Important information about entry and stay at a glance

Since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, there has been a steadily increasing influx of people fleeing from Ukraine to neighboring EU member states, but also to Germany and thus to North Rhine-Westphalia. Women and children in particular are leaving their homes out of fear of destruction and death. Many people in North Rhine-Westphalia want to help the displaced in a variety of ways. Many questions arise about the offers of help and about residence. We provide important information on this website constantly updated.

Many agencies are doing everything they can to help as unbureaucratically and quickly as possible. Current information as well as answers to the most important questions are available on the following websites of public agencies:

Counseling services

Helpline Ukraine: Under the telephone number 0800 500 225 0 you can reach the Helpline Ukraine Monday to Friday from 2 to 5 pm. The free telephone counseling for refugee children, adolescents and parents from Ukraine helps with worries and problems. The advice is given in Ukrainian and Russian.

Online migration counseling mbeon: A free online counseling offers the app mbeon for immigrants in Russian and English. The mbeon team assists with many questions about arriving in Germany on topics such as work and career, learning German, health and housing. More info is available at www.mbeon.de.

Information on entry and residence

• BAMF: FAQs on entry and residence. The most important questions and answers on entry from Ukraine and residence in Germany can be found on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. The information is available in German, Ukrainian and Russian.
• BMF: The Federal Ministry of Finance has published questions and answers on tax measures to support those harmed by the war in Ukraine. The information is available for download here.
• BMI: FAQs on entry from Ukraine. The Federal Ministry of the Interior has set up a Bürgerservice with answers to important questions about entry. The information is available in German, Ukrainian and English.
• BAMF: Welcome to Germany! The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees provides answers to important questions, clear information and digital services on a central help portal.
• MKJFGFI: Arrive. Here displaced persons from Ukraine can find links to assistance and further information.
• MKJFGFI: FAQ on the Ukraine crisis is available here in Ukrainian.
• Integration Commissioner of the Federal Government: FAQs on entry and residence. The Federal Government Commissioner for Migration, Refugees and Integration has also provided an information page, which is available in German, Ukrainian and English.
• Handbook Germany. Important information on topics such as children, assistance from the state, medical care, housing and work can be accessed via the Handbook Germany. All information is also available in Ukrainian and Russian.
• Asyl.net: Materials and information for those seeking protection from Ukraine is provided by the website asyl.net.

Information specifically for women and pregnant women

• Searchers can reach the help hotline "Pregnant Women in Need" by calling 0800 40 40 020.
• Pregnant women in distress are supported by the Federal Foundation Mother and Child regardless of their nationality. Even pregnant women from Ukraine, who do not yet have a residence permit in Germany, get here unbureaucratic help such as financial assistance for the purchase of pregnancy clothes, baby equipment, housing, etc.
  The brochure "Financial assistance for pregnant women in need" is now also published in Ukrainian. To download it goes here.
• The brochure "Wegweiser Müttergesundheit" is available in Russian and English, among other languages, and can be downloaded free of charge from the website "Das Gesundheitsprojekt MiMi Mit Migranten für Migranten".
• The German Midwives Association provides information with the brochure Good start in life - How midwives help in many languages about the services of midwives during pregnancy and after birth.
• The website zanzu.de offers information on pregnancy, birth, sexuality and contraception in Russian and English.
• The nationwide Help Line "Violence against Women" can be contacted around the clock, free of charge and anonymously at phone 0 8000 116 016. Consultations are possible in Russian and Polish, among other languages.

Information for young people

• Jmd4you is the online counseling service of the Youth Migration Services (JMD). Help is provided with individual offers and professional counseling for school, professional and social integration in Germany.

Information for LGBTIQ* in Ukraine and refugees

• A list of current support services for Ukrainian and Russian-speaking queer people can be found on the rainbow portal.de.
• An overview of LSBTIQ* counseling centers in North Rhine-Westphalia can be found on the website of the MKJFGFI (Ministry for Children, Youth, Family, Equality, Flight and Integration of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia).

Information on health

Help for psychologically stressed or traumatized refugees:

Psychological counseling for psychologically stressed or traumatized refugees from Ukraine offers the aid project of the Initiative Together for Mental Health. Counseling with an interpreter is possible.

Help for people with impairments

For care and support of refugees with disabilities, the Infoseite für geflüchtete Menschen mit Behinderung und/oder chronischen Erkrankungen bundles the Germany-wide offers.

Countless people in North Rhine-Westphalia want to help personally, volunteer to lend a hand or offer private living space. The NRW Ministry for Refugees provides information on what opportunities are available and what you should bear in mind during aid campaigns on a website set up especially for this purpose, where you can access up-to-date information at any time.

• All information can be found on this info page of the MKJFGFI: https://www.mkjfgfi.nrw/menue/flucht/hilfen-waehrenend-des-ukrainekrieg…
• If you have urgent questions, please contact the hotline at T 0211 837-4041
• The Bundesfachverband unbegleitete minderjährige Flüchtlinge BumF (Federal Association of Unaccompanied Minor Refugees) has created a linklist with information on social and residence law basics as well as possibilities of practical support.
• Local assistance measures on site are coordinated by the municipalities. Many cities and counties have organized central contact points for assistance offers and named contact persons. Please inform yourself about sources of information such as daily newspapers and municipal websites about the support services for refugees from Ukraine in your hometown.