Entry Into Europe
EU Directive 2001/55/EG
Proposal done in Brussels on 2nd March 2022 for the implementation of a decision with effect of temporary protection of Ukrainians in Europe
EU ministers agreed to implement a temporary protection directive on 3rd March 2022. The directive provides temporary protection for an initial period of 1 year. This period can be extended. Details of the application procedures, requirements and implementation are pending. The EU Directive reflects various categories of persons who will be covered by the directive
Temporary protection the Netherlands
Ukrainian nationals can receive temporary protection in the Netherlands under the EU Temporary Protection Directive until at least March 2024.
The temporary protection scheme entitles Ukrainian nationals to reception, health care and education for minor children.
Travelling
Updated 4 March 2022
Flights, leave Ukraine, enter the NL
From 24th February, men between 18-60 years cannot leave Ukraine (unless the man has sole care for his child, has 3 or more children, or has medical issues).
Flights, From NL to Ukraine
Orange travel advice for the whole country, some red:
Alternative ways of travelling
Cars, Organised Buses & Trains
Exit is possible via land borders with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary (West), Moldova, Romania (SW). All these countries currently allow Ukrainian citizens to enter visa free. Advisable to bring:
- Passport
- Ukrainian Work permit, if applicable
- Driving licence
- BC/MC/Diploma
- Medical documents
Bringing pets from Ukraine
If possible, please contact the NVWA before travelling with your pet to the Netherlands from Ukraine. If this is not possible, it is really important to visit a veterinarian as soon as possible after arriving in the Netherlands. The veterinarian will conduct a health check, implant a microchip, and issue a European passport. A blood sample will be taken from your pet and your pet will be required to quarantine at home until the blood test result has been received.
- Information in Dutch
- Dutch government website (also information in Ukrainian and English)
- Contact NVWA - English
Post-Arrival
Updated 23 March
Temporary housing
Several initiatives exist for temporary housing for Ukrainian nationals.
If you need assistance for accommodation or basic services, you can visit the Humanitarian Service Point (HSP) at Amsterdam Central Station in the East Wing.
If you are a Ukrainian national in the Hague and do not yet have a place to stay, the Hague has a shelter for you to stay. The Hague municipality will help you find a home.
For any Ukrainian nationals in Rotterdam without a place to stay, visit Max Euwelaan 1 and temporary accommodation will be provided.
First registration in the Netherlands
Ukrainian nationals should register their presence in the Netherlands upon arrival.
Amsterdam: Registration is completed at Amsterdam Central Station in the East Wing. It is not necessary to make an appointment. During the registration, the Ukrainian national will not receive a BSN, they will just be registered as being in the Netherlands. They will be invited by the Amsterdam municipality at a later date to obtain a BSN.
Rotterdam: Registration is completed at Max Euwelaan 1. It is not necessary to make an appointment. During this registration, the Ukrainian national will not receive a BSN but will be registered as being in the Netherlands. They must make an additional appointment at the Rotterdam municipality in order to apply for their BSN. It is possible to make an appointment online (in Dutch), alternatively it is possible to call the Rotterdam municipality on 14 010.
The Hague: Ukrainian nationals can schedule an appointment with the municipality in order to receive their BSN. You can schedule an appointment via phone by calling (+31 70 353 80 24.
- Amsterdam municipality
- Rotterdam municipality
- The Hague municipality
- Google Maps - Amsterdam Central Station
- Google Maps - Max Euwelaan 1
Immigration
Updated 22 March 2022
Emergency reception centres
If Ukrainian nationals do not yet have a place to stay, they can go to the reception centres in main cities such as Groningen, Utrecht, Amsterdam and Maastricht and will be assisted with finding somewhere to stay.
There will also be an IND contact person at the reception centre in case the Ukrainian nationals have questions about asylum or any other immigration related questions.
Short term entry with for Ukrainians already in the NL
Extension of 90 days short stay period with additional 90 days, to a maximum of 180 days.
Ukrainian nationals who hold a biometric passport can enter the Netherlands and can stay for up to 180 days (normal short term stay is 90 days within a 180 day period).
Without a biometric passport, a Schengen visa is needed. However, Schengen visas cannot be issued currently.
Registration at the municipality
Ukrainian nationals with valid identification documentation can register with the municipality system and will automatically be recognised by the IND. They do not need to report to the IND, just to the local municipality.
Ukrainian nationals can register at the municipality and will immediately be recognised by the IND as having right of residence. In order to do so you must have a valid identification document (such as passport, birth certificate etc.). If you do not have such documentation, it is currently not possible to register. However you may be able to get proof of nationality from the Ukrainian embassy in The Hague. You can visit the Ukrainian embassy in The Hague during walk-in visiting hours and they will prove your Ukrainian nationality. If they can prove your Ukrainian nationality, you will receive a document of proof and your photo and you will be able to use these for an appointment with the municipality to register and get a BSN. The address of the embassy is Zeestraat 78, 2518 AD, The Hague and the walk-in hours are between 09.00 - 13.00.
Asylum application
At the moment, asylum applications from Ukrainian nationals are temporarily on hold until at least February 2024.
Proof of residency
Proof of residencyAfter a Ukrainian national has registered with the municipality and has a BSN, they can obtain proof from the IND that they may work and live in the Netherlands.
The proof will be a sticker in the Ukrainian national’s passport or in some cases, they will be given a card called an O document.
Existing visa applications - Work and residency without MVV as an exception
Ukrainian nationals already in the Netherlands for a short term stay and who have an approved MVV application, there is no need to collect the MVV at the Dutch Embassy. The IND should be informed that the MVV cannot be collected as the Ukrainian national is already in the Netherlands. Ukrainian nationals will need to have an appointment to provide biometrics and the residence permit created. The permit will then be collected at an IND Desk.
Flexible handling of residence permits Ukrainians
New visa applications - Application MVV - exemption
MVV exemption may apply if one meets the requirements to obtain a Dutch residence permit. Ukrainians can enter the Netherlands for a short stay.
Ukrainian nationals who have already travelled to the Netherlands and still need an application to be submitted, they may be MVV exempt as long as they arrived in the Netherlands using a valid biometric passport or Schengen visa and meet all the residence permit conditions.
New visa applications - Collection MVV
MVV exemption may apply if the Ukrainian national is in the possession of a short term stay visa or visa exempt term as a biometric passport holder. Dutch Embassy in Kiev is closed. You can reach the foreign ministry’s call centre 24 hours a day on +31 247 247 247. You can also reach us on Whatsapp via: +31 620 826 032.
If you are not yet in the Netherlands, you can collect your MVV from a different country. You will need to contact the IND caseworker who processed your application. If you cannot collect your MVV, you may be exempt if you can travel to the Netherlands with your biometric passport or with a Schengen visa.
Working in the Netherlands under the temporary protection scheme
Ukrainian nationals who fall under the temporary protection scheme in the Netherlands can work in the Netherlands without work authorisation. Your employer does not need to apply for a work permit for you but you will need a contract in place between you and your employer. You must also fit the criteria of: 1. Being registered in the municipality system and holding a BSN. 2. Having proof of your Ukrainian nationality. 3. Holding proof of residency from the IND.
Starting from 1st April, your employer must also complete a notification to the UWV 2 days before you start working for them. We recommend that the form is not submitted until the Ukrainian national has their BSN.
Family
Updated 4 March 2022
Family members travelling after main applicant, main application already in the Netherlands with valid legal work and residence status
Ukrainian nationals currently in possession of a biometric passport or Schengen visa can enter the Netherlands for up to 180 days
Family travelling after the main applicant, main application already in possession of MVV but not yet in the Netherlands
Ukrainian nationals currently in possession of a biometric passport or Schengen visa can enter the Netherlands for up to 180 days.
Family members (parents, brothers, sisters) from Ukraine without biometric passport and wanting to visit family in NL (tourists)
If family members of the Ukrainian national do not have a valid biometric passport, they would need to obtain a Schengen visa, however currently the embassy in Kyiv is closed so it is not possible to obtain a Schengen visa from the embassy in Kyiv.
Post arrival appointment in the NL
Registration at the local Town Hall
Application renewal Dutch residence permit
IND makes exemption if no documents can be delivered that needs to come from Ukraine (e.g. marriage certificate)
In the Netherlands
Updated 4 March 2022
More information once in the Netherlands
Useful website with information on several aspects in the Netherlands such as health care, pets, food, clothes, education etc.
Medical Care for Ukrainians
Basic medical care will be free for Ukrainian nationals. At the large accommodation shelters, there are medics on site from ‘Doctors of the World’.
For Ukrainian nationals who are staying with relatives or Dutch hosts, they can visit the GP they are registered at and basic medical care will be free.
If you have found work in the Netherlands, you are then required to take out Dutch health insurance.
- City of Amsterdam: Medical care for Ukrainians refugees
- Zorgverzekeringslijn, Tips & advice
- Health insurance advice
Pets
If Ukrainian nationals bring their pet to the Netherlands, it is important that they take the animal to a vet. The visit is free and the vet will do a general check and give any necessary vaccines for free. The vet will check the animal for rabies during this visit.
COVID-19
Ukrainians will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine for free. They can also get tested for free if they have COVID symptoms with or without a scheduled appointment.
How can I help Ukrainian nationals in the Netherlands?
We believe that everyone deserves to feel at home, no matter where you come from or what you choose to believe in. War is never the answer, and we’d like to use our voice and this space to remind our community that it’s time for us to turn towards each other, not against each other.
Here are some ways that you can support the people of Ukraine 🇺🇦
How can I help Ukrainian nationals outside of the Netherlands?
You can review our Linked in post where we have more information or go to Ukraine helpers to learn more:
Ukrainian teenagers in the Netherlands
For teenagers, aged between 13-19, there is a telegram group that they can join to meet other teenagers in the Netherlands in order to help them feel a little bit more at home. The languages of communication are Ukrainian, English and Russian.
Bank account
The Amsterdam municipality made a list of banks where Ukrainian nationals can open an account. For each bank account, the municipality informs what documentation is needed.
Amsterdam Municipality - list of banks
Counselling in the Netherlands
Openup is offering a free introductory call for Ukrainian nationals. You can contact them via phone or online chat. Contact details on their website.
Ukrainian/Dutch translation
Download the Pryv app which you can use to translate a conversation from Dutch to Ukrainian or vice versa. Speak into the phone and it will automatically translate into the language of your choice.
Looking for a job?
Amsterdam municipality posted a work search page for non-Dutch speakers. You can filter by city, industry, contract type etc.
Meeting other Ukrainians in Rotterdam
Everyday between 10.00 - 18.00, Ukrainian nationals can go to Pleinweg 196a in Rotterdam and meet other Ukrainian nationals. There will be a Rotterdam municipality representative present who can answer any questions about finances, medical care, schooling etc.
Ukrainian car in Amsterdam
Ukrainian nationals that have travelled to the Netherlands with their car (and have a Ukrainian licence plate) can park in an Amsterdam parking garage for free until at least 1st June 2023. It is important to follow the instructions of the municipality website in the link below.
European Sanctions
Statement from Dutch recognised sponsors required
The IND requests that all recognised sponsors complete a statement about any possible ties with Russian or Belarussian companies. The EU has imposed new sanctions against Russia and Belarus. The statement must be completed and sent to the IND via email as soon as possible.
Immigration and Naturalisation Service - IND
What if your company is affiliated with a Russian or Belarussian company on the sanctions list?
The IND is still determining if company affiliations will have consequences for the residence permit applications already submitted/approved for your company.
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