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This is how living in the temporary reception centre arranged for you by the municipality works

Last updated: 12/03/2026, 11:45

Municipalities in the Netherlands are responsible for providing a place in a reception centre for Ukrainian refugees. But in many municipalities there are not enough reception centre places. What can you expect if you seek reception?

Reception centres for Ukrainians in the Netherlands are under pressure

Ukrainians can get a place to live and get help in European Union countries. This is because they receive protection through the

Temporary Protection Directive (TPD)

. They are also entitled to a place in a reception centre in the Netherlands. However, right now, many reception centres for Ukrainians in the Netherlands are full.

New people from Ukraine are still coming to the Netherlands. This has consequences for reception centres: waiting lists, little privacy and sharing your room with strangers. Also, you often cannot cook for yourself and you do not get permission for pets. It is important to take this into account when coming to the Netherlands.

Here is how the municipality finds a suitable reception centre for you

Have you applied to a municipality in the Netherlands, but there is no place there? Then the municipality will contact the

Regional Coordination Centre for Refugee Distribution (RCVS).

You do not have to do this yourself. The RCVS looks at which municipality in the Netherlands does have a place for you.

Is the municipality refusing to offer you a place in a reception centre and is the municipality not looking for another place for you? Then contact

VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN)

Which department do you need to report to in the municipality?

Ask at the municipality where to report. Sometimes this is listed on the municipality's website. Often this will be at the

Civil Affairs department

of the town hall. Sometimes there is a special Ukraine counter where you can go. There you explain that you are a refugee from Ukraine and that you need a place to stay. This counter can also be in another location than the town hall. The municipality can tell you the location.

The municipality looks at whether you are covered by the TPD. If you are covered by the TPD, the municipality must arrange a place in a recpetion centre for you. Even in case of doubt, the municipality must accommodate you.

Is it unclear whether you are covered by the TPD? Then the municipality will contact the

Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)

. The IND is the organisation that determines whether you are covered by the TPD. Read here about your options if you are not covered by the TPD.

What can you do if there is no immediate place for you in the GOO?

Many reception centres are full. It may be days or weeks before you get a place. What can you do then?

Organise your own reception

The municipality must make sure you have somewhere to sleep temporarily until you get a place in a reception centre. Sometimes this does not work out. Then you have to pay for a hotel yourself in the meantime. Do you not any have any money? Then ask the municipality for help for homeless people. You can often get a meal through the Red Cross

Stay in the crisis emergency reception centre

Crisis emergency reception centres (CNO) exists in some municipalities. These are short-term emergency reception centres for people who cannot yet go to a GOO. You sleep for example in a sports hall. After one or more nights, the municipality must offer you a place in a GOO. Then they look for a place for you throughout the Netherlands. This is not always in the same municipality where you registered.

Important: If you are staying in a hotel or in the CNO, you are not yet registered with the municipality in the

Dutch population register (BRP)

. Also, you are not yet covered by the TPD. You do not yet receive living allowance.

Reception locations often have little privacy

Large numbers of Ukrainians are still coming to the Netherlands. Therefore, the reception locations have to be careful with their space. As a result, there is little privacy at many reception locations.

Reception locations are often in old office and commercial buildings and cruise ships. You often cannot cook for yourself there. You have to share the toilet and bathroom with the other residents. Therefore, people often have to share a room with others. Also with people from another family.

Do not bring pets to the Netherlands

Pets are often not welcome at reception locations. There is limited space. You may have to take your pet to an animal shelter. Keep that in mind when you come from Ukraine to the Netherlands. It may be better to leave your dog or cat with family or friends when you come to the Netherlands.

Check your email for information about your reception centre

Municipalities often send emails with information about reception centres. So make sure you check your email regularly (a few times a day). Answer as quickly as possible if someone asks something. Preferably in English or Dutch.

Rejecting a place in a reception centre can have consequences

Rejecting a place in a reception centre in the GOO can have consequences. If a place is really not suitable for a certain reason, always discuss this with the location manager. They may be able to help find a solution.

What happens if there is no place in a GOO in your municipality?

Have you applied to a municipality in the Netherlands, but there is no place there in the GOO? Then the municipality will contact the

Regional Coordination Centre for Refugee Distribution (RCVS).

You do not have to do this yourself. The RCVS looks at which municipality in the Netherlands does have a place for you. You have no influence on this.

If the municipality does ask you to contact the RCVS yourself and you need help with this, arrange an appointment during the free digital consultation hour of VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN). They can help you.

Is the municipality refusing to offer you a place in a reception centre and is the municipality not looking for another place for you? Then also contact VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) via the digital consultation hour.