in these shelters, they are provided with somewhere to sleep, food, and other essentials, until they are able to find their own accommodation. Alongside these emergency shelters, the German government utilises hotels and holiday accommodations.

When refugees arrive, they are entitled to some social welfare benefits, including the monthly Citizens’ Income of €502 a month.

As of September, almost 1.9m Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Germany.

Poland

There are over 960,000 Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

In Poland, any Ukrainian refugee arriving in the country is permitted to stay in a temporary accommodation centre. If they take up state accommodation for longer than four months, the refugees will be charged 50% of the costs. If they stay for more than six months, they will be asked to pay 75% of the costs.

France

In France, any Ukrainian refugees arriving in the country are entitled to stay for up to six months, but after which they need to renew their rights to accommodation.

On housing, French authorities have set out three differing types: emergency accommodation, short-stay accommodation, and longer-term accommodation.

The refugees arriving into the country are permitted to work, with benefits also being made available through an asylum seeker allowance. This is paid out at a standard rate of €14.20 per adult.

Spain

Spain has taken in over 180,000 Ukrainian refugees, accommodated in hotels, hostels, and dormitories, and in Spanish homes.

They are permitted to work and are able to access healthcare and social services, including welfare support.

Welfare supports, limited to six months, include a monthly €400 payment to adults and then €100 payments for children.

Additionally, refugees will be able to access free travel on certain public transport operators.

Italy

Ukrainians are permitted to stay for an initial 90 days before they need to access a specific permit of stay.

They will be moved initially to a reception centre for refugees. After this, they can either be moved into a hotel, specialised housing for Ukrainians, or into an Italian family home. In the longer term, refugees are expected to find their own accommodation.

On social welfare, refugees are entitled to €300 a month per family member, with an additional €150 per child. They are also eligible to work while in the country.