Ukrainian Refugees

In February 2022, Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine. Since then, millions of people have been forced to flee their homes. Many have sought refuge in European countries, including the Netherlands.

The responsibility of Velsen

The Municipality of Velsen has been assigned the responsibility of providing 403 shelter places for refugees from Ukraine.

To meet this responsibility, the municipality has opened several shelter locations. Velsen currently meets the required number of shelter places, including those for refugees staying with private hosts. 

Housing

All municipal shelter locations are fully occupied at the moment. Currently, we do not have the capacity for new arrivals. We therefore ask newly arrived refugees from Ukraine to arrange accommodation themselves where possible.

If refugees from Ukraine register with the municipality, we will explore whether accommodation can be arranged elsewhere in the Netherlands.

If you are hosting refugees from Ukraine in your home, they must register with the municipality. 

Registration in the Netherlands  

To register in the Netherlands, the municipality must be able to verify a person's identity, nationality, and country of origin. Ukrainians with an expired passport, identity card or internal identity document can register in the Personal Records Database (BRP) and are covered by temporary protection. The photograph on the identity document must match their current appearance. 

Renewal of passports

The Embassy of Ukraine in the Netherlands does not offer passport renewal services.

Appointments for passport renewal can be made through the Ukrainian Embassy in Germany. Men who are subject to Ukrainian military service requirements are currently unable to renew their passports abroad.

No identity documents available  

If no passport, identity card, or internal identity document is available, eligibility for municipal accommodation cannot be determined.

In that case, it is possible to apply for asylum at the IND registration centre in Ter Apel. During the asylum procedure, eligibility for temporary protection will be assessed. If the requirements are met, registration with a municipality and accommodation can subsequently be arranged.

Offering accommodation  

Private hosts may make arrangements with refugees from Ukraine regarding a contribution towards housing costs. This contribution may be paid by the housing allowance available to refugees staying in private accommodation.

Do you own a property that may be suitable as a municipal shelter location? Then please contact us at: vluchtelingen.oekraine@velsen.nl.

Living allowance  

If a Ukrainian refugee does not have enough money to live on, they may apply for a living allowance. Information on how to apply can be found on our webpage Living allowance for refugees from Ukraine | Gemeente Velsen.

Personal contribution for Ukrainian Refugees  

Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands receive a living allowance if they do not have sufficient means of support. If they have a job or another source of income, they must contribute to the cost of their municipal accommodation from 1 October 2024.

The government considers it reasonable that refugees from Ukraine who are able to contribute to these costs do so. These costs include utilities such as gas, water, and electricity, which are currently paid by the municipality. Other refugees and asylum seekers with their own income also contribute to accommodation costs.

The contribution amounts to €244.22 per person, or €488.44 per family.

Which Ukrainian refugees are required to pay a contribution

The contribution applies to refugees who: 

• are 18 years of age or older;
• stay in municipal accommodation;

and have:

• employment or a business in the Netherlands or abroad; or
• unemployment benefits (WW); or
• disability or long-term sickness benefits; or
• a benefit paid by the UWV.

No contribution is required if monthly income is below the following thresholds:

Mandatory reporting  

Every Ukrainian refugee is required to provide information about their situation to the municipality via leefgeldoekraine@velsen.nl.  

The municipality would like to know:

• Their income;
• How many family members are staying in the accommodation;
• Any changes in income or family composition as soon as possible.

If refugees do not provide this information, they will still be required to pay the contribution.

Healthcare  

Information for Healthcare Providers  

Do you provide care to a displaced person from Ukraine? Then it is important to know that the costs of medically necessary healthcare for a displaced person from Ukraine can always be reimbursed in the Netherlands. How this healthcare is reimbursed depends on the situation.  More information can be found on the Dutch Government website rijksoverheid.nl(externe link).

Medical Care for Ukrainian Refugees 

Ukrainian refugees receive a reimbursement for healthcare included in the basic healthcare package.They do not have to pay premiums or deductibles. Healthcare is provided under the ‘Regeling Medische Zorg Ontheemden (RMO)’. More information about healthcare, the RMO, and reimbursements can be found at the website Zorgverzekeringslijn.nl(externe link).  

Registering with a General Practitioner (GP)

Are you living in the municipality and do you not yet have a general practitioner (GP)? You can register with a GP through the website Uw huisarts in Kennemerland(externe link). On this website, you can see which GP practices are accepting new patients and apply to register.

If you need assistance with the registration process, please contact one of the case managers by e-mail: vluchtelingen.oekraine@velsen.nl. 

Consultation hours of municipality of Velsen 

The municipality of Velsen offers consultation hours for refugees from Ukraine. Assistance is available with accommodation, municipal procedures, practical matters, and personal situations.  

• Monday: walk-in consultation without appointment from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
• Tuesday: by appointment only from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
• Friday: follow-up consultations and meetings  

Location: Plein 1945, number 98, 6th floor, IJmuiden.  

To schedule an appointment, please send an e-mail to: vluchtelingen.oekraine@velsen.nl. 

Consultation hours of Dutch Council for Refugees

The Dutch Council for Refugees holds a consultation session every Wednesday for refugees from Ukraine. Support is available on topics including employment, income, healthcare, education, procedures and administrative matters.  

• Every Wednesday on walk-in consultation from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM.  
• Location: Plein 1945, number 98, 6th floor, IJmuiden.

For appointments, please e-mail: muceyhan@vluchtelingenwerk.nl. 

Education  

Children aged 4 to 17 who have arrived in the Netherlands from Ukraine are entitled to education.

Children aged 4 and 5 may enrol at a regular primary school near their place of residence. Education is free of charge. In the Netherlands, children are required by law to attend school from the age of 5.

Children aged 6 and older can attend newcomer classes, where they learn Dutch and follow a broad educational program designed to prepare them for regular education.

International Language classes and Transition classes  

There are 4 educational locations available. Parents can register their children directly with the school. Education is free of charge, and schools can assist with arranging transport where necessary.  

Primary Education (ages 4 to 12)

• Children from Velsen-Noord can register at:  
  ITK de Fakkel: Bachstraat 20, 1962 BD Heemskerk.  
  Telephone: 0251 231093  
  E-mail: rinket@tabijn.nl  
• Children from other parts of Velsen can register at:  
  ITK Haarlem: Pr. Beatrixdreef 6, 2033 TX Haarlem.  
  Telephone: 023 7078260 
  E-mail: itk@haarlem.nl  

Secondary Education (ages 12 to 17)

• Children from Velsen-Noord can register at:
  ISK Heemskerk: Van Riemsdijklaan 103, 1965 DB Heemskerk.  
  Telephone: 0251 241 944  
  E-mail: j.duvalois@skillsvmbo.nl  
• Children from other parts of Velsen can register at:  
  ISK Haarlem: Schoterstraat 4, 2021 HH Haarlem. 
  Telephone: 06 46227731  
  E-mail: info@ISKHaarlem.nl

Employment

Refugees from Ukraine are permitted to work in the Netherlands. A Citizen Service Number (BSN) is required. More information is available on the government webpage Werk en inkomen voor vluchtelingen uit Oekraïne(externe link).

Looking for work? Job-seeking support is available during the employment consultation hours on the first Thursday of every month from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM at the Municipality of Velsen Ukraine Desk: Plein 1945, number 98, 6th floor, IJmuiden.  

Contact  

If you have any questions, please contact vluchtelingen.oekraine@velsen.nl.