Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, 76,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Lithuania, and more than 44,000 Ukrainians currently have valid residence permits on the basis of temporary protection.  Once in Lithuania, Ukrainians have to make arrangements for accommodation, medical services, social guarantees and a job. "The most important thing to do upon arrival in Lithuania is to get temporary protection, which will give Ukrainian refugees more security and make services more accessible," says Eitvydas Bingelis, Head of the International Organisation for Migration's (IOM) Vilnius Office. Temporary residence permits on the basis of temporary protection are issued to those who arrived from Ukraine to Lithuania after 24 February 2022. In order to obtain a temporary residence permit on the basis of temporary protection, you need to fill in an e-application via MIGRIS. After submitting the application, book an appointment and appear in person at the Migration Department at the reserved time and provide biometric data. If the person fulfils all the conditions, the temporary protection residence permit will be issued until 4 March 2024.

"IOM Lithuania regularly provides consultations on the most important issues for Ukrainians, mostly people apply for financial assistance, which is a very natural demand, as people are unemployed and need to take care of their children or elderly relatives," says E. Bingelis. Ukrainians are advised to apply for social benefits at the municipality where they have declared their place of residence, as they can receive not only lump sums but also social allowances and compensation for utility bills. IOM Lithuania has also provided cash benefits to almost 2,800 Ukrainians.

A survey conducted by the Red Cross showed that health care is one of the most important issues for Ukrainians, but only just over 60% of respondents indicated aware of their right to free essential medical services. Working Ukrainians have medical insurance and can register at the clinic where they live. People of retirement age who have a pensioner's certificate can apply to the Territorial Health Insurance Fund for state-funded PSD insurance. "We constantly remind Ukrainians that emergency medical care is free of charge, but for more extensive services they need a registration certificate with an ESI code or a residence permit for temporary protection," says Snezhana Starovoitova, IOM Lithuania representative. Minor children with a registration certificate or residence permit can also access medical services free of charge.

For Ukrainians looking for a job, it is worth starting your job search at the Employment Service, where specialists will provide you with all the information you need on how to find a job. To receive unemployment benefits, you need to register with the Employment Service and provide information to Sodra about the length of time you have worked in Ukraine or Lithuania. More than 24,000 Ukrainians are currently working in Lithuania and have paid more than €58 million in taxes until March this year. An IOM Lithuania survey revealed that 78.4% of Ukrainians would like to change jobs. The reasons for changing jobs vary, but it is noteworthy that as many as 41% of respondents are not satisfied with the salary they receive (they think it is too low), 28.2% of respondents would like to work in line with their existing qualifications and 12.8% claim that working conditions are rather difficult.