Learning Dutch under temporary protection: where to start

Learning Dutch can make daily life, work and contact with your gemeente much easier, even if your stay is temporary. There are many ways to start — some free, some paid — and what is available depends a lot on where you live.

This is orientation, not legal advice. Procedures can differ per municipality and change over time — check official sources for your situation.

Is learning Dutch obligatory?

No. People who are in the Netherlands temporarily are not obliged to follow the formal inburgering (civic integration) process. Because protection under the Richtlijn Tijdelijke Bescherming (Temporary Protection Directive) is for a temporary stay — currently until 4 March 2027 — the civic-integration obligation does not apply to you while you are here on this basis.

It helps to be precise here:

• This is not a personal "exemption" that someone applied for at DUO. Rather, the obligation simply does not exist for people staying temporarily.
• The Dutch government states that the inburgering obligation applies to people who stay in the Netherlands for a longer period of time, while people who are here temporarily are not required to integrate.
• If your situation later changes (for example, a different, more permanent residence status), the rules can be different. If that happens, DUO normally informs people in writing about any obligation.

So learning Dutch is a choice and an opportunity, not a legal duty during your temporary protection.

Is there a free Dutch course for everyone?

There is no single state guarantee of a free Dutch course for everyone under temporary protection. In practice it is a mix:

• Many gemeenten (municipalities) organise Dutch courses or activities themselves, sometimes together with volunteers. Some of these are free.
• Other courses are paid. If a course is not free, the person usually pays for it themselves.
• What is offered, and whether it costs anything, differs per municipality and can change over time.

Because of this, the most reliable step is to check the current options where you live — at your gemeente (ask your contact person or social worker) or at the local Taalhuis. Ask directly whether a course is free, reduced-price or paid before you sign up.

Free and low-cost ways to learn

Even without a paid course, there are well-established free or cheap options:

• Taalhuis (usually inside the public bibliotheek/library): trained volunteers help you practice Dutch. It is typically free, and you often do not need a library membership to join.
• Language cafes / Taalcafé / Praattafel: informal group sessions, often in libraries or community centres, where you practice speaking with others.
• Language buddies / volunteers: one-on-one practice arranged through local organisations (for example, volunteer networks linked to libraries or municipalities).
• Libraries also offer books in simple Dutch and access to digital learning resources.

These options are good for speaking practice and building confidence, and they work well alongside any course.

Courses and structured lessons

If you want more structured lessons, the main routes are:

• ROC (Regionaal Opleidingscentrum): regional adult-education centres that often run Dutch language courses, including for adults.
• Commercial language schools: private schools offering similar courses.

These structured courses are often paid, and prices vary by school and level. Always confirm the cost, level and start date before enrolling, and ask your gemeente whether any local funding or free places are available — this is not guaranteed and changes per municipality.

Learning online and on your phone

You can also start straight away from home:

• Introduction to Dutch — a free online beginners' course from the University of Groningen, offered a few times a year on the FutureLearn platform (you follow it in English; it brings you to a basic beginner level).
• Free apps and channels such as Duolingo and other beginner resources, and Ukrainian-language teaching videos made for people learning Dutch.

Online learning is a good way to begin and to keep practising between in-person sessions.

Levels: what to expect

Dutch courses usually describe levels using the European CEFR scale (for example A1, A2, B1):

• A1–A2: basic everyday Dutch — greetings, shopping, simple conversations.
• B1 and above: more independent use, often useful for work or further study.

You do not need to reach a fixed level for your temporary protection. Choose a level that fits your goal, whether that is daily life, work, or your children's school contacts.

If you get stuck

If you are unsure where to start or what a course will cost:

• Ask our consultant in the app — we can point you to the right local options.
• Ask at your gemeente (your contact person or social worker) about courses they organise and whether any are free.
• Visit the local Taalhuis in your library to start practising for free.
• For broader guidance, see RefugeeHelp; for legal questions about your status, contact Het Juridisch Loket or the IND.