Netherlands changes rules for Ukrainians: men have to pay for housing themselves
19 September 2025 13:13
Ukrainian men who have jobs in the Netherlands must find and pay for housing on their own. This is reported by NOS, "Komersant Ukrainian" informs
Acting Minister for Asylum and Migration of the Netherlands Keizer said that Ukrainian men who fled to the Netherlands and have jobs should take care of their housing on their own. She explains this decision by the fact that the Red Cross and municipalities are finding it increasingly difficult to accommodate Ukrainian migrants. Due to overcrowded centers, some people are forced to sleep on the street or in cars.
“Our country is increasingly facing the limits of what can be organized to accommodate the displaced,” Keyser said.
The minister believes it is “absolutely reasonable” that men who work and have income in the Netherlands look for and pay for housing themselves, for example, with relatives or by contacting their employer.
“Dutch men with jobs also organize their own housing,” she explains.
At the same time, Keyser emphasizes that this is not a matter of coercion: Ukrainians will not be forced to look for housing on their own. According to European agreements, they have the right to housing and education. Particular attention is paid to mothers with children, who are provided with proper accommodation.
For Ukrainians who came to the Netherlands through another EU country, the minister advises them to consider returning to that country.
The right to housing and education
Currently, Dutch municipalities have about 97 thousand places to accommodate Ukrainians. All of them are occupied, and hundreds of new immigrants arrive in the country every month. In August, a record 435 Ukrainians were registered with the Red Cross.
Ukrainians fleeing the war are covered by the European Temporary Protection Directive and are entitled to housing and education. This directive was recently extended until March 4, 2027. Municipalities receive financial support for each displaced person and have to organize accommodation for them according to their capacities.
Keyser supports the directive, but points out that it includes the possibility of sending people back to their country of origin or offering them to take care of their own housing.
“People are desperate”
The Red Cross considers Keyser’s position unacceptable.
“For a year now, people have been desperate to come to us,” said a representative of the organization, “Politicians should have found a solution a year ago: create more places to accommodate people fleeing the war in Ukraine.”
The representative also added that it is good when people can gradually move to their own housing, but currently there are not enough opportunities.
“It is impossible to shift this responsibility to the IDPs themselves,” he emphasized.
It should be noted that the Polish Senate has approved a new law on foreigners and support for Ukrainian citizens. The document provides for the extension of the stay of Ukrainians in the country and introduces a number of restrictions on social assistance and medical services.
One of the key provisions is the extension of legal stay in Poland for Ukrainians who fled the country due to the war until March 4, 2026. At the same time, the law strengthens control over the provision of social support to foreigners. In particular, the 800 program will now be directly linked to employment and education of children in Polish schools. Exceptions are provided for parents of children with disabilities.
In addition, the document introduces new restrictions on access to medical services for adult Ukrainian citizens. These include drug programs, dental treatment and medical rehabilitation.
