Hungary — Ukrainian Nationals Crossing Back to Ukraine (January - June 2024)

Key Findings

• Nearly half of respondents (47%) crossed back to Ukraine for a short-visit (< 30 days), and 35 per cent returned for the long-term (> 30 days). The remaining 18 per cent were undecided about their intentions.
• The share of short-term visitors was higher among women (58%) than among men (35%). Over one-third of female respondents planned to stay in Ukraine for a longer time (36%), with a slightly smaller share among men (30%) planning to stay in the long-term.
• The average duration of displacement in Hungary for short-term visitors was 21 months, while the average duration of displacement for prospective returnees was 3 months.
• Among households, 34 per cent travelled with at least one child (0-17 years old), and 10 per cent with at least one person above 60 years old.
• The top reasons for crossing back included meeting family members (37%), returning to Ukraine after visiting someone abroad (29%), accessing health care (21%), reuniting with family members (11%) and collecting belongings (8%).*
• The majority of respondents mentioned financial support as a top need upon arrival to Ukraine (77%). Other priority needs included long-term accommodation (34%), food assistance (31%), medicines (20%) and health-care services (19%).*
• A higher percentage of prospective returnees travelled to their oblast (region) of origin (97%) compared to short-term visitors (87%).
• The top three oblasts of origin for prospective returnees were Zakarpatska (67%), Lvivska (13%) and the city of Kyiv (5%), whereas for short-term visitors the most frequently mentioned oblasts of origin were Zakarpatska (21%), the city of Kyiv (17%) and Lvivska (15%).
• A smaller share of propsective returnees received assistance in Hungary (13%) compared to short-term visitors (62%).

*Multiple answers possible