Refugees from Ukraine
Are you a Ukrainian refugee staying in Utrecht? On this page you can find more information on what to arrange and what help is available.
on this page:
Reception facilities in Utrecht
There is a shortage of reception facilities for Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands. The reception centre in Utrecht is full as well. Do you want more information about the application process?
Read the explanation on the RefugeeHelp website
- If there is no reception facility in Utrecht or anywhere else in the Netherlands, you must make your own accommodation arrangements.
- Are you staying with a host family in Utrecht but do you have to move out? Please send an email to vluchtelingenvragen@utrecht.nl. You must be registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP) of the Municipality of Utrecht for at least 3 months to be eligible for a place in the municipal shelter.
- You can find information about living in the Netherlands on the RefugeeHelp website.
Important registrations
If you have a place in the municipal reception facility in Utrecht, you must register with the Personal Records Database (BRP). You need an appointment to register. You can make this appointment by calling +31 30 286 00 00.
To register with the Personal Records Database (BRP), you must bring the following documents:
- Are you staying at one of the municipal reception facilities in Utrecht? Bring proof of the centre where you are staying.
- Do you have Ukrainian citizenship? Bring your passport or other proof of identity.
- Do you not have Ukrainian citizenship? Bring your permanent residence permit for Ukraine with you.
- Are you married or in a civil partnership? Bring your marriage certificate or partnership registration.
- Are you moving in with someone? Bring a completed Declaration of residence (pdf, 65 kB) form.
You will receive your citizen service number (BSN) by post a few days after the appointment. Once you are registered, you are able to get help with a living allowance, medical care and education.
Afterwards, make an online appointment with the Immigration & Naturalisation Service (IND) for a Proof of Residence (IND sticker). You need this sticker to show that you are allowed to live and work in the Netherlands.
Notify us of moving house
Please notify us of a move in time: starting from 4 weeks before to 5 days after the move. Do you report the move at a later date? The day of your report will count as the moving date.
Moving house and living allowance
Do you receive a living allowance? Please notify us of your move.
Are you moving to a municipal or private shelter (for example a guest household) within the Municipality of Utrecht? Then you must:
- Report your move for the BRP.
- Report the living allowance change, if you receive it. Your living allowance may change.
Are you moving to an independent residence within the Municipality of Utrecht? For example, a property that you or a family member rents or has bought. Then you must:
- Report your move for the BRP.
- Report the living allowance change, if you receive it. Your living allowance will stop on the first day of the following month.
Then you must:
- Register for the BRP with the new municipality at the new address. Unsubscribing from the Municipality of Utrecht will then happen automatically.
- Report the living allowance change, if you receive it. Your living allowance via the Municipality of Utrecht will stop on the first day of the following month. Are you moving to a municipal or private shelter? Then you can apply for living allowance in your new municipality.
Then you must:
- Report your emigration.
- Report the living allowance change, if you receive it. This living allowance will then stop.
Questions to the municipality
For questions to the municipality, for example about civil affairs or parking, you can stop by the Service desk in the municipal office. Or you can contact us in another way.
Work and income
Ukrainians may work in the Netherlands. There are, however, some conditions. More information can be found on the website of RefugeeHelp.
Work
Are you looking for work? Visit the website of RefugeeWork or Midden-Utrecht Werkt Door for help and vacancies.
Living allowance
If you don’t have a job, you can probably apply for a living allowance.
How to apply for a living allowance
Do you receive a living allowance and are you starting work or moving home?
Personal contribution
Do you live in the municipal shelter? And do you have a source of income? From January 2025 you are required to pay a personal contribution to stay in the municipal accommodation. This is called personal contribution.
Compensation of necessary expenses
Do you have necessary expenses that you are unable to pay? In some cases you can receive a compensation.
Care and insurance
Refugees from Ukraine are covered by the Medical Care Scheme for Ukrainians (RMO). You are insured and do not have to pay for this. You can find out what care you are insured for on the RMO website.
You may have to pay (partly) for medication. You can find more information on the RefugeeHelp website.
General Practitioner and mental healthcare
For health complaints that are not urgent, see your General Practitioner (GP). For example, if you are pregnant or want medical advice. Find a GP in your area on the Zorgkaart Nederland website and get in touch. If you are staying at the municipal reception centre, please register with Arene.
If you have mental health problems such as sleep problems, anxiety or depressive thoughts, you can visit your GP or Arene's GP if you are staying at a municipal reception centre. For a list of other organisations that can help you, see the RefugeeHelp website. Alternatively, contact Vitalny'a for a confidential conversation in Ukrainian.
Dentist
The RMO only pays for the dentist if you are in acute pain. Find a dentist near you on the Zorgkaart Nederland website. The RMO does not pay for the orthodontist.
Insurance
Refugees from Ukraine are insured for:
- Basic care through the RMO
- Liability
More information can be found on the RefugeeHelp website.
Education
In the Netherlands, children go to school from the age of 4. Children between the ages of 5 and 16 are required to attend school. Young people between the ages of 16 and 18 must attend school if they do not yet have a secondary school HAVO, MAVO or MBO diploma (level 2 or above).
Children
Your child is between:
- 0 - 4 years old. Register your child for childcare.
- 2,5 - 4 years old. Register your child for preschool if advised to do so by the Centre for Youth and Family.
- 4 - 5,5 years old. Register your child at a primary school in your district.
- 4 - 12 years old. Register your child at Taalschool.
- 12 and 18 years old. Register your child at Ithaka ISK.
Students and adults
- If you have questions about studying in the Netherlands, ask the UAF foundation.
- Enrol at Utrecht University as an Inclusion student.
- If you would like to learn Dutch or improve your Dutch, visit the Language help for Ukrainians website.
Useful organisations in Utrecht
At Welkom In Utrecht and Vital’nya, you can ask questions about living in Utrecht. They also organise fun and educational activities and help you get in touch with other (Ukrainian) people living in Utrecht.
If you would like to learn Dutch or improve your Dutch, visit the Language help for Ukrainians website.
VluchtelingenWerk is an independent refugee rights organisation. Do you have legal questions about residency status, important documents, contracts, work and more?
Make an appointment or send an email via the VluchtelingenWerk website