Introduction
This page has information for people who have family in Ukraine, or for people in Ukraine who plan to travel to Ireland, or have recently arrived here.
You should go to a reception hub in the airport or port when you arrive. Otherwise, you can get help at a Ukraine Support Centre. These centres are currently in Dublin, Limerick and Cork. They can help you to get somewhere to stay and help you to apply for social welfare (financial help).
We will add more information to this page as it becomes available.
You can also read about supports for Ukrainians in Ireland.
You can use Google Translate to read this page in Ukrainian or another language (please note that this uses machine translation and may not be a fully accurate translation of the page).
Visas
Citizens of Ukraine do not need a visa to travel to Ireland. You also do not need proof that you have a COVID-19 vaccine, and you do not need to take a COVID-19 test before you arrive.
If you do not have a current passport, you can use another form of identification to travel to Ireland (for example, national ID card, expired passport or birth certificate). The Irish Government has asked airlines to accept these documents.
If you are travelling with family members who are not Ukrainian citizens, they may need a visa to come to Ireland.
You can read frequently asked questions from the Irish immigration authority, called Immigration Service Delivery (ISD), for visa and immigration information.
The Irish Refugee Council also has information on coming to Ireland in Ukrainian.
Immigration and international protection
When you arrive in Ireland, you should go to the reception hub. Currently there are reception hubs at Dublin Airport and Rosslare Port. Ukraine Support Centres have also opened in Dublin, Cork and Limerick (see ‘Ukraine Support Centres’ below).
You should give your details and you will get a letter confirming that you have residence in Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive from the reception hub in Dublin Airport. Staff can also help you to get somewhere to stay if you need it, and help you to access financial support (money).
Temporary Protection Directive
The EU, including Ireland, is using the Temporary Protection Directive. This means that you can work and access services and benefits without making an application for international protection (refugee status). This applies to:
- Ukrainian citizens who lived in Ukraine before 24 February 2022
- People who had refugee status (or another type of international protection) in Ukraine
- Stateless people who lived in Ukraine before 24 February 2022
- Family members of the people above if they were living in Ukraine before 24 February 2022
It also applies to people who had a permanent Ukrainian residence permit who lived in Ukraine before 24 February 2022, and who cannot safely return to their countries.
You will get permission to live in Ireland for one year under the Temporary Protection Directive. Your permission may be extended after that. You will get a letter confirming that you have residence in Ireland under the Directive.
I have not received a temporary protection permission letter
If you did not get a permission letter at the airport or port you arrived at, you can get it at the Ukraine Support Centre on Cork Street, Dublin 8 or at the Ukraine Support Centre on Dominick Street, Limerick (see ‘Ukraine Support Centres’ below).
You cannot currently get a permission letter from the Ukraine Support Centre in Cork. Arrangements are being put in place to provide permission letters at the Cork centre. We will update this page when this happens.
If the Irish Government gave you a place to stay (in a hotel for example), immigration officials will visit your accommodation and they can give you the permission letter.
Registration and Irish Residence Permits
All citizens from outside the EU/EEA who are 16 or over must register and get an Irish Residence Permit. Instructions on how to do this will be available soon. The Irish immigration authorities have frequently asked questions for Ukrainians in Ireland.
Ukraine Support Centres
You can get information and help at a Ukraine Support Centre. The centres are currently available in Cork, Limerick and Dublin.
- Dublin: Dublin 8 Intreo Centre, Guild Building, Cork Street, Dublin 8, D08 XH90
- Cork: Cork City PSC and PPSN Centre, Department of Social Protection, Hanover Street, Cork, T12 PX62
- Limerick: Dominick Street, Limerick, V94 X327
At a centre, you can get information about social welfare, immigration and housing. If you did not receive your temporary permission letter when you entered Ireland, you can get this letter at the Ukraine Support Centre in Dublin or Limerick.
Representatives from organisations that give information and advice, including the Citizens Information Service, are available. Information is available in Ukrainian.
You can get information on opening hours on gov.ie.
Social welfare
When you arrive in Ireland you can apply to the Department of Social Protection for financial support. You will get a temporary social welfare payment called Supplementary Welfare Allowance. It is a weekly payment for you and any dependents (for example, children) you may have. If you need help applying for this payment, you can visit your nearest Ukraine Support Centre.
You will continue to get Supplementary Welfare Allowance until you apply for a more suitable social welfare payment. You can find out more about the range of social welfare payments available. You can apply for Rent Supplement if you find private rented accommodation. If you get a job, you must tell your local social welfare office. You can keep your Supplementary Welfare Allowance for 30 days after you start working.
If you have children, you can get Child Benefit. This is a monthly payment paid to the parents or guardians of children aged under 16. It is also paid for children aged 16 and 17 in full-time education. You do not have to have proof that your 16 and 17 year old children are in full-time education for the first 2 months after you arrive in Ireland.
Ukrainians who have come to Ireland because of the war satisfy the habitual residence condition for social welfare payments.
Personal Public Service Number (PPS number)
You need to get a PPS number (an Irish social security number). You can get information about how to apply for a PPS number at the reception centre when you arrive in Dublin Airport.
If you are in Ireland already, you should go to a Ukraine Support Centre if you are in Cork, Dublin or Limerick, or go to your local Intreo centre or branch office. You should not apply online for your PPS number.
More information
The Irish Government has published social welfare information for people arriving from Ukraine under the Temporary Protection Directive. This information is also available in Ukrainian and in Russian.
Accommodation and housing
You can get help with getting somewhere to stay if you need it. You should tell immigration officials that you need a place to stay when you arrive in Ireland and they will refer you to the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). IPAS have staff at the reception hubs at Dublin Airport and Rosslare Port. You can also go to a Ukraine Support Centre to get help with accommodation.
IPAS accommodation is free of charge and includes different types of accommodation. For example, you may be accommodated in a hotel, guest house or another type of State-owned or private accommodation including property pledged by members of the public.
If you don’t need a place to stay immediately (because you are staying with family or friends), you can ask for this help at any time later on.
If you need accommodation and you are already in Ireland, you can email the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) at ipasinbox@equality.gov.ie or visit a Ukraine Support Centre.
Include the following information in your email:
- The full name of anyone who needs accommodation
- Dates of birth
- Phone number
- Where you are now (the full address if you have one)
- When you need the accommodation (for example, from tonight)
- Medical conditions, disabilities, allergies and dietary requirements
If you have vacant property or a spare room in your home, you can offer it to help accommodate a refugee. The Irish Red Cross will match the accommodation you offer with someone who has just arrived in Ireland. See ‘I want to help’ below or find out how to pledge accommodation on the Irish Red Cross’s website.
The Housing Support Payment (HAP) helps people with a long-term housing need pay for rented accommodation. HAP is not available for Ukrainian refugees at this time as their accommodation is currently provided by IPAS.
Healthcare and medical cards
Health services in Ireland are delivered by Ireland’s public healthcare service – the Health Service Executive (HSE). You can get the same public healthcare services as people who live in Ireland.
Everyone 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 health services and get medicines at a reduced price. Children aged over 16 must apply for a medical card separately.
You should apply for your medical card using a special medical card application form (pdf) for people from Ukraine. The medical card application form is also available in Ukranian (pdf) and Russian (pdf). You can email your completed form to PCRS.Applications@HSE.ie or by post to the address on the form.
You need:
- Your name, current address and date of birth.
- Your Personal Public Service (PPS) number (see above).
- Your doctor’s (GP’s) address, stamp and signature. If you do not know any GPs, one will be assigned to you and your family.
In 9 months’ time, you will have to make a full application for a medical card. This will include a full financial assessment or means test.
You can get information about health care services in Ireland from the HSE website. You can also read about the Irish health system in Ukrainian (pdf) and in Russian (pdf).
Vaccinations in Ireland
Vaccinations help to protect you and your children against preventable infectious diseases. Many vaccinations are free in Ireland. You can read information about the vaccines available from the HSE for you and your children in Ukrainian, Russian and English.
Working in Ireland
You have the right to work in Ireland when you have your permission letter confirming that you have been granted Temporary Protection under the EU Directive. You can also work for yourself (self-employment) and you can access vocational training in Ireland.
Revenue has information about the taxes you pay as a worker in Ukrainian and Russian.
Professions
You must register and have your qualifications recognised to work in some professions. For example, you must register with the Medical Council to work as a doctor.
The Teaching Council is developing a process to allow people who are qualified teachers in Ukraine to register and teach in Ireland.
School transport services are available to Ukrainian students on the same basis as children in Ireland. There will be no charge for this where it is available. Further details will be available soon. Contact Transportapplications@education.gov.ie or call 057 932 5467 for more information about school transport.
Third level education
Irish third level students returning from Ukraine will be given places to continue their education.
Qualifications from Ukraine
Quality and Qualifications Ireland have information (in Ukrainian) about its qualifications recognition service. This guide helps you to use QQI’s foreign qualifications recognition service (NARIC).
Pets, driving and other issues
Can I bring my pet to Ireland?
There are special arrangements in place for bringing pets from Ukraine. This means you may be able to bring your pets even if they are missing documentation or do not satisfy the usual rules for entering Ireland. The special arrangements only apply if you are travelling with the pet.
If you are bringing pets, you should still bring as much information as you can about your pet, for example, information on vaccinations, microchip and worming.
Can I drive in Ireland?
If you have permission to stay in Ireland, including permission under the Temporary Protection Directive, you must apply for an Irish driving licence. You cannot exchange your Ukrainian licence for an Irish licence. You can read more about foreign driving licences in Ireland.
If you bring your car from Ukraine, you must register the vehicle and pay Vehicle Registration Tax. You may also have to pay VAT (Value Added Tax).
Further information
You can read about:
The following organisations have further information in English, Ukrainian and Russian:
(c) Citizens Information 2022.
