Shelter of displaced persons from Ukraine
Municipality of Zoetermeer accommodates displaced persons from Ukraine. This page provides more information about them.
General
On Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022, the war in Ukraine began. Shortly after, the first displaced people came to the Netherlands. For the first 2 weeks, Zoetermeer received people from Ukraine in hotel rooms. Since April 2022, shelter has been arranged in the following places with a total of nearly 400 places in:
- Bredewater
- Schiebroekstraat
- Vaartdreef
- Broekwegschouw
The central government pays the cost of care.
There are also residents of Zoetermeer who take in people from Ukraine in their own homes. There are about 50 of them.
Displaced persons from Ukraine are covered by the Temporary Protection Directive (RTB) and it runs at least until March 4, 2026.
Questions and consultation hours
If you have any questions please email: oekraïne@zoetermeer.nl. Displaced persons can also come to one of our consultation hours:
General consultation hours
- Every Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to noon and from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Bredewater 22 and
- Every Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Broekwegschouw 211.
If you would like an appointment at a different time please consult via email: oekraine@zoetermeer.nl.
Talk about living expenses
Every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Workplace at 9 Southbound.
If you cannot come to a consultation hour, you can also email your question to leefgeldregeling@zoetermeer.nl.
Reception
Do you live with a host family, relatives or friends and would you like to have a chance at a shelter from the municipality in the Zoetermeer region? Sign up below.
Useful links
Do you have any (other) questions? Then you can also contact:
- RefugeeHelp from Refugee Council for practical issues such as transportation, shelter, work and more.
- NPO provides (practical) information through Net in the Netherlands through NiN site about Dutch society to facilitate the stay and integration of Ukrainian newcomers in the Netherlands. Topics on Dutch culture, history, society and customs are covered.
- Whatsapp with the Red Cross helpline. Among other things, the Red Cross can help if you are looking for family or friends with whom contact has been lost.
- The Central Government for information on arrival/registration/residence, healthcare/health, work/income, education and childcare.
- FAQs on the situation in Ukraine.
- Guide to Private Reception of Ukrainians (POO).. In it you will find information on:
- How you can offer a shelter as an individual
- what to watch out for
- what services are available to people from Ukraine, such as health care and education.
Registering with municipality and moving
You must be registered with a municipality in the Netherlands to qualify for services such as shelter, living allowance, medical care and education. You can register in Zoetermeer as a displaced person in the Basisregistratie Personen (BRP) if you can prove:
- That you have Ukrainian citizenship, with a passport or other proof of identity, or;
- That, as a non-Ukrainian, you had a permanent residence permit for Ukraine.
You can call 14 079 to make an appointment.
Living Money
IDPs from Ukraine residing in the Netherlands are entitled to living allowance in some situations. Living allowance is a financial allowance that allows you to pay for your daily needs such as food and clothing. You can find the conditions and amount of living allowance on the website of Rijksoverheid: Work and income for refugees from Ukraine | Rijksoverheid.nl.
Walk-in consultation on living expenses
Do you have questions about your living allowance? Then please come to the walk-in living allowance consultation:
Every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Workplace at 9 Southbound.
If you cannot come to a consultation hour, please email leefgeldregeling@zoetermeer.nl.
Own contribution
Do you live in a municipal shelter and have your own income? Then from January 1, 2025, you will pay an amount for the help you receive. The municipality uses this money to pay, for example, for gas, water and light. This amount is called the own contribution.
The amount is €105.- per month per adult. A family pays a maximum of € 210.- per month.
You pay a contribution if your own income is higher than the amount you would receive as living allowance. If you have to pay a contribution, you will receive a letter about this from the municipality. You can pay the contribution by bank transfer.
Do you have questions or need assistance? If so, contact the site coordinators. You can also stop by during the municipality's living allowance consultation hour. This consultation hour is every Thursday between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at the Werkplein, Zuidwaarts 9.
Work
As a Ukrainian, you may work in the Netherlands. This does not require a (special) work permit. However, you must meet the following requirements:
- You are registered in the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP).
- You have valid proof of residency.
Learn more about work and income (www.refugeehelp.nl).
Do you need help finding work? Then come to the general consultation hour:
- Every Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon and from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Bredewater 22.
- Every Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Broekwegschouw 211.
Would you like to meet at a different time? If so, please send an e-mail to: oekraine@zoetermeer.nl.
Education
Children who live in the Netherlands for a longer period of time are subject to compulsory education. Do you have a child of compulsory school age (5-16 years) and is your child not yet enrolled in a school? If so, please report to the general consultation hour:
- Every Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon and from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Bredewater 22.
- Every Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Broekwegschouw 211.
Would you like to meet at a different time? If so, please send an e-mail to: oekraine@zoetermeer.nl.
Health and medical care
As a displaced person from Ukraine, you can use basic care. You do not have to pay a co-payment. However, you may have to pay (in part) for medicines.
Life-threatening situation?
Call emergency number 112.
Not life-threatening but an emergency?
During the day, call your own family doctor. In the evening, at night or on weekends, call the General Practitioner's Office.
Don't have a family doctor yet?
- Do you live with a host family? Then you may register with your host family's family doctor.
- Don't live with a host family and need help finding a family doctor? Then come to the general consultation hour.
Consultation
- Every Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon and from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Bredewater 22.
- Every Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Broekwegschouw 211.
Would you like to meet at a different time? If so, please send an e-mail to: oekraine@zoetermeer.nl.
Traveling back to Ukraine
Do you want to travel back to Ukraine? Please check the website of the Repatriation and Departure Service, email your question to info@dtv.minvenj.nl or fill out the return assistance form.
Proof of residence (IND sticker)
As a Ukrainian displaced person, you need proof of residency so that:
- You can prove that you are allowed to live and work in the Netherlands.
- You may travel abroad (including Ukraine).
Note: This certificate is not recognized everywhere. Read more about its validity. The residence sticker or pass together with the confirmation letter from the IND counts as proof of residence after March 4, 2023. Letter lost? Download it via My IND.
Make an appointment
You can collect this proof (sticker or pass) from the IND by appointment only. Read more about picking up this proof. Still have questions about this? Then call the IND on weekdays between 9:00 and 17:00: 088-043 0361.