Young adult Ukrainians in the Netherlands are in Limbo. They cannot go back to their country, but in the Netherlands they cannot build their future. Recently the end date until Ukrainians were allowed to stay extended again, now until 1 March 2027. In the meantime, the young people among them are in the hobility when it comes to their education.
There are now 120,000 Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands, including 21,000 children and young people. Foundation for Refugee Students (UAF) warns that these young people Lost Generation threaten to be. They live without perspective and in constant uncertainty, a harrowing situation that has to do with the war in their country, but also with their legal status.
Although Ukrainians are refugees, it is not covered by asylum rights. Based on the temporary protection directive, they are entitled to stay, access to the labor market, housing, medical and social assistance and education for children. That is nice, but something fundamental is missing in that list of rights.
Unlike status holders, the Ukrainian refugees are not entitled to education after their eighteenth birthday. They don’t get student finance and if they want to follow a HBO or university education, they have to pay the tuition fees themselves. Because Ukraine is not a member of the EU, they pay the so -called institutional rate, which varies from 8,000 to 15,000 euros instead of the legally established tuition fees.
Figures from Statistics Netherlands show last year that an appalling high number of Ukrainians between 17 and 23 years old does not follow: four in five. That does not mean that they all hang on the couch. About half of the Ukrainian youth have paid work.
But anyone who works full -time has no time to study. Moreover, it is often about unskilled work against a low wage, of which they also have to pay a contribution to the municipality for their temporary accommodation. That contribution will increase from October to 244 euros per adult. Then there is little left for a possible study.
This situation is undesirable. For example, this generation remains sentenced to low -qualified work, while on the Dutch labor market there is an urgent need for well -trained employees. And if they return to their country, there will also be a need for people who can contribute to the reconstruction.
The lower statutory tuition fees applied to Ukrainian students in the 2022-2023 students. That this is no longer the case is because universities and colleges had to pay for themselves while they had to cut back. UAF was able to make agreements with a number of educational institutions about a reduced tuition fees, but now only 250 Ukrainians can use it. According to UAF, the group that would like to continue learning after high school comprises five to seven thousand people.
It is fair to deal with this group a bit more generously. Many Ukrainians work in the Netherlands, pay tax money and contribute to their housing themselves. Their duration of stay is always extended and there is a good chance that they will still be in the Netherlands even after March 2027. In addition to peace in their country, their perspective has also been awarded a future on a future in which they can participate in the labor market as well -qualified employees. Whether in the Netherlands or in Ukraine.