Reception of Ukrainian displaced persons

Currently, there are virtually no shelters available in the Netherlands. Also in our municipality there are no more reception places available. This means that you have to arrange a place to stay yourself.

For general information about reception in the Netherlands, please visit the government website(external link).

Within the municipality of Gemert-Bakel, approximately 200 Ukrainians are currently being received at various municipal shelters. These include several parsonages, the former agricultural school, the former monastery in Elsendorp, the former police station on the Komweg in Gemert and several private homes scattered throughout the municipality.

In the reception of Ukrainians we cooperate with Goed Wonen, and our village supporters also play an important role.

Accommodation can be offered through the Refugee Council(external link).

You can visit the website of Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland(external link) (RVO) for information and advice.

On the website of the National Government(external link) you can read more about the situation in Ukraine.

There is a Guidebook for Private Reception of Ukrainians available, which explains what you need to know about hosting Ukrainians in your home. The latest version can be found at The central government website.(external link)

In any case, it is important that you take care of enrollment and registration. Therefore, contact the municipality so that we can include Ukrainian refugees in the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP).

Ukrainian refugees do not need to apply for a visa or asylum. However, refugees from Ukraine must be registered in the BRP if they have a (temporary) residence address in the municipality. We can register you if we can establish your identity with a passport or other proof of identity. Children within the family can also be registered in the BRP without documents. For more information, visit the website of the Immigration and Naturalization Service(external link) (IND).

Yes, there is a special insurance for Ukrainian refugees. More information, including terms and conditions, can be found on the Appendix Liability Insurance for Individuals for Refugees from Ukraine.

If Ukrainian refugees are registered in the municipality, their children are entitled to education. They can attend the nearest elementary school in Gemert-Bakel.

Children of secondary school age can attend the language facility at Jan van Brabant comprehensive school. Unfortunately, there is a waiting list so not every student can be placed. For more information, please visit the Jan van Brabant comprehensive school website (external link)

Refugees from Ukraine who are able and willing to work are given access to the Dutch labor market. This does not require a work permit. However, there are some conditions to give extra protection to this vulnerable group of people. For example, people may only work as employees. Also, the employee must be registered by the employer with UWV no later than two working days before starting work and the employer must provide information such as working hours and workplace. Read more on the website of the Labor Inspectorate(external link) and on the website of the UWV(external link). There is also a form there for employers to report.

Ukrainian driving licenses of people covered by the Temporary Protection Directive are valid throughout the European Union (EU). This applies to all types of driving licenses (A, B, C, D).

Even Ukrainian driving licenses that have expired still remain valid throughout the EU. This also applies to Ukrainian two-year novice driving licenses that have expired. These have since been automatically renewed by the Ukrainian government for the duration of the state of emergency in the country.

Driving licenses in Cyrillic script are also valid.
For more information check the CBR website (external link)

On the website of the Labor Inspectorate(external link) and the website of the UWV(external link) there is a lot of information for employers. On the UWV website there is a form to report.

Website

The website RefugeeHelp(external link) is the starting point for Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands.

Library

De Lage Beemden Library(external link) has services that may also be useful for Ukrainian refugees:

• Free use of the on-site collection
• Free use of computers
• Free membership for children up to 18 years of age
• Information point for help with digital contact with the government (use BSN number and DIGID)
• Language House for people who want to learn the Dutch language