Netherlands may refuse Ukrainian refugees asylum in 2025: what are the reasons?

Amsterdam councillor Rutger Groot Wassink said the country can no longer accept new migrants and conditions for those who have already arrived are worsening every month.

Overcrowded shelters and a shortage of places

At the moment, more than 120 thousand Ukrainians are registered in the country, of which about 94 thousand live in municipal shelters. However, the temporary centres are already overcrowded. In Amsterdam, dozens of people have had to be refused shelter in recent weeks.

According to Groot Wassinka, other cities are also running out of beds - there are less than 35 beds left nationwide and the average occupancy rate has reached 99.8 per cent.

Municipalities are demanding support from the government

Municipalities cannot cope with the situation on their own. The Dutch Association of Municipalities VNG and the authorities of the largest cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and The Hague) have sent a letter to Prime Minister Mark Schoof, demanding a review of the funding of shelters.

The problem escalated after compensation for housing refugees was reduced from 61 to 44 euros per day earlier this year. Municipal authorities say the actual cost per place is €55-60 per day, which has led to a funding shortfall.

The Hague, for example, loses around €4 million a year on this, and smaller municipalities cannot organise shelters without their own investment.

The Red Cross records an increase in the number of homeless Ukrainians

The situation has become so difficult that more and more Ukrainians find themselves without a roof over their heads. The Red Cross reported that:

• In December and January, more than 200 Ukrainians turned to the shelter for help.

• In February, that number rose to 400 people.

• 18 people admitted to spending at least one night on the streets.

Red Cross spokeswoman Danielle Brower said the organisation was temporarily placing the most vulnerable people in hotels, but it could not be a long-term solution.

What happens next

Municipalities are demanding an immediate increase in funding from the government, but so far there are no solutions. Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands are finding it increasingly difficult to find accommodation, and if the situation does not change, the number of homeless people will only increase.

How many Ukrainians remain abroad and who are ready to return

Now there are over 6 million in European countries. Most have managed to obtain legal status, basic support, access to medical care, education and the labour market. However, life in a foreign land is accompanied by many challenges, and a significant part of people still live "between two worlds".

• Have Ukrainians been able to adapt abroad.
• Working abroad: what difficulties Ukrainians have faced.
• The problem of housing.
• Medical care abroad.
• Education for children.
• What can the state do to return its citizens.

Read the answers to these and other questions in the exclusive material on Socialportal.