Forms and levels of material reception conditions

Author

Hungarian Helsinki Committee Visit Website

The Asylum Decree determines the content of reception conditions. Pursuant to Section 26(1) of the Asylum Act, ‘reception conditions include material reception conditions, and all entitlements and measures defined in an act of parliament or government decree relating to the freedom of movement of persons seeking asylum, as well as health care, social welfare and the education provided to asylum seekers.’ Under the state of crisis due to ‘mass migration’,^[1] the content of material reception conditions is limited to accommodation and food provided in reception facilities, as well as costs of public funeral of the asylum seeker.^[2] The state of crisis rules furthermore suspend the applicability of Section 15(2)(c) which enabled asylum seekers to apply for travel allowance.

Apart from material reception conditions there are only healthcare services that are provided to asylum seekers in the framework of reception conditions. Other services such as the reimbursement of educational expenses and financial support (the latter contained only the financial aid to facilitate return to the country of origin) are halted by virtue of the state of crisis due to mass migration.^[3] Since 1 April 2016, asylum seekers are not entitled to receive pocket money either.

According to the Asylum Decree, asylum seekers residing in reception centres receive:^[4]

1. Accommodation;
2. Three meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) or an equivalent amount of food allowance;
3. Hygienic and dining items or an equivalent amount of allowance.

In Balassagyarmat over the course of 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 food and hygienic items were provided in kind.^[5]

Cooking was a possibility for residents both in Balassagyarmat and Vámosszabadi. However, in case of in-kind food provision, asylum seekers cannot opt for cooking if they don’t have enough financial recourses. In Fót, UaSC can also use the kitchen.

^{[1] Section 99/B and 99/C (c)-(d) Asylum Decree.}

^{[2] Section 15(2)(a), (d) Asylum Decree.}

^{[3] Section 99/C(c) Asylum Decree.}

^{[4] Section 21 Asylum Decree.}

^{[5] Based on the information provided by the NDGAP on 3 March 2021, 7 February 2022, 13 February 2023 and 19 February 2024.}