Minister wants many Ukrainian refugees to start paying rent, health insurance premiums
Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands who are currently working could soon pay rent, as well as health insurance premiums. Sources confirmed on Thursday that caretaker Asylum Minister Mona Keijzer wants to make the change, and will present her proposal her colleagues during the regular weekly Council of Ministers meeting on Friday.
More than 60 percent of these Ukrainian refugees have jobs. Therefore, Keijzer believes it is justified for these people to pay rent and health insurance premiums. They have already been required to pay a personal contribution for some time.
The minister wants to reduce the costs of hosting Ukrainians, sources confirmed after initial reporting by RTL Nieuws. Some 2.7 billion euros per year has been earmarked until 2027. However, budget has not been allocated for subsequent years. Negotiations on the interim budget adjustment will take place next spring, and the amount allocated for hosting Ukrainians will then become clear.
The BBB politician also wants Ukrainian refugees to be granted special refugee status, aimed at ensuring their return to their homeland when peace is restored.
Keijzer’s plan is intended to replace the European regulation for this group. Those rules expire in March 2027, and the move could remove some degree of uncertainty they may face.
Without a new regulation, the 120,000 Ukrainian refugees residing in the Netherlands would have to apply for asylum with the national Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) in March 2027. This would cause significant problems for the already overburdened organization.
