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The Complete Guide for Ukrainian Citizens: How to Help and Be Helped
International collaboration lies at the heart of Europe Language Jobs’ foundations. In the case of an emergency, it is important more than ever to join forces in order to reach out to those who need support and aid. Drawing on our experience in providing professional advice both in the area of career, as well as migration, we have compiled the Complete Guide for Ukrainian Citizens. Here, you will find information concerning moving to Europe, finding a job as a Ukrainian speaker, as well as multiple resources you can consult in order to obtain help in multiple areas.
The article is primarily aimed at citizens of Ukraine touched by the military conflict, but it also includes important information about ways to help, so we recommend everyone to read through it carefully.
The list below demonstrates different topics and sections discussed in the guide:
6.1. Long-term residence status
7. Joining a family member who is an EU citizen
8. How can I be helped? / How can I help?
8.1. Help with transport
8.2. Helping Ukrainian organisations
8.5. Medical supplies providers
How to find a job in Europe for Ukrainians?
If the recent events have left you in need to urgently find a job in Europe, then you are in the right place. In collaboration with top European companies, we have collected job offers for Ukrainian speakers in various countries and sectors. You can find them all on our job board.
Countries where Ukrainian speakers are in demand
At Europe Language Jobs, we have reached out to the cooperating companies in order to collect Ukrainian-speaking positions in various sectors.
You can find positions in accounting, customer service, marketing, sales, content moderation, banking, translation, and more. There are even jobs in sectors we don’t normally list, such as dermatologist, laboratory assistant, or transcriber.
Many employers offer relocation packages to support Ukrainian employees with their move to a new country:
- The Portuguese government has declared to provide the necessary documents such as NIE or social security for incomers from Ukraine.
- The Spanish government ensures that all Ukrainian citizens who have arrived in Spain over the last few months will be able to legally remain and work in the country, as well as access the public health system, social help, and education.
- The French government is offering support - you will find all the information in a booklet (written in Ukrainian) that can be downloaded on the official website of the French Ministry of Internal Affairs.
- The Polish government has passed a bill claiming that each Ukrainian citizen who has crossed the Polish border over the duration of the military conflict and whose arrival in Poland has been registered by the Border Guard has the right to remain in the country legally for 18 months, with the possibility to extend their stay. The process of applying for the Polish national identity number (PESEL) will also be simplified. What's more, financial aid will be offered to Polish citizens who provide shelter for the refugees in order to encourage more people to offer accommodation to those who need it. Financial and social support will also be provided for Ukrainian citizens residing in Poland. Detailed information can be found on the Polish government's official website (text in Ukrainian below the text in Polish).
Aside from offering aid for those active in the workforce, Germany also supports students coming from Ukraine. Find more information by accessing the list of German universities helping Ukrainian students.
Visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens
A visa is not needed for Ukrainian citizens to enter a member state of the EU - it is only necessary if you wish to remain there for more than 90 days or if you intend to work during your stay.
When moving to the EU with the intention to work legally and receive a steady income, you will need to obtain a long-term (type D) visa, as well as a work permit. In the case of the latter, the conditions to receive it and the documents necessary for application differ for every country. You can easily find all the information by googling the phrase “work permit” followed by the name of your desired destination. You will find detailed advice concerning the application process and requirements, including on official government websites.
To obtain a long-term (type D) visa, the following documents are required:
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A correctly filled-out visa application form
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A passport (it needs to be valid at least 3 months after your planned departure from the country)
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Biometric, passport-sized pictures
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Document stating the purpose of your visit (for example an employment contract)
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Document confirming the necessity of long-term stay (again, it can be a contract of employment, either permanent or for a duration exceeding 3 months (90 days))
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Proof of travel insurance or international medical insurance
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Proof of covering visa fees
You will also be asked to provide proof of sufficient financial means. This can be a bit vague, so here are a few suggestions of what can constitute such proof:
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Certificate of funds allocated in a bank based in the country you have moved to
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Employment contract stating your monthly earnings
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Invoices for any work you may have performed in a freelance manner
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Certificate of your credit card limit issued by the card provider
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Certificate of scholarship (mostly applicable to students)
Important: all the documents listed above must be issued no earlier than a month before the date you submit your visa application. Depending on the country, usually, they should demonstrate at least 3 months of your financial history.
An active type D visa allows you to remain in a country for up to one year. After that time, you are of course allowed to stay where you are, you will just need to submit an application for the renewal of your long-term visa. It is very important to submit that application a little bit before your previous visa expires - even if you don’t receive the new one straight away, you will have documents proving that the process is pending and you are not in the country illegally.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is not something you need to concern yourself with just yet, but it is good to be aware of what it is (or rather, what it will be soon).
ETIAS is a solution introduced by the European Union that fulfils a role similar to a visa. The system is meant to ensure the safety of both the locals and the travellers as people move through the EU. However, compared to a visa, obtaining an ETIAS is much easier and quicker.
You do not need to visit an embassy to obtain ETIAS - the application process can be carried out entirely online. No printing of documents is necessary, as ETIAS is automatically attached to your passport and will be scanned by the officers when you cross a border. Once you receive it, it will be valid for the duration of 3 years, or until the passport it is linked to expires - whichever happens first.
Just like with a regular visa, the maximum period you are allowed to stay in a country with ETIAS is up to 90 days over a 180 days period (it does not give you permission to work) - if you plan on staying for longer or working, you will need to apply for the type D visa described above, as well as a work permit.
The EU Commission has recently confirmed that the ETIAS won’t be introduced until the end of 2022, and won’t be fully functional until the second half of 2023. Applying for an ETIAS before travel might be therefore required commencing the first 6 months of 2023 - but not yet.
For now, Ukrainian citizens are allowed to travel to most EU countries without a visa or ETIAS for short-term stays, without the intention to work. Once ETIAS comes into life, you will be required to apply for it before your travel - but the process will be quick, easy, and fully digitalised.
Work permit for Ukrainians
As mentioned before, there is not much we can say about the work permit in a general guide, as the terms and regulations differ from country to country. You can find more detailed information in our series of Ultimate Expat Guides covering various cities in Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Poland, Greece, Bulgaria, The Czech Republic, Romania, Malta, and Cyprus.
What we can tell you here is that in many countries, it is your future employer who will need to apply for a work permit on your behalf. That means that you will need to secure a job before you make the move. Usually, the application for your work permit will be submitted together with the one for your visa.
Residence permit for Ukrainian citizens
In many countries, it is required to apply for a residence permit to be able to stay there legally - even if you have already obtained a work permit and long-term visa. Again, the conditions and requirements for a residence permit vary across the EU countries, but it is often done after arrival.
Once you receive it, you will be authorised to cross the border and travel to other European countries without having to apply for a visa - just remember to take your regular travel document (passport) with you! EU citizens are not required to carry passports when moving in between the member states of the Schengen Zone, but a residence permit might not grant you the same privilege.
Once you obtain your residence permit (usually in the form of a plastic card, similar to an ID), you will need to carry it everywhere - even without leaving the country - as local authorities may ask you to present it on a rare occasion.
Just like visas, there are often different types of residence permits, depending on the conditions of your stay in the country.
Long-term residence status
As a non-EU citizen living in a country that is a part of the European Union, you can apply for long-term residence status after 5 years of uninterrupted stay in that country with a steady income and health insurance. You must also retain a clean slate - meaning that looking into your documentation, the officers need to see that you have never engaged in conflict with the local law, and are not constituted a threat to public security.
Joining a family member who is an EU citizen
This sector will break down the steps to take when you have a family member who is an EU citizen and wishes you to join them in a European country. After you arrive in the new country, it cannot be demanded of you to obtain a residence permit over the first 3 months of your stay (although in some countries, you might be obliged to initially register your arrival).
After 3 months, you will be required to apply for a residence permit with the correct authorities. After submitting an application for a residence card of an EU national family member, the authorities will have to make their decision over 6 months. Once you are granted this type of residence permit, it will be valid for up to 5 years (can be shorter, depending on your planned length of stay, but never longer). If you happen to change addresses over that time, you will need to report it.
As a holder of a residence card of an EU national family member (as opposed to a regular residence permit obtained at your own account), you are, colloquially saying, dependent on that family member. That means that your stay in the country is subjective to the other person’s stay in the country. If you wish to move, they will have to move with you in order for you not to lose your status as a residence cardholder.
Obtaining this type of residence permit is easier in terms of the person applying for it not needing to have a job, a fixed address of their own, etc. Your residence card is, in a way, an extension of the EU citizen’s innate right to legally stay in that country. However, it comes with the limitation of being quite literally dependent on that family member in many areas.
This alternative is a good solution for the so-called “start” - if you are fortunate enough to have a family member who is an EU citizen, you can obtain your first residence permit through your affinity to them, and use that time to gain your footing and build the foundations to apply for your own residence card.
Note: bear in mind that you will need to be able to prove your affinity to the EU citizen. Being a spouse of such a person grants you the right to apply for a residence card of an EU national family member, but you must provide your wedding certificate. Couples in long-term relationships unsupported by a valid marriage certificate won’t be eligible for this type of residence permit.
How can I be helped? / How can I help?
Organisations and individuals in Europe are coming up with initiatives to support the people of Ukraine. Below, you will find a compilation of resources meant to provide aid in many forms.
The military conflict in Ukraine does not only concern the citizens of the two nations directly involved in the war. Just like every conflict, it will impact the rest of the world, which means the issue disturbs every single one of us. While many of us may feel helpless in the face of recent events, there are ways in which we can help, no matter where we are from.
On this website, you will discover ways in which you can really help Ukrainians as a foreigner.
Below, you will find a list of only some of the many organisations that can help victims of the conflict, and that accept help in the form of volunteer work and donations:
Help with transport
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Polish Government
9 reception points have been established along the border to offer shelter and accommodation. All the details are available on the Government’s official website.
Contact
Phone number: +48 477 217 575
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Romanian Government
All Ukrainian citizens can ask for asylum in Romania through border authorities or Immigration Offices. You can obtain all the necessary information by contacting this official phone number: +40 76 55 861 888 (can be messaged through Whatsapp).
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DoGood Romania
A rescue shelter for dogs providing help at the Siret border, especially for people with pets. Visit their Instagram page.
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Launchlabs Sofia
A tech community in Sofia, Bulgaria, offering transport and accommodation for Ukrainians who are able to escape. You can read about the details and sign up with the Google Form in Elina Zheleva’s post on LinkedIn. Additionally, you can apply for help with evacuation from Ukraine to Bulgaria here.
If you are able to provide any form of aid in relocation to Bulgaria for Ukrainian citizens, please fill out this Google Form.
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FlixBus
This large transport company is offering free rides from border cities for Ukrainian citizens who wish to reach Poland. You can find out which cities exactly are connected by the FlixBus network by following their Facebook profile.
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Individuals
As we have mentioned before, individuals are also coming up with alternatives to support Ukrainian citizens in any way they can. You can access this collective Google Spreadsheet to find volunteers who are offering help in transporting people and luggage, both within Poland and across the border. If you can offer help yourself, add your data to the online document as well!
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Chili Piper
This is an extensive Google Doc including essential information about relocation options. Contrary to the spreadsheet mentioned above that can be edited by anyone (therefore you should be careful when contacting the people listed there), this document is private and includes only reliable information.
Helping Ukrainian organisations
This journal brings trusted, up-to-date information about recent events. You can support their activity on GoFundMe and Patreon.
An international strategic communications hub with active outreach to audiences both in Ukraine and abroad. They accept donations to keep up their activity.
Contact
Phone number: +380 501 578 159
E-mail address: [email protected]
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People in Need
This organisation provides humanitarian aid to Donetsk and Luhansk. You can read about the help they bring, and learn how to help them, on their official website.
Contact
Phone number: +420 778 498 314
E-mail address: [email protected]
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Proliska
Evacuation and support for civilians from the war zone, especially of people in government institutions e.g. orphanages, hospitals, and housing for internally-displaced refugees. Read more here.
Contact
Phone number: +380 964 041 034
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Open Eyes
This organisation helps in various sectors, including health, education, and the military. Consult their website for more information.
Contact
Email address: [email protected]
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Demalliance Dopomonga
Provides social, psychological, informational, and legal assistance to soldiers and their families harmed by the war. Visit their website here.
Contact
Phone number: +380 443 382 468
E-mail address: [email protected]
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The People’s Project
Military and civil crowdfunding platform, where you can make donations for various projects.
Contact
Phone number: +38 63 402 90 93
E-mail address: [email protected]
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Borderlands
Help in escaping from Ukraine. Detailed information is available on the organisation’s official website.
Help(ing) from abroad
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UN Refugee Agency US
Members of the agency meet the refugees directly when they arrive at the airport. A part of their responsibility is to provide them with shelter and food upon arrival.
How to help? You can volunteer yourself, or contact someone at the agency to ask if there is anything they need in particular.
Access their official website.
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Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (OCHA)
An UN-financing instrument providing humanitarian assistance to civilians sending funds to local charities, including Proliska. More information can be found on their website.
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Support Ukraine (Call Congress Officials)
You can call or write to officials in the Congress and the White House. You will find detailed instructions about how to do it here.
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UA Crisis Response
A Ukrainian-American Response Committee in Michigan responding to the escalating crisis. Find out more about their activity here.
Contact
E-mail address: [email protected]
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Project Hope
This group is aiding Ukrainians by mobilising its emergency teams, sending medical supplies, and standing by to provide health screening and help for refugees. Find out about the help provided and ways to help here.
Contact
E-mail address: [email protected]
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Voices of Children
This organisation focuses on helping children affected by the war. Please visit their website for more information.
Contact
Phone number: +380 957 856 069
Email address: [email protected]
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Visible Hand
A Polish group on Facebook offering free accommodation and aid. It also compiles a lot of helpful contacts for transport.
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POMOC DLA UKRAINY - ДОПОМОГА УКРАЇНІ
A Polish Facebook group offering food and accommodation for Ukrainians who have crossed the Polish border.
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SEGÍTSÉGNYÚJTÁS
A Hungarian Facebook group offering support at borders and accommodation.
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Solidaru Cu Ucraina
A support group for those who have crossed into Romania.
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Host a Sister
Support group for women urgently looking for accommodation.
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Gone Girl International
A Facebook group including information about support with accommodation, transport, etc.
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Supporting UA Friends
A collective Google Doc compiling information from people offering accommodation in Europe.
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Ukraine Support
A Google Doc containing official information about the procedures of seeking asylum.
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Events/Rallies globally
Find information about the upcoming rallies near you, all over the world.
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Runa Sandvik
This Twitter user provides free VPN accounts to journalists in Ukraine - you need to message him for details. His Twitter thread also contains comments from many other individuals and organisations offering their services and general aid.
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David Carvalhão
This LinkedIn user created a masterpost where people can obtain/share information about jobs and/or support Ukrainians in the Visa acquisition process.
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A1
This company provides free roaming for mobile services for clients in Ukraine. Find out more on their website.
Support organisations in Ukraine
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Ministry of Defense
In order to be able to act accordingly, first of all, we need to be aware of the situation. On the official website of the Ministry of Defense, you can find the most up-to-date information about the development of the conflict, as well as official data concerning ways to support the Ukrainian army.
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Come Back Alive
This organisation works directly with the command and personnel of military units, purchasing infrared thermal imaging cameras, night vision goggles, hemostatics, and other essential equipment. You can donate here.
Contact
Phone numbers: +380 443 383 338 and +380 685 008 800
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Army SOS
This establishment manages purchases of necessary ammunition, shields, intercommunication and reconnaissance facilities, etc. All goods are delivered directly to where they are needed. You will find the information necessary for donating on their official website.
Contact
Phone number: +380 68 686 5439
E-mail address: [email protected]
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Hospital Medical Battalion
Members of this organisation are right in the heart of events. They carry out their services directly on the frontline, conducting rotations, repairing transport and performing re-equipment. You can find out how to support the heroes on their official Facebook page.
Contact
Phone number: +380 975 779 795
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Phoenix Wings
They make sure to provide the appropriate equipment and uniforms, personal non-lethal protection (such as vests and helmets), repair the buildings used by the army, and tend to the wounded soldiers. You can find out more about the fund on their official website.
Contact
Phone number: +380 443 645 060
E-mail address: [email protected]
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Ukrainian Women Veteran Movement
This organisation provides consolidation of female veterans and organises preparations for actions in case of emergencies and defence situations. You can support them by following the guidance on their official website.
Contact
Phone number: +380 675 767 207
E-mail address: [email protected]
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Vostok SOS
They raise funds for various needs of the army. You can find out how to donate here.
Contact
Phone number: +380 953 979 848
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Territory of Kindness
Each organisation on this list is equally crucial, but this one perhaps even more so. That is because aside from providing assistance to the military, it also focused directly on helping children. Consult their official website to discover ways to help.
Contact
Phone number: +380 636 976 863
E-mail address: [email protected]
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Caritas Ukraine
We probably don’t need to explain the main goals of Caritas. To support their mission, access their official website.
Contact
Phone number: +380 673 749 190
E-mail address: [email protected]
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Ukrainian Congress Committee of America
Provides humanitarian aid and medical supplies. Learn how to support them here.
Contact
E-mail address: [email protected]
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Ukraine Now
Assistance for logistical and medical support of the armed forces of Ukraine. Learn more about them here.
Contact
E-mail address: [email protected]
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(F.U.N.D) of Diana Makarova
A volunteer group aimed at assisting the Army and the National Guard of Ukraine, the wounded and the refugees, as well as the families of those on active duty. Have a look at their Facebook page to learn more about their objectives and mission.
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Volunteer Group (Roman Donik)
Focused on small-scale material support. Visit their website to learn more.
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LGBT Military
A group with a character a bit different than the others - they fight for the support for LGBT rights in the military. Learn more about their noble mission on their website.
Contact:
E-mail address: [email protected]
Medical supplies providers
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Razom
This non-profit organisation supports the people of Ukraine in the pursuit of a democratic society with dignity, justice, and human and civil rights for all. You can learn more about their activity on their Facebook page or donate here.
Contact
Phone number: +1 609-365-7952
E-mail address: [email protected]
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United Help Ukraine
Working to provide life-saving individual first-aid kits and other emergency medical supplies to the front line. They also cooperate with other emergency response organisations to prepare humanitarian help for civilians who might be directly affected by the attacks. Consult their Facebook page for more information about their activity.
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Sunflower of Peace
A fundraiser to prepare first aid medical tactical backpacks for paramedics and doctors on the front lines. Visit their Facebook page to find out more.
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Revived Soldiers Ukraine
A non-profit organisation dedicated to providing medical aid to the people of Ukraine. Discover more about its activity on their official website.
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SVOI
This organisation is concerned with providing COVID help and other medical aid, especially buying oxygen and palliative care. You can find all the necessary information about them on the official website.
Contact
Phone number: +380 673 753 046
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Everybody Can
Medical and social help for disabled children and internally-displaced elderly persons. Find out more on their website.
Contact
E-mail address: [email protected]
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Support Hospitals in Ukraine
Committed to supporting Ukrainian hospitals with much needed modern medical equipment and supplies. Information about their activity can be found on the official website, while donations can be made here.
Contact
E-mail address: [email protected]
Stay informed
It is incredibly important to stay informed based on reliable, independent sources. Below, you can find suggestions of websites and articles that you can trust to stay up-to-date with events in Ukraine:
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@withukraine profile on Instagram
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StopPutin - information about events and rallies
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Hungary Today - an article about the programme of accepting refugees into Hungary
We did our best to create an exhaustive guide for both those who require help, as well as those who wish to provide it. However, we cannot stress the importance of collaboration enough, so we ask everyone who is aware of any other reliable website, organisation, or any other form of resource to share it in the comments section, with a short explanation of what it is and how it works.
We will continue to collect job offers for Ukrainian speakers and update them on our job board. We ask everyone to share this post, as well as the job offers, with everyone who can benefit from them.
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