Source: -
Article

This is how to apply for temporary protection as a family member

Last updated: 28 Jan 2025, 10:16

Do you have a family member with Ukrainian citizenship who has temporary protection in the Netherlands? If so, you may also be able to get protection in the Netherlands.

You must meet these conditions to receive temporary protection as a family member

You may be able to get temporary protection in the Netherlands if your family member stays in the Netherlands. But there are conditions you must meet. The conditions have to do with the relationship between you and the family member already living in the Netherlands.

You are eligible for temporary protection in the Netherlands if you:

  • Are the spouse or partner (not married) of your family member in the Netherlands and are in a long-term relationship together.

  • Are a minor child (under 18) of your family member in the Netherlands. This also applies if you are adopted. If you have your own family and are married, you do not qualify.

  • Are another family member, such as a brother, sister, uncle or aunt, who is highly dependent on your family in the Netherlands, for example because of health problems. You had to live together with your relative in Ukraine. How to prove this depends on your situation.


You must prove that you are related to the family member in the Netherlands

Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you must be able to show the

that you are related to your family member who is already in the Netherlands and is entitled to temporary protection. Therefore, bring documents with which you can prove this. For example, bring a marriage certificate. Or photos of you together. It is not necessarily required that you have lived together with your (married) partner in Ukraine. If you started living together outside Ukraine only after the start of the war, the IND may also approve this. Try to prove this with a lease or other documents.

You apply for temporary protection in the Netherlands yourself

Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you must apply for temporary protection yourself. Your family member in the Netherlands cannot do this for you. You apply for protection by registering with a municipality to get a

. When you apply, report that your family member is already in the Netherlands and show documents.

Once you have been issued with a BSN by the municipality, you must make an appointment with the IND to obtain a residence permit. You will then need to present your documents again. The IND will assess whether you are entitled to temporary protection.

Is your application rejected and are you not granted temporary protection? In this article, you can read about your options.

Do you have any questions or would you like some support? Please contact VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) during their online consultation hours.

Did this information help you?