Municipalities must receive third-country nationals again for the time being

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ANPDmissionary State Secretary Eric van der Burg for Asylum and Migration

NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 20:15

Municipalities must continue to receive so-called third-country nationals for the time being and give them the same rights as other refugees from Ukraine. This is what outgoing State Secretary Van der Burg of Asylum and Migration writes in a letter to the House of Representatives.

Van der Burg says he is forced to make this decision because the Council of State has asked questions about the issue to the Court of Justice of the European Union. The highest administrative court said today from the European Court to know when the right of residence of third-country nationals ends. Until an answer is received, ongoing proceedings at the Council of State have been put on pause.

Third-country nationals are people who do not have Ukrainian nationality but who did have asylum or a permanent residence permit in Ukraine. According to Van der Burg, the renewed reception of this group of refugees will at least last until the European Court has provided an answer. It is not known when that will happen.

‘Provides clarity for the time being’

The State Secretary has informed municipalities about the decision. Due to the ongoing legal procedures, many municipalities no longer knew exactly what to do. Some municipalities ended the reception of third-country nationals at the beginning of this month, as was originally the plan. Others chose to receive the refugees anyway.

The Safety Council and the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG) are pleased that Van der Burg’s letter provides clarity. “This line provides clarity for both municipalities and third-country nationals for the time being,” a spokesperson told ANP.

Only third-country nationals who are still in the Netherlands can receive shelter from the municipalities again. People who have already left the Netherlands cannot receive shelter again.