Information for Ukrainian refugees

On this page you will find information about your stay in Amersfoort. You can find general information about staying in the Netherlands on the website of VluchtelingenWerk at www.refugeehelp.nl/en.

Where can you go?

For the time being, the Temporary Protection Directive Ukraine (RTB) for Ukrainian refugees is set to continue until March 2025. The municipality of Amersfoort is therefore going to continue providing assistance until then to Ukrainians who:

  • are entitled to receive assistance here in accordance with the RTB 
  • and who have been referred to Amersfoort by a central registration hub (see www.refugeehelp.nl/temporary-housing).

If:

  • you do not have a place to sleep with friends or family in Amersfoort,
  • and are not yet registered in Amersfoort as a resident (in the Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen, BRP)),

only vulnerable people can register at a central registration hub for an available place somewhere in the Netherlands. Others must seek accommodation on their own.

Are you new to Amersfoort and your partner, parent or child already has a place in one of our reception centres? You can email vluchtelingen@amersfoort.nl. The municipality will see if we still have a place available for you. If not, you and your partner, parent or child can register at a central registration hub for new accommodation for you all together. Unfortunately, it is currently only open to vulnerable people.

If you have been staying with a host family in Amersfoort, are already registered in Amersfoort, but have to leave your host family, you should contact the municipality as soon as possible via vluchtelingen@amersfoort.nl. The municipality will then try to arrange alternative accommodation for you.

Municipal reception centers

The municipality of Amersfoort has 3 reception centers where people from Ukraine can stay (temporarily):

Utrechtseweg and Hellestraat offer rooms with shared showers and kitchens. At the Utrechtseweg location, there is space for 145 people, while the Hellestraat location has space for 160 people. A management plan and a community coach have been provided at both reception centers. The premises are shared with the other tenants. In the case of the Utrechtseweg premises, these are a restaurant and small businesses and in the case of the Hellestraat premises the tenants are artists. They occupy the ground floor and basement and the temporary residential accommodation are located on the upper floors.

How long will the current municipal reception centers remain open?

The property on Utrechtseweg will remain open until July 2025. The property on Hellestraat belongs to the municipality and is available until June 2028. The properties at Hardwareweg 4 and 6 also belong to the municipality and are available for 10 years for the time being.

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

If you have never bought a house before, Then the municipality of Amersfoort can help with a starter loan, see our webpage amersfoort.nl/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.

Registration & right of residence

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:

  • Assistance/accommodation
  • Education
  • Medical care
  • Work

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

Have you received a letter from the IND asking you to collect your proof of residence within 4 weeks? Make an appointment as soon as possible at www.ind.nl/en/ukraine. If you don't, you will lose your right of residence, your place in the reception centre, etc. For more information, visit: www.refugeehelp.nl/pick_up_your_sticker_asap.

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.

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 rijksoverheid.nl/3elanders) from Ukraine with a passport from a different country, the right of residence ended on 4 March 2024. But on 25 April 2024, the Raad van State decided to refer this decision to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). As a result, the Secretary of State decided to restore to all third-country nationals still resident in our country the same rights as they had under the RTB. See IND website. Until the CJEU (Court of Justice of the European Union) rules or until the RTB expires (4 March 2025). Regardless of whether the third-country nationals

  • have appealed and have an Interim Measure (VoVo) or not;
  • have applied for asylum
  • have a temporary residence permit for study or work.

The freeze does not apply to third-country nationals who:

  • have since left our country;
  • are deregistered from the BRP before 4 March 2024;
  • already have a regular residence permit.

The IND has sent letters to the addresses in the BRP of third-country nationals who are still registered. You can read those back by logging into Mijn 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.

For those who have applied for asylum 

You stay at COA, but can work again without restrictions, etc.

  • If you are staying with a host family, you can remain there for the duration of your procedure as long as the host family agrees. In that case, you should apply for COA's lodging scheme, see mycoa.nl/lodging-scheme.
  • You will no longer receive living allowance from the municipality, but from the COA, see the website of the government about living allowance. You can also find more information at mycoa.nl/en.
  • Necessary, medical care is now paid for by the RMA. Those living with a host family can stay with their current GP. Those staying in an AZC will receive GP care via the GZA (scroll to Amersfoort).

For those who have obtained a permanent and regular residence in the meantime

Are you staying in a municipal reception centre? You will need to make your own arrangements for accommodation and income. For more information, see 'Other residential accommodation' above, or ask your employer, educational institution, friends, church or mosque for tips.

Leaving the Netherlands temporarily

You can leave the Netherlands for a maximum of 28 consecutive days, for example to collect items in Ukraine, or to go on holiday. You can find more information on this at www.refugeehelp.nl/temporaryleave. 

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

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.

Living allowance

You are entitled to the living allowance from the municipality of Amersfoort once you have registered, have been issued a Citizen Service Number (BSN) and are staying in a municipal reception center or host family in Amersfoort. 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 calculate what you get yourself, using the calculation tool on the website of stellika.com.

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

If you do not have a suitable bank account to which we can transfer the living allowance, we will send you a temporary prepaid payment card to which the amount will be credited on the first Tuesday or Thursday of the month. You should open a personal bank account as soon as possible. The living allowance for underage children will be transferred to the parent or carer.

Using the prepaid payment card

You can use the prepaid payment card to pay for items in shops and to withdraw money from a cashpoint. You will not be able to withdraw more money than is on the payment card (you are not allowed to be overdrawn). Would you like to find out more about using the card? For example how much money you can spend with the card and how you can see what has been credited and debited? If you would like to know when money has been added to the card and what you have to do if you have your own bank account, please consult the Information on prepaid payment card (PDF– 0.1 MB). 

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.
  • 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.
  • 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 and the payment card, you can also email leefgeld@amersfoort.nl.

Opening a bank account

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 www.refugeehelp.nl/bankaccount. 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.

Medical care

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 at zorgverzekeringslijn.nl. 

GP’s in Amersfoort

If you have not yet visited a GP and reside at a municipal reception centre, your administrator has registration forms for GPs in the city who can register new patients. Unfortunately, you cannot choose your GP; the administrator will divide everyone equally between the GPs. This ensures that practices do not become overcrowded. If you 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:

Dentist

Do you need a dentist? Then you can visit a dentist in Amersfoort. Dentists can claim up to €250 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:

Children

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 for it through the government at the Tax Administration's Dutch website on applying for childcare allowance. You can find information on how to qualify for childcare allowance one page further.
  • 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 and wishes to pursue a part-time job or participate in an internship, 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 the IND'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):

  • Drawing lessons for children from 12 years by Koen (Scholen in de Kunst). Using drawing techniques to work on a bit of trauma processing. Language of instruction is English, Friday afternoons from 14.00-15.30. Registration via koenmoonen@scholenindekunst.nl or tel. +31 613 474 618 in English or Dutch. If necessary, gather at 14:00 at Hellestraat 24 (= 5 m away).
  • Painting class by Nelli, ABC Program for children aged 4-18 years (Ukrainian & English language): Wednesday afternoons 15:30-17:00, register via tel. +48 787 369 398.

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.

Work and studies

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.

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

Becoming unemployed again

If you have worked in paid employment for longer than 23 weeks and are dismissed through no fault of your own, you will be eligible for a benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Act. 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.

Taxes & benefits

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.

Clothing and toys

'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 & Justice

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.

Leisure

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.
  • The ‘Oekraïners aan Tafel’ (Ukrainians at the table) project is searching for new participants. If you would like to get to know a Dutch family, for example, by eating with them / possibly cooking together, then you can register via the website Eet Mee.
  • You can find free events in Amersfoort and the surrounding area at Free events in Amersfoort (Eventbrite). You can find 'Ordinary' events at U!tagenda Amersfoort.

For more ideas, visit refugeehelp.nl/activities.

Pets

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 & driving license

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.

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.

Language classes

You can take Dutch language lessons in several ways:

If you have an income so you can take a paid course, check out these options:

Relocation

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 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.

Questions

Questions about your stay in Amersfoort

(ONLY IF YOU ARE ALREADY STAYING IN AMERSFOORT): mail vluchtelingen@amersfoort.nl.

Questions about other topics:

About being a refugee in the Netherlands

You may also send a WhatsApp in your own language to Red Cross: Helpline for Ukrainian refugees.

Newsletter

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? You can subscribe to this newsletter.