Arrival, registration and stay of refugees from Ukraine

Refugees from Ukraine are allowed to stay in the Netherlands for 90 days, or longer if necessary.
Refugees who have a biometric passport can travel to the European Union (EU) without a visa.
To make use of services in the Netherlands, refugees must be registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP).

Requesting accommodation on arrival in the Netherlands

It is increasingly difficult for local authorities to arrange accommodation. The authorities’ priority is to ensure accommodation for the most vulnerable refugees. Refugees from Ukraine who are able to, are being asked to make every effort to find a place of residence by themselves. This applies to both refugees who have been in the Netherlands for some time and new arrivals. If not possible to find a place of residence of residence, please report to a municipality to ask for help and to register.

In order to be covered by the Temporary Protection Directive, refugees from Ukraine need to be registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP) and get a residence sticker from the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). The appointment with the IND should be scheduled within 4 weeks from the date of the registration in the BRP. Refugees from Ukraine are then entitled to accommodation, a subsistence allowance, healthcare and education.

Please see: Registration procedure for refugees from Ukraine

Registration

Refugees from Ukraine can register with their local municipal authority if they can show documents to prove their identity or that they are from Ukraine or were a legal resident there. This can be a passport, birth certificate or residence permit, for example. Once they are registered in the Personal Records Database, they are entitled to benefits and services in the Netherlands. These include accommodation, a subsistence allowance, healthcare and education.
If a refugee from Ukraine does not have the necessary documents, the municipal authority will start a procedure to verify their identity and country of origin.

Stay

Refugees from Ukraine do not need to apply for asylum. They have the right to stay in the Netherlands for 90 days, or longer if necessary. Refugees who have a biometric passport can travel to the European Union (EU) without a visa. A biometric passport has an invisible chip containing personal data. The EU Temporary Protection Directive gives refugees from Ukraine temporary protection while they are in the Netherlands.

Driving licences

Yes, refugees from Ukraine who fall under the Temporary Protection Directive can use their Ukrainian driving licences throughout the European Union (EU). This applies to all types of driving licence (A, B, C and D), even if they have expired. This also applies to two-year beginner’s licences that have now expired. These have been automatically renewed by the Ukrainian authorities. They will remain valid for the duration of the state of emergency in Ukraine. Driving licences in Cyrillic are also accepted.

If your driving licence has been lost or stolen, you may not drive at this time. The Netherlands is investigating whether these people can get a temporary driving license. This requires that the EU countries have access to the Ukrainian driving license register. The European Commission is discussing this with the authorities in Ukraine. The Commission website provides more information about travelling within the EU for refugees from Ukraine.

Cars or other vehicles brought from Ukraine must be fitted with Dutch registration plates no later than 4 March 2025. This applies to the vehicles of displaced persons from Ukraine who fall under the Temporary Protection Directive (RTB). Owners of registered vehicles pay motor vehicle tax (MRB). The MRB rate depends on the vehicle. To get Dutch registration plates and start paying motor vehicle tax, first contact the Tax Administration and then the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW).

Arrival, registration and stay of refugees from Ukraine

Requesting accommodation on arrival in the Netherlands

Registration

Stay

Driving licences

Can refugees from Ukraine use their Ukrainian driving licence in the Netherlands and other EU countries?

Can professional drivers from Ukraine work in the Netherlands and the rest of the EU?

Can refugees from Ukraine obtain a driving licence in the Netherlands?

Do Ukrainian cars need a Dutch registration plate?