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Asylum seekers who stay in an open reception centre enjoy freedom of movement across the national territory without restrictions (as long as they are not detained). If the asylum application is refused, the rejected asylum seeker is transferred to a so called “open return place” in a regular centre, where he or she can enjoy full reception rights until the end of the right to reception and where he or she also enjoys freedom of movement.
On the other hand, an asylum seeker cannot choose his or her place of reception. As explained in Criteria and Restrictions to Access Reception Conditions, the reception structure is assigned by Fedasil’s Dispatching service under a formal decision called “assignment of a Code 207”. Asylum seekers can only enjoy the material and other provisions they are entitled to in the reception place they are assigned to. If the asylum seeker refuses the place assigned, or is absent from the assigned place for 3 consecutive days without prior notice, or is absent for more than 10 nights in one month (with or without prior notice), Fedasil can decide to refuse him or her material conditions. If he or she applies for it again afterwards, he or she will regain their right, but might get a sanction from Fedasil.[1]
[1] Article 4 Reception Act.