The Netherlands will close centers for Ukrainians in 2027: what awaits refugees.

According to ТСН: The Dutch government has developed a new action strategy regarding Ukrainian refugees. It entails that after the expiration of the EU temporary protection mechanism in 2027, Ukrainians are expected to transition to independent living. The cabinet plans to close state-funded special housing facilities "as soon as possible." This means that Ukrainians will be forced to solve their everyday issues independently.

New rules: permits for 3 years, but no housing

According to the government's plans, about 135,000 Ukrainians currently in the Netherlands may receive residence permits for three years starting from March 2027. However, the new status will lead to a significant reduction in support — refugees will bear full responsibility for housing rent and medical insurance payments.

Monique Keizer has stated that state accommodation must be completed, and funding for municipalities for these needs should be ended. Currently, approximately three-quarters of Ukrainians in the Netherlands live in such centers.

Moreover, the expiration of temporary protection will result in the cancellation of housing and medical subsidies for this category of individuals. At the same time, Ukrainians will be able to receive the same social payments and benefits as regular residents of the Netherlands.

Criticism of the plan and the housing crisis

Experts and human rights advocates have expressed criticism of the proposed ministerial decisions, pointing out their impracticality. The main issue lies in the acute housing shortage in the Netherlands. Finding an apartment on the open market is currently very difficult even for locals, let alone foreigners with temporary status.

A representative of the Heroyam agency, which assists Ukrainians, Bart Dikkershey expressed doubts about the feasibility of such plans.

“Perhaps Keizer knows some magical word that will allow all these people to suddenly find housing on the open market. If not, this letter is just a puff of air,”

— noted the volunteer.

Contribution to the economy and opportunities for youth

The government notes that despite the fact that about two-thirds of Ukrainians are employed, and last year their contribution to the economy amounted to 3.5 billion euros, a significant number of people will still require social support.

However, there are positive changes as well. Young Ukrainians will receive equal rights to education and access to college funding on par with EU citizens. This will end the situation where students from Ukraine paid three times more for tuition because their country is not part of the European Economic Area.

It is also worth noting that Germany plans to reduce payments to refugees from Ukraine who arrived after April 1, 2025, and the German government is expected to make a decision regarding the transition of these Ukrainians to a different social payment system.

The changes proposed by the Dutch government have already sparked discussions among experts and human rights advocates. They emphasize the importance of considering the realities of the housing market, so that the new rules do not lead to even greater despair for Ukrainian refugees. This issue is exacerbated against the backdrop of the housing crisis in the country, where finding affordable shelter for all those in need is becoming increasingly difficult.