These are your rights and obligations in the COA reception centre

Last updated: 3/16/2023, 10:56 AM

In the reception of the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA), you live together with others. Each reception centre is different. In the reception location, you have rights and obligations. Read more about them on this page

Your rights in the shelter

In any reception centre of the

Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA)
, you are entitled to:

  • 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 COAundefineds 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.

Your obligations in the shelter

During your stay at the reception centre, you are required to:

  1. Adhere to Dutch law.

  2. Adhere to the reception centreundefineds house rules.

  3. Allow COA employees access to your room for mandatory inspection.

  4. 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.

  5. Follow the instructions of COA employees.

  6. 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.

  7. Notify COA if your financial situation changes.

Living together in the reception centre

You often have to share your living space with others in the reception centre. You can make arrangements with your roommates 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 seekersundefined 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 lessons or do volunteer work. For children, some reception centres offer sports, games, art and music. Not every reception centre offers the same options. In temporary reception centres, 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.