Housing for Ukrainian refugees in the EU

Types of accommodation

Housing for Ukrainian refugees may be arranged through a reception centre, a private host or a rental on the private market. Under Directive 2001/55/EC, Article 13(1), people receiving temporary protection must have access to suitable accommodation or, where necessary, means to obtain housing. The availability, eligibility rules and duration of each option differ between EU countries and sometimes between municipalities. Check the national authority responsible for temporary protection to confirm which arrangements apply to your case.

Reception and collective centres

Reception and collective centres are commonly organised by national or municipal authorities, sometimes with support from non-governmental organisations or humanitarian agencies. They can provide a first place to stay while you seek a longer-term arrangement, but admission rules and expected stays differ by country and local capacity.

• Intended users: Centres may prioritise newly arrived people, families without a safe place to stay, or people referred by local authorities; eligibility differs by location.
• Length of stay: Accommodation may last from a short emergency stay to a longer transitional period, depending on available housing and the rules set locally.
• Shared facilities: Kitchens, bathrooms and common rooms are often shared, so daily routines may require coordination with other residents and centre staff.
• Services: Staff may provide basic information, referrals or practical support, but the services available depend on the operator, funding and local arrangements.
• Privacy and rules: Bedrooms may be shared, and centres can set rules for visitors, quiet hours, meals or use of communal spaces.
• Turnover and capacity: Residents may move when a place becomes available elsewhere; high demand can limit privacy, choice of location and the time available to settle.

A centre can be useful when you need immediate shelter and a clear point of contact, particularly before you know the local housing system. It may be less suitable if you need a private home, a fixed location for work or school, or more control over household routines. Ask the centre operator or the national authority how admission, reviews of your stay and transfers are handled in your area.

Private hosting

Private hosting is an informal arrangement in which a household provides space in its home, or another private property, to people displaced from Ukraine. Hosts may be residents, relatives, friends or people connected through community and humanitarian initiatives. The European Commission’s Safe Homes guidance (2022) addresses private hosting, and the Commission reported that private-hosting shares across Member States ranged from about 20% to 90% in 2022. These figures reflect substantial differences between national accommodation approaches, not a guarantee that hosting is available in any particular area.

• Duration: A stay may last days or weeks during an emergency, or continue for months; agree a review date because plans can change.
• Length and notice: Write down the intended end date, any extension process and how much notice either household should give before the arrangement ends.
• Shared costs: State whether you will contribute to utilities, food or other household costs, and how any contribution will be calculated and paid.
• House rules: Agree practical expectations for quiet hours, cleaning, kitchen use, smoking, pets and visitors before moving into the home.
• Space and privacy: Identify which room or areas are private, which are shared and how everyone can access bathrooms, laundry and essential household facilities.
• Changes or disputes: Record who to contact if needs change, how concerns will be discussed and what steps either household can take to end the stay.

A short written agreement can prevent misunderstandings, even when the host is someone you know; it does not replace any legal requirements that apply locally. Hosting may offer a household setting and community contact, but privacy and stability depend on the home and the host’s circumstances. Rules on registration, safeguarding and the legal status of hosting vary, so ask the national authority for guidance relevant to your location.

Renting on the private market

Private-market homes are offered by individual landlords, letting agencies and housing companies. A tenancy may be fixed-term or open-ended, and its length, renewal rules and legal protections depend on national law and the contract. Renting can provide greater privacy and control over your home, but finding a suitable property may require income, documents or a local guarantor, depending on the landlord and country.

How the main accommodation types compare

Accommodation	Privacy	Stability	Cost	Paperwork	Often suits
Reception or collective centre	Often shared rooms or facilities	Can depend on capacity and referrals	Usually not a private-market rent; local arrangements differ	Admission or referral procedures may apply	People needing a first place to stay or immediate support
Private hosting	Depends on the room and household arrangement	Depends on the host; agree a review date	Often no rent, but agreed shared costs may apply	A written household agreement is recommended	People who prefer a home setting and can agree expectations with a host
Private-market rental	Usually greater, subject to the property and household	Set by the tenancy and national law	Rent and other housing costs apply	Landlord checks and tenancy documents may be required	People seeking an independent home who can meet the landlord’s requirements

Before choosing, compare the privacy you need with the stability, costs and documents each option involves. A centre may work best for immediate shelter, hosting for a mutually agreed home stay, and renting for greater independence when you can meet local requirements; confirm country-specific rules with the national authority.

Renting a home

For Ukrainians renting a home, a clear written agreement can help establish what the landlord and tenant have agreed to pay and do. Rental rules are set mainly at national level, so contract requirements and procedures can differ between EU countries. Check the wording, dates and amounts before signing, and keep a copy of the final agreement. Address registration is a separate administrative step, with local procedures that depend on where the home is located.

Reading the rental contract

Read the entire contract before signing, including any attached inventory, house rules or payment schedule. Check that the written terms match what the landlord or agent has offered, and ask for unclear wording to be explained in writing.

The parties, payment terms and dates identify who is responsible for each obligation. A contract should make clear who is renting the home, who owns or manages it, and how rent and any separate charges are calculated. Do not sign a document with blank fields or rely on a verbal promise that is missing from the agreement.

• Parties: Are your full names and the landlord’s or authorised agent’s details correct? This helps identify who must receive rent and who is responsible for repairs or formal notices.
• Rent: What is the recurring rent, when is it due, and how must it be paid? Confirm the payment date and account details to prevent missed or misdirected payments.
• Service charges: Which building or utility costs are included, billed separately or estimated? Ask how charges are calculated and whether you will receive an itemised statement.
• Duration: When does the tenancy begin, and is it fixed-term or ongoing? The end date and renewal wording affect how long you can plan to stay.
• Notice: How must either party give notice, in what form, and from which date does it take effect? These details determine when the tenancy can end.
• Deposit: What amount is due, when must it be paid, and how will its receipt and return be recorded? Check the contract’s stated conditions for deductions.

Before signing, ask whether all occupants are named, whether the agreed start date allows you to collect the keys, and which documents or notices must be sent to the landlord. Check that the contract describes the home accurately and that any agreed repairs or included furnishings appear in writing.

Keep the signed copy, payment records and messages about changes together. If a clause is unclear or the landlord proposes a different term, request a revised written version and take time to review it before committing. Country-specific rules can affect how contract clauses operate, even when the wording appears straightforward.

Deposit and service charges

A rental deposit is money paid at the start of a tenancy to provide security for specified obligations, such as unpaid rent or damage beyond ordinary wear. The contract should state the amount, when it is due, who holds it and how deductions and repayment will be handled. Deposit rules differ by country, so do not assume that a process used in one EU state applies elsewhere.

Service charges are costs associated with the home or building in addition to the basic rent. Depending on the agreement, they may cover items such as water, heating, waste collection or shared-area upkeep; electricity or internet may instead be billed separately. Ask which services are included, whether payments are fixed or estimated, and how any later reconciliation is calculated. Keep bills or statements that explain charges.

National rules on deposits and notice periods differ, including the procedures landlords and tenants must follow. When paying a deposit, use a traceable method where possible and retain the transfer record, contract and written confirmation of receipt. If cash is accepted, request a dated, signed receipt identifying the amount and purpose. At move-in, keep the inventory and dated photographs of existing damage; at move-out, retain the inspection record and written confirmation of any deductions or repayment. These records make it easier to compare the home’s condition and the account at the start and end of the tenancy.

Registering your address

Address registration records where you live with the relevant national or municipal authority. It can be important for official correspondence and local administrative processes, but registration procedures and required documents vary by country and municipality. The name of the process also differs: Germany uses Anmeldung, while in the Netherlands an address is entered in the BRP and is linked to a BSN, the citizen service number.

Check the local authority’s instructions for your specific address before attending or submitting a form. Requirements may vary, but these are common documents and steps to prepare:

• Identity document: Bring a valid passport or other identity document accepted by the local authority, plus copies if its instructions require them.
• Proof of residence: Prepare your signed rental agreement or another accepted confirmation that you live at the address; check whether the authority requires landlord confirmation.
• Registration form: Complete the municipality’s current form with the address, move-in date and details of each household member being registered.
• Appointment or submission: Find out whether you must book an appointment, apply online or submit documents in person, and follow the local deadline.
• Confirmation: Ask how registration is confirmed and whether you will receive a certificate, updated record or separate information about an identification number.

Keep the confirmation and note the date you registered, since these details may be needed for later administrative requests. Registration does not replace the rental contract. For document lists, deadlines and any consequences of a late application, follow the national or municipal authority’s current instructions. Checking those requirements before moving in is the most reliable way to complete the process correctly.

Funding and support schemes

Funding for housing support can come from both EU programmes and national or local budgets. EU funds go to member states, which decide how to use eligible funding and organise assistance. National and local authorities are usually the points of contact for Ukrainians seeking case-specific information. The rules, available help and application process can differ between countries and municipalities.

EU emergency funding

In 2022, the EU adopted CARE, short for Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe. It gave member states greater flexibility to use cohesion policy funds for emergency assistance following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The eligible period for relevant costs began on 24 February 2022, so qualifying expenditure incurred from that date could be counted under the rules.

CARE funding goes to member states through EU funding arrangements; it is not a housing payment automatically sent to each refugee. National authorities manage the funds and determine how eligible costs are included in their programmes. Depending on the programme and its rules, support can cover temporary accommodation and other emergency assistance for people displaced from Ukraine.

This distinction matters when looking for Housing for Ukrainian refugees: CARE makes funding available to public authorities, but it does not create a single EU-wide application or guaranteed payment for every household. A local service may be supported by national resources, EU funds, or a combination, and the responsible authorities decide how the support is delivered. The fact that a cost can be counted from 24 February 2022 does not mean an individual can claim that cost directly from the EU.

Ask the national or local authority which programme applies in your area and whether it currently supports housing-related assistance. EU housing assistance programs are implemented through member states, so local officials are best placed to explain the relevant scheme, eligibility rules and next steps.

National and local housing support

National governments set the framework for housing support, while local authorities may assess needs, manage applications or direct people to the responsible service. In general, national budgets and EU funds can contribute to public support, with the exact division depending on the country and programme. Municipalities may administer assistance using local budgets or national funding; charities and humanitarian organisations may also provide practical help, but they do not replace the authority responsible for deciding eligibility.

There is no single EU-wide amount or duration of housing support. Contact the municipality where you are staying and describe your household’s situation, including how many people need help and when support is needed. This guide does not provide housing or allocate funding; national and local authorities must confirm what is available in your case. Ask these practical questions:

• Am I eligible for housing support in this municipality, and does eligibility depend on my temporary protection status, household size or current living arrangements?
• Which costs, if any, can the scheme cover, and must I apply before arranging accommodation or paying an expense myself?
• How long can assistance last, when will the authority review my case, and what should I do if my circumstances change?
• Which municipal office handles applications, and can you give me its telephone number, email address or appointment process?
• What documents should I bring, such as identity papers, proof of temporary protection, household details or evidence of my current address?

Ask for the name of the responsible office and confirmation of any deadlines or documents required. EU housing rights and practical support are not the same in every locality, so use national and municipal authorities for answers about your case.

Questions about housing

Housing support for people under temporary protection is administered through national systems, so the responsible office and available assistance depend on the country.

Does temporary protection include a right to housing?

Yes. Article 13(1) of Directive 2001/55/EC requires EU Member States to ensure that people enjoying temporary protection have access to suitable accommodation or, where necessary, the means to obtain housing. This establishes a housing-related support obligation, not a single EU-wide placement scheme or identical form of assistance. Depending on the country, support may be arranged through public authorities or other national measures. Ask the relevant national authority how the requirement is implemented where you live.

What is private hosting?

Private hosting is staying in a room offered by a private household rather than in a reception facility or a home rented under a standard tenancy. The host may provide a spare bedroom, with kitchens or bathrooms shared with household members. The arrangement is usually informal and does not create a formal tenancy, although any written agreement or local rules may affect its terms. Length of stay, household expectations and any contribution to costs should be clarified with the host and local contact.

Who should I ask about housing support?

Contact the municipality or the national reception authority responsible for reception in your country; these are the appropriate starting points for housing support. When you ask, bring passports or other identity documents and, if available, your temporary-protection or residence papers. Have the names and ages of everyone in your household, a working phone number, your current location and a brief description of urgent housing or accessibility needs. Requirements differ nationally, so ask the authority whether it needs additional records.