RefugeeHelp - Information for asylum seekers in the Netherlands

Welcome to the Netherlands

If you have fled and are you looking for protection in the Netherlands, you can read information on this page about how to apply for asylum here and about life in the reception centre.

What can we help you with?

Frequently visited

This is how to apply for asylum

Your stay at the reception centre

Family reunification in the Netherlands

Your living alloance and eating money

Topics

Arrival in the Netherlands

The asylum procedure

Living in the reception centre

Work

Return to your country of origin

Education

Healthcare

Life in the Netherlands

News

Asylum procedure now takes longer if you have fled Yemen

Refugees line up for application in Dutch village of Ter Apel

Important

News

Feb 1, 2024

This is how long the asylum procedure takes in the Netherlands

The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has 15 months to decide on each asylum request in 2024. Therefore, you have to wait a long time for the 1st interview and the 2nd interview with the IND. Read about the waiting times in the asylum procedure here.

Dutch sailing in orange attire through the Dutch canals.

News

Apr 15, 2024

King's Day: party in orange

The Netherlands celebrates King Willem-Alexander's birthday every year on 27 April. This national holiday is called King's Day. Most people are off work on this day. Below you can read how the Netherlands celebrates King's Day.

News

Apr 4, 2024

Easier asylum in the Netherlands if you were required to do compulsory service in Eritrea

Did you flee from Eritrea because you had to do compulsory civilian service? Then you are now more easily eligible for an asylum residence permit in the Netherlands. Read how this works here.

News

Mar 22, 2024

Celebrating Good Friday and Easter in the Netherlands

Good Friday and Easter are public holidays in the Netherlands. This year, Good Friday is on 29 March 2024 and Easter is on 31 March and 1 April 2024. On these days, most people in the Netherlands do not have to work and celebrate these holidays.

Half-asleep woman pushes alarm clock to keep sleeping

News

Mar 11, 2024

Summer time goes into effect on 31 March 2024

On the night of Saturday, 30 March to Sunday, March 31, the clocks in the Netherlands go forward 1 hour. We call this summer time. This happens at 02:00. Read how it works here.

A blue envelope from the Dutch tax authorities lying on the table.

News

Mar 7, 2024

Time for your tax return

Have you received a letter from the Dutch tax authorities telling you to file an income tax return? If so, you must report to them how much money you earned or received over the past year.