Ukraine

People fleeing the war in Ukraine should apply for temporary protection. You can apply for it through the police or the border control authorities, just like asylum.

Finnish Immigration Service: migri.fi/en/ukraine(external link, opens in a new window)

Individuals who request temporary protection have the right to work in Finland as soon as they have submitted an application.

Tax Administration: Getting a tax card (verokortti) for wage income(external link, opens in a new window)

Information for people arriving in Espoo is available in Ukrainian on the Hello Espoo website

We also recommend that you check out the InfoFinland.fi(external link, opens in a new window) website, which provides information for people moving to and living in Finland.

In March 2023, the first Ukrainians who fled the war to Finland will be able to apply for a municipality of residence in Finland.

Having a municipality of residence entitles you to services and benefits that are legally bound to the municipality of residence. Some services, financial benefits and allowances provided by government authorities also require a municipality of residence.

Finnish Immigration Service: Temporary protection and municipality of residence(external link, opens in a new window)

• The page has links to the following official services: Digital and Population Data Services Agency, Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela), Finnish National Agency for Education.
• Подання заявки на постійну прописку в муніципалітеті проживання (municipality of residence)(external link, opens in a new window)

The right to municipal services is determined by the person’s residence status. Every person residing in the municipality has the right to receive essential health and social services regardless of their residence status.

Asylum seekers and people who have been granted temporary protection receive health and social services at the reception centre.

The Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County(external link, opens in a new window) provides health and social services for Espoo residents.

More information about social and healts services in Hello Espoo website.

The Growth and Learning Sector provides early childhood education, pre-primary education, basic education, upper secondary education and youth services. Further information on the HelloEspoo.fi website.

The situation in Ukraine is difficult, and the country and its people will need help for a long time.

There are many assistance points operating in different parts of the city. These locations offer food and social support to Ukrainians. Money donations are still needed to ensure that help can be provided in the war zone.

The assistance point in Matinkylä provides food and hygiene products. The location includes a little café and offers a good place for networking and organising small-scale club and cultural activities. You can donate food and hygiene supplements.

Further information: www.kaivoespoo.com(external link, opens in a new window)

Inquiries about donations and volunteering, tel. +358 50 4795767 (Mon–Fri 8:00–16:00) or vapaaehtoistoiminta@luona.fi

Until the end of May, the Leppävaara Church collects items for Ukrainians fleeing the war in their country. Enter the church through the main doors and leave your donations in the designated trolleys. The items will be distributed to Ukrainians through the Vallila assistance centre in Helsinki. Please only bring the requested items.

Further information: www.espoonseurakunnat.fi/osallistu/tukena-ukrainan-kriisissa(external link, opens in a new window)

Suomenoja Ukraine Aid provides material aid, such as clothes, household items, children’s supplies, food and hygiene products, for people who have fled the war in Ukraine.

Further information: www.autammesua.fi(external link, opens in a new window)

We recommend that you donate money through established, experienced and reliable organisations. In addition to the Finnish Red Cross, these organisations include UNICEF, Finn Church Aid and Pelastakaa Lapset ry. Aid organisations know best what kind of aid is most needed in a specific area.

You can find a list of organisations with a valid money collection permit(external link, opens in a new window) on the website of the Finnish police. The list is updated once a month.

We have compiled a list of useful links to pages that provide advice on how to deal with the crisis and get support. Support is also available for children and young people.

The rescue department wants to remind people that, at present, no such threat exists against Finland that would require the use of civil defence shelters.

You can read more about home preparedness on the 72 hours website(external link, opens in a new window).