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Reception of asylum seekers in the Netherlands

When an asylum seeker enters the Netherlands, there are several possibilities. This depends on the available reception capacity. The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) offers asylum seekers shelter in an asylum seekers' center (azc). An azc usually has room for 300 to about 1,500 people.

Start of the aylum procedure

Depending on the available reception capacity, the asylum seeker is placed in:

  • Asylum seekers’ centre (azc)

    Regular reception centre.

  • Emergency reception

    The COA temporarily accommodates asylum seekers in emergency shelters if there is not enough space in the asylum seekers centers (azc). These are temporary locations, like event halls, with fewer facilities than the standard COA reception locations.

  • Crisis reception

    The municipalities and Safety Regions arrange crisis emergency reception if there is no room left for asylum seekers in the emergency shelter. This is short-term shelter in areas that the government usually deploys in the event of a disaster or crisis.

Application is granted

Asylum seeker receives a (temporary) residence permit.

Housing in municipality

Permanent or temporary accommodation is possible. For example through:

  • regular accommodation in the (subsidized) rented sector
  • additional accommodation in refurbished empty (office) buildings, in mobile living units or other facilities such as holiday homes.

For this, the municipal authorities can make use of special schemes (subsidy scheme for accommodation of permit holders and the accelerated municipal housing scheme).

Temporary permit has been revoked

For example, because protection is no longer needed.

Request was rejected

Return voluntary or forced.