Long-term policy on asylum support for refugees from Ukraine
Since Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, millions of Ukrainians have fled and been accommodated in the European Union. The Netherlands is currently hosting some 135,000 refugees from Ukraine under the EU Temporary Protection Directive (TPD). The TPD was extended in June 2025 to make it applicable up to and including 4 March 2027.
It is still uncertain how long the war is going to last and for that reason the government has drawn up a long-term plan for the period after the TPD ends. At that point refugees from Ukraine will be eligible for a temporary transition document that is valid for three years. This only applies to refugees who enjoy temporary protection on the grounds of the TPD. The main features of this policy were included in the collective letter on asylum support for Ukraine of 4 July 2025 and have now been developed in more detail in the collective letter dated 21 November 2025.
Transition document
The transition document is only available to refugees from Ukraine who receive temporary protection under the TPD. They also have to pass a public order assessment and withdraw their current asylum application. The IND is granting the transition document ex officio, meaning that refugees who previously received protection do not themselves have to submit an application for a transition document. The transition document will give refugees from Ukraine time to find out how they can voluntarily return to their home country and it will give municipalities a long-term perspective when it comes to providing asylum support.
Rights and obligations
The transition document is subject to various rights, obligations and schemes. These will become applicable in due course, so that refugees from Ukraine can participate in, and contribute to, Dutch society as much as possible. For example, a transition document will allow them to work without having a work permit, take out health insurance and study for a low fee. Where possible the asylum support will be converted into accommodation so that they can start paying rent themselves. The government is going to provide more information on the rights, obligations and schemes associated with the transition document in the spring of 2026. For more information, see Langetermijnbeleid: terugkeer en verblijf | Opvang vluchtelingen uit Oekraïne | Rijksoverheid.nl
Returns programme
The focus of the long-term plan is on voluntary returns to Ukraine. With this in mind the Netherlands is developing a returns programme that aligns with the reconstruction of the country. Refugees from Ukraine who want to return home are to be offered practical assistance with, for example, arranging travel documents and transport. Those who want to return to Ukraine right now can apply for support to the Repatriation and Departure Service (Dienst Terugkeer en Vertrek): Hulp bij terugkeer naar Oekraïne | Dienst Terugkeer en Vertrek.
Originally published at https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2025/12/01/long-term-policy-on-asylum-support-for-refugees-from-ukraine
