What you need to know if you are staying in the Netherlands without Ukrainian citizenship with a temporary Ukrainian residence permit

On 17 January 2024, the highest Dutch

As some courts disagreed with this ruling, the RvS and the Amsterdam District Court asked the European court for a ruling. The Minister of Asylum and Migration decided not to do anything until there was a ruling from the European court and the RvS. The minister decided that this group of third-country nationals remained entitled to the benefits in kind of the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD), e.g. a place in a reception centre, living allowance and work, until there was a ruling from the European court and the RvS. This is called the freezing measure.

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Following the ruling of the European court, the Council of State ruled on 23 April 2025 that the government had indeed been allowed to end the temporary protection on 4 March 2024. This means that since 4 March 2024, this group is no longer entitled to temporary protection.

As this group of third-country nationals will no longer be entitled to temporary protection as of 4 March 2024, the minister announced on 3 June 2025 that the freezing measure for non-Ukrainians with temporary Ukrainian residence permits will end on 4 September 2025. These people are allowed to use the rights pertaining to the TPD, such as the right to a place in a reception centre, healthcare and work, at least until 4 September 2025. Depending on the situation of the third-country national covered by the freezing measure, the following will apply from 4 September 2025:

Third-country national who do not appeal the termination of temporary protection

  Third-country nationals who do not have proceedings pending against the termination of temporary protection will receive a letter from the

Third-country nationals who did appeal termination of temporary protection

Some third-country nationals have previously appealed the termination of temporary protection. The court has yet to rule on this appeal.

These third-country nationals receive a letter from the IND with another decision that they must return to the country of origin. This is called the return decision. From the moment the court has heard the case and made a negative decision for the third-country national, the third-country national is no longer entitled to stay in the Netherlands, a place in a reception centre, healthcare and work. This varies for each third-country national because the court does not handle all cases at the same time.

Third-country nationals who are in the asylum procedure 

Therefore, third-country nationals who applied for asylum are allowed to stay in the Netherlands. As of 4 September 2025, these third-country nationals are entitled to reception in an asylum seekers' centre at the

Third-country nationals applying for regular residence (e.g. for study or work) 

The third-country nationals who have applied for a regular residence permit, for example to study or work in the Netherlands, will be responsible for arranging housing, income and health insurance themselves from 4 September 2025. As of 4 September 2025, the third-country national will no longer be allowed to stay in a municipal reception centre, nor will they receive living allowance.

Third-country nationals with asylum status

The third-country nationals with an asylum status may remain in the Netherlands even after 4 September 2025 because they have an asylum permit. They may remain in a reception centre until the municipality has arranged housing. These third-country nationals fall under the responsibility of COA. These third-country nationals are allowed to work. However, they must take out their own health insurance. As long as the third-country nationals do not have their own health insurance, they are entitled to care that applies to asylum seekers.

Third-country nationals with a regular residence permit

The third-country nationals with a regular residence permit to work or study in the Netherlands, for example, may remain in the Netherlands after 4 September 2025 as long as they meet the conditions of a regular residence permit. The third-country nationals with a regular residence permit must leave the municipal reception centre by 4 September 2025. They must find their own accommodation, take out health insurance and arrange for their own income.

On 24 July,

Would you like more information about assistance in returning to your country of origin? Then you can contact the

The IOM can be reached during business hours (09:00-17:00) via WhatsApp.

Do you want more information about the asylum procedure? Then read about it on RefugeeHelp. You can also make an appointment online with VWN for advice.