Forms and levels of material reception conditions

Author

Dutch Council for Refugees Visit Website

The allowance of €239.68/month covers food, clothing and personal expenses, but it does not include public transportation nor medical costs.

The right to reception conditions includes an entitlement to:[1]

• Accommodation
• A weekly financial allowance for the purpose of food, clothing and personal expenses;
• Public transport tickets to visit a lawyer;
• Recreational and educational activities (for example a preparation for the integration-exam);
• A provision for medical costs (healthcare insurance);
• An insurance covering the asylum seekers’ legal civil liability;
• Payment of exceptional costs.

The weekly allowance depends on the situation of the applicant. Asylum seekers have the possibility to have the main meal at the reception location, but this will lead to a reduction of their allowance. In the situation where the asylum seekers choose to take care of their own food, the amounts are as follows:

Source: Article 14(2)-(3) RVA.

The cost for clothes and other expenses is covered by a fixed amount of €12.95 per week per person.[2] Unlike the other allowances, this allowance is fixed and not adjusted annually which has been criticized by academia.[3]

As of 1 January 2023, the social welfare allowance for Dutch citizens is set at €1.195,66 for a single person who is at least 21 years old and not older than 67 years. An asylum seeker receives approximately less than 30% of the social welfare allowance provided to Dutch citizens. However, it has to be acknowledged that it is difficult to compare these amounts as asylum seekers are offered accommodation and other benefits.

[1] Article 9(1) RVA.

[2] Article 14(4) RVA.

[3] L. Slingenberg, Geen cent te makken, A&MR 2020, nr. 6-7, 292-295.