Netherlands Introduces Safe Havens for Rejected Asylum-Seeking Families with Children
The Hague, 17 June 2026
The Netherlands has launched specialised family shelters for asylum seekers with rejected claims and children, ensuring no child faces homelessness. These locations provide housing and support until departure, prioritising children’s safety and well-being—a first in European asylum policy.
A New Chapter in Dutch Asylum Policy: The Gezinslocatie Explained
As of June 2026, the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) has operationalised four specialised family locations—known as gezinslocaties—across the Netherlands, designed exclusively for families with rejected asylum claims and minor children [1]. These locations represent a significant shift in Dutch policy, ensuring that no child faces homelessness or unsafe conditions while their family prepares for departure. The initiative is rooted in the principle of child protection, mandating that families with minors under 18 remain sheltered until their return to their country of origin, regardless of their asylum status [1]. This approach aligns with the Netherlands’ obligations under international human rights frameworks, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which prioritises the best interests of the child in all state actions [GPT].
Who Qualifies and How the System Works
Eligibility for a gezinslocatie is strictly defined: families must have at least one child under the age of 18 and a final, negative decision from the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) [1]. Once a family’s asylum claim is rejected, the COA assesses their situation within a 12-week window. If no departure date is imminent, the family is transferred to one of the four gezinslocaties [1]. For families with a confirmed departure date, the COA typically places them in a vrijheidsbeperkende locatie (VBL) in Ter Apel, where movement is more restricted [1]. This tiered system ensures that families are housed in conditions appropriate to their stage in the return process, balancing humanitarian concerns with the need for effective migration management.
Living Conditions: Restrictions and Support
Life in a gezinslocatie is marked by a mix of basic provisions and strict regulations. Families are housed within municipal boundaries and are subject to a vrijheidsbeperkende maatregel, meaning they cannot leave the designated municipality without permission [1]. To monitor compliance, residents must register in person five days a week—excluding weekends and public holidays—at a central point within the location [1]. This measure, while ensuring accountability, underscores the precarious status of families awaiting departure.
Financial Support and Daily Life
The COA provides financial assistance to cover essential needs, though the support is modest. Both parents and children receive eetgeld (food allowance) to prepare their own meals, while minors also receive a small leefgeld (pocket money) [1]. Parents, however, do not receive this additional allowance, reflecting the policy’s focus on meeting the basic needs of children. The COA and the Repatriation and Departure Service (Dienst Terugkeer en Vertrek, DT&V) work jointly to facilitate voluntary return, offering logistical and administrative support to families preparing for departure [1]. This includes assistance with travel documents, flight arrangements, and, in some cases, reintegration support in the country of origin.
Education and Continuity of Care for Children
Despite the temporary and uncertain nature of their stay, the COA prioritises the continuity of education and healthcare for children in gezinslocaties. While families cannot choose their location, the COA endeavours to place them in facilities where children can continue attending local schools or receive appropriate educational support [1]. This commitment reflects the Dutch government’s recognition that children’s development should not be disrupted by their parents’ immigration status. Healthcare services, including access to general practitioners and paediatric care, are also provided to ensure that children’s medical needs are met during their stay [1].
When Does the Stay End?
A family’s stay in a gezinslocatie concludes under three specific conditions: if the youngest child in the family turns 18, if the family successfully departs the Netherlands, or if they are granted a residence permit after all [1]. The latter scenario, while rare, underscores the fluid nature of asylum cases, where new evidence or legal appeals can lead to a reversal of an initial rejection. Until one of these conditions is met, families remain under the COA’s care, with the agency providing regular updates on their status and next steps [1].
A European Precedent?
The Netherlands’ gezinslocatie model is among the first of its kind in Europe, explicitly designed to prevent children from falling into homelessness or destitution due to their parents’ immigration status. While other European countries, such as Germany and Sweden, have policies to protect families with children during the asylum process, the Dutch approach is notable for its structured, location-based system that combines shelter with strict departure preparations [GPT]. The policy reflects a broader trend in European migration management, where humanitarian obligations are increasingly balanced with the need to enforce return decisions. However, critics argue that the system’s restrictive measures—such as the vrijheidsbeperkende maatregel—may exacerbate the stress and uncertainty faced by families already in a vulnerable position [alert! ‘No direct criticism of the policy has been cited in the provided sources, but this reflects common debates in migration studies’].
What Happens Next?
For families in gezinslocaties, the path forward is clear but challenging: prepare for departure. The COA and DT&V provide guidance on voluntary return, which is often the preferred outcome for both the families and the Dutch authorities [1]. Voluntary return programmes may include financial incentives, such as reintegration assistance in the country of origin, to encourage compliance and reduce the need for forced removals. However, for families who resist departure, the Dutch government retains the option of enforced return, though this is typically a last resort, particularly when children are involved [GPT]. As of June 2026, the gezinslocatie system remains a cornerstone of the Netherlands’ efforts to manage asylum claims humanely while upholding its immigration laws.