How can I help Ukrainians?
Assistance and donations
I would like to organise a collection or donate clothing, toys or other items to those arriving from Ukraine. Who should I contact?
The primary way to offer your help is to contact reliable volunteer organisations, for example. Many organisations have organised their own collections.
However, if you want to donate items directly to a reception centre, contact your local reception centre before bringing any donations. For contact details of reception centres, see the page Reception centres.
The reception centre will tell you whether any items and goods are needed at the moment. The reception centre will also give you more detailed instructions on what type of items are welcome. Please make sure that the donated items are in good condition and sorted out beforehand. Any items you donate to a reception centre are intended for all clients of the reception centre.
Transportation
I will be offering transportation to Finland for Ukrainians who have fled the Russian military attack. Who should I contact?
We are asking all voluntary transport organisers providing transport for Ukrainian nationals from Ukraine to Finland to submit preliminary passenger information to the Finnish Immigration Service.
Be prepared to provide the following information:
- How many Ukrainians are arriving by your transportation? Report the number of passengers only. Do not provide any personal details on this form.
- What is the final destination of the passenger in Finland?
- Will the persons stay in Finland visa-free or will they apply for asylum?
- If the persons are applying for asylum, will they be staying at a reception centre or in private accommodation?
Report transportation information with this form
If you are unable to send the information through the link provided, you may alternatively call +358 (0)295 463 300. The phone line is open on weekdays, Mon–Fri at 9–16.
The phone number may be used for reporting transportation information only. We are unable to provide any other advice or information through this number.
Notifying the Finnish Immigration Service in advance of any transportation is essential so that the authorities are able to make necessary preparations for accommodation and other support. The Finnish Immigration Service coordinates accommodation for asylum seekers only.
Offering accommodation
I own a property or housing facilities I'd like to offer to Ukrainians in Finland. How should I proceed?
At the moment, the Finnish Immigration Service is not looking to receive new offers for accommodation facilities.
One way to help is to contact reliable volunteer organisations.
I can accommodate Ukrainians in my own home or apartment. What things should I know?
People applying for asylum or temporary protection are always able to stay at a reception centre. However, people applying for asylum or temporary protection can also organise accommodation by themselves. This is called private accommodation. Usually this means staying with one’s relatives, spouse or friends. Private accommodation can mean living in a rented or sublet apartment. Asylum seekers can also live in a private person’s home (home accommodation), which is free of charge. The accommodation facility must be appropriate for living purposes, and it must have an official address. An asylum seeker living in private accommodation will be registered at the nearest reception centre. The reception centre where the persons arranging their accommodation themselves are registered at provides them reception services, with the exception of accommodation and possible meals. Living in or arranging private accommodation is not financially supported.
Read more on the page Living in private accommodation
A person who is under the age of 18 and who has arrived in Finland alone to apply for asylum or temporary protection will be accommodated at a reception centre for children, which is also called a unit for minors. A child who has come to Finland to apply for asylum with his or her relatives can also stay with them at a reception centre. An unaccompanied minor applying for asylum in Finland can be transferred to private accommodation, if it is evaluated to be in the best interest of the child. The person providing accommodation must be able to secure the daily maintenance, upbringing and other care of the child, taking into account the child’s age and stage of development.
After a statement on private accommodation has been made, the director of the reception centre makes a decision in the matter. The wish to transfer a child to private accommodation can be expressed by a person offering private accommodation, a child wishing to move to private accommodation, or the child’s representative. The representative assigned to a child cannot be the person offering the child private accommodation. Living in or arranging private accommodation is not financially supported.
For more information, see Accommodation of an unaccompanied minor asylum seeker.
A relative of mine is under 18 years old and coming to Finland without her parents to apply for asylum or temporary protection. Does she have to live in a reception centre or can we take her in to live with us?
Children who are in Finland without their parent or guardian and apply for asylum or temporary protection live in units for minors, which are reception centres reserved for children. Children who arrive in Finland with their relatives may live in a reception centre together with the relatives who also apply for asylum or temporary protection. A child who applies for asylum or temporary protection in Finland without his or her parent or guardian can be moved to private accommodation if this is deemed to be in the best interests of the child. The person with whom the child will live must be able to secure the care and upbringing necessary for the child, taking into account the child’s age and level of development.
First, a statement on private accommodation is prepared. After that, the director of the reception centre will make a decision on moving the child to private accommodation. A wish to transfer a child to private accommodation can be expressed to the unit for minors by the child herself, by a representative of the child, or by the person offering the child private accommodation. The representative assigned to the child cannot be the same person as the person who offers the child private accommodation. Financial support is not available for living in private accommodation or for arranging private accommodation.
For further information, see Accommodation of an unaccompanied minor asylum seeker.