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

Last updated: 14/05/2026, 19:17

During the asylum procedure, you stay in different reception centres of the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA). Sometimes there is not enough space in normal reception centres. You may have to stay in a temporary reception centre. If your request for asylum is approved, you may stay in the Netherlands. You will then qualify for a home.

During your registration you will stay at the reception centre in Ter Apel

This is called the central reception centre. There is only one central reception centre in the Netherlands. At the moment there is often not enough space at the central reception centre in Ter Apel. Therefore, during registration you are sometimes taken to a

in Zoutkamp. You will be brought back to Ter Apel or Budel to complete your registration.

Your stay after the application

Once you have taken the first steps in your asylum application with the IND, you will be taken to a reception centre in another part of the Netherlands. The

arranges transport to the

where necessary. You may find yourself moving between different reception locations in the Netherlands.

Due to crowding, there is not enough space in the normal reception centres. Therefore, sometimes you are taken to a temporary reception centre. There are fewer facilities in the temporary reception centre than in a normal reception centre. You may change temporary reception centres.

Learn more about living in a temporary reception centre here.

You may be able to stay with family or friends during the asylum process. Read more about it here.

These organisations are present at the reception centre

In the reception centre, the

and

are usually present. Sometimes the same organisations are not present in temporary reception centres as in a normal reception centre.

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

On this page you can read about what you can do if you are dissatisfied with COA's reception centre. For example, you can talk to COA or the municipality, complain or protest.

More information

You have no right to a house as an asylum seeker in the Netherlands

You cannot get a rental home in the Netherlands until you have a residence permit. So when your asylum application is approved. But even then it can take a long time. Because there are many people who are waiting for a home. Dutch people too. You end up on a waiting list. Until you have a home, you will live in a COA reception centre. Even if you already have a residence permit.

Your stay after the asylum procedure

After the asylum procedure, you go to an

. You go to an AZC if:

You have received a residence permit and are waiting for housing. You are entitled to a reception centre until the municipality has found a home for you.
You are in the Extended Asylum Procedure (VA).
The IND has rejected your asylum application. You may stay in an AZC for another 28 days.

Please note: If you are between 13 and 18 years old and do not have any parents or guardians with you in the Netherlands, you go to a special reception centre for children. If you are younger than 13 and do not have any parents or guardians with you in the Netherlands, you will go to a foster family.

will arrange a foster family for you.