RefugeeHelp - Life in the shelter for an asylum seeker

Information

If you apply for asylum in the Netherlands, you are entitled to shelter. But there are different types of reception centre. It depends on your situation where you will be accommodated.

These are the different types of reception locations if you apply for asylum in the Netherlands

A woman on her phone in a reception centre

This is how living in the asylum reception centre that the government arranges for you works

Asylum seekers may temporarily lodge with family or friends because COA's reception centres are regularly too full.

This is how lodging with a host family while in the asylum process works

People in a crisis emergency reception centre in a sports hall

This is how living in a temporary reception centre works

Women with children outside at a reception centre

These are your rights and obligations in COA's reception centre

Two children walk around the grounds of a refugee reception centre

Here is what you can do if you are unhappy with the COA's reception centre

LGBTQIA+ individuals may face discrimination, harassment or violence in reception centres. Organisations like Roze in Blauw can help.

Additional information about the asylum reception centre if you are an LGBTQIA+ individual

Syrian boys on the streets of Turkey after the pandemic. Daily life in Urfa.

Additional information about your asylum reception centre if you are under 18

Someone signs a document.

In the Netherlands, you need a BSN

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