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.
Reception facilities in Utrecht
There is a shortage of reception facilities for Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands. The reception centres in Utrecht are also full.
When is it not possible to apply for accommodation in Utrecht?
- You are not in the Netherlands. You can only apply for accommodation if you are in the Netherlands.
- You have just arrived in the Netherlands and are not in Utrecht. Register with the municipality where you are currently staying.
- You are already registered with another municipality in the Netherlands. You have to apply for accommodation in that municipality.
Apply for reception facility
Do you want to apply for a place at the municipal reception facility? Please send an e-mail to vluchtelingenvragen@utrecht.nl. The answer may take a few days. You have to arrange your own place to stay until a place at the reception facility becomes available.
Do you want to know more about the application process? Read the explanation on the RefugeeHelp website.
Moving from host family to reception facility
Are you staying with a host family in Utrecht but do you have to move out? Please send an email to vluchtelingenvragen@utrecht.nl. Would you like to be considered for a place in the municipal shelter? You must be registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP) of Utrecht for at least 3 months.
Report changes
Are you or a member of your family moving to another place? Are you starting work, or will you or a member of your family receive benefits? It is mandatory to report these changes to us immediately.
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.
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.
Find a job yourself
Are you looking for work? Visit the website of RefugeeWork or Midden-Utrecht Werkt Door for help and vacancies.
Get help in finding a suitable job
Do you work in the Netherlands? But does your job not match your degree, skill level or ambition? We can help you find work that suits you better. Please contact us. Let us know that you want help in finding suitable work for Ukrainians. The job coach will contact you as soon as possible.
This assistence is for Ukrainians living in the municipality of Utrecht. Do you live somewhere else? Contact your own municipality and ask what help you can get.
Living allowance
Do you stay in a reception facility of Utrecht, or are your staying with a host family? 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?
Compensation of necessary expenses
Do you have necessary expenses that you are unable to pay? In some cases you can receive a compensation.
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.
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.
Register with a local general practitioner (GP)
For non-urgent health problems, please make an appointment with your GP (in Dutch: huisarts) first. For example, if you are pregnant or need medical advice. Find a GP near your reception facility via Zorgkaart Nederland (Dutch) and get in touch. If you are staying in a municipal reception centre and have questions, please ask your location manager.
Are you looking for mental health care in Utrecht?
Do you suffer from mental health issues such as sleep problems, anxiety, or depressive thoughts? Then you can discuss this with your GP. There are also other organizations in Utrecht that can help you.
- You can make an appointment with a Ukrainian psychologist in Utrecht. You can call Gezondheidscentrum Mariahoek (Dutch). They will bring you in contact with the psychologist.
- Or contact Vitalny’a for a confidential consultation in Ukrainian.
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