Ukrainian refugees: personal contribution

Refugees who must pay a personal contribution

Refugees from Ukraine must pay towards the cost of their accommodation if they:

• are aged 18 or over; and
• stay in municipal accommodation

and they

• have a job; or
• receive unemployment benefit (WW); or
• receive a benefit on the grounds of long-term illness or incapacity for work.

Refugees only need to pay the personal contribution if the amount they have left over after paying it is at least as much as the subsistence allowance for refugees without income.

Refugees can contact their municipality if they have any questions about this.

Personal contribution amounts

Until 1 October 2025, refugees from Ukraine must pay:

• €105 per adult (aged 18 or over) for gas, water and electricity; maximum of €210 per family.

• A fixed amount of €252.18 per adult (aged 18 or over) per month for food if meals are served in the municipal accommodation, regardless of family composition. This applies even if they don’t always eat there.

Increase of personal contribution as of 1 October 2025

As of 1 October 2025 refugees from Ukraine must pay:

• €244.22 per adult (aged 18 or over) per month for operating costs, up to a maximum of €488.44 per family;
• €252.18 per adult (aged 18 or over) for food if meals are served in the municipal accommodation, regardless of family composition. This applies even if they don’t always eat there.

The maximum amount per family (with two adults) in a location where meals are served is €992.80 per month.

115% threshold to reduce large differences

A 115% threshold is also being introduced. In order to reduce large differences between refugees from Ukraine whose incomes vary, municipalities can also withdraw only part of the subsistence allowance and collect only part of the personal contribution from refugees who earn below this standard. Above the 115% standard, the full subsistence allowance must be withdrawn and the full personal contribution collected. Municipalities retain the discretion to waive the personal contribution if collection would lead to disproportionate disadvantage.

Municipalities may also collect a portion of the personal contribution from refugees whose income falls below the 115% threshold and therefore cannot pay the full personal contribution, but who still earn enough to contribute part of it. This portion may not exceed the standard described above.

Refugees must report their income to the municipality

When asked, refugees from Ukraine must inform their municipality of:

• their income and the number of family members staying in the municipal accommodation with them;
• any changes in their income or family composition.

If refugees/individuals do not provide this information, the municipality may decide that they must pay the personal contribution.

Why a personal contribution is charged

The government believes it is fair for refugees from Ukraine to pay towards the cost of their stay if they are capable of doing so, just like other refugees and asylum seekers with an income. The increased amount as of 1 October 2025 is more appropriate for the facilities offered. It also reduces differences compared to other groups, such as low-wage earners and asylum seekers