The Netherlands is considering granting long-term residence permits to Ukrainians, according to media reports.

This is reported by De Telegraaf, as conveyed by Ukrinform.

It is noted that at the European level, it has been agreed that Ukrainians who were forced to leave their homeland due to the war can remain in the host countries for over a year, until March 2026. However, it is uncertain whether the war will end by that time.

Since the EU has yet to develop new plans, it is time to find a “national alternative” for the future of Ukrainians in our country, emphasizes Migration and Asylum Minister Marjolein Faber in a letter to the House of Representatives.

According to her, it is expected that the long-term residence permit will remain valid as long as Ukrainians stay in the country and “contribute as much as possible, pay taxes, and make a contribution to our economy and society.”

Details and conditions regarding the long-term status for Ukrainians will still be worked out.

In this context, Faber refers to EU countries that have already developed similar systems. For instance, in Poland, Ukrainians can apply for a three-year residence permit, while Austria, the Czech Republic, and Romania offer options for long-term stays for Ukrainians working full-time.

The Clingendael Institute notes that these countries are trying to retain the most employable Ukrainians.

“It may be beneficial to integrate as many young Ukrainians into the labor market as possible,” the experts point out.

Moreover, the introduction of a separate residence status for Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands will help avoid overwhelming the asylum system after March 2026. If more than 120,000 Ukrainians were to apply for asylum simultaneously, it would place a significant burden on the system, the publication states.

At the same time, it is noted that the Dutch government is also working on a program to encourage “voluntary return” of refugees when the security situation in Ukraine allows it.

As reported by Ukrinform, the Netherlands announced the first cases of voluntary return of Syrian refugees.