On December 31, 2023, the RefugeeHomeNL project came to an end. No matches between Dutch host families and refugees from Ukraine will be facilitated through RefugeeHomeNL. We have also discontinued providing guidance and support to cohabitants. However, this website will remain active as an information source for anyone offering or considering providing shelter to Ukrainian refugees.

Advice and Assistance in 2024:

If cohabitation continues in 2024 or if you decide to become a host family again through another initiative, starting from January 1, you can seek assistance from:

1. Your local municipality for matters related to housing, employment, income, social welfare, and community support.
2. The “Handreiking POO” (Guidance for Private Reception) from the Dutch government, providing basic information for anyone offering Private Reception.
3. The RefugeeHelp.nl platform by VluchtelingenWerk, offers information and advice for refugees along with extensive contact options.
4. Your own general practitioner, who serves as the first point of contact for the physical and mental well-being of your guests and can refer them to a hospital or the appropriate authority.
5. Contact the national police number 0900 – 8844 in case of unsafe situations and concerning signals.
6. Contact 112 in all threatening and acute situations.

Our website rhnl.nl will remain operational for the time being, containing a wealth of background information, tips, and advice to ensure the success of cohabitation.

The number for the Red Cross WhatsApp Helpline has changed. The new number for the Helpline is: +31 97 0102 86 964. 

The Helpline is intended for refugees from Ukraine in the Netherlands. They will receive advice and information in their own language through the Helpline. For example, about accommodation options in the Netherlands, urgent assistance, or the seach for lost family members and friends. 

Extension of the Temporary Protection Directive

On September 28, the EU member states decided to extend the current Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) by one year. Refugees from Ukraine can stay in EU member states until March 4, 2025. They are entitled to accommodation, medical care, employment, and education until that date.

The government is currently working on decisions regarding the stay and return of refugees from Ukraine after March 2, 2025. The State Secretary for Justice and Security has decided to freeze the consequences for the group of third-country nationals (people with a temporary residence permit in Ukraine) until the Council of State makes a ruling.

You can find more information on this topic in various languages here.

Changes in Allowances from October 1st

Starting from October 1, 2023, there will be a change in allowances for refugees from Ukraine. These allowances consist of three components: clothing allowance, food allowance, and an additional stipend for individuals residing in host families. Both the clothing allowance and the food allowance will be increased to compensate for rising prices.

However, the additional stipend for those living in host families will be reduced from €93 to €80.91 per month. The amount of the additional stipend is determined by Nibud. This reduction is being implemented because the average monthly costs for gas, water, and electricity have decreased. If you have made arrangements with your host regarding a contribution towards living expenses, it’s advisable to discuss this change with them. You can find more information on this topic in various languages here.

This weekend, the State Secretary for Justice and Security, following the advice of the Council of State, has decided that ‘third-country nationals’ will continue to have the right to stay in the Netherlands until the Council of State reaches a final verdict on this matter. Therefore, they do not have to leave the place where they are staying by September 4th.

Initiating a Procedure

The reason behind this decision is a series of expedited rulings by the Council of State regarding the right of residence for third-country nationals. The Council of State acknowledges that these rulings may not directly apply to all third-country nationals, but they serve as guiding principles. This means that all third-country nationals who appeal against a decision requiring them to leave the country are allowed to remain in reception facilities until a final ruling is issued. However, it is still crucial for third-country nationals to initiate a procedure against the decision to terminate the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD). To do this, they must be connected with a lawyer through the legal aid board if they haven’t done so already. This will enable the lawyer to respond within the prescribed timeframe.

Helpdesk for Third-Country Nationals

The legal helpdesk of Vluchtelingenwerk (Refugee Work) is ready to answer questions from third-country nationals and provide assistance in initiating procedures. The Ukraine helpdesk can be reached by phone every working day at 020-3467250 or by email at helpdesk@vluchtelingenwerk.nl.

RefugeeHomeNL is a collaboration between the Red Cross, Salvation Army, VluchtelingenWerk Nederland and Takecarebnb, under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice and Security. The goal of RefugeeHomeNL is to coordinate and guide the reception of refugees from Ukraine in Dutch host families. The Ministry and the participating parties have mutually decided to conclude the project on December 31, 2023.

Need help for shelter of housing in the Netherlands?

Visit http://www.refugeehelp.nl for comprehensive information on available options for shelter and housing in the Netherlands. VluchtelingenWerk Nederland provides various means of contact for additional help and advice. Refer to this page for more details.

Lately, we’ve noticed a recurring trend where host families and guests enter into rental or loan agreements. In this message, we outline some pros and cons of this practice. We strongly advise you to seek thorough information beforehand, as it can have a significant impact on both the guest and the host family.

Not Private Accommodation

Once a host family and guest enter into a rental contract or any other type of agreement, they no longer fall under private accommodation. The mutual voluntary arrangement for accommodation ceases to exist. In this case, RefugeeHomeNL maintains the position that we can no longer provide guidance. Our role is limited to coordinating and supporting private accommodation.

Different Rights and Responsibilities

Formalizing cohabitation through a rental contract or agreement introduces different rights and responsibilities for both the guest and host family. This situation can also have (negative) financial consequences. For instance, it might lead to the discontinuation of the guest’s allowance and potential impacts on the host family’s benefits and allowances. Additionally, rental income is subject to income tax.

Seek Proper Information

On the other hand, formalizing accommodation through a rental contract can also bring advantages. This includes offering the guest a perspective of a longer-term stay with the associated rights and responsibilities, or significantly contributing to the host family’s housing and energy expenses. Our advice is to get well-informed about the pros and cons. This page could be a useful starting point for gathering information.

Third-country nationals are individuals who have fled from Ukraine to the Netherlands and possess only a temporary residency status for Ukraine, such as a work or study visa. These individuals fall under the Temporary Directive until September 4, 2023.

Return or Asylum Application

For third-country nationals, it is required that they leave the Netherlands by September 4. A significant portion of this group has already applied for asylum in the Netherlands. They are allowed to remain in the country until the asylum procedure is completed.

Third-Country Nationals and RefugeeHomeNL

Currently, an estimated 15 individuals are residing in private accommodation through RefugeeHomeNL. When known, we maintain close contact with both the guest and the host family. Individuals who are already in the asylum process are allowed to continue living with their host family. However, their stay will continue under the COA’s so-called “logeerregeling” (temporary stay arrangement). Support from RefugeeHomeNL for both the guest and the host family ceases at that point.

At the end of this year, a report on the RefugeeHomeNL project will be published, sharing the project’s outcomes. In addition to figures, graphs, and tables, we also aim to present the story behind RefugeeHomeNL through the firsthand experiences of guests and host families.

Have you, as a host family, shared a beautiful, moving, intense, or loving story with your guest? If so, we would love to hear from you. You can submit your contribution, up to a maximum of 2,000 words, preferably along with a few photos, to refugeehomenl@redcross.nl. We will then get in touch with you as soon as possible.

As of February 1, the living allowance for Ukrainians has changed. The amount of the living allowance now depends on the size and composition of the family. Ukrainians staying in host families also receive an additional monthly allowance of €93 per person. This money can be used for public transport, family visits and sports, for example. They can also use the money to contribute to the costs of the host family. However, this is not mandatory.

Tip: engage in conversation

Many guests and host families who live together through RefugeeHomeNL have made agreements about a contribution to the costs. Our advice is to discuss this with each other. What do the changes in the living allowance mean for your agreements? And can guest and host family come to new agreements? If desired, the Salvation Army guest housekeeper can help you with this. Of course, it is not the intention that the (voluntary) contribution of the guest exceeds the amount of his or her living allowance.

More information

The national government has translated the changes to the living allowance into clear factsheets. The fact sheets are available in Dutch, English and Ukrainian. You can download the factsheets here.