These are your rights and obligations in COA's reception centre
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In the reception centre of the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA), you live with others. Every reception location is different, as are the Facilities. You have rights, obligations and house rules. Read more about them on this page.
These are your rights in the reception centre
In any reception centre of the
A bed to sleep in
Meals or money to buy your own food
Money for clothing and personal care products
Medical care and reimbursement of medical expenses
Help and guidance
Reimbursement of special expenses, such as travel costs
Education for children under 18 years of age
Filing complaints about fellow residents, the reception centre or COA employees
These are the facilities and activities in the reception centre
Eating in the reception centre: In a temporary reception centre, you usually do not cook for yourself. The COA provides meals. In an asylum seekers' centre (AZC), you often cook for yourself and get money to buy food.
Washing in the reception centre: Each reception centre has a laundry room where you wash and dry your clothes. The laundry room is open at certain times, and this varies by reception centre.
Dutch lessons or volunteer work in the reception centre: At some reception locations, you take Dutch lessons or do volunteer work. Children sometimes participate in sports, games, art and music. Not every reception centre offers the same activities. In the temporary reception centre there are few activities.
These are your obligations in the reception centre
During your stay at the reception centre, you must:
Adhere to Dutch law
Adhere to the reception centre's house rules (you can read these later in this article)
Give COA employees access to your room for inspection
Report to COA at least once a week (COA tells you where and when to do this; this is called the obligation to report)
Follow the instructions of COA employees
Return borrowed items without damage when you leave. If items are missing or broken, COA may deduct an amount from your weekly allowance
Report changes in your financial situation to COA
You must sign a statement
Before your stay in COA's reception centre, you will sign a statement of rights and obligations. With this you promise that you will adhere to the rules of the reception centre.
MyCOA
There are house rules in the reception centre that you must follow
The COA has house rules for each reception centre. The house rules ensure a pleasant and safe living environment. They deal with housing, (fire) safety and what your responsibilities are.
Are you not following the house rules or obligations? Then COA:
Give you less weekly money
Transfer you to a reception centre with stricter rules (for a serious offense)
Report to the police if you break Dutch law
Below you can read more about the COA rules you must follow: