
These are your rights and obligations in the COA reception centre
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In the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) reception centre, you live with others. Each reception centre is different. You have rights and obligations at the reception centres. Read more about them on this page.
Your rights in the shelter
In any reception centre of the
A place to sleep
Meals, or money for meals
Necessary medical care and reimbursement of medical expenses
Support
Reimbursement of extraordinary expenses such as your travel costs
Children under 18 have the right to education
Filing complaints about fellow residents, the reception centre or COA employees
Sign declaration
Every reception centre is different. Some reception centres have more facilities than others. For your stay at COA's reception centres, you must sign a statement of rights and obligations. With this statement, you promise to abide by the rules of the COA reception centre.
MyCOA On COA's website you can find information about your reception centre
Your obligations in the shelter
During your stay at the reception centre, you are required to:
Adhere to Dutch law.
Adhere to the reception centre's house rules.
Allow COA employees access to your room for mandatory inspection.
Report to COA at least once a week. COA tells you where and when you must do this. This is called the obligation to report.
Follow the instructions of COA employees.
Return any belongings you have borrowed without damage when you leave. If items are missing or broken, COA may deduct money from your weekly allowance.
Notify COA if your financial situation changes.
Living together in the reception centre
You often share your living space with others in the reception centre. You can make arrangements with your fellow residents about receiving visitors and cleaning the living space. For example, you can make a cleaning schedule.
Meals/cooking in the reception centre
If you stay in a temporary reception centre, you usually do not cook yourself. You get meals from COA. If you stay in an asylum seekers' centre (AZC), you usually cook for yourself. You get money to buy food.
Weekly allowance in the reception centre
In a temporary reception centre, you usually do not get weekly allowance. In an AZC, you often get weekly allowance.
Activities in the shelter
At some reception centres you can take Dutch classes or do volunteer work. For children, some reception centres offer sports, games, art and music. Not every reception centre offers the same options. In the temporary reception centre the possibilities are very limited.
Washing in the reception centre
Each reception centre has a laundry room where you can wash and dry your clothes. This room is open at specific times.