On this page, you will find:
To find organisations working for LGBTQI+ rights, visit our Netherlands LGBTQI+ Resources page.
For Netherlands country of origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents visit our Netherlands COI page.
Refugee protection
Click here to see the numbers and origins of refugees hosted by the Netherlands.
The following sections contain information on the most important international treaties and agreements of which the Netherlands is signatory, as well as national legislation relevant to the protection of refugees.
Since 1968, the Netherlands has been a party to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. The Netherlands also ratified the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons in 1962 and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness in 1985.
Additionally, as a Member State of the European Union, the Netherlands is bound by the Common European Asylum System (CEAS).
The main legislative acts relevant to asylum procedures, reception conditions, detention and content of protection are the General Administrative Law Act, the Aliens Act of 2000, the Act of the Central Agency of Reception and the Aliens Labour Act.
The main implementing decrees and administrative guidelines and regulations relevant to asylum procedures, reception conditions, detention and content of protection are: Aliens Decree of 2000, Aliens Circular 2000, Aliens Regulation 2000, Regulation on benefits for asylum seekers and other categories of foreigners 2005, Border Accommodation Regime Regulation.
To learn more about the asylum procedure, visit the Flow Chart of Netherlands Asylum Procedure.
Legal aid organisations
Website
Facebook
Address: Chris Lebeaustraat 4, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Tel: +31 020 6272408
Email: info@askv.nl
ASKV Refugee Support is an Amsterdam-based organization that provides legal assistance and social support to rejected refugees in the Netherlands. For every person who walks into the ASKV office, they aim to work towards personal solutions that are viable, sustainable, and robust.
Website
Address: PO Box/Postbus 3269
1001 Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 5353171
Email: vajn@vajn.org
Vereiniging Asieladvocaten en Juristen Nederlands or the Association of Asylum lawyers is an association of asylum lawyers who provide legal aid. You can find associates of VAJN in several dutch cities.
Website
Facebook
Address: Postbus 2894, 1000 CW Amsterdam Netherlands
Tel: +31 20 346 7200
Email: info@vluchtelingenwerk.nl
The Dutch Council for Refugees seeks to protect and defend the rights of refugees and asylum seekers in the Netherlands. Refugees have the right to a fair asylum procedure, access to adequate housing, education, health care and work. The Dutch Council for Refugees is an independent, non-governmental organisation that defends those rights.
Apart from their Amsterdam location, they have offices across the country providing support services. The National Office supports the regional and local branches with advice, education, and information.
To access their refugee help page in English, click here.
Website
Twitter
Address: Croeselaan 15, 3521 BJ Utrecht, Netherlands
Tel: +31 88 787 1000
Email: webredactie@rvr.org
The Raad voor Rechtsbijstand (Legal Aid Board) aims to ensure subsidized legal representation. If one cannot afford a solicitor, the Council will provide financial support. The solicitor will receive a monetary allowance. Clients will pay part of the cost. The size of the contribution depends on the size of clients’ income. To contact the Legal Aid Board, visit ‘Contact Us.’
Website
Facebook
Address: Merelstraat 2 bis, 3514 CN Utrecht Netherlands
Tel: +31 (30) 27 14 505
Email: info@vluchtelingenorganisaties.nl
VON is a national umbrella organisation with more than 400 refugee organisation members. They can provide information about the local groups across the Netherlands and where to access assistance. VON represent the interests of refugees in the Netherlands and advocates on their behalf for the respect of their human rights, as per the international treaties that the Netherlands has a duty to conform to.
Website
Email: contact@w2eu.info or w2eu_info@yahoo.com
The Welcome to Europe website is an independent source of information for refugees coming to Europe. It might be useful on their journey to and through Europe by giving access to counseling and useful contacts in different European countries. Their Netherlands country page provides information on the Dutch asylum application process and provides useful contacts.
Organisations providing other support to refugees
Website
Facebook
Address:
Newtonlaan 71, Utrecht, Netherlands
Tel: +31 30 252 0835
Email: info@uaf.nl
The University Assistance Foundation as been providing support to refugee students and professionals in their studies and in finding suitable employment on the Dutch labour market since 1948.
They advise and coach clients on their path to long-term employability on the Dutch labour market, covering issues such as Mentoring, (Specialised) language, Preparing for studies, Studying, Combining work and study, The pathway to a career, and Medical assessments.
The UAF was specially founded for refugee students and professionals who asked for or received asylum in the Netherlands. To learn more visit their ‘For Refugees‘ page.
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Address: Helmholtzstraat 61-G, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Tel: +31 20 422 7777
Email: info@warchild.nl
War Child works exclusively to improve the resilience and wellbeing of children living with violence and armed conflict. They support migrant and refugee children with a variety of support services ranging from psychological assistance to educational services.
Netherlands LGBTQI+ Resources
Find organisations working for refugee LGBTQI+ rights in the Netherlands.
Netherlands COI
Find Netherlands Country of Origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents.
We are always looking to expand the resources on our platform. If you know about relevant resources, or you are aware of organisations and/or individuals to include in our directories, please get in touch.
Last updated May 2023