Updated help guide for Ukrainians from neighbouring countries PL/SK/HU/RO/CZ

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3rd March 2022

Hungary
Entering the country with biometric passport	Yes, free of visa for 90 days within 180 days provided that the passport is issued max. 10 years prior entering and is valid for min. 3 months after exiting (alternative solution: application for asylum).
Entering the country with passport other than biometric	Normally yes, however visa is required (alternative solution: application for asylum).
Entering the country without passport/with ID	Normally no (alternative solution: application for asylum).
Is the application for asylum accepted?	Yes, Ukrainian citizens arriving directly from Ukraine can apply for temporary protection (a type of asylum) both on the Ukrainian and on the Hungarian side. In this case, the border crossing is permitted even without any passport or ID.
Is any registration for refugees from UA organized?	Yes, together with the application for asylum. Those who arrive without biometric passport / without visa (in case of non-biometric passports) / without any of those are not allowed to leave the reception points (to travel further, e. g. to other countries). The Office of the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights of Hungary opens a temporary office next to the border in order to help refugees in legal, travel and other cases.
Is any accommodation for refugees from UA offered?	Yes, the reception points are organized by the state. Many private offers come too, organized by the following Facebook-group. Refugees can use the trains of Hungarian Railways (MÁV) free of charge.
May non-Ukrainians use the ground checkpoints for their return from Ukraine?	Yes, normal border crossing is possible for them. Also, any third country citizen arriving directly from Ukraine can apply for temporary protection (a type of asylum) on the Hungarian side. In this case, the border crossing is permitted even without any passport or ID.
Is there any central contact point where to ask for help?	Yes, until the special contact will be provided for Ukraine, the following 24/7 hotlines can be used: +380-99-177-8294 +38 067 233 0319 +380-67-312-2247
Restrictions connected with Covid at the border and after arrival?	No restrictions apply when crossing the border directly from Ukraine, except if the border crossing happens via airplane.
Situation at border crossing points with Ukraine	All five border crossing points are open and operating 0-24. Záhony–Čop , Tiszabecs–Vilok and Beregsurány-ACTEŇ are extremely busy, the waiting time is 1-2 hours. Less busier stations are Lónya-Dzvinkove and Barabás-Koson’ with a waiting time of approx. 15 minutes on the Hungarian side.
May Ukrainian refugees work without a permit?	During the registration process, refugees may work based on a special permit at the refugee camp or at an employer of the public sector. After the successful registration, refugees can work at the refugee camp without a permit or can apply for a work permit to work elsewhere in Hungary. Those who crossed the border but did not apply for a refugee status – if they are employed in another country and can continue their work remotely (“digital nomads”) – may apply for a White Card which entitled them to reside in and work from Hungary.
Whom to contact for legal help at bnt?	eva.ratatics@bnt.eu , andras.szabo@bnt.eu

Romania

Entering the country with biometric passport

Yes, free of visa for 90 days within 180 days.

Entering the country with passport other than biometric

As a rule, Ukrainian citizens, holders of non-biometric passports, need short-stay visas to enter Romania for stays not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period.

An exception to this rule applies to Ukrainian citizens holding uniform visas valid for two or more entries, long-stay visas or residence permits issued by Schengen states, Croatia, Bulgaria or Cyprus, who may enter Romania for periods not exceeding 90 days within a period of 180 days without a short-stay visa. Nevertheless, in view of the exceptional situation, the Romanian border police unofficially informed that Ukrainian citizens may enter Romania based on non-biometric passports short stay visas being not required.