Travel & holiday

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. Has your free term expired and do you not yet have proof of residence? Then, 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.

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.

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.

Has your free period expired and you do not yet have a proof of residence? You may then travel and return to the Netherlands, but this is at your own risk. 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. Also, do not deregister from the BRP.

Please note:If you do not already have proof of residence in the Netherlands, we recommend that you do not travel abroad. There are reports that some Ukrainians who have returned to Ukraine for a short visit without proof of residence in the Netherlands are stopped at the border of Poland.

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.