Welcome in Utrecht is committed to refugees in Utrecht. Here you can find more information about this very diverse group of people.

Where do refugees come from?

Refugees come from all over the world. The largest groups of refugees in the Netherlands currently come from Ukraine, Syria, Eritrea, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Turkey. The reasons why people flee vary. Most often it is because of war, violence and persecution. For more information on why people leave their homes: visit the website of VluchtelingenWerk. On UNHCR’s website you can find figures and other information on refugees worldwide.

What is the difference between refugees, asylum seekers and status holders?

There is quite a bit of confusion about the terms refugee, asylum seeker, and status holder. Simply put, a refugee is someone who has fled their country because they are in danger there. Someone who seeks protection in the Netherlands and wants to be recognized as a refugee must apply for asylum here at the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND). The IND tests whether this person meets the admission criteria in order to obtain such recognition. During this investigation, the refugee is an asylum seeker, and this person is entitled to shelter. This is usually in an asylum seekers’ center (azc). If the asylum seeker is indeed recognized as a refugee, they receive a (temporary) residence status. Someone with such a residence permit is called a status holder. A status holder is entitled to housing, must integrate and is allowed to work. Check the UNHCR website for more information on these terms – and for more information on refugees worldwide.

Ukrainians who fled the war are in an exceptional situation. They fall under the special Temporary Protection Directive (RTB) which means Ukrainians are allowed to work and travel visa-free in the European Union. Therefore, Ukrainians do not currently have to apply for asylum to stay legally in the Netherlands.

Welkom in Utrecht generally only uses the term refugee because everyone with a refugee background is welcome to participate in our activities. Therefore, it does not matter whether or not people are in an asylum procedure or have a residence permit.

How does an asylum procedure work?

For information about the asylum procedure, we would like to refer you to other organizations. Take a look at the websites of the national government and the website of the Dutch Council for Refugees. The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) also provides information about this.

Where are refugees accomodated in Utrecht?

If Ukrainian refugees are unable to find accommodation themselves, they can report to a municipality. Unlike asylum seekers (who are provided with accommodation by the COA), the municipality is responsible for providing accommodation for Ukrainian refugees. In Utrecht, there are various reception centers managed by the Salvation Army, the Tussenvoorziening, or the Red Cross. People also live with private individuals, such as host families. There are several reception locations for Ukrainians in Utrecht. The largest are:

• Temporary shelter location at the Herculesplein 5-15, with place for 268 Ukrainians.
• Temporary shelter location in het Provinciehuis, for a maximum of 270 people.

For refugees from other countries, accommodation is arranged by the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA). Currently, they have the following reception centers in Utrecht

• AZC Joseph Haydnlaan with space for up to 600 residents including a group of up to 40 unaccompanied minor asylum seekers (AMV’ers).
• Shelter at the Biltsestraatweg for 350 residents.
• Asylum neighborhood center Pahud de Mortangesdreef Emergency Shelter Pahud de Mortangesdreef for up to 300 refugees. This is done according to the Plan Einstein concept and therefore 30 Utrecht youth are also housed there. At this Plan Einstein location, the Living Room is managed by Welkom in Utrecht.
• Shelter Europalaan where 130 women and children stay.
• At the Vlampijpstraat 200 refugees can stay in the shelter location.
• In De Meern is a shelter location for up to 16 unaccompanied minor asylum seekers
• The location at Ravellaan is a shelter where Ukrainians are housed as well as up to 40 unaccompanied minor asylum seekers.

A status holder is entitled to housing and usually still stays in an asylum seekers’ center until housing is available. See this site from the national government for more information on housing for status holders.