Shelters and accommodation

Emergency housing 

Help Points around the border 

If you are arriving from Ukraine to Hungary, there are organisations who can help you at the border with food, legal assistance, finding transportation, accommodation, relief items, and others. When you cross the border, you can ask for directions to the closest Help Point. You can also directly contact these organisations: 

Organisation	Location	E-mail	Phone
Hungarian Baptist Aid	4951 Tiszabecs, Rákóczi Ferenc utca 13.	[email protected]	+36 20 886 2292
Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta	4933 Beregsurány, II. Rákóczi Ferenc utca 1.	[email protected]	+36 70 659 8508
Hungarian Reformed Church Aid	4625 Záhony, Ady Endre út 79.	[email protected]	+36 80 296 844
Hungarian Red Cross	4836 Lónya, Árpád út 115.	[email protected]	+36 1 374 1374
Hungarian Interchurch Aid	4836 Lónya, Árpád út 115.	[email protected]	+36 70 664 8645
Caritas Hungary	4937 Barabás, Árpád utca 28.	[email protected]	+36 1 37 20 910

Information and emergency housing in Budapest 

The Government Offices, known as “Kormányablak,” located at Nyugati railway station can provide you with information and emergency housing referrals. This includes one-night reception accommodations, assistance in locating long-term housing, information about temporary protection, details about regular subsistence allowances and employment opportunities in Hungary, and further services available for refugees. 

Government Offices	Address	Opening Hours
Nyugati Train Station	1062, Budapest, Teréz körút 55.  🗺 Map to the Office	Monday: 08:00-18:00  Tuesday: 08:00-16:00  Wednesday: 11:00-19:00  Thursday: 08:00-16:00  Friday: 08:00-14:00

As a refugee new arrival from Ukraine to Budapest, you can stay at the one-night Reception Center of the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta. You need to reach the reception centre on your own, but you can use public transportation for free in Budapest with Ukrainian documents.  

Name	Address	Phone
One-night Reception Centre	1117 Budapest, Galvani Utca 44/A	🇺🇦 +36 70 659 8508  🇭🇺 +36 30 583 0571

You can also reach out to the following non-governmental organisations for short-term emergency housing, but it’s not guaranteed that they will be able to accommodate you. 

Organisation	Phone	Email
Migration Aid in Budapest	+36 30 146 6508	[email protected]
Migration Aid in Győr	+ 36 30 592 8066	[email protected]
Hungarian Interchurch Aid Support Center	+36 70 504 3154	–
Caritas Hungary – Hungarian Catholic Church	+36 1 372 0910	[email protected]
Oltalom  Foundation	+36 1 210 5400 , extension 201	[email protected]

Subsidised longer-term accommodation 

From 1 August 2023, there are new rules for providing state subsidies for the accommodation of refugees from Ukraine. The new rules apply to all refugees eligible for temporary protection, dual-citizens and Hungarian nationals who were living in Ukraine before the war and fled to Hungary on or after 24 February 2022. 

After your arrival in Hungary 

If you are eligible for Temporary Protection, you are entitled to subsidized accommodation for one month after your arrival in Hungary, even if you do not have a registered temporary protection status. In this case, your accommodation will be provided by the municipalities or government-contracted accommodation providers (such as a hotel), and it will include free-of-charge meals. You will not have to bear any of the accommodation costs. 

After one month, you will only remain entitled to subsidized accommodation if you fall under any of the following vulnerability categories: 

• You are the parent of a child under the age of 6. (note, that based on our current information, a second parent may need to pay.) 
• You are pregnant. 
• You have a disability. 
• You are over the age of 65. 
• You are under 18 and living in the same household as any of the previously listed persons. 

If you do not fall under any of the above categories, you have to register for temporary protection to continue to be entitled to subsidized accommodation. 

Under Temporary Protection status or as a Hungarian national 

When your Temporary Protection status is recognised, you are entitled for one more month of subsidized accommodation. 

If you have Hungarian nationality (including Hungarian-Ukrainian dual nationals) and a permanent residence in Ukraine, and arrived in Hungary on or after 24 February 2022, you are eligible for subsidized accommodation for 1 month after your entry. 

After one month (both as a Temporary Protection holder and a Hungarian national), you will only remain entitled to subsidized accommodation if you fall under any of the following vulnerability categories: 

• You are under the age of 18. 
• You are a parent of child under the age of 18 and you live in the same household. Note, that based on our current information, this only applies to a single parent per child. 
• You are pregnant. 
• You have a disability. 
• You are over the age of 65. 

If you do not fall under the categories above, your shelter operator will not receive government subsidies to host you beyond 15 September 2023, therefore you might be asked to move out. If you are in need of emergency alternative accommodation, you are entitled to use the state provided collective shelters, as described below. 

While being employed 

If you are a Temporary Protection holder who does not fall under any of the categories above, you will need to take up employment to continue having access to subsidized accommodation within one month from the time of your recognition. Your employment must take place in Hungary and must be for at least 20 hours per week. In this case, your accommodation will be arranged by your employers. This will not include free-of-charge meals, and the conditions of being accommodated by your employer may vary. 

Requesting subsidised accommodation 

If you are eligible for subsidised accommodation based on the above criteria, you can request accommodation in Budapest, at the Government Offices at Nyugati train station. The authorities will find you an available place to stay (usually outside of Budapest), but you will have to travel to the accommodation on your own. 

Government Offices	Address	Opening Hours
Nyugati Train Station	1062, Budapest, Teréz körút 55. 🗺 Карта офісу	Monday: 08:00-18:00  Tuesday: 08:00-16:00  Wednesday: 11:00-19:00  Thursday: 08:00-16:00  Friday: 08:00-14:00

State provided collective shelters 

If you received a Temporary Protection status, but you are not eligible for subsidised accommodation based on the above vulnerability categories, the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (NDGAP) can offer you accommodation in their collective shelter in Vámosszabadi. Transportation to the facility and meals at the facility are not provided by the state. 

Applying for staying at a collective shelter

You can apply for accommodation at the state provided collective shelters at the NDGAP offices, where your eligibility will be checked, and you will be assigned to a reception facility. 

Private and long-term accommodation 

Where to search for private accommodation 

Although no online platform can be considered 100% safe, designated accommodation search sites are safer compared to Facebook groups and other social media platforms. 

The most common websites used in Hungary are ingatlan.com, alberlet.hu, ingatlannet.hu, and otthonterkep.hu. Please note that UNHCR is not related to any of these sites; the offers displayed are not verified by UNHCR; and UNHCR cannot help you in finding private accommodation. 

Writing a rental contract and moving in 

Always insist on having a written rental contract. Verbal agreements may not be legally binding, and they can leave you vulnerable to eviction without notice. Ensure the written contract covers all terms and conditions, rights and obligations, payment details, rental duration, maintenance responsibilities, utility metre position and ownership, lock change responsibilities, and subleasing conditions.  

Before signing any rental contract, request a “land registry extract” to verify the property’s ownership and legal encumbrances. Also, verify the landlord’s identity and ensure that the rental fee is a gross amount that includes all taxes and contributions. If you pay the rental fee in cash, insist on receiving a receipt, otherwise, you won’t be able to prove your payment. 

You should also discuss the deposit amount and conditions with the landlord. Most landlords request a deposit equal to one to three months’ rent, but the amount should be included into your rental contract as well. 

Think carefully before signing a fixed-term rental contract for many years. These contracts can be challenging to terminate without serious consequences. You may risk losing your deposit and be liable for rent and utility costs until the contract’s end. 

Finally, take pictures of the property when you move in to document its condition. This will help in resolving any damage claims or deposit issues when you move out. 

Registering your address 

It is important to register your new address (known as “szálláshely”) with the authorities to ensure that you can receive official documents and access necessary services (such as healthcare or financial support) at your new location. 

You can complete the registration process by visiting any of the NDGAP client offices and filling out an address registration form. Please note that the address registration should be carried out in person, by your legal representative, or by an authorised person.  

It is recommended to request an address certificate (known as ”szálláshelyet igazoló hatósági bizonyítvány”) for your new address when completing the registration process. This document certifies that your address has been successfully changed and can be presented to the authorities or service providers as official verification of your new address. 

Organisations who can help you to find private accommodation

Organisation	Phone	E-mail
IOM	+36 80 98 45 44	[email protected]
Hungarian Red Cross	+36 1 374 1374	[email protected]
Next Step Association	+36 70 323 75 52	[email protected]
Lutheran Diakónia	+361 483 22 60	[email protected]
Menedék Association	+36 20 450 72 45	[email protected]

Be careful while searching for private accommodation

When looking for accommodation in Hungary as a displaced person, it’s important to keep your personal safety as the highest priority. Unfortunately, there are homeowners who are trying to exploit refugees in exchange for a place to stay. Read our guide about safe search for accommodation online.