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Information for Ukrainian citizens

Інформація українською мовою

Numerous people have have been displaced from Ukraine due to the armed conflicts, some of them also seek protection in Austria. These people need initial information, contact options and support services.

Entry and residence

Temporary right of residence in Austria

The temporary right of residence for displaced persons from Ukraine has been extended through March 4, 2028. It is not possible to receive duplicate benefits in multiple EU countries. Another new provision is that temporary protection will now be granted only to individuals who can demonstrate that they have fulfilled their military obligations under Ukrainian law.

Further information on the requirements can be found under registration and residency information and answers to other questions on the Website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI).

The BFA issues an ID card for displaced persons which documents this right of residence. For this purpose they should register at the registration offices of the police (at police stations or in special reception or registration centers). With this temporary right of residence in Austria it is not necessary to apply for asylum. Information on the prolongation of the right of residence for displaced persons from Ukraine can be found on the website of the BFA.

Temporary protection also ensures access to labor market, education and medical care.

Advice

For people from Ukraine who are looking for protection in Austria the Federal Agency for Reception and Support Services (BBU) has set up a hotline: +43 1 2676 870 9460. Further information for people from Ukraine who are looking for protection  Austria (BBU) can be found online.

The BBU coordinates and provides basic care for foreigners in need of assistance and protection. This includes accommodation, food, social, medical and psychological care as well as the provision of goods for daily needs such as clothing.

If accommodation with relatives is not possible and financial resources are not available, temporary accommodation will be provided in a neighborhood assistance quarter of the federal government or a federal state.

Further information on counseling and support for asylum seekers, recognized refugees as well as migrants can also be found on oesterreich.gv.at.

Medical care

The compulsory insurance scheme initially in place for displaced persons from Ukraine expired on 31 May 2025. As a result, those affected have lost their entitlement to benefits from statutory health insurance (medical services, hospitalisation, remedies, etc.). To prevent this, there has been a tolerance period of six weeks. There are now several options for obtaining health insurance cover: employment, co-insurance of dependants, receiving basic care where there is a need for assistance, self-insurance, etc..

Further information on the expiry of health insurance for displaced persons from UkraineGerman text can be found on the website of the ÖGK.

Work and job search

The Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS) has more information on employment in Austria. Further information on job exchanges and vacancies and types of childcare can also be found on oesterreich.gv.at. 

New

Sinde 1 October 2024 displaced persons from Ukraine who have the right of residence for displaced persons ("Blue Card") can switch to a "Red-White-Red Card plus" residence permit. You can find more information on this under information on switching to a Red-White- Red Card Plus (BMI) and "Red-White-Red-CardKarte plus" for displaced persons from Ukraine(City of Vienna).

Education

Information on free online German courses and learning materials can be found on the Sprachportal (ÖIF).

How the Austrian education system is structured and what opportunities it offers are shown in a Ukrainian-language leaflet (OeAD). English language information about school can also be found on the BMB Website.

In addition to schulpsychologie.at – hotline (school: psychological counseling for students, teachers and guardians) social work counseling for students is offered in Ukrainian and Russian at 0664/883 80 377.

Answers to questions regarding the equivalence of foreign vocational training with the Austrian apprenticeship-leave exam or assessment to determine professional equivalenceGerman text can be found on the website of the BMWET. Within the framework of the recognition of foreign professional qualifications, there is the possibility of a facilitated procedure for the assessment of qualifications.

The Austrian National Union of Students (Ukraineinfo) offers for all students affected by the war in Ukraine counseling in Ukrainian and Russian: ukraine@oeh.ac.at.

An overview of all universities and universities of applied sciences in Austria can also be found at oesterreich.gv.at.

Further information on schools and universities, support services, recognition options for degrees and contact options (including, in particular, contact persons in the individual education directorates for families with school-age children) can be found on the BMB website:

Family benefits

People displaced from Ukraine are once again eligible for family allowance and childcare allowance retroactive to July 1, 2026. They are eligible for family allowance if they 

  • meet the general eligibility requirements and
  • do not receive benefits under the basic social security system.

Parents who live in the same household as a child with a significant disability are exempt from this requirement. As of the beginning of July, the previous additional requirement that displaced persons from Ukraine be employed or registered with the AMS will no longer apply. For more information: entitlement for family allowance for displaced people from Ukraine (BKA) rand information on family allowance for displaced people from Ukraine (BBU). 

New

The requirements for the payment of family allowance and childcare allowance to displaced persons from Ukraine were amended by legislation: Familienlastenausgleichsgesetz u.a..They take effect retroactively as of July 1, 2026.

Motor vehicles

With the 42nd amendment to the KFG, the previous special regulations for motor vehicles with Ukrainian license plates have been repealed. As of 30 July 2026, the general regulations governing the use of motor vehicles with foreign license plates in Austria will therefore apply once again.

Whether a motor vehicle must be registered in Austria depends, in particular, on whether it is permanently located in Austria. For individuals whose primary residence is in Austria, it is generally presumed that the motor vehicle they use is also permanently located in Austria.

There are statutory transition periods for motor vehicles belonging to Ukrainian refugees that were brought into Austria before 30 July 2026. In particular, if the motor vehicle is permanently located in Austria, a transition period extending through 30 May 2027 may apply.

If a motor vehicle is to continue to be used in Austria after the applicable deadline has expired, Austrian registration is generally required. This may involve, among other things, customs, technical, and tax-related procedures.

Caution

If a motor vehicle continues to be used in Austria with Ukrainian license plates after the permitted period has expired, this may result not only in consequences under motor vehicle law but also in tax consequences, in particular the obligation to pay the standardised consumption tax (NoVA) and the motor vehicle tax.

Further links

For detailed information on applicable deadlines, Austrian registration, technical approval, customs procedures, as well as standardised consumption tax (NoVA) and motor vehicle tax: FAQ: Motor vehicles belonging to displaced persons from Ukraine

Ukraine information of the federal provinces

Information partly in German, English and Ukrainian on arrival centers, registration, accommodation, counseling etc.

Further information and support services

Last update: 19/10/2026
Responsible for the content: oesterreich.gv.at Editorial Staff
Not certified translation