Information for Ukrainian refugees

For the time being, the Temporary Protection Directive Ukraine (RTB) for Ukrainian refugees is set to continue until 4 March 2026. See refugeehelp.nl/when-arriving-in-the-netherlands for information on how to find a place in a reception centre in the Netherlands.

Municipal reception centers

Unfortunately, the municipality of Amersfoort cannot accept any new Ukrainian refugees at the moment. The reception centres are full.

If places become available, they will go to refugees on our waiting list. We only put Ukrainians on this waiting list who: 

• are entitled to receive assistance here in accordance with the RTB and who
• are already registered in the Amersfoort Personal Records Database (BRP)
• or already have a family member living in Amersfoort.

Do you think you qualify for a place on our waiting list? In this case, you can send an e-mail to vluchtelingen@amersfoort.nl, telling us which family member already lives in Amersfoort or at which address in Amersfoort you are registered. If this information is correct and a place becomes available, we will contact you.

The municipality of Amersfoort has 3 reception centres where people from Ukraine can stay (temporarily). One location will remain open until July 2025. Another location will remain open until June 2028. The 3rd location is available for another 10 years.

Other residential accommodation

The other option is to look for other residential accommodation independently. More information you can find at www.refugeehelp.nl/permanent-housing. 

Additions to this for the housing market in the Amersfoort region:

1. For social housing:
   1. You cannot rent social housing (or follow an official ‘integration process’) with a temporary residency status. Do you think that you will want to stay in the Netherlands for the next few years? If so, it is advisable to apply for social housing as soon as possible to build up waiting time. Because the waiting time for housing is longer than that for a residence permit. You can register through Woningneteemvallei/DAK/register. To find out what is actually needed to move into a social rental home, please visit refugeehelp.nl/permanent-housing.
   2. Do you have permanent residency status? You will then need to find your own accommodation. For example, you can apply for social housing that is allocated by lottery, in which case your position on the waiting list does not count. You can find those homes under 'Drawing Lots' [Loting] on Woningneteemvallei/DAK/housing.
      Depending on your income and the price of the accommodation, you may also be entitled to housing benefit. For more information, visit the website belastingdienst.nl/benefits-ukraine. Note that your partner's income (even if they live in Ukraine) also counts!
2. For a rental property in the free sector:
   1. Please also check Woningneteemvallei/DAK/housing. Click on ‘Vrije sector’.
   2. In addition, the housing corporation Alliantie also has Amersfoort's offerings on its own site, and you can check funda.nl (click on 'huur').
   3. Also ask your employer, colleagues and acquaintances whether they know of anyone who is offering (temporary) accommodation.
3. Anti-squat housing or vacancy management: You can ‘guard’ an empty building at a very low rent by moving in. It is important that you know that you have to get out when the owner decides to sell, demolish or renovate the property. Sometimes you don't know until shortly beforehand. You can find more information on the website indebuurt.nl/antikraak. Camelot has now become Monoma and Gapph is also a major provider in Amersfoort.
4. If you have a permanent residence permit, sufficient (fixed) income and/or assets and you want to settle in the Netherlands longer, you can buy a house on the private housing market or through your own network.
   1. Inquire about the possibilities with a real estate agent or with the Amersfoort housing associations on the website funda.nl
   2. If you have never bought a house before, Then the municipality of Amersfoort can help with a starter loan, see our webpage on the starter loan.

Please note:

• The living allowance is not the same as income, because it is not income from work. You are entitled to living allowance if you live in a municipal reception center or host family and have no income from work. If you rent a house or room independently, this right to living allowance will lapse. If you nevertheless start living in a rented property while one of your family members is still receiving the living allowance, report it to leefgeld@amersfoort.nl. Because otherwise you will have to pay it back later.
• You may also receive a tax assessment (tax demand) for local taxes if you independently rent or purchase a place to live. If you don't have enough income to pay for that, email belastingen@amersfoort.nl to see how we can help you.
• Be aware that the costs of independent living are much higher than in a reception centre. Visit the website moveria.nl/moving for more information.

If you have a Ukrainian passport, you do not need to apply for asylum in the Netherlands. You are covered by the Temporary Protection Directive Ukraine and will have access to, among other things:

• Reception/accommodation
• Education
• Medical care
• Work

You have to arrange a number of things yourself, such as a proof of residence (right of residence) (see webpage IND on Ukraine) and a DigiD (see refugeehelp.nl/digid). You can read more about the arrangements you have to make on  refugeehelp.nl/arrangements. You will, however, need a (Ukrainian) passport. Find out how to get it at refugeehelp.nl/passport. 

Have you received a letter from the IND asking you to collect your proof of residence within 4 weeks? Use the IND Appointments page to make an appointment as soon as possible. If you don't, you will lose your right of residence, your place in the reception centre, etc. More information: refugeehelp.nl/pick_up_your_sticker_asap.

The law on mobilisation in Ukraine

Ukrainian men who are subject to the new law on mobilisation in Ukraine and who live in the Netherlands can no longer renew their passports. For the time being, the Dutch government has no plans to send these men back to Ukraine. If your passport has expired and you cannot get it renewed as a result, you can use your O-document as an identification document within the Netherlands. Unfortunately, it is not a travel document, so you cannot travel abroad with it.  You can find more information at refugeehelp.nl/civil-service-ukraine and on the national government's webpage (also available in Ukrainian and English).

Arrange in Amersfoort

All Ukrainian refugees staying in Amersfoort must go to the city hall to be registered in the Personal Records Database [Basisregistratie Personen] (BRP). 

Please note: Are you staying with a host family? Then you can only register in the BRP if you can show a statement from the host family that you can stay there long-term.

• To make an appointment you can telephone us on 14 003 or, if calling from abroad, on: +31 (0)33 469 4100 (Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 16.30);
• For questions about registration, send an email to burgerzaken@amersfoort.nl.

After registering you will receive a Citizen Service Number (BSN). You need this to be able to arrange all kinds of matters with government bodies, such as the living allowance.

Information for 3rd country nationals

For some refugees (see webpage rijksoverheid 3rd country nationals) from Ukraine with a passport from a different country: On 19 December, the European Court of Justice ruled that the Netherlands can end temporary protection for third-country nationals. We are now waiting to see what the judges in the Netherlands will do with this ruling in the appeals that some third-country nationals have lodged. The ministry will then take a decision which will be applicable to all third-country nationals.

That is why third-country nationals will be allowed to stay in our country with all the rights they have today until 4 March 2025. The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) sent them a letter to this effect on 16 December 2024.

You must always be able to show this letter, along with the sticker in your passport or card. Don't have the letter (anymore)? Log in with your DigiD on Mijn IND. and view all the letters you have received from the IND so far.

Before 4 March, you will receive a new letter from the IND about what will happen after 4 March. For more information, please visit the webpage of the IND.

If you have any questions about your residency status: contact VluchtelingenWerk, see 'Questions' at the bottom of this page. For questions about the right to accommodation in Amersfoort: email derdelanders@amersfoort.nl.

You are allowed to leave the Netherlands or your or place in a reception centre up to 28 days a year, without losing your rights to, for example, living allowance. For instance, to collect items in the Ukraine, or to go on holiday. You can find more information on this at www.refugeehelp.nl about temporary leave. 

Please note: if you are staying in the a municipal reception center, in that case, additional rules apply. The municipal reception center provides emergency shelter which is currently in high demand for various groups of refugees. 

• Always give the caretaker of the place where you are staying notice of your departure in advance.
• Your accomodatuin will only be held for you for a maximum of 14  nights when you are away. 

Returning after a trip within the EU  

Refugees from Ukraine who have a different nationality (a passport from a 3rd country) will not receive a return or entry visa from the IND in order to return to the Netherlands. This applies even if you have proof of residence! Make sure you have the right papers when you leave, because only refugees with a biometric, Ukrainian passport with proof of residency (sticker + O document) will be able to travel to and from countries within the EU without restriction.

You are entitled to living allowance from the municipality of Amersfoort if: 

• you are registered in our BRP (Personal Records Database) and have a Citizen Service Number (BSN) and
• you stay at the municipal reception centre or with a host family in Amersfoort and
• you have no income of your own.

The amounts of the living allowance have been set by the government. Check the amounts and rules at refugeehelp.nl/living-allowance. You can also find them on the national government’s website. 

More information about the living allowance

A family is taken to mean a married couple, or partners who are considered equivalent to being married, their underage children, or a parent or guardian who is responsible under Dutch law or practice for the underage and unmarried children. Grandparents, uncles, aunts or adult children are not regarded as belonging to the family. According to the rules they are an individual, or a separate family.

Applying for the living allowance

You can apply for living allowance with your BSN: email leefgeld@amersfoort.nl. An appointment will be scheduled for you at Stadhuisplein 3. All your family members must attend the appointment and must bring their identity documents and BSN numbers with them.

Payment of the living allowance

You should open your own Dutch bank account as soon as possible. We will transfer the living allowance into your bank account on the first Tuesday or Thursday of each month. The living allowance for minors is paid by us to the parent or carer.

Changes to your personal situation

Receiving the living allowance means you have certain obligations. It is important that you comply with these. The following are the most important obligations you have:

• If you move to a different address, you must inform the municipality. This also applies if you are leaving the Netherlands temporarily, because you can only be absent for a maximum of 28 days a year and still receive your living allowance.
• You must also inform the municipality if you start working and start receiving an income. If you earn more than the amount of living allowance you are receiving, you will then no longer be entitled to the living allowance. If you earn less, the municipality will supplement the living allowance. So even small changes in your income need to be reported immediately!
• If an adult family member has sufficient income from paid work or receives a benefit, such as unemployment benefit, the living allowance will be stopped not only for the refugee, but for the whole family.
• You should inform the municipality of these changes as soon as possible, and in any event within 7 days, by sending an email to leefgeld@amersfoort.nl.

Checking entitlement to living allowance

Refugees who have been receiving living allowance from the municipality for some time may receive an invitation for an interview. Then we will discuss whether you have income and whether you are still entitled to (additional) living allowance in addition to that. Please note: If you fail to attend the appointment, your living allowance may be suspended!

Questions about the living allowance

If you have questions about the living allowance, you can also email leefgeld@amersfoort.nl.

You will need your own Dutch bank account for more and more things, for example for your living allowance. You should therefore make sure you open a private account as quickly as possible and inform the municipality accordingly. If you only have a Ukrainian bank account number and debit card, this may result in additional costs. It is then cheaper to open a Dutch account.

What you need to open a bank account and which identity documents are accepted, differs per bank. Do you want to know which banks you can use and what you need to open an account? You can find more information at refugeehelp.nl/open-payment-account. If you need assistance, please contact VluchtelingenWerk (see consultation hours at the bottom of this web page) or go to your community coach at your reception center.

If you need medical care, you can make an appointment with a care provider (GP, dentist, A&E, etc.). Your location manager, community coach or host family can show you how. You can find out how healthcare is organised in the Netherlands at refugeehelp.nl/healthcare including what to do if you need an interpreter. You can also visit the government's website on health care for refugees from Ukraine or check How to hire an interpreter.

Compensation

The care provider can claim the costs partially or in full under the Ukrainian Refugee Medical Care Scheme (RMO) or in accordance with the Essential Medical Care for Uninsured Persons Subsidy Scheme [Subsidieregeling Medisch Noodzakelijke Zorg voor Onverzekerden]. You can find more information about this at refugeehelp.nl/care-allowance and on the website of zorgverzekeringslijn.nl. 

GP’s in Amersfoort

Do you need a GP? If you have not yet been to see a GP and you live in a municipal reception centre, ask your community coach which GP in the city you can go to. Have you already been to a GP in the city? Then you can remain their patient. 

Medication info in other languages

The information about medication you are offered by your GP is often in Dutch. This website provides medication data in other languages:

• (Ukrainian only:) Medicine care to Ukrainian refugees: if you type in a commonly used medicine there, you will sometimes find a Ukrainian link.
• Information for patients on antibiotics - pharos.nl's website on antibiotics.

Dentist

Do you need a dentist? Then you can visit a dentist in Amersfoort. Dentists can claim up to €350 from the RMO for the treatment of acute pain. Some dentists require you to pay in advance and claim it yourself to the RMO via rmoekraine.nl/Verzekerden or refugeehelp.nl/care-allowance. Therefore, ask about the cost of the treatment in advance.

Are you staying in a municipal reception centre? Then we try to distribute dental patients among dentists in the area. Consult your community coach or location manager for guidance on where to go.
 

Youth Health Services

Ukrainian refugees can contact the Youth Health Services for an appointment at a child health clinic, for vaccinations and for questions about health and raising children aged up to 18 years. Assistance provided by the Youth Health Services and the vaccinations are free of charge. You can find a location by entering "Amersfoort" on the GGD Utrecht Region website.

Psychological care

Do you feel anxious, sad or over-stressed? Visit refugeehelp.nl/mental-support to see what you can do yourself at home and what you can do if you need more help. Other options:

• the leaflet on psychological complaints: "If you are stressed, think a lot and sleep poorly".
• Ask the psychological first aid Telegram bot questions in your own language.
• Consult the My mental health guide website in Ukrainian, Russian or English.
• Download the app Doing What Matters (English, Ukrainian and Russian).

Education

Every child has a right to education and is obliged to attend school and this includes children who are in the Netherlands temporarily, or are refugees. Find out how education works in the Netherlands for children up to age 18 at refugeehelp.nl/school.

In Amersfoort, the following options are available :

• Children aged between 0 and 4 years old can attend a childcare centre if you work. You can choose a childcare location yourself, but many childcare places are full. If you have found a childcare centre, you may be entitled to childcare allowance. You can apply through the government at the (Dutch) website of the tax administration on childcare benefit. See this web page for information on qualifying for childcare benefit.
• Preschoolers (4 and 5-year-olds) can attend any primary school you wish, if space is available in the right age group.
• Children aged 6 to 9 or 10 can attend the Language School (Taalschool) to learn Dutch and often, after a year, a regular primary school of your choice. You can register via aanmelden.oekraine@meerkring.nl.
• Pupils who reach the age of 11 or older during the new school year attend secondary school in Leusden to learn Dutch. You can register via opvangvo@hetelement.eu. If their Dutch is good enough, they can continue at a regular secondary school of your choice.

When you register, you should provide the following details:

• their name;
• their date of birth;
• the location they are staying at and/or address.

Child benefit

If you are in paid employment and have children, you may then be entitled to child benefit, which is extra money to cover costs. Read more about it at refugeehelp.nl/child-allowance.

14-year-olds & proof of residence

When your child turns 14, they will need their own proof of residence: a yellow sticker in their passport. Children who are still enrolled on a parent's passport can be issued a separate O document. You can apply through theIND's online appointment scheduler.

Please note: children aged 14 must continue to receive education in the Netherlands (compulsory education). In addition, they are not allowed to do heavy or dangerous paid work, only light chores. Read more on the government website about side jobs and internships.

Kids activities in Amersfoort

In the recreation room at Torenstraat 3 (only after registration):

• Kidsfun craft club on Saturdays from 14:00 – 16:00 hours.
• Drawing lessons for young people from 12 years by Koen (Scholen in de Kunst). Drawing techniques allow young people to process unpleasant memories. The lessons will be held in English or Dutch, Tuesday evenings from 14 January from 19.30-21.00. Register via mailto:koenmoonen@scholenindekunst.nl or call +31 (0)6 13 47 46 18 
• Painting class by Nelli, ABC Program for children aged 4-18 years (Ukrainian & English language): Wednesday afternoons 15:30-17:00, register by mailing vrolijkheida@gmail.com.

Other locations:

• 'City of A' is organising all kinds of activities for young people aged 12-18 years old. Keep an eye on the (Dutch) website City of A for details of the programme!
• The ABC organises activities for children aged 4-18 years old. See (Dutch) website of ABC Amersfoort
• Children up to 14 years: 2 weeks before the summer holidays, primary schoolchildren will receive the zomerpretpas containing activities they can take part in. Children aged 13 and 14 can collect this booklet from a number of locations in Amersfoort.

Outdoor playgrounds

At the reception centres, there is sometimes little space for children to play undisturbed. But children can play outside at many places in Amersfoort. On amersfoort.nl/playgrounds you can find various suggestions and an overview map on Amersfoort in beeld/playgrounds, so you can see where your children can play near you. Outside the summer holidays they can also go to a Buitenkast playground.

Fun to read

• Stories for children aged 3-10 you can find in Ukrainian, Russian, English and several other languages at www.ririro.com. To read together or even to practice your Dutch together.
• For young people aged 12 to 18, there is a social media project called LUNA (t.ly). Find out about activities for young people from Ukraine, talk about what matters to young people, exchange ideas, take part in challenges, share vlogs, set up online activities together and much more.

Work

As a Ukrainian refugee, you are allowed to work in the Netherlands. You can find out what you need on refugeehelp.nl/work and on refugeehelp.nl/culture you can read more about the workplace culture in Dutch organisations. The government also has information for foreigners who want to work in the Netherlands.

You want to go to work?

The Employer Services Desk (WSP) can help you find suitable work in the Amersfoort region. Go to the Amersfoort Region Work Center website and fill out the contact form. The WSP will then contact you as soon as possible for an interview. This can be done in Dutch, English, or with an interpreter. You can also check the Work Center calendar to see if there is another job fair of interest to you soon.

For those who already have a good knowledge of Dutch, there is also the option of enrolling in a counselling programme at Training for status holders in search of employment - Itzinya Seed.

For more job opportunities, visit refugeehelp.nl/finding-work.

Financial implications

You will also receive less or no living allowance if you start earning money yourself. You should therefore inform us as quickly as possible, otherwise you will have to repay the living allowance later. Send an email to leefgeld@amersfoort.nl.

Are you receiving a child budget or child allowance and has your income changed? Don't forget to pass this on. Otherwise, there is a risk of having to repay this money later too. See refugeehelp.nl/allowances-when-you-have-children.

Do you have your own income, for example from work, and are living in a reception center? Then, you will have to pay a co-payment of up to €105 per working adult (maximum 2 per household) per month for water, gas and electricity. In Amersfoort, we will introduce this from 1 December 2024. Those who have to pay a co-payment have received a letter explaining this. You can find more information about the national regulations at the website RefugeeHelp - co-paying for reception. In addition, information videos are available in Ukrainian and Dutch.

Unemployed

If you have worked in paid employment for longer than 23 weeks and are dismissed through no fault of your own, then you can apply for an unemployment benefit. You can find more information at the (Dutch) website of the UWV.

Volunteer work

To gain work experience in the Netherlands, practice your Dutch or get to know people, you can also volunteer. Check the Amersfoort volunteer job board for vacancies.

Studying

Once you have finished secondary school, you can go on to study in higher education. You can find information about the opportunities available in the Netherlands at refugeehelp.nl/studying.

Study costs

Ukrainians younger than 18 who fall under the Temporary Protection Directive Ukraine (RTB) and will study at an MBO school, can apply for a ‘collection exemption’. This means you will not have to pay your tuition fee. You can submit an application through DUO. VluchtelingenWerk can assist you with this. Sadly this does not apply for universities of applied sciences and universities. Learn more at the government website on higher education. 

From September 2023 onward, Dutch universities of applied science and universities are able to determine the fee they will charge Ukrainian students. If you plan to study in a new academic year starting in September, make sure to ask what fee you will have to pay. Would you like to find out if there are funding options for you? Consult VluchtelingenWerk, their contact details can be found at the bottom of this webpage.

Working people in the Netherlands have to pay income tax. Sometimes you are entitled to benefits from the Tax Administration. A benefit is a monthly sum you receive from the Tax Administration to pay specific costs.

• Read how this works at refugeehelp.nl/taxes.
• Do you have questions for the Tax Administration? You can make an appointment at the Support Centre Tax Administration at the city hall, through the Support Centres Tax Administration.
• If you need help filling in forms, you can go to: The information shops of Indebuurt033.

'Clothing bank'

If you need clothes and do not have enough money to buy them in a shop, you can visit Clothing bank Amersfoort. You do need a referral letter for that first. You can get it by emailing leefgeld@amersfoort.nl.

'Toy bank'

The same applies to toys at Toy Bank Amersfoort.

Charity classroom [Weggeeflokaal]

People who have a low income (such as no more than a living allowance) can take 6 clothing items or toys from the Charity classroom once a month. This facility is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9.30 - 16.00 at the MBO Amersfoort building, Leusderweg 30-34, 3817 KB Amersfoort. It is an initiative of the MBO school students. You can walk in without an appointment or make an appointment via +31 628 361 169 or via weggeeflokaalamersfoort@gmail.com.

Goods for refugees

Of course you can go to local thrift stores, but also check out refugeehelp.nl/marketplace or Goods for Refugees.

Safety

In case of immediate danger, call the emergency number of the Netherlands: 112. For less urgent issues, please read the information on refugeehelp.nl/safety. Even if you suspect coercion or exploitation, you can read there about how to recognize it and what to do next.

You can also increase your personal safety by keeping your personal possessions, such as your wallet, telephone and passport, close to hand. Make sure that friends or family know where you are and where you are going and, if necessary, agree a code word which you can use in the event of danger.

If you travel in some other way, for example by taxi or bus, make sure you travel safely. Inform friends or family members about your location and, if necessary, send a photo of the taxi driver’s licence. You should avoid getting into cars if the driver does not allow you to take photos. If something seems suspicious, you should get out immediately.

Did you not receive wages for work or were you exploited in any other way?

Unfortunately, employers sometimes try to exploit refugees by not paying them their wages or treating them unfairly in other ways. You can read about how you recognise this and what you can do at refugeehelp.nl/working-safely.

Legal assistance

Do you want to know what your rights are or are you facing legal proceedings? For more information about Legal Assistance, go to refugeehelp.nl/legal-assistance.
 

Sport

Are you looking for a sports or fitness club or a place where you can play tennis, swim or do another sport? Every week local sports coaches organize around 150 activities for all kinds of target groups, ranging from children aged over 4 years old to senior citizens aged over 90, both during the day and outside school hours. They can help you with any questions you might have about sport in Amersfoort and any financial schemes that are available. Please mail (in English) buurtsportcoach@sro.nl stating your name and telephone number and question, so that they can contact you.

Want to go for a walk or run in the city? Try an ‘exercise route’ [‘beweegrondje’] and go to www.run033.nl/beweegrondjes.

Other activities

• Indebuurt033 regularly organises activities especially for and with Ukrainians. For example walking, cooking/eating together or playing music. You can also check the calendar for activities for all people of Amersfoort to see if there is something for you.
• Would you like to get to know a Dutch family? For example, by eating/cooking together? Then the "Oekraïners aan Tafel" project might be for you. then you can register via the website Eet Mee.
• Are you pregnant or is your child under the age of 4? And do you enjoy meeting other (soon-to-be) mums and exchanging experiences? Mamacafé will start on 5 February. Children up to the age of 4 are welcome to play. The Mamacafé is open on Wednesdays from 9.30-11.30 at Hardwareweg 6. Spoken language: Dutch. To sign up, send an email to Diana Wouters: Dwouters@integratiewerk.nl or call +316 40 10 64 95. More information: webpage Integration work.
• You can find free events in Amersfoort and the surrounding area at Free events in Amersfoort (Eventbrite). You can find 'ordinary' events at UITagenda Amersfoort.

For more ideas, visit refugeehelp.nl/activities.

The idea is not for refugees to take new pets when they move to our reception centres. People who already have a pet, are allowed to keep it.

Check out refugeehelp.nl/pets what to do when you travel with a new pet in the Netherlands. Rules apply to bringing pets into the Netherlands. Your pet may, for example, be a carrier of a virus or illness. Ukraine is, for example, a high-risk country as regards the deadly disease of rabies.

When you register with the municipality of Amersfoort, you must tell them you have brought a pet with you. If you have not yet taken your pet to the vet, the municipality can help you make an appointment.

Public transport

When you arrive in the Netherlands, the Dutch Railways (Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS)) provides free transport if you show your Ukrainian passport and a German, Belgian, French, or Austrian train ticket which is less than 24 hours old. Read more about how public transport in the Netherlands works at refugeehelp.nl/public-transport.

Are you 66 years old or older? Then you can take the tram and bus for free in the province of Utrecht. For more information and registration, visit the province's website.

Shared transport

You can also rent a shared car or scooter. Visit our webpage on shared transport.

Driving license

You can read more about driving licences, driving cars in the Netherlands and the tax you have to pay on this web page of refugeehelp.nl/car-and-driving-licence. Anyone who has a valid Ukrainian driving licence and comes to live in the Netherlands can drive in the Netherlands as long as they are covered by the Temporary Protection Directive Ukraine.

This does not apply if you have a driving licence from a third country. If you have a third-country driving licence and the Temporary Protection Directive Ukraine continues to apply to you, you cannot have your driving licence converted. We are working on a solution and will post any new information here as soon as it is available.

Don't you have a driving licence yet? You can take driving lessons at any approved driving school at your own expense. After passing the theory and practical tests, you will be able to apply for a driving licence from the municipality from 1 August 2024. For more information, see Applying for your first driving licence.You can find information in your own language at this web page of RefugeeHelp.

Car from Ukraine

From 4 March 2025, all cars brought from Ukraine must have Dutch license plates. Then there are obligations such as the annual APK (General Periodic Inspection) of your car, compulsory third party insurance (WA) and the payment of road tax. It can take a lot of time to arrange all this. That's why it's best to get started right away. This web page from the Tax Administration shows you step by step what to do.

Need help? Ask your community coach or stop by one of Indebuurt033's information shops or the Digital Government information Point at the library.

You can take Dutch language lessons:

• In the language learning groups at Torenstraat 3, run by volunteers from VluchtelingenWerk. Send an email to lkosterman@vluchtelingenwerk.nl. There is a class on Tuesday and Thursday from 18:30-20:00.
• through DigiTaalhuis Amersfoort in the library, where new groups will start again in January 2025. During their consultation hours, you can get advice about it, practice online and more. After talking about what you already know and what you would like to learn, you may be invited to join a language learning group that suits you. You can also email them: digitaalhuisamersfoort@bibliotheekeemland.nl. You can sign up at the Information shops of Indebuurt033.Sign up, even if the groups are full. If enough applications are received, they will make efforts to start additional groups.
• through refugeehelp.nl/dutch-language or through Oefenen.nl (online, free).
• via NLTraining or NTI(online, for those who already speak a little Dutch and can afford the course fee).

Any refugee who leaves Amersfoort should notify the municipality. To do this please contact the location manager.

• If you are staying at a reception centre, notify your location manager of community coach and they will help you.
• If you are staying with a host family and are moving within Amersfoort or leaving for a foreign country, please report this via Reporting your move. Don't have a DigiD? Then make an appointment with civil affairs. If you receive living allowance from the municipality, you can also email leefgeld@amersfoort.nl. Give your BSN, name and address where you are registered in the BRP of Amersfoort of all family members who move. And if you move within Amersfoort, you also provide your new address.

Do not forget to tell your child's school that your child will no longer be attending because you are relocating. Mail for children aged 4-10 years to aanmelden.oekraine@meerkring.nl and for young people aged 11 and over at secondary school to opvangvo@hetelement.eu.

Moving to another municipality in the Netherlands

If you are relocating to another municipality in the Netherlands, do not forget to re-register with your new municipality.

Leaving the Netherlands

Returning to Ukraine

Ukrainian refugees who want to return to Ukraine from the Netherlands can get assistance with doing so from the national government's Repatriation and Departure Service [Dienst Terugkeer en Vertrek (DT&V)]. Read more at refugeehelp.nl/back-to-ukraine.

Refugees from Ukraine who have a passport from a 3rd country are often unable to return to Ukraine because the Ukrainian embassy is currently not renewing any expired, temporary residency permits.

Continuing your journey to a country outside the EU

Refugees from Ukraine who wish to continue their journey to another country outside the EU can contact IOM Nederland on +31 88 746 44 66 or +31 70 318 1500.

Continuing your journey to a country inside the EU

A Refugee from Ukraine can travel within the EU on their own initiative.

New to the Netherlands and looking for a place at a reception location?

See: refugeehelp.nl/when-arriving-in-the-netherlands

About your stay in Amersfoort

• Are you already staying in Amersfoort and do you have any questions for the municipality about your stay in Amersfoort? Send an email to vluchtelingen@amersfoort.nl.
• Do you live in another municipality and want to move to Amersfoort for work? Unfortunately, this is not possible.
• Are you staying at a municipal reception centre and need help to get matters taken care of in Amersfoort? Consult your community coaches at your location or  you can email them at pmoo@indebuurt033.nl.
• Do you need assistance in handling affairs (digitally) with government organisations? Please visit Digital Government Information Point of Bibliotheek Eemland.
• Need help filling out forms or questions about your right of residence? In Amersfoort you can go to the Migration and Residence consultation hour, see the Migration Consultation Hour of Indebuurt033.

About being a refugee in the Netherlands

• About your right to be in the Netherlands: contact the IND.
• You can find a lot of information in Dutch on this webpage of the national government about Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands.
• Also see refugeehelp.nl, the website of VluchtelingenWerk Nederland. The information is available in English, Ukrainian and Russian.
  • You can call, chat, WhatsApp them at refugeehelp.nl/contact or make an appointment for their online consultation hours at refugeehelp.nl/appointment.
  • Ukrainian refugees in Amersfoort can also walk in without an appointment during the consultation hours on Tuesdays from 10.00-12.00 at Torenstraat 3.
• You may also send a WhatsApp in your own language to Red Cross: Helpline for Ukrainian refugees.

Are you a Ukrainian refugee and do you want to be kept up to date with the latest news on reception in our city, local and national arrangements? Then subscribe to our newsletter by emailing vluchtelingen@amersfoort.nl with 'aanmelding nieuwsbrief' in the subject line.