If you are planning to leave Ukraine and need information about legislation, rights, temporary protection or services in a foreign country, contact us and book an online appointment on our website. Our lawyers will provide answers to your questions and help you find a solution to your problem. We understand that legal matters can create stress and anxiety, but our professionals are ready to take on the responsibility and relieve you and your family of unnecessary burden.
Who is this information for?
Temporary protection is granted to citizens of Ukraine and persons who permanently lived in Ukraine before the invasion of Russia and whose departure to their country of origin is impossible for them, as well as their immediate family members their families.
Ireland: immigration information
What documents do I need for entry?
Citizens of Ukraine do not need a visa to travel to Ireland.
There is also no requirement for proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or presentation of a negative PCR test performed prior to arrival.
If you do not have a valid passport, you can use another form of identification to travel to Ireland (for example, a national identification number, an expired passport or a birth certificate). The Irish government has asked the airline to accept these documents.
How can I enter if I do not have a biometric passport?
If you do not have a biometric passport, you can use another form of identification to travel to Ireland (such as a national identification number, expired passport or birth certificate).
How long can I stay here?
Under the Temporary Protection Directive, you can stay for one year. (The permit may be extended for subsequent periods thereafter).
Are there any Covid requirements and if so what are they?
From 1 April 2022, all restrictions related to COVID-19 will cease to apply in Ireland.
No, there are no travel preparation requirements related to COVID-19 (ie proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative PCR test).
Where can I register for temporary protection?
You can do this on arrival at Dublin Airport.
You can also apply for a PPSN (a Public Security Number is a unique identification number that helps you access social security, public services and information in Ireland). PPSN always consists of 7 digits followed by 1 or 2 letters. To do this, you need to contact the local office (details below). Please do not apply online as special arrangements have been made in the offices to process the PPSN application as quickly as possible.
If you live in or are coming to Dublin, Cork or Limerick, please visit the dedicated Ukraine Support Center. These centers were established in the following cities:
- Cork – Cork City PSC and PPSN Centre, Department of Social Protection, Hanover Street, Cork, T12 PX62
- Dublin – Guild Building, Cork Street, Dublin 8, D08 XH90
- Limerick – 2nd Floor, Riverstone House, 23-27 Henry Street, Limerick City, V94 R7YE
The opening hours of these centers are as follows:
Cork and Dublin
Monday – Wednesday: 9.15 – 17.00
Thursday: 10.15 – 17.00
Friday: 9.15 – 16.30
Limerick
Monday – Thursday: 9:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
How long do you have to wait to get temporary protection status?
You will be given a letter from the Ministry of Justice confirming that you have been granted temporary protection status under the EU Directive on the same day you arrive at Dublin Airport; you will have to wait for a while, however, you will be taken to the reception area at the airport, which has been specially prepared for this purpose and has designated seats for children and adults, as well as rest areas.
What rights do I have while waiting for temporary protection?
Not applicable – your temporary protection letter will be given to you after you arrive at Dublin Airport and answer some application questions.
What documents are required to obtain temporary protection?
When you arrive at the border, you will meet (as usual) with an Immigration representative who will ask you some basic questions related to your needs.
Present any identification documents you have.
You will be provided with a letter confirming that you have been granted temporary protection under Section 60 of the International Protection Act, the Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC) and Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382 of 4 March 2022.
You will also be provided with an information leaflet outlining the services available to you and any further information will be available on the Immigration website www.irishimmigration.ie .
What document(s) will I receive after being granted temporary protection?
On or shortly after your arrival in the country, you will be given a letter from the Minister for Justice confirming that you are a beneficiary of Temporary Protection in Ireland under section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015. This is the proof you need so that you can have immediate access to employment, disability benefits, accommodation (if needed) and other government support in Ireland.
Can I become a citizen after receiving temporary protection? How long do I have to stay to be eligible?
Yes, people who have the status of temporary protection can apply for international protection . However, it is not possible to be a resident of Ireland in the status of temporary protection and at the same time apply for international protection.
An applicant for international protection must withdraw his application for international protection in order to benefit from temporary protection. If a person has the status of temporary protection and applies for international protection, that person no longer has the benefits of temporary protection.
For example, a person with temporary protection status has the right to work immediately. An applicant for international protection can apply for a work permit only after 6 months, if by that time such applicant has not received a decision on his application for international protection.
Irish Refugee Council:
37 Killarney Street Mountjoy Dublin 1
Ireland
Tel: (01) 764 5854
Fax: (01) 672 5927
Homepage: http://www.irishrefugeecouncil.ie
Email: info@irishrefugeecouncil.ie
Can I move freely within the country and the European Union with temporary protection status?
You will be able to travel without restrictions within the state. However, you must carry the authorization letter and/or card detailed above at all times.
Citizens of Ukraine who have a biometric passport have the right to move freely within the EU as visa-free travelers for 90 days after being admitted to the territory. On this basis, you can choose the EU country in which you want to exercise the rights associated with temporary protection and join your family and friends in the EU country where they are.
If you are eligible for temporary protection but have a non-biometric passport, the authorities at the border of the first EU country you enter must issue a short-term visa valid for 15 days after entering the Schengen area. This will allow travel to the destination country within the EU to benefit from temporary protection rights.
If you are entitled to temporary protection but do not have a travel document, the border authorities of the first EU country you enter have the right to decide whether to allow you to continue your journey if necessary, for example by issuing a travel document and visas or by means of transfer forms relating to temporary protection legislation.
Can I apply for asylum with temporary protection status?
Citizens of Ukraine are not forced to apply for international protection (also known as asylum) in order to receive support and protection from the Irish state. The EU Temporary Protection Directive provides a faster and more streamlined alternative in these circumstances.
Although you can of course always apply for international protection, you will not be able to take advantage of temporary protection at the same time.
Temporary protection will provide you with immediate access to the labor market, as well as access to social assistance cash payments, accommodation and other government support. If you decide to apply for international protection, you should be aware that you will not be able to access employment until 6 months have passed since your application.
How to apply for asylum?
Applications for refugee status must be submitted directly to the International Protection Office (IPO). This can only be done by a person who is already in Ireland.
The International Protection Office (IPO) is responsible for processing applications for international protection. In order to claim asylum, you must be in Ireland and submit your application to the IPO.
For more information, please visit: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/apply-for-asylum .
If I have family members outside of Ukraine, can I apply for family reunification? If so, in what way?
Yes, as a holder of temporary protection status you may be entitled to apply for family reunification (in Ireland or in another EU Member State) if your spouse or partner, or any of your children or your partner’s children under the age of 18 have temporary protection in another EU member state. This will be a matter of co-operation between Ireland and the Member State concerned.
This rule may also apply in cases where these family members are in need of protection, but not yet in an EU Member State. For more information please see: www.irishimmigration.ie .
Ireland: employment information
Do I need to apply for a permit to be able to work? If so, how to do it?
Once you have received a letter of permission to confirm that you have been granted temporary protection under the EU Directive, you are entitled to work, this includes self-employment and access to vocational training in Ireland.
Am I entitled to unemployment benefits? How and where can I apply?
Immediately after entering Ireland, you can apply to the Department of Social Protection for financial assistance. You will receive a temporary social assistance payment called Additional Cash Benefit . This is a weekly payment for you and any dependents (such as children) you may have. If you need help applying for this payment, you can visit the nearest Ukraine Support Center, located in Rosslare Port and Dublin Airport.
Are there programs for the recognition of diplomas and professional qualifications? How and where can I apply?
Many local Education and Training Councils offer free English courses.
The Agency for Quality and Qualifications Ireland (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) has information (in Ukrainian) about its service regarding the recognition of qualifications . This guide will help you use QQI’s Foreign Qualifications Recognition (NARIC) service.
Which governmental and non-governmental bodies can I turn to for additional information on employment?
SOLAS operates a range of further education and training programs that enable learners to succeed in the job market and thrive in society. These programs include internships, work placements, skills development, eCollege and the European Globalization Fund.
SOLAS also administers the Construction Health, Safety and Safety Awareness Training Programme, the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and the Quarrying Skills Certification Scheme (QSCS). Current courses can be found at www.fetchcourses.ie .
- https://jobsireland.ie/
- www.irishjobs.ie
- https://ie.indeed.com/Republic-Ireland-jobs?vjk=8a7c1a97cce18230
Ireland: information on housing
Can I access public/government-provided housing?
Thus, during the period of temporary protection, the state must ensure access to suitable housing if necessary.
How and where can I apply for public housing?
If you need accommodation while at the Irish border, tell an Immigration officer who will direct you further.
On or shortly after entering the country, you will receive a letter from the Minister for Justice confirming that you are a beneficiary of Temporary Protection in Ireland under section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015. This is all the proof you need so that you can immediately access accommodation, if necessary, and other government support in Ireland.
If you need accommodation and you are already in Ireland, you can email the International Protection Service (IPAS) Housing Service at ipasinbox@equality.gov.ie or visit the Ukraine Support Centre. IPAS staff are also available at Dublin Airport and Rosslare Port (if arriving by ferry).
IPAS accommodation is free and includes various types of accommodation, including hotels, guesthouses or other types of public or private accommodation, including property provided voluntarily by members of the public.
Include the following information in your email:
- Full name of everyone who needs housing
- Date of birth
- Phone number
- Where are you now (full address if you have one)
- When you need accommodation (eg from tonight)
- Medical conditions, disabilities, allergies and dietary requirements
At the moment, the majority of Ukrainians accommodated by the state live in hotel rooms, in the rooms of host families, or in free facilities.
If I live with friends or family for a long time, what documents do I need to fill out to legalize this? How can I get proof of residency?
You can stay with your family or friends if this option suits you better. This does not prevent you from applying for housing from the state later.
Provisional protection measures do not cover the documentation of such a private arrangement.
You absolutely need proof of address to live or work in Ireland. Proof of residence is evidenced by a letter from the Minister for Justice confirming that you are a beneficiary of Temporary Protection in Ireland granted under section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015.
If you are staying with friends or relatives on such an informal basis, please contact IPAS to determine how to show proof of your address should this be required at any time during your stay in Ireland.
If I personally want to rent a property, what documents do I need?
Temporary protection measures do not cover this, but you will normally need to provide your PPS number to the landlord as proof (see the immigration section above) along with a copy of your passport (or other form of identification).
You may also have to pay rent in advance (usually one month’s rent). Although not required by law, most landlords will require a security deposit (usually one month’s rent) to protect the premises and cover the costs of any damage caused by the tenant.
The rent and deposit requirement/deposit amount can be negotiated with the landlord. The duration of the lease must also be discussed with the landlord. Given the likely uncertainty of how long you will be in Ireland, you should ensure that the tenancy is short, ie a few months or with an option to renew every subsequent month, to ensure you can move out and get your security deposit back if you decide to leave the premises.
Some landlords may ask for written references from previous landlords, but this is not a legal requirement and is not expected to apply to people on temporary protection measures.
It will be necessary to sign a lease agreement with the lessor – the lessor will be responsible for the preparation of this document. You should familiarize yourself with the lease agreement and seek translation and/or legal assistance through IPA or another Ukraine Support Center if you are concerned about its terms or need a translation. The landlord is required to register the tenancy agreement with the Housing Tenancy Council and must provide you with evidence of this. You will have legal protection as a registered tenant under Irish tenancy law.
Daft.ie is a good resource for finding available properties to rent.
You should ensure that utilities (electricity, oil/gas and broadband/TV) are pre-connected in the rental premises so that you do not have to make any effort to connect them. The cost of these utilities will be included in the bill issued to the landlord, who will reimburse the costs on your behalf as agreed in the tenancy agreement. You should ensure that the electricity and oil/gas meter readings are recorded at the time you move in and out so that your bills only relate to the period of your stay.
Which governmental and non-governmental bodies can I turn to for additional information about housing?
Email the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPA) at ipasinbox@equality.gov.ie or visit one of the Ukraine Support Centers located at Dublin Airport and Port of Rosslare.
The Red Cross Agency in Ireland also took the initiative to identify rooms in the homes of Irish people who have pledged to provide temporary accommodation to Ukrainians in Ireland. The Red Cross together with IPAS will try to find you a suitable host, taking into account the circumstances of each party.
There are also many groups created on Facebook to help Ukrainians find temporary housing in Ireland.
Ireland: information on education
How do I enroll my children (or myself) in school?
Tusla Education Support can help you find a school for your children.
If I have a child with special educational needs, where can I go for help to enroll them in a special school?
- Tusla – Child and Family Agency
Brunel Building
Heuston South Quarter
Dublin 8
Ireland
Tel: (01) 771 8500
Homepage: https://www.tusla.ie/
Email: info@tusla.ie
- Special Education Section
Department of Education and Training
Cornamaddy
Athlon
Westmeath
Ireland
Phone: (090) 648 3754
Homepage: http://www.education.ie/
- Contact your local Special Educational Needs Organization (SENO).
- National Council for Special Education
1-2 Mill Street Trim Meath
Ireland
Tel: (046) 948 6400
Fax: (046) 948 6404
Homepage: http://www.ncse.ie/
- Department of Education
Marlborough Street
Dublin 1
Ireland
Tel: (01) 889 6400
Homepage: https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-education/
Email: info@education.gov.ie
Do universities introduce admission schemes for Ukrainians or people who have been forced to leave Ukraine? If so, can you give examples?
Yes, Ukrainian students coming to Ireland will have access to free tuition and grants that are available to Irish and EU students.
https://www.ucd.ie/global/ukrainianresponse/
Which governmental and non-governmental bodies can I turn to for additional information about education?
TUSLA The Children and Families Agency can provide further information about education and how to contact TUSLA here
Ireland: child care information
How to enroll young children in daycare centers?
You can contact your local ECCE provider or your local County Childcare Committee who can help you find a place, you can find information about your local County Childcare Committee at www.myccc.ie .
If you have children, you can receive child benefit . This is a monthly payment paid to parents or guardians of children under the age of 16. It is also paid to 16- and 17-year-olds in residential education. You do not need to have proof that your 16 and 17-year-old children are in residential education within the first 2 months of their arrival in Ireland.
The program of upbringing and education of younger children provides for 2 years of free preschool training for children. The Early Childhood Education Program is known as ECCE. ECCE is offered 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, from September to June. ECCE services are provided by more than 4,000 providers across the country. The state pays providers the full cost of ESE, and parents don’t have to pay any fees.
Children must be at least 2 years and 8 months old in September, as of the beginning of the ESSE semester. In June, as of the end of the ESSE semester, children should not be more than 5 years and 6 months old. The state provides assistance with the payment of education and upbringing of children through the National Scheme of Education and Training of Children, NCS. NCS pays all or part of the costs of bringing up and educating children. NCS is only available to registered childcare providers, which include all centralized childcare services and some childminders who work in their own homes.
If you have been granted temporary protection, NCS can cover the full cost of bringing up and educating children under NCS sponsorship arrangements. Your local childcare committee at www.myccc.ie can direct you to the appropriate NCS sponsor.
More information about the NCS can be found at www.ncs.gov.ie
The Department will provide you with a social benefit called Additional Cash Allowance . This is a weekly social cash payment that is paid to both adults and dependent children.
Are there any benefits for pregnant and breastfeeding women?
Health and Safety Benefit is a weekly payment for employed women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and who are given sick leave by their employer.
You get preventive health leave at work if your employer cannot remove the risk to your health during pregnancy or breastfeeding or assign you alternative “risk-free” duties. The right to preventive health leave is defined in section 18 of the Maternity Protection Act 1994.
To qualify for Preventive Health Payments, you must meet certain criteria and conditions for making contributions to the Social Insurance Institution (PRSI). Your employer pays your normal wages for the first 21 days (3 weeks) of your preventive health leave, and the Social Security Administration pays preventive health pay for the rest of the time.
Which government and non-government agencies can I turn to for more information about the needs of young children?
- https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/ea6cd-supporting-children-and-parents/#
- https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/ea6cd-supporting-children-and-parents/#
- https://www.barnardos.ie/our-services/work-with-families/family-support
- https://www.early-years.org/
Ireland: medical information
Can I use the public health care system?
So
Do I need to register to get health insurance, and if so, how?
Yes, you can get the same public health services as people living in Ireland .
Anyone coming to Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive is also entitled to a medical card with a simplified application process. A medical card allows you to visit a doctor for free, access other medical services and get medicines at a reduced price. Children over 16 years old must submit a separate application for a medical card.
You must apply for a medical card using a special medical card application form (pdf) for citizens of Ukraine. The medical card application form is also available in Ukrainian (pdf) and Russian (pdf) .
The completed form can be sent by email to PCRS.Applications@HSE.ie or by post to the address on the form.
To apply, you will need:
- Your name, current address and date of birth.
- Your Public Security Service (PPS) number .
Address, stamp and signature of your doctor (general practitioner). If you don’t know any GP, one will be assigned to you and your family.
What does the public health care system cover?
- Family doctors – also called general practitioners (GPs);
- Nurse;
- Local medical services – for example, physiotherapy, speech therapy;
- Hospital or emergency care;
- Children’s health care services;
- Mental health services;
- Disability services;
- Pregnancy services;
- Services for the elderly.
Do I need additional private health insurance in addition to public health insurance? If so, are there any schemes available to low-income people?
No, you will be entitled to the same public health services as Irish residents.
Which government and non-government bodies can I turn to for more information about access to health care?
For general information about health services, call the HSE Contact Center (HSE Live) on 1800 700 700 or 00 353 1 240 8787 (outside Ireland).
Ireland: mental health information
Can I get free mental health support services through the public health system?
Yes, there is a free counseling service for Ukrainians, which is provided by Ukrainian psychotherapists from Kyiv Gestalt University.
Is there any additional administrative process to access mental health support services?
By applying to the HSE for a medical card, you can access some health services (including mental health support services) in Ireland for free.
To issue a medical card, you must:
- Your name, address and date of birth
- Personal number of the General State Security Service (PPS)
GP appointment and signature – if you don’t have a GP you prefer, a GP will be appointed for you and your family.
What government and non-government agencies can I contact for more information about services for people with mental health problems, especially trauma?
If you need immediate access to health care or medicines, or have any questions about your rights, services or how to access the HSE health or social services system in your area, you can call HSE Live (HSE) at www.hse.ie or by telephone on 00 353 1 240 8787.
https://www2.hse.ie/services/healthcare-in-ireland/ukrainian-refugees.html
Ireland: other services
Where can an unaccompanied minor get help?
If you are an unaccompanied child under the age of 18 arriving in Ireland with a request for temporary protection, you will be referred to the Children and Families Agency (also known as TUSLA ) who will provide you with appropriate support .
How and where can I apply for disability benefits?
You can apply for social benefits at the local office. Here, our staff will help you with your applications and obtaining your PPSN number.
There is nothing else.
