Ukrainian refugees working in the Netherlands will have to pay around €350 a month towards their living costs, deputy justice minister Eric van der Burg has told parliament.

MPs had called for Ukrainians who had found work to contribute more towards their own upkeep in a debate last week.

Since the full-scale Russian invasion began two years ago they have had the right to live and work in the Netherlands without a visa and been exempted from paying for their own gas, electricity, health insurance and local taxes.

Ukrainians also receive between €280 and €380 a month from their local council towards living costs. The payments are supposed to stop once they find work, but councils say the rule is difficult to enforce.

Van der Burg said he would introduce personal contributions “in the short term” of €105 for every adult towards the cost of electricity, gas and water. Ukrainians living in accommodation where their meals are provided will have to pay €242.48 per adult.

Variable income

Some parties had called for a means-tested system to be introduced so that the amount people pay is determined by how much they earn, but Van der Burg said it would be too complex, partly because many Ukrainians have a variable income.

The minister also said he had decided not to make Ukrainians pay toward the cost of their accommodation because many of them are living in temporary shelters.

Personal contributions could be interpreted as rental costs, which would give Ukrainians more rights as tenants and place greater responsibilities on their hosts, Van der Burg said.