Compensation for Damaged and Destroyed Housing in Ukraine: How eRecovery Works

Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian families have lost their homes or suffered damage from Russian shelling. The state has introduced a compensation mechanism known as the eRecovery program: funds for repairing damaged homes and housing certificates for those whose homes were destroyed. The process is largely digital and goes through Diia, but has many nuances. Here's who is eligible, how to apply and what to expect.

Legal Framework

The key document is Law of Ukraine No. 2923-IX "On compensation for damage and destruction of certain categories of real estate as a result of hostilities, terrorist acts and sabotage caused by the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine". It created the State Register of Property Damaged and Destroyed as a Result of Hostilities and set the general rules for compensation.

The procedures are detailed by Cabinet of Ministers resolutions:

• Resolution No. 381 — the procedure for compensation to restore damaged property;
• Resolution No. 600 — the procedure for compensation for destroyed property.

Up-to-date information on the program, limits and application status is published on the eRecovery portal and in the Diia app.

Who Is Eligible

General conditions:

• the applicant is the owner (co-owner) of the home: an apartment, private house, garden or country house;
• the home was damaged or destroyed after 24 February 2022 by hostilities, terrorist acts or sabotage;
• ownership is registered in the state register or confirmed by documents;
• the property isn't in a temporarily occupied territory or active combat zone (separate restrictions apply for some types of compensation);
• there are no legal grounds for refusal (for example, a conviction for collaboration).

If the home was co-owned, one co-owner can apply, but the others must give consent.

Step 1. Report the Damaged Property

The first step is an information notice about damaged or destroyed property. It can be submitted:

• in the Diia app;
• at an administrative services center (TsNAP);
• through a notary.

The notice includes the address, property type, nature of the damage and photos. It goes into the State Register of Damaged and Destroyed Property. The sooner you submit it, the sooner the process starts.

Tip: right after the damage, photograph and film all destruction — outside and inside, with the date and a link to the address. Keep debris if it's safe, and any reports from the State Emergency Service or police.

Step 2. Apply for Compensation

After the notice, apply for compensation via Diia or a TsNAP. The application is reviewed by a commission of the local government.

Step 3. Inspection by the Commission

The commission visits, inspects the home and draws up an inspection report recording the damage and its extent. Experts are brought in for complex cases. Be present during the inspection, show all damage and make sure it's included in the report.

Based on the inspection, the commission determines whether the home is:

• damaged and can be repaired;
• destroyed, meaning restoration is technically impossible or economically unjustified.

If the Home Is Damaged: Repair Compensation

For damaged homes, compensation is provided as funds for repairs. After a positive decision, the money is credited to a special account and can be spent only on building materials and repair work with participating retailers. Limits and the list of eligible works are set by Resolution No. 381 and have changed as the program expanded.

Typical works eligible for compensation:

• replacing windows, doors and balcony glazing — see our window replacement guide;
• roof repairs;
• facade and structural repairs;
• restoring utilities, including wiring — see apartment electrical wiring;
• interior finishing.

After the repair you may be asked to confirm how the money was used — keep receipts and completion reports. When choosing contractors, use the tips in how to choose a renovation contractor.

If the Home Is Destroyed: A Housing Certificate

Owners of destroyed homes receive a housing certificate — a targeted document guaranteeing payment for new housing up to a set amount. Its value is calculated based on the area of the destroyed home and the indicative cost per square meter in the region.

How the certificate can be used:

• buy an apartment or house on the resale market;
• buy a home in a new building, including under construction within the program's rules;
• combine it with your own money or a mortgage if the new home costs more than the certificate — including the subsidized eOselia program;
• for owners of destroyed private houses — receive compensation to build a new house on their own plot (within the set rules).

The certificate has a validity period, so plan your purchase in advance. Before buying a new home, always do a legal check of the apartment or a developer check.

After receiving compensation for a destroyed home, ownership of the destroyed property (and, under certain conditions, of the land under an apartment building) ends or passes to the community — check the details for your situation.

A Damaged Apartment Building: What Residents Should Do

When not only your apartment but the building is damaged — facade, roof, entrances, elevators, utilities — compensation for common property is handled separately from apartment repairs. Restoring common parts is usually funded through community and state programs, with the condominium association or building manager submitting the requests and documents. What to do:

• the association or manager — record damage to common property, initiate an inspection and contact the local government;
• residents — submit individual notices for their apartments, even if the damage seems minor;
• everyone together — coordinate in the building chat so the commission can inspect all apartments in one visit.

Buildings with an active condominium association usually recover faster because the co-owners have a legal entity that can raise funds and sign contracts. See how to create a condominium association.

The International Register of Damage

Separately from the national program, there is the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation Against Ukraine (Register of Damage for Ukraine), established under the auspices of the Council of Europe. It records damage claims for a future international compensation mechanism at the aggressor state's expense. Claims for damaged or destroyed homes can be submitted through Diia. A claim to the international register doesn't replace the national program — they are two parallel mechanisms.

Common Reasons for Refusals and Delays

• Ownership not registered in the state register. If documents are on paper, contact a notary or TsNAP to transfer the data.
• Unauthorized extensions and redevelopment — compensation is calculated from official data.
• Insufficient evidence of damage — no photos, an incomplete inspection report.
• Repairs started before the inspection — without the commission recording the damage, its extent is hard to prove. If repairs are urgent (for example, closing windows in winter), document everything with photos and video.
• Errors in the application — mismatched address, area or owner details.
• No consent from co-owners.

If you disagree with the commission's decision, you can appeal administratively or in court.

What to Do Immediately After Damage

1. Make sure you're safe; call the State Emergency Service in case of fire or risk of collapse.
2. Photograph and film all damage.
3. Shut off water, gas and electricity if the systems are damaged.
4. Temporarily cover windows with film or OSB — in many communities utilities or volunteers do this for free.
5. Notify the condominium association or building manager.
6. Submit a damaged property notice in Diia.
7. Notify your insurer if the home is insured.

Insurance Against War Risks

Most standard policies don't cover war risks, but products with such cover are appearing, including with support from international partners. Insurers are governed by the Law on Insurance and supervised by the National Bank of Ukraine. Read the exclusions carefully.

Tax and Other Implications

• A destroyed home may be exempt from property tax — see property tax in Ukraine.
• If you rented out the damaged apartment, review the lease with the tenant — see apartment lease agreement.
• Compensation received is targeted and isn't income subject to personal income tax (check the latest tax service clarifications).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get compensation if I live abroad? Yes, the notice and application can be submitted via Diia. A representative may need to be present for the commission's inspection.

Does compensation affect social assistance? Compensation is targeted. Check the impact on specific benefits with the social protection authorities.

How long does a decision take? It depends on the community, the number of applications and the complexity of the case — from a few weeks to several months.

Can I get compensation for damaged furniture or appliances? The national program compensates damage to the home itself. Damage to movable property can be claimed in the international Register of Damage.

Conclusion

If your home has been damaged or destroyed, don't delay: document the damage, submit a notice in Diia and an application for compensation, be present at the inspection and keep all documents. For damaged homes, eRecovery provides repair funds; for destroyed homes, a housing certificate for new housing. In parallel, file a claim with the international Register of Damage.

Sources

• Law of Ukraine No. 2923-IX.
• Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 381 and Resolution No. 600.
• eRecovery portal and Diia.
• Register of Damage for Ukraine (Council of Europe).
• Law of Ukraine on Insurance.

Read Also

• eOselia: how to get an affordable mortgage
• How to choose a renovation contractor
• Window replacement guide
• Apartment renovation guide