Refugee from Ukraine

Many people from Ukraine are staying in the Netherlands temporarily due to the war. The Netherlands has special rules that apply if you fled from Ukraine. You have a right to accommodation, healthcare and work. This step-by-step guide will help you on your way. 

This is your step-by-step guide 

Phase 1: Before you come to the Netherlands 

Before you start your journey or arrive in the Netherlands, you should know what to expect. 

1. Find out if temporary protection applies to you 
   Do you have Ukrainian citizenship, and did you leave Ukraine after 26 November 2021 or were you already living in the Netherlands on that date? In that case, you are covered by the EU Temporary Protection Directive. This means you are allowed to live and work in the Netherlands. 

2. Think about where you will live 
   You can arrange a place yourself, for instance with family or friends. If you do not have a place to stay, the municipality can help you find accommodation. Important! As there might be waiting lists, and places are not always available in reception centres, make sure you know what your options are. You can read more on the RefugeeHelp by VluchtelingenWerk website. 

3. Make preparations 
   Make sure you know where you need to report when you get to the Netherlands. You usually have to report to the municipality or a reception centre. 

Phase 2: When you arrive in the Netherlands 

Once you are in the Netherlands, there are several matters you need to arrange. 

1. Register with the municipality  
   Always report to the municipality in which you will be living. The municipality will enter your details in the Personal Records Database (BRP). You will then be given a BSN (citizen service number). You will need a BSN for work and healthcare purposes.  

2. Make an appointment with IND 
   You must make an appointment with IND to get a sticker  within four weeks after you register with the municipality. IND will check that you are covered by the Temporary Protection Directive. In some cases, the municipality helps you to make this appointment. 

3. Are there no places available in the municipality? 
   If there are no places available at a reception centre in the municipality, the RCVS (Regionaal Coördinatiecentrum Vluchtelingen Spreiding) will look for a place for you. 

4. Are there no places available in the region? 
   If there are no places available at any reception centres in the region, the RCVS must ask the KCIO/LCVS to check the national system. They will make sure you have a place at a reception centre somewhere else in the Netherlands. 

5. Information and living allowance 
   About two weeks later, you will be given information on the following matters: 

• living allowance (money for food, clothing and additional items) 
• rules in the reception centre 
• school for your children 
• healthcare and insurance 

6. Work and volunteer work 
   If you have a right to temporary protection, you are allowed to work without a work permit. Your employer must tell the government that you are working. 

7. Living allowance and income 
   You have a right to a living allowance (food allowance plus an allowance for clothing and additional items) while you are not working or receiving benefit. The living allowance ends as soon as you start working or your benefit starts. 

8. Education and healthcare 
   Your children are allowed to go to school. You are allowed to take out health insurance and have access to medical care, just like every resident with a right to temporary protection. 

Phase 3: While you live in the Netherlands 

While you live and work in the Netherlands, the following matters are important: 

1. Report changes 
   Tell the municipality if your work, address or family situation changes. Some changes can affect your rights. 

2. Participate in Dutch society 
   You are allowed to work, do volunteering and learn Dutch (in many cases you can learn Dutch for free at the library). 

3. Stay up to date 
   At the moment, temporary protection applies until 4 March 2027. 

Phase 4: If you leave the Netherlands 

If you decide to move back to Ukraine or move to another country, you need to do the following. 

1. Tell your municipality that you are leaving 
   Tell the municipality where you are registered that you are leaving. This ensures the government knows you no longer live in the Netherlands. 

2. Cancel your health insurance 
   You must stop your health insurance if you no longer live or work in the Netherlands. 

3. Check your tax situation and allowances 
   Check if you are still getting any allowances. Report changes to Belastingdienst in time so that you do not have to pay money back. 

4. Deregister your children from schools and childcare facilities 
   If your family will be leaving with you, tell your children's school and/or childcare facility that you are moving. They can then deregister your children. 

5. Your pension and rights you have built up 
   You will keep the pension you have built up in the Netherlands. Contact your pension fund for information about what will happen to your money.