Living allowance and own financial contribution to the reception centre if you have fled from Ukraine

When you come to the Netherlands as a refugee from Ukraine, you get money for food, clothing and other personal expenses. This is called living allowance. You get this money as long as you do not have your own income. Both adults and children are entitled to this money.

How much money you get depends on your family composition. And also whether the reception centre where you are staying makes food for you. Did you come to the Netherlands with your family? Then you will get a lower amount of food money per person than if you are on your own. Do you live in a municipal reception centre (GOO) where food is made for you? Then you will not receive any food money.

Are you entitled to living allowance? Then the amount you get per month depends in part on your age and family composition. In all situations, you will receive € 62.66 for clothing. If you live with a host family, you will also get €80.91 for other expenses per person. If you live in the municipality's reception centre, you will not receive money for other expenses.

The amount for food money varies depending on the situation:

• You get €242.48 food money per month.

• There are 2 of you: €242.48 food money per person per month.

• There are 3 of you: €193.98 food money per person per month.

• There are 4 or more of you: € 169.74 food money per person per month.

• There are 2 of you: €200.65 food money per person per month.

• There are 3 of you: €160.64 food money per person per month.

• There are 4 or more of you: € 140.34 food money per person per month.

You will not receive living allowance if you work or otherwise have sufficient income. This applies to all refugees from Ukraine aged 18 and older who earn money. It does not matter how high your income is.

Not only income from work applies to this new rule. In the following situations, you will no longer receive living allowance:

• If you make money because you have a job

• If you receive income from an

  unemployment benefit (WW-benefit)

• If you receive benefits because you are long-term sick or unable to work

Not sure if your income counts because it is not one of the above situations? Then contact your contact person at the municipality.

Do you have an income as described above and live in a municipal reception centre (GOO)? Then you have to help pay for your stay in the reception centre. This is called 'eigen bijdrage' (personal contribution). This money is used to cover part of the costs for gas, water, electricity and possibly meals. Whether and how much personal contribution' you have to pay is assessed per family (or single person).

For gas, water and electricity, as of 1 October 2025, you will pay a maximum of € 244.22 per adult (18 years or older) with your own income. If your family consists of 2 adults and children, you will pay a maximum of two times the amount of € 244.22 for gas, water and electricity as of 1 October 2025. So that is €488.44 in total excluding catering.

If meals are cooked for you at your location, you must pay an additional amount of up to €252.18 per adult (18 years or older) with your own income. You pay this even if you do not always eat at the reception centre. For a family with 2 adults and children, you pay a maximum of two times the amount of €252,18 for food. So that is €504,36 in total. This amount comes on top of your personal contribution.

The Dutch government thinks you should pay a personal contribution because it thinks this is fairer. Other groups of refugees in the Netherlands already pay a personal contribution if they have an income. Exactly how much of a personal contribution you have to pay depends on how much income you have. After paying your personal contribution, you (or your family) must have at least an amount left over that is equal to or more than 115% of what you would have received in living allowance.

Do you or your family have no income of your own? Then you also do not have to pay a contribution for the municipal reception centre and for the food you get there.

You are required to give the municipality information about your income and the make-up of your family. Even if something changes in your income or family. Do you not provide this information? Or does it appear that you have hidden income? Then the municipality can withdraw your living allowance and oblige you to pay your personal contribution. It does not matter whether you have an income or not.

Do you disagree with the decision that you have to pay a personal contribution? Then you can file an objection. Objecting means that you officially say that you disagree and that you want it to be reviewed. You do this with the help of a lawyer.