“What if I want to return to Ukraine, but I’m still not sure?”
For many Ukrainians living abroad, this question can bring mixed emotions. The desire to be closer to family, return to familiar surroundings, or rebuild life at home may exist alongside concerns about safety, housing, finances, and the future.
Some people are actively planning their return. Others are only beginning to explore the possibility. Both situations deserve access to reliable information and support.
Returning to Ukraine should always be a voluntary, informed decision based on personal circumstances, available resources, and individual safety considerations.
Before making that decision, it is worth considering several practical questions.
1. How Safe Would Returning Be?
Personal safety is one of the most important considerations when thinking about returning to Ukraine.
Security conditions can vary significantly between regions and may change over time.
Before making plans, consider the situation in your intended destination, access to safe accommodation, and what alternatives might be available if circumstances change.
It is important to rely on current, trustworthy information rather than assumptions or outdated experiences.
2. How Would You Organise the Journey?
Returning involves more than purchasing a ticket.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to consider transport connections, border-crossing requirements, travel expenses, and the needs of family members.
Travelling with children, older relatives, people with disabilities, or people requiring ongoing medical care may involve additional planning.
Understanding the journey in advance can help identify potential difficulties and determine what assistance may be needed.
3. Are Your Documents in Order?
Before returning, it is important to review your personal documents and any administrative requirements that may apply.
These may include identification documents, documents for children, residence-related paperwork, and other records relevant to your individual situation.
You may also need to clarify how leaving your current country of residence could affect your legal status, access to benefits, or possibility of returning there in the future.
Requirements depend on individual circumstances and the applicable rules. If anything is unclear, seek guidance from the relevant authorities or qualified specialists before making irreversible decisions.
4. Where Would You Live After Returning?
Having somewhere safe and stable to stay is an important part of planning a return.
Consider whether your previous home is accessible and suitable for living, whether relatives or friends can offer temporary accommodation, or whether alternative housing arrangements would be necessary.
It may also be helpful to think beyond the first few days.
What would happen if your initial accommodation became unavailable? Would you have the financial resources or contacts needed to find another option?
A realistic housing plan can help you better understand the practical implications of returning.
5. Would Essential Services Be Accessible?
Returning home may also mean reconnecting with healthcare, education, and social support systems.
Before making a decision, consider whether you would have access to the services you or your family members need.
This is particularly important for people living with chronic health conditions who require continuous treatment, medication, or regular medical consultations.
Families with children may also need to explore schooling options, while others may have questions about employment, social assistance, or administrative procedures.
Identifying these needs beforehand can help make the potential transition easier to plan.
6. Who Could Support You After Returning?
Support networks can play an important role when rebuilding everyday life.
Think about whether you have relatives, friends, community organisations, or service providers you could contact in Ukraine.
It may be helpful to identify where you could seek assistance if unexpected challenges arise.
Having a support network does not eliminate uncertainty, but knowing whom to contact can make it easier to navigate difficult situations.
Considering a Return Does Not Mean You Have to Decide Today
Thinking about returning can involve both practical questions and difficult emotions.
You may miss your home while feeling uncertain about your safety. You may want to reunite with loved ones but worry about financial stability. You may also discover that remaining in your current country is the more suitable option for now.
There is no single decision that is right for everyone.
The important thing is having the opportunity to explore your options without pressure, judgement, or expectations.
Gathering information is not a commitment. Asking questions does not mean you have already decided to leave.
How RefAid BaltHUB Can Help
Within RefAid BaltHUB, Ukrainian refugees in Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia can access information and counselling related to voluntary return and available support options.
The project is implemented through cooperation between EHPV in Estonia, Association Demetra in Lithuania, and AGIHAS in Latvia.
Depending on individual circumstances and available resources, counsellors can help people explore practical considerations, understand possible next steps, and identify relevant services or support.
The aim is not to encourage or discourage a particular decision, but to help each person make an informed choice based on their own needs and circumstances.
You can request a consultation even if you are only considering the possibility of returning.
A consultation does not oblige you to return to Ukraine or make an immediate decision.
Your Decision, Your Future
For some people, returning to Ukraine may be an important personal goal. For others, remaining abroad may currently offer greater stability or safety.
Both choices deserve respect.
What matters is that decisions are made voluntarily, with access to reliable information and an understanding of the opportunities, limitations, and risks involved.
Returning starts before booking a ticket. It starts with asking questions, understanding your options, and deciding what is right for you.
If you are considering voluntary return and would like to discuss your situation, RefAid BaltHUB can help you explore the available options — without pressure or obligation.
