21-11-2024 11:00
The Termination of Housing Rights for Ukrainian Refugees in Hungary
On 21 November, LIBE Members discussed with the Commission’s representative the implication of the Hungarian Government decree limiting access to housing of Ukrainian refugees in Hungary to those coming from combat areas in Ukraine.
The representative of the European Commission referred to the extension of the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) until March 2026 and emphasized that currently more than four million refugees benefited from it. The extension would not change anything in the protection regime applicable so far, the TPD would not be limited to specific areas. The Commission ensured that a dialogue had started with Hungary to understand the situation after the changes and to find solutions for minors and other vulnerable groups.
LIBE Members raised several key issues, including the potential infringement proceedings towards Hungary for not respecting the TPD, or whether Hungary had been supporting refugees on the labour and education markets, and what was expected to happen to the 3000 Ukrainian refugees that stand to lose their home under the new decree.
The European Commission ensured that, together with Hungary, they were working on a program so that no one would be homeless during the winter.