Help for Ukraine

The S protection status guarantees the right to stay, housing, assistance, access to medical care, and schooling for children. The status is valid for one year, extendable up to five years, and allows family reunification as well as travel abroad and return to Switzerland without a travel permit. Holders of the S protection status can also engage in gainful employment (including self-employment) without a waiting period.

Cantonal authorities recommend that those seeking protection apply for S protection status as soon as possible and register to activate assistance.

The procedure is summarized in an informational flyer, also available in Ukrainian and Russian. More details are available on the Cantonal portal.

It is necessary to notify the arrivals of Ukrainian citizens to the Controllo abitanti (Residents' Register Office) of the Municipality of residence, proceeding as follows:

• Notification obligation within 8 days for landlords and those hosting, even free of charge, foreign individuals for periods exceeding 30 days within 360 days.
   
• Notification obligation of arrival within 8 days for Ukrainian citizens who have applied for S protection status and intend to reside in the Municipality for more than 90 days.

These two notifications are cumulative. For more information on notifications to the City of Lugano, you can contact the Controllo abitanti by calling +41 58 866 67 30 or by writing an email to [email protected].

For information on the entry and residence conditions for Ukrainian citizens, the webpage of the State Secretariat for Migration is available. Written inquiries can be sent to the email address [email protected].

A cantonal hotline is also available to answer questions from the Ticino population regarding S protection status and, more generally, aspects related to the reception of people fleeing Ukraine. The cantonal hotline can be reached at 0800 194 194, is active Monday to Friday (from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.), and can also provide assistance in Ukrainian.

The Canton has also opened a bilingual channel on the Telegram messaging service, in Italian and Ukrainian. In addition to summarizing the main contents of the Cantonal website, the channel shares a series of training videos in Italian and Ukrainian on various topics such as school, civics, and healthcare.

The Red Cross Ticino has activated a call center for Ukrainian families in need of clothing, reachable at +41 91 973 23 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Associations that have collected clothing can also register. The call center acts as a coordination point between those who have collected clothing and those who need it (Red Cross Ticino does not collect clothing).

The Red Cross also offers a dedicated space for Ukrainian mothers with their children hosted by families in the region. At the Caffè Croix Rouge, there will be moments of socialization for mothers and children, who will be welcomed by volunteers for recreational and play activities. The activity will take place at the headquarters in Via alla Campagna 9, in Lugano, every Tuesday and Thursday, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. For information and reservations, you can call (Monday to Friday) the following numbers: +41 91 973 23 43 (morning 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.) or +41 91 973 23 42 (afternoon 1:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.).

The Red Cross has also opened a Centro Insieme dedicated to Ukrainian children and teenagers aged 6 to 12, an after-school program for learning the Italian language and schoolwork assistance. The center is located at the Puntocittà in Pregassona and will be open every Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., even during the summer. For registrations: +41 91 973 23 42 or [email protected]

To volunteer for Red Cross Ticino activities in support of Ukrainian families at the cantonal reception centers, you can register in the morning by calling +41 91 973 23 33 or by email at [email protected].