legal and social conditions for asylum seekers and refugees in ...

Financial assistance
Work
The financial allowance granted differs for children and adults. A difference is also made
depending on whether the beneficiary must cook on his/her own or not. As of 1 January 1998, the
amounts paid every week were as follows:
All meals available from the centre
Adults NLG 35 EUR 15.9
Children 0-11 years NLG 8 EUR 3.6
Children 12-18 years NLG 12 EUR 5.5
Extra allowance for one parent families NLG 23 EUR 10.5
Unaccompanied minors NLG 28 EUR 12.7
Only dinner available from the centre
Adults NLG 62 EUR 28.2
Children 0-11 years NLG 11 EUR 5
Children 12-18 years NLG 16 EUR 7.3
Extra allowance for one parent families NLG 42 EUR 19.1
Unaccompanied minors NLG 50 EUR 22.7
No meal available from the centre
Adults NLG 86 EUR 39.1
Children 0-11 years NLG 16 EUR 7.3
Children 12-18 years NLG 25 EUR 11.3
Extra allowance for one parent families NLG 58 EUR 26.3
Unaccompanied minors NLG 70 EUR 31.8
Asylum seekers staying outside the centres in accordance with the “self-care arrangement”
receive a weekly additional allowance as follows:
First person NLG 100 EUR 45.4
Second family member NLG 50 EUR 22.7
Third family member NLG 25 EUR 11.3
Maximum per family NLG 200 EUR 90.9
Since 1998, it has been made possible for asylum seekers to work under limited conditions. The
work is restricted to a period of 12 weeks each year and the work permit is only given for
(agricultural) seasonal work. It is expected that the allowed period of work will soon be extended
to 12 weeks in every 39 weeks and that the permit will be issued for a variety of works.
Language tuition
Asylum seekers housed in AZCs may attend classes in Dutch language and culture. The lessons
are given by volunteers but are based on a professional standard educational programme.
Asylum seekers who stay in other accommodation facilities are also entitled to Dutch lessons,
but, so far, the COA has not been able to organise such classes everywhere. Asylum seekers
under the “self-care arrangement” have no right to language tuition.
School attendance
School attendance in the Netherlands is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16 and this also
applies to the children of asylum seekers. The schools are given extra financial support. Very
often special classes are created in the AZCs.
215
The Netherlands