Information for Ukrainian refugees

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)),

you can only register at a central registration hub (see www.refugeehelp.nl/temporary-housing) for an available place somewhere in the Netherlands.

If you are new to Amersfoort and your partner, parent or child already have a place in one of our reception centers, you can email vluchtelingen@amersfoort.nl. The municipality will see if we have a place available for you. If not, you and your partner can register at a central registration hub (see www.refugeehelp.nl)  for new accommodation for you all together.

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):

• Hellestraat 24
• Utrechtseweg 1

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 Utrechtseweg premises will remain open after 1 May 2024. The Hellestraat premises are owned by the municipality and it is available for a maximum of 5 years, counting from May 2023.

New municipal locations

The municipality of Amersfoort is currently converting 2 former office buildings at Hardwareweg 4 and 6 into a new reception centre for refugees. This will initially be for Ukrainian displaced persons covered by the Temporary Protection Directive Ukraine (RTB) and who are already registered in the Amersfoort Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen, BRP). There will be around 100 studios. These are scheduled to be completed by mid-May 2024. 

It is not possible to apply on one's own initiative; the municipality has invited people to apply who match the family composition of the accommodation (2-3 people).

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. 

The following information is relevant to the housing market in Amersfoort:

1. For social housing:
   • currently you cannot rent a social housing (or follow an official ‘integration process’) with a temporary residency status. If you already know that you want to stay in the Netherlands, that you want to apply for permanent residency status after five years in the Netherlands and your income remains below the norm (see www.refugeehelp.nl/permanent-housing), then you can pre-register for social housing to accumulate waiting time. You can register through WoningNet region Eemvallei at www.woningneteemvallei.nl/inschrijven.
   • Only Ukrainians with permanent residency status can respond to social housing allocated in Amersfoort by drawing lots; then your position on the waiting list does not count. You can find those homes under 'Drawing Lots' [Loting] on www.woningneteemvallei.nl/woningaanbod (and register at www.woningneteemvallei.nl/inschrijven).
     Depending on your income, you may also be entitled to housing benefit. For more information on this subject, please visit the website of the Tax and Customs Administration on www.belastingdienst.nl.
2. If you have enough income for a rental property on the private rental market, do not forget to 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 also ‘guard’ an empty building at a very low rent by moving in. It is important that you know that you have to get out within 4-14 days when the owner decides to sell, demolish or renovate the property. Sometimes you do not know in advance when that will happen. That can be after a few weeks or months, but you may even be able to live somewhere for a few years. More info: www.indebuurt.nl/antikraak.
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. 
   a.    An estate agent can tell you more about your options.
   b.    If you have never bought a house before, the municipality of Amersfoort can help with a Starter Loan. More info: www.amersfoort.nl/starterslening.
    

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.
• Realize that the costs of independent living are much higher than in a reception center: www.moveria.nl/verhuizen.

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.

• 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 www.rijksoverheid.nl/3elanders) from Ukraine with a passport from a different country, the right of residence ended on 4 March 2024. If this applies to you, you need to take action. Check out your options and informative videos at www.refugeehelp.nl/non-ukrainian. If you have any questions about your residency status: contact VluchtelingenWerk, see 'Questions' at the bottom of this page.

The municipality sent out letters with information about how and when the reception and living allowance will stop, even if you are staying with a host family. Those who need to leave our country will also receive an invitation to talk about their departure plans and what else they need to do.

For people initiating a regular asylum procedure

This is slightly different for those who have already registered at the COA at the Plotterweg in Amersfoort for the regular asylum procedure. They may go to Plotterweg, but their procedure is ‘frozen’ until the Raad van State reaches its final decision. They have received a letter detailing the changes. In summary:

• 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 www.mycoa.nl/lodging-scheme.
• Are you staying in a municipal reception centre? If so, you will be moved to COA's emergency shelter at Plotterweg 26-28 by 15 March at the latest.
• You will no longer receive living allowance from the municipality, but from the COA. More information you can find at www.rijksoverheid.nl/asielbeleid and www.mycoa.nl/vergoedingen.
• If you are registered with a university of applied sciences or university before 4 September 2023, you can continue your study. Work is allowed under certain conditions, see www.coa.nl/en/work. 
• Necessary medical care will now be paid for by the RMA (see www.rmasielzoekers.nl) from now on. If you live with a host family, you can remain with your current GP. Those staying in an AZC, will receive GP care via the GZA (see www.gzasielzoekers.nl - scroll to Amersfoort).

For those who have a regular residence permit for work or study

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

For those who have to leave a municipal reception centre

You should leave no later than 2 April 2024. (The Zonnehof will be closed after this date.) This also applies if you have appealed to the court against the return decision of the IND and cannot present an Interim Measure. If you do have an Interim Measure, the municipality will look for alternative accommodation for you. After 4 March 2024, working is no longer allowed.

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. 

• Always report your departure in advance to hellestraat@monoma.eu or utrechtseweg@monoma.eu.
• If you are away, your place in the reception center will only be held for you for a maximum of 14 nights.

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 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 www.refugeehelp.nl/livingallowance. You can also calculate what you get using the calculation tool at www.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 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 PDF.

NB: From 1 December, old prepaid payment cards will no longer be valid. So if you are still using one, you must open an account with a Dutch bank and send your account number (IBAN) to leefgeld@amersfoort.nl.

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.

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.

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. Find out how healthcare is organized in the Netherlands including what to do if you need an interpreter. You can also check out www.rijksoverheid.nl/gezondheidszorg-vluchtelingen-oekraine.

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 at www.refugeehelp.nl/medical-care and at www.zorgverzekeringslijn.nl. 

GP’s in Amersfoort

If you have not yet been to a GP and reside at the Hellestraat or Utrechtseweg reception center: your administrator has registration forms for GPs in the city who can accomodate 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, you can remain their patient.

Medication info in other languages

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

• Information for patients about antibiotics – www.pharos.nl
• (Ukrainian only:) Medicine care for Ukrainian refugees – www.apotheek.nl/oekraiense-medicijnteksten

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 www.rmoekraine.nl or www.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 typing in 'Amersfoort' at www.ggdru.nl/locaties.

Psychological care

If you feel anxious, sad or stressed, visit www.refugeehelp.nl/psychological-support to see what you can do yourself at home and what you can do if you need more help. Other options:

• Training Mindfit
  Teach yourself and your children to go about your day with confidence, to meet people, to feel comfortable with them and to exchange ways of dealing with stress. In other words, how to be yourself again with confidence. You will also receive information about the health care system in the Netherlands. Watch the video at https://youtu.be/FO2Vbz2cUx8. There will be 6 free meetings on Tuesday mornings from 10.00 to 13.00 between 13 February and 19 March in the recreation room at Torenstraat 3 in Amersfoort. Sign up: Send your name and contact details to Nynke de Jong - nydejong@vluchtelingenwerk.nl, or call +31 639 885 911.
• The leaflet on psychological complaints: ‘If you are stressed, think a lot and sleep poorly’, see www.pharos.nl/stress
• Psychological first aid Telegram bot: asking questions in your own language, see www.t.me
• Consult the My mental health guide website in English: www.mymentalhealth.guide
• Download the app Doing what matters in times of Stress (English, Ukrainian and Russian) 

Education

Every child has a right to education and is obliged to attend school. This includes children who are in the Netherlands temporarily or are refugees. Read how education in the Netherlands works for children up to the age of 18 at www.refugeehelp.nl/education-children.

In Amersfoort, the following options are available :

• Children aged between 0 and 4 years old can attend a childcare center if you work. You can choose a childcare location yourself, but many childcare places are full. If you have found a childcare center, you may be entitled to childcare allowance. You can apply through the government at (the Dutch website) www.belastingdienst.nl/kinderopvangtoeslag-aanvragen. The conditions for eligibility for childcare allowance can be found on www.belastingdienst.nl/voorwaarden-kinderopvangtoeslag (Dutch website).
• 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 www.refugeehelp.nl/benefits-and-taxes.

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 www.ind.nl/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 at www.rijksoverheid.nl/bijbaan-en-stage-jongeren.

Kids activities in Amersfoort

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

• The Kidsfun craft group at Torenstraat 3 is unfortunately full. More children can participate, if more volunteers come to supervise them. If that is something you would like to do, register at the volunteer job board at www.indebuurt033.nl/vacatures.
• 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' organises all kinds of activities for young people aged 12-18 years old. Keep an eye on the (Dutch) website www.cityofa.nl for details of the program!
• The ABC organises activities for children aged 4-18 years old. For more information visit www.abc-amersfoort.nl.
• Children up to 14: 2 weeks before the summer holidays, primary schoolchildren will receive the booklet Zomerpretpas containing activities they can take part in during summer holidays. Children aged 13 and 14 can collect this booklet from a number of locations in Amersfoort. More information on www.zomerpretpas.nl.

Outdoor playgrounds

At the new reception centers there is little space for children to play undisturbed. But children can play outside at many places in Amersfoort. At www.amersfoort.nl/speelplekken you can find various suggestions and an overview map at www.amersfoort-in-beeld.nl, so you can see where your children can play near you. Outside the summer holidays you can also go to a Buitenkast playground, see www.indebuurt033.nl/buitenkasten.

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

As a Ukrainian refugee you are allowed to work in the Netherlands. You can find out what you need on www.refugeehelp.nl/work and on www.refugeehelp.nl/culture you can read more about the workplace culture in Dutch organizations .

You want to go to work? The Employer Services Desk (WSP) can help you find suitable work in the Amersfoort region. Go to www.wspregioamersfoort.nl/oekraine and fill in 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 www.wspregioamersfoort.nl/agenda to see if there are any interesting job fairs in the near future. More job options you can find at www.refugeehelp.nl/finding-work.

You will 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. Mail 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 www.refugeehelp.nl/allowances.

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 www.uwv.nl/werkloos (Dutch).

Studying

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

Study costs

Ukrainians younger than 18 who fall under the Temporary Protection 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 via www.duo.nl. VluchtelingenWerk can assist you with this. Sadly this does not apply for universities of applied sciences and universities. More information you can find at www.rijksoverheid.nl/hogeronderwijs. 

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 www.refugeehelp.nl/taxes-benefits.

For help and information in Amersfoort contact the information shops of Indebuurt033: www.indebuurt033.nl/informatiewinkels. They help with filling in forms.

'Clothing bank'

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

'Toy bank'

The same applies to toys at www.speelgoedbank-amersfoort.nl.

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

Do you need furniture of other goods? You can visit local thrift stores or check out www.refugeehelp.nl/marketplace or www.goodsforrefugees.com.

In case of immediate danger, call the emergency number of the Netherlands: 112. For less urgent issues, please read the information at www.refugeehelp.nl/safety. 

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 license. 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.

If you suspect someone is being coercion or exploitation, read at www.refugeehelp.nl/violenceorforce how to recognize that and what you can do.

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. Read how to recognize this and what you can do at www.refugeehelp.nl/workingsafety

Legal assistance

Do you want to know what your rights are or do you face legal proceedings? For more information about legal aid, go to www.refugeehelp.nl/legalaid.

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 organizes activities especially for and with Ukrainians. For example walking, eating together, or playing music. Check www.samenindebuurt033.nl/oekraine 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 and possibly cooking together, register via www.eetmee.nl.

For more ideas, visit www.refugeehelp.nl/activities.

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

Check out www.refugeehelp.nl/pets what to do when you travel with a new pet into 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 will help you make the necessary appointment.

Public transport

When you arrive in the Netherlands, the Dutch Railways [Nederlandse Spoorwegen, NS] is providing free transport if you show your Ukrainian passport, or have 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 www.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 www.gratisreizenouderen.nl.

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 www.refugeehelp.nl/car-license. Anyone who has a valid Ukrainian driving license and comes to live in the Netherlands can drive in the Netherlands as long as they are covered by the Temporary Protection Directive Ukrain. 

This does not apply if you have a driving license from 3rd country. If you have a third-country driving license and the Temporary Protection Directive Ukraine continues to apply to you, you cannot have your driving license converted. We are working on a solution and will post any new information here as soon as it is available. ​​​​​

You can take Dutch language classes in several ways: 

• at Torenstraat 3 VluchtelingenWerk volunteers. Sign up via Nynke de Jong: nydejong@vluchtelingenwerk.nl. Sign up, even if the groups are full. If enough applications are received, VluchtelingenWerk will make efforts to start additional groups.
• via DigiTaalhuis Amersfoort, www.bibliotheekeemland.nl/digitaalhuis-amersfoort. Here you can get advice, practice online and more. You can also email them: digitaalhuisamersfoort@bibliotheekeemland.nl. Sign up, even if the groups are full. If enough applications are received, they will make efforts to start additional groups.
• online courses via www.refugeehelp.nl/language or via www.oefenen.nl.

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

• Courses at Nltraining, see www.nltraining.nl
• Courses in Dutch at NTI, see www.nti.nl/dutch

Any refugee who leaves Amersfoort should notify the municipality. 

• If a refugee is staying at a reception center, notify your location manager or community coach and they will help you.
• If you are staying with a host family and are moving to another address within Amersfoort or are moving abroad, mail burgerzaken@amersfoort.nl. If you receive living allowance from the municipality, you should also mail 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 old aanmelden.oekraine@meerkring.nl and for young people aged 11 and over at secondary school mail 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 www.refugeehelp.nl/returntoukraine.

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 about your stay in Amersfoort

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

Questions about other topics:

• About staying in other municipalities in the Netherlands: contact that particular municipality: www.overheid.nl/municipalities. But moving to a municipal reception center in another municipality always occurs via a central registration hub, see www.refugeehelp.nl/temporary-housing.
• About your right to be in the Netherlands: please contact IND via www.ind.nl/contact.
• Need help filling out forms or questions about your right of residence? In Amersfoort, you can go to the Consultation migration and residence, see www.indebuurt033.nl/spreekuur-migratie.
• Do you need assistance in handling affairs (digitally) with government organizations? Visit www.bibliotheekeemland.nl/InformatiepuntDigitaleOverheid.nl.

About being a refugee in the Netherlands:

• Go to www.refugeehelp.nl. The information is available in English, Ukrainian and Russian.
• You can contact them  by telephone, chat or WhatsApp via www.refugeehelp.nl/contact or make an appointment for their online consultation at www.refugeehelp.nl/appointment.
• If you reside in Amersfoort, you can visit the consultation hours on Mondays from 15.00 - 17.00 at Torenstraat 3. You can walk in without an appointment. You can also mail Nynke de Jong at nydejong@vluchtelingenwerk.nl.
• You can also send a WhatsApp in your own language to Red Cross via www.rodekruis.nl.

The municipality regularly publishes a newsletter about the local and national arrangements for Ukrainian refugees in Amersfoort. You can subscribe to this newsletter via www.metamersfoort.nl/RefugeeHelpUkraine.