Netherlands: working without a permit and new leefgeld rules for Ukrainians in 2026

Ukrainians living in the Netherlands under the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) still have one of the broadest labour-market accesses at EU level. At the same time, over 2024-2025 the state changed the financial rules: employed Ukrainians lose their leefgeld (living allowance), and the personal contribution for municipal housing has risen noticeably since autumn 2025. Here is what applies in 2026 and what to pay attention to.

Working without a permit: the rule preserved until 2027

Ukrainians under temporary protection do not need a work permit (tewerkstellingsvergunning, TWV) for paid employment in the Netherlands. The employer is only required to notify the Employee Insurance Agency UWV at least 2 working days before the employee starts work. This permit exemption has not changed. The exception is self-employment: a TWV permit is still required for it.

Temporary protection for Ukrainians has been extended to 4 March 2027. The government has announced that after this date the current status is planned to be replaced by a so-called "transition document" — a temporary residence permit valid for 3 years (roughly 2027-2030). Under the plan, the IND will issue it automatically, and the right to work without a work permit will be preserved. What happens after 2030 has not yet been determined.

Leefgeld: when the allowance stops

If you live in municipal shelter and have no income of your own, you receive leefgeld — money for food, clothing and personal expenses. The amount depends on the family composition and living conditions. According to RefugeeHelp (as of the end of 2025), the fixed amounts are about €62.66 per month for clothing, and the "food" money is approximately €242.48 per month for a single adult (less per person for larger families). Do not confuse this amount, which you receive, with the €252.18 food contribution that employed people pay (see below).

The key rule: leefgeld is assessed separately for each adult (18+). The allowance is stopped for the adult whose own income exceeds 115% of the allowance due to them; the other family members continue to receive their share if their income is below the threshold. This is not an automatic cancellation for the entire family the moment one person starts working. Income is counted not only as wages but also as unemployment payments (WW) or long-term sickness benefits.

The personal housing contribution rose on 1 October 2025

Employed Ukrainians (18+) who live in municipal shelter and have an income have been required to partly pay for their accommodation since 1 July 2024. From 1 October 2025 these amounts were officially increased for all municipalities:

• Utility costs (gas, water, electricity): up to €244.22 per adult per month, maximum €488.44 per family (previously €105 per person, max. €210 per family).
• Food (if meals are prepared in the shelter): €252.18 per adult per month.

For a family of two adults where meals are prepared, the total contribution can reach around €992.80 per month. The first invoices with the increased amounts arrived as early as November 2025.

What protection recipients should do

Municipalities can reduce the contribution for people with a low income (the 115% threshold), but for this you must report any change in income to the municipality yourself and on time — a new job, its loss or a change in salary. If you are planning employment, find out from your municipality in advance how it will affect your leefgeld and the amount of your personal contribution, to avoid unexpected invoices.

Check official sources: the Government.nl page on work and income and the IND regarding protection status. That is where updates about the transition to the new document after March 2027 will appear.