Netherlands plans to close Ukrainian refugee housing by 2027

The Netherlands intends to phase out government-run accommodation for Ukrainian refugees by 2027, Housing Minister Mona Keijzer has announced, prompting concerns from aid groups and local authorities about feasibility amid a severe housing shortage.

Under the cabinet’s proposal, the approximately 135,000 Ukrainians currently living in the Netherlands under the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive would receive three-year residency permits starting in March 2027. However, they would become responsible for securing their own housing and healthcare, as the special protection measures would expire, Caliber.Az reports via Dutch media.

Keijzer said state-funded housing facilities—currently used by around three-quarters of Ukrainians in the country—“should be ended as soon as possible,” and that municipal funding for these centres would be withdrawn.

Aid organisations criticised the plan as unrealistic. Bart Dikkeschei, whose agency Heroyam assists Ukrainian newcomers, told De Telegraaf: “Apparently Keijzer has a magic word that allows all these people to suddenly find a house on the open market. If she doesn’t, this letter is a load of hot air.”

Local councils also warned of financial and logistical strain if national funding is cut while they remain responsible for housing and welfare support.

Community representatives say many practical questions remain unanswered, including whether Ukrainians with temporary residency will qualify for mortgages or social housing. “There are no answers to a lot of these questions,” said Jamal Statenko, who manages a Facebook page for Ukrainian residents.

The end of temporary protection means the government will no longer subsidise housing and health insurance for Ukrainians, though they will gain access to the same welfare benefits as Dutch citizens. Keijzer noted that while two-thirds of Ukrainians are employed and contributed an estimated €3.5 billion to the economy last year, a “significant portion” is expected to rely on social support.

Young Ukrainians will, however, benefit from equal access to higher education and student financing, ending a situation in which they had to pay substantially higher tuition fees because Ukraine is outside the European Economic Area.

By Vugar Khalilov