Slovakia: Number of Ukrainian Nationals Seeking Temporary Protection Stabilises at 200 Per Day

According to the Interior Ministry of Slovakia, the country has hosted thousands of Ukrainian nationals, with the highest number being recorded on March 15, 2022 – when 3,500 people entered the country in a single day, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.

In general, in the first weeks after the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, Slovak authorities revealed that the highest number was recorded during these days, with the average number of arrivals from Ukraine being from 1,000 to 3,500.

“Almost 140 days have passed since the first day when the possibility to apply for temporary asylum status was activated for persons fleeing the war in Ukraine. According to the data available to the Department of the Interior, the number of applicants has stabilized at a daily average of approximately 200 persons,” a statement by the Interior Ministry reads.

Furthermore, the top two regions with the largest number of applications for temporary protection were filed in the capital, Bratislava, as well as Michalov. The main reason for the high number of applications for asylum in Michalov is believed to be the functioning capacity centre, while Bratislava offers more work and accommodation opportunities for new arrivals.

The European country has been working to shelter Ukrainian asylum seekers since February, with €13.2 million being paid as an allowance for the new arrivals’ accommodation. Just recently, the Slovak government decided to extend the allowance until September 2022.

“July 8, 2022, is the last date when it is possible to submit a report to the municipal or city office on the number of nights in the month of June during which accommodation providers provided a roof over the head of emigrants from Ukraine. The contribution amount has increased,” Slovak Interior Ministry’s statement reads.

The ministry also pointed out that the allowance is granted to the owners of the accommodation spots, in the amount of €8 per night for adults and €4 for children under 15 years old. Depending on the number of living rooms, the allowance can be between €570 to €1,430.

Since the war started in Ukraine, more than 580,621 people have been accommodated in Slovakia, with 332,933 of those already returning home. Moreover, in July alone, about 2,743 Ukrainians arrived in Slovakia, while another 2,189 returned to their home country.

This number was higher in May – 3,266, and even higher in March, with 84,344 Ukrainians seeking temporary protection in Slovakia.