Reception housing (opvang) and work: contribution, living allowance and what pays more
How work affects your stay in municipal reception housing and your living allowance (leefgeld): the principle, the maximum amounts per Rijksoverheid and where to get your own calculation.
Updated 2026-11-07
The principle
Ukrainians with temporary protection (RTB) in municipal reception housing receive leefgeld from the municipality. An adult (18+) with a job, a WW benefit or a long-term illness benefit pays an own contribution (eigen bijdrage) for the housing and no longer receives the full leefgeld.
Rijksoverheid says work should pay off. What follows is the principle and the public maximums; your exact calculation is made by the municipality.
As of 7 November 2026. Amounts are indexed and rules change: always check the sources.
What leefgeld is
Leefgeld has three parts.
- kleedgeld: for clothing and personal expenses;
- eetgeld: for food, only if you are not given meals at the facility;
- extra toelage: only for people living with a host family (gastgezin).
Exact amounts depend on age and household size; Rijksoverheid publishes the current table.
Eigen bijdrage: maximums
According to Rijksoverheid, since 1 August 2026 an adult (18+) in municipal reception housing pays at most €244.22 a month for running costs, and at most €260.97 a month for food if meals are cooked at the facility. These are maximums; the actual contribution can be lower.
For a household of two adults the limits double.
The 115% rule
Leefgeld is only withdrawn in full when your income exceeds 115% of the leefgeld. The full contribution applies only above 115% of leefgeld plus contribution. The rule was introduced on 1 October 2025 so that working pays off. The municipality can see your net wage.
The municipality may waive the contribution if collecting it would cause disproportionate hardship. You request this from the municipality.
This rule is on the Rijksoverheid page about the contribution; the page about leefgeld still says leefgeld stops when you start work. So ask the municipality about your situation before you sign.
What pays more
Rijksoverheid gives as a guide that someone who works three days a week at the minimum wage earns more than the leefgeld. What it means for you depends on the municipality, household, meals and your net pay.
- Work out your net monthly pay from your payslip or draft contract.
- Ask the municipality in writing for a calculation of your contribution.
- Compare: net pay minus contribution minus possible housing costs if you move out.
What you must do
Report your income to the municipality yourself or within two weeks after it asks, and report every change in income or household. If you are late, the municipality may stop your leefgeld and charge the full contribution.
Working without a work permit (TWV) is only possible in employment (loondienst); the employer notifies UWV at least 2 working days before the start.
Where to go
Your municipality is the first point of contact. General explanations in four languages are on refugeehelp.nl.
- Municipality: your calculation and a request for waiver.
- RefugeeHelp: explanations in four languages.
- Rijksoverheid: current amounts and rules.
- COA: central organisation for other forms of reception; for municipal reception start with the municipality.
Calculate first, sign afterwards
Razom employs skilled workers directly and never charges job seekers. We make no deductions from pay for housing. See how working in a crew goes.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my place in reception housing if I start work?
According to Rijksoverheid, people who work pay an own contribution for their reception housing, so work itself does not end the stay. Ask your municipality for the exact arrangements.
What is the most I will pay?
According to Rijksoverheid, since 1 August 2026 at most €244.22 a month for the housing and €260.97 for food if meals are cooked; the municipality calculates the amount.
Must I report my income?
Yes, yourself or within two weeks after the municipality asks, and also every change.
Can I ask for the contribution to be waived?
Yes, in case of disproportionate hardship the municipality can waive it. Submit a request to your municipality.
Sources
- Rijksoverheid: own contribution for refugees from Ukraine
- Rijksoverheid: work and income, living allowance
- Rijksoverheid: reception and stay, until 4 March 2028
- RefugeeHelp: information for Ukrainians (UK, RU, NL, EN)
- COA: Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers
- UWV: information for employers
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the sources above.