It is possible to leave the Netherlands temporarily. For example, to go on holiday. If you want to leave the Netherlands temporarily, you must announce this in advance to the municipality where you are staying.
Travelling during your first 90 days in the Netherlands
Ukrainians with biometric passports can travel freely to the Netherlands and stay in the Netherlands for 90 days without a residence permit. This is called the free period. Travelling to other EU countries is possible if you are still in your free term. You may then stay in the European Union for a maximum of 90 days within a period of 180 days. It is then possible, for example, to seek protection in another EU country. If your free term has expired and do you not yet have proof of residence, you may travel and return to the Netherlands, but this is at your own risk. The IND will not grant you a visa to travel back to the Netherlands.
Travelling after your first 90 days in the Netherlands
To be able to travel after your free term, you need a Ukrainian biometric passport and proof of residence in the Netherlands. A non-biometric (Ukrainian) passport does not count as a travel document. If you have a valid biometric passport with proof of residence, you may travel as a Ukrainian within the European Union. You may also travel back and forth to Ukraine.
If your free term has expired and you do not have proof of residence, you may travel and return to the Netherlands. However, this is at your own risk and the IND will not give you a visa to travel back to the Netherlands. You do not lose your right to Temporary Protection if you travel without proof of residence. You keep Temporary Protection here as long as you do not apply for it in another country or sign a form withdrawing an asylum application. Do not deregister from the BRP either.
Please note: The IND will send a letter with information about the extension of your sticker. This letter, together with the sticker, serves as proof that your stay has been extended. This letter from the IND is sent to the address at which you are registered with the municipality (BRP). The letter from the IND stating that your stay has been extended and your old sticker together serve as proof that you are allowed to stay. You will not receive a new sticker, but rather a letter.
Report your departure to the municipality
Are you living in the municipality's reception centre (GOO)? Then report that you are leaving temporarily and for how long you will be away. You may be away from the reception centre for a maximum of 28 days per year. Do you not report your departure or do you return later than 28 days? Then the municipality where you are staying may decide to give you less living allowance. If you are away for more than 14 days without reporting your departure, you may lose your place in the municipal reception centre. The municipality will then give your place to someone else. Keep in mind that every municipality has different rules. Always check with your municipality what the rules are.
This is what you need to arrange when you go abroad
If you travel abroad, make sure you get permission from the RMO. This is important if you incur unexpected healthcare costs abroad. This is because in most cases healthcare abroad is not reimbursed by the RMO. Unless you have received permission to travel abroad, or it is emergency care.
You can get travel insurance in the Netherlands
If you are registered in the BRP and have health insurance, you can usually purchase travel insurance. Please note that the conditions for taking out travel insurance may vary from one insurance company to another. If you want to take out travel insurance, contact the insurance company of your choice for the specific conditions.
Returning to the Netherlands
When you return to the Netherlands, you must report this to the municipality or the municipal reception centre where you are staying. If you fail to report your departure or if you were away for more than 28 days and lost your place in a reception centre and your living allowance as a result, an assessment first needs to be performed to check whether you still comply with the applicable rules at the time of your return. If you do, you will again be entitled to a place in a reception centre and the other provisions, such as the living allowance.
If you are deregistered from the BRP, you need to register again. The municipality may terminate your facilities. There may no longer be a place in the municipality where you have been living. You will then be redirected to another municipality. You do not have to collect a new sticker from the IND if you still have your sticker.
If you return to the Netherlands via an airport or port, you may be put in a temporary closed reception centre at Schiphol.
Returning to the Netherlands without Ukrainian citizenship
Do you not have Ukrainian citzenship and have left the Netherlands? Then you can return to the Netherlands. You cannot return to the Netherlands if you:
Have left the Schengen area or have been in Ukraine for more than 28 days
With the help of the
Deregistered from the Dutch population register (BRP) after 4 March. Then you must have registered again before 4 May to remain entitled to protection.
Travelling outside the European Union
Travelling outside the EU is at your own risk. You will not get a return visa for this. Not even if you have proof of residence later on.
Travelling with children under 18
If you are in the Netherlands and want to travel within the EU with children under 18, you must have permission from the parent or guardian not travelling with you. On the website of the Dutch government you can download a form where you can arrange this permission for your child.
