Netherlands COA hit with fines and cancelled asylum centre plans

The municipality of Harderwijk imposed a daily penalty of €91,000 on the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) after the Graaf Ottolaan asylum centre remained open beyond its ten‑year permit. The fine can rise to a maximum of €8.19 million and takes effect in October, giving COA three months to close the facility that houses about 800 residents. Harderwijk expects the agency to bring the matter before a court.

In a separate case, the COA announced the cancellation of a planned asylum‑seeker location at De Valkenburcht in Oosterbeek, following a review of costs, risks and the limited capacity of the site. The decision was made in consultation with the property owner, Valkenburcht Beheer B.V., after the municipality of Renkum had capped the number of asylum seekers at 150. Both municipalities continue to discuss alternative sites as the country faces a nationwide shortage of asylum accommodation.