Ukrainian helps war refugees to find an apartment in Munich - and tells who has it the hardest

Created: 08/04/2022, 16:55

By: Natalia Aleksieieva

Numerous refugees arrived in Bavaria in the course of the Ukraine war.

Olena Tisova helps to find an apartment.

Ukraine correspondent Natalia Aleksieiva meets her in Munich.

Munich – According to current information, more than 100,000 Ukrainians have already arrived in Bavaria.

They all need shelter, food, clothing and information.

Many refugees from the Ukraine war want to return as quickly as possible and are asking for temporary asylum in Bavaria.

At the same time, the demand for housing is particularly acute, because without a certificate of residence it is impossible to get a certificate that allows you to work in Germany.

"I really want everyone who can help with the apartment search and everyone who needs this help so much to find each other," I wrote in my current column in

, "News from home: "Odessa asks, don't to go to the beach so as not to be blown up",

– and then a miracle happened.

I met a helpful woman who devotes all her free time to finding accommodation in Munich.

(By the way: Our Bayern newsletter informs you about all the important stories from Bavaria. Register here.)

War in Ukraine: Young Ukrainian woman from Munich helps refugees find accommodation

29-year-old Olena Tisova comes from Ukraine, completed two university degrees as part of a double degree program in the field of business administration and has been living in Germany since 2012.

She has lived in Munich for three years and works as an office manager in an Israeli company.

She also founded a sole proprietorship and is a video maker.

All of Olena's relatives are currently in Ukraine. 

Two weeks ago, she decided to set up a telegram channel (Sova отвечат) to answer Ukrainian people's questions and help them with information: “I already have a lot of experience in finding an apartment.

I've moved so many times in my life.

I figured why not look for an apartment, maybe I can help someone.” 

The 29-year-old Ukrainian Olena Tisova from Munich helps Ukrainian refugees.

© Natalia Aleksieieva

Olena began to send applications, write letters and make inquiries.

Someone offered their help, and she posted a photo of the apartment on her new channel.

She couldn't believe that more than 150 people subscribed to the channel overnight, she says.

"I knew people needed housing, but I didn't think the information would spread so quickly." 

She is currently looking for apartments in every free minute.

The way to work and home takes three hours, Olena says in an interview: "I eat on the go, I also look for new housing offers at night." The demand is much higher than the supply.

The situation on the market has changed significantly in the last two weeks.

Finding an apartment is getting harder by the day. 

War in Ukraine: Looking for a flat in Munich for refugees – “I am willing to help in this situation”

At first, Olena only looked for rooms that were made available free of charge.

But after a survey on her Telegram channel, she found that many refugees are willing to pay rent.

Now she is looking for both temporary free accommodation and premises for rent.

"In two weeks, about 1,000 people asked me personally for help finding an apartment," Olena told

About the author Natalia Aleksieieva

Natalia Aleksieieva (27) fled from Odessa to Munich on March 7.

She has received a lot of help and is currently living with a host family.

Your goal is to be able to stand on your own two feet as quickly as possible.

In her column she reports about her new life in Bavaria - and about the news, the situation in her Ukrainian homeland.

She writes her texts in German.

Read the story of Natalia Aleksieieva's escape from the Ukraine war here.

All information and articles on the situation of refugees in Ukraine in Bavaria can be found on our topic page.

The 29-year-old sends around 50-70 new inquiries every day.

In two weeks she has already made around 1000 inquiries and received around 40 replies.

Olena managed to get 20 families in Munich and other cities to say: “I feel good in this environment.

I feel good when a lot of people write to me.

I am ready to help in this situation." 

Olena asks for help through various channels: she sends letters to official websites, contacts hotels, student residences, nursing homes, asks her friends and makes announcements on social networks: “Lately, many German families have written to me who have already taken in Ukrainians through my mediation and that now their acquaintances or friends also want to help.”

Refugees in Munich: “The Ukrainians are very afraid.

Everything is new to them in Germany”

During the conversation, it becomes clear that Olena's work doesn't end with making the apartment inquiries, calling landlords, posting offers on her channel and connecting apartment applicants with landlords.

Understanding between the two sides is also important, because the mentalities are different: “Ukrainian people are often scared when I put them in contact with German landlords.

Many write that they absolutely need a residence registration.

German landlords don't understand that.

You ask me to explain what's going on.

All right, I reply, they just absolutely need to register.” 

Ukrainians are very afraid.

Everything is new to them in Germany.

That's why I try to break down fears and prejudices in communication between Ukrainians and Germans.

Olena Tisova helps Ukraine refugees find housing

Olena further reports: “The Ukrainians are very afraid.

Everything is new to them in Germany.

That's why I try to break down fears and prejudices in communication between Ukrainians and Germans.

I've already adapted.

I understand the Ukrainians and I understand the Germans.

Ukrainians looking for housing don’t have this experience.” 

Helping Olena takes up all her free time.

But she says: "My free time is not wasted if I could help someone.

It's not fair to live on the streets.

Once I stayed at the station myself because I couldn't find an apartment.

I know how difficult this situation is.” 

Ukrainian helps war refugees in Bavaria: She tells who is particularly in need

Olena also says that the neediest are the elderly.

Unfortunately, no one wanted to take her.

It is also not easy to find apartments for families with several children.

However, the search for people with disabilities is particularly difficult: “I wrote to all the nursing homes.

I wrote 30 letters and thought maybe someone could provide a room for elderly Ukrainian people.

Unfortunately, everyone declined.” 

Your request is therefore: “I am appealing to people who live in Germany and want to help Ukrainian refugees to find housing.

If you have an opportunity and you are willing to help and offer accommodation, you can always contact me and I will definitely put you in touch with the Ukrainians.” Someone has to be a link between those who are willing to help, and those who so desperately needed that help.

She also wants to encourage the Ukrainian and Russian speakers who live in Germany and have time to help her with accepting refugee applications and finding accommodation. 

At the end of our conversation, Olena admits: “I had heart surgery at the age of 17 and the chances of survival were very slim.

They also told me that it was a miracle how I survived to the age of 17.

I'm not saying I'm on any mission, but I want to help people.

As long as I live I can do anything.

I think it's such a small thing to help with an apartment, but for Ukrainians it's so important now.”