Unrest at reception locations: the situation in the Netherlands
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In some parts of the Netherlands, there have been protests against the reception of refugees. Sometimes these protests turn violent. In this article, you can read why people are protesting, who is resorting to violence, and what the Dutch think about the reception of asylum seekers.
In 2026, there were protests at various reception locations
In Loosdrecht, IJsselstein, Sint Michielsgestel, Apeldoorn and Tilburg, people took to the streets to protest against the opening of a new reception location in their town or city. Most of the demonstrators are local residents who are concerned. They protest peacefully. But sometimes things go wrong. Then riots break out, fires are started, and fireworks and stones are thrown. This violence often does not come from local residents, but from far-right groups who have travelled to the site. In Loosdrecht, a fire was started at a temporary reception location whilst refugees and staff were inside. Violence was also used against the police. The people who use violence are a small group. Most Dutch people certainly do not consider violence to be normal.
Residents want to have a say in decisions made in their municipality
Many residents taking part in the protests are angry with their municipality. They often only find out at a late stage that a reception centre is to be set up in their town or city. They want to have a say in the matter first and for their concerns to be listened to.
Some people are concerned that asylum seekers will lead to a lack of safety or a housing shortage. In the Netherlands, there are long waiting lists for social housing and a shortage of doctors. Some people think that refugees are the cause of this, or that refugees are given priority over Dutch people. Some people also believe that many refugees are ‘fortune seekers’ rather than genuine refugees. These ideas are reinforced by certain politicians and the media.
There is a shortage of places in reception centres for asylum seekers in the Netherlands
There is a shortage of places in reception centres in the Netherlands. On 1 January 2026, nearly 80,000 people were living in reception locations. There are around 75,000 places, many of which are temporary, such as emergency reception centres in hotels or empty offices.
There are two reasons for this shortage. Firstly, it can sometimes take a long time for the IND to reach a decision on an asylum application. As a result, people remain in the reception centres for longer. Secondly, there are also people living in the reception centres who have already been granted a residence permit. They are still waiting for housing outside the reception centres. If such housing is not available, the reception locations remain full.
By mid-2028, 88,000 permanent places will be needed. To address this, the
Some municipalities refuse to cooperate or delay setting up reception centres. As a result, they are sometimes forced to open a reception location at short notice. Local residents are often only informed of this at a late stage. Protesters sometimes hope that their municipality will block the establishment of a reception location. However, the Dutch Dispersal Act obliges municipalities to cooperate. If a municipality refuses, the
Extremist groups are active at some protests
Not every protester resorts to violence. Most of the people taking part in the protests are local residents who are concerned about housing, safety or poor communication.
However, violence was used at several protests. Members of extremist groups were present. These are groups that believe migrants and their children do not belong in the Netherlands. They want asylum seekers to leave the country. Well-known groups include Defend Netherlands and Identitair Verzet. In Loosdrecht, Engelen, IJsselstein and Tilburg, people were seen wearing the Identitair Verzet logo.
These groups operate via WhatsApp and Telegram groups. They call on people to attend protests, often from far outside the town. Their aim is not to engage in a discussion about asylum policy, but to cause confusion and fear.
The Dutch government is currently investigating how these groups operate. The police and
Most Dutch people still support the reception of refugees
Anyone who only follows social media might think that the whole of the Netherlands is angry. That is not the case. A recent poll by the RTL News Panel (May 2026) shows that around three-quarters of the Dutch population believe that small, radical groups are exploiting the protests. A majority do not consider violence at demonstrations to be acceptable. And 53% want the Dutch Dispersal Act to remain in place. A clear majority still supports the reception of people fleeing war.
Do you feel unsafe, or do you have any questions about the situation at your reception location? In the event of immediate danger, always call 112. For other concerns, please contact the