Austria is currently accepting refugees from Ukraine. The Austrian organisation SMA Österreich is offering special support to families with SMA.
Transport
The SMA Foundation is able to help you organize your trip to Austria – we can provide airline tickets. Please do not hesitate to contact us.
For air travel, a photo ID is required for all travelers. For children who have only a birth certificate, it is necessary to obtain a certificate of citizenship. The certificate is issued at any Ukrainian consulate within a few hours, free of charge; you only need to submit the original birth certificate and provide the child’s current passport photo.
Formalities
No formalities are required from people fleeing the war in Ukraine to enter Austria.
For air travel, all travellers must hold a photo ID – a Ukrainian ID document or a Ukrainian biometric passport. For children who have only a Ukrainian birth certificate, it is necessary to obtain a citizenship certificate. Citizenship certificates are issued free of charge at Ukrainian consulates, usually on the same day, upon submission of the original birth certificate and a current passport-style photograph of the child.
Accommodation
The Austrian organisation SMA Österreich has announced that it is able to help with finding a suitable apartment. Contact details below.
SMA treatment
In accordance with the European Union directive, people fleeing the war in Ukraine should have full access to healthcare in the country that has granted them temporary protection. Currently, we do not have confirmed information regarding any restrictions on the access to SMA treatment in Austria for people from Ukraine.
In Austria, all SMA patients receive treatment with Spinraza as standard. Babies with type 1 or asymptomatic SMA can also be treated with Zolgensma (gene therapy).
Evrysdi is not yet funded in Austria.
Social support
In accordance with the European Union directive, people fleeing the war in Ukraine should have full access to social support in the country that has granted them temporary protection. In general, the level of social support in Austria is considered high. We do not have detailed information about the support tailored to the needs of SMA patients.
SMA community
There is a small organisation in Austria called SMA Österreich (www.smaoesterreich.com) ready to help. Contact only via email: [email protected].