Norway's government has announced plans to tighten rules for Ukrainian refugees to reduce the flow of people to the country. In particular, shelters will not accept Ukrainians with pets. And those refugees who want to live in a rented apartment will not be paid cash assistance.
Norway will reduce payments to Ukrainian refugees
The new measures for Ukrainian refugees in Norway should bring aid in line with support programs for Ukrainians in other countries in northern Europe.
This was reported by the country's government's press service.
The large number of new arrivals increases the pressure on municipalities in terms of their ability to serve the population. In order to continue to accept immigrants from Ukraine in a controlled manner and to provide them with proper services in municipalities, we are proposing new measures to limit benefits and services, said Minister of Labor and Social Policy Tonje Brenna.
The government has already introduced several measures this winter to reduce the number of arrivals, but it said the flow of people to Norway is still high. Therefore, the government proposes further restrictive measures.
We must avoid a situation where the pressure on municipalities becomes so high that it will be difficult for us to help Ukraine, says Minister of Justice and Emergency Situations Emilie Enger Mehl.
New changes proposed by the government:
Ukrainians will no longer receive financial assistance if they decide to live privately instead of in a refugee shelter;
newly arrived Ukrainians will not have the opportunity to live in refugee shelters with pets because the state will no longer cover the costs of animals;
the requirement to reside in the country for five years to qualify for free dental services for persons aged 19 to 24 who are under temporary collective protection;
the introduction of a requirement to reside in the country for 12 months to be entitled to a one-off payment at the birth of a child of NOK 92,648 (€8,200);
requirement for a more extended period of residence in Norway to receive primary and additional benefits. To date, there are no residence requirements for receiving these benefits;
reduce monthly payments during the introductory program for couples without children by approximately NOK 6,000 (€530).
Changes relating to time of residence, dental services and introductory benefits were sent for a hearing.
At the beginning of winter in Norway, the government already introduced changes for the stay of Ukrainians:
Limited ability to travel between Ukraine and Norway;
housing or transport will no longer be offered to Ukrainians going to other places, except for the national registration centre in Rode municipality;
the proposal to cancel state aid payments for children under the age of 18, according to the recalculation, has been referred for a hearing with a deadline for hearings on February 6;
people are actively informed that there are requirements regarding the period of residence in Norway to receive several benefits through the social protection fund.
The authorities will also strengthen the familiarization program and set specific requirements regarding its orientation.
More refugees should go to work sooner, and we expect that Ukrainians will quickly learn the language and be able to support themselves. At the same time, we will offer measures aimed at getting a job. There is a great need for labor in many places. Ukrainian refugees should become a resource. We know that Ukrainians want to work and provide for themselves, and that they are ready to work not only based on their qualifications, the Minister of Labor noted.
Future changes include:
The minimum requirements for the work-oriented elements of the orientation program will be defined and reinforced from the 4th month of the program. At least 15 hours a week must be spent on work-oriented activities.
The minimum requirement can be met through work placements, part-time work, short vocational or industry courses, and labour market activities.
Municipalities can reject applications for participation in the program to those who already have a job or have received a job offer.
The EU is ready to extend protection for refugees from Ukraine in 2025
On January 26, it became known that the EU is prepared, if necessary, to extend temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine after March 2025. A joint decision will be made after additional consultations.
This was announced by the State Secretary for Asylum and Migration of Belgium, Nicole de Moor, after an informal meeting of the Ministers of Justice and Internal Affairs of the EU countries in Brussels.
She said, "The EU must calculate different scenarios" until March 2025. The official noted that the EU considers extending the temporary protection status possible even though it has already been extended twice.
Nicole de Moor added that the European ministers confirmed their solidarity and obligations to Ukraine at the informal meeting of the Council of Ministers of the EU on Justice and Internal Affairs. They agreed that "legislation needs to be harmonized" in this area because having 27 different legal approaches to Ukrainian refugees would be "counterproductive."
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