Dutch Government to Pay 33 Million for Migrant Reception

According to internal documents, the Netherlands may be required to take in approximately 1,650 asylum seekers from Southern European countries. However, instead of providing physical housing, the outgoing Dutch government has chosen to “buy out” its obligation by paying €20,000 per asylum seeker. This means a total of around €33 million will be allocated for this purpose.

From the Telegraaf

Despite the significant amount, this option is still cheaper than traditional reception methods. According to the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA), emergency housing for asylum seekers costs an average of €69,400 per person per year—almost double the cost of regular housing.

If 1,650 asylum seekers were to be placed in emergency reception, the cost to taxpayers would be approximately €114.5 million annually. The relocation of asylum seekers from overloaded countries like Italy and Greece is part of the new EU asylum and migration pact. The goal is to redistribute at least 30,000 migrants within the EU every year. While Brussels does not require member states to physically relocate these migrants, those who choose not to can opt to “buy out” their share for €20,000 per migrant. The Dutch government has previously indicated its willingness to use financial resources to meet this obligation.