News item | 08-05-2025 | 12:30 PM
The government is making extra money available for the care of homeless EU citizens. From seven million euros to 13 million euros per year. Minister Eddy van Hijum of Social Affairs and Employment writes this in a letter to the Lower House. Currently, six cities have reception for EU citizens who are not entitled to a place in regular reception. On average 62 percent of the EU citizens collected find work again or returns to the country of origin. Because of the positive results, the government wants to continue the shelter at the current locations and expand it to extra cities.
Minister Eddy van Hijum of Social Affairs and Employment: “I am pleased that we can extend the homeless shelter for migrant workers to several cities. In a civilized country like the Netherlands, it is unacceptable that people live on the street or in forests. The reception locations in the current six cities show that we are able to offer people a future in the Netherlands or in the country of also in the land of the country of also in the country of the country of the country of, Labor migrants end up on the street homeless.
An EU citizen is not always entitled to a place in a regular homeless shelter. This has to do with, for example, how long someone has worked in the Netherlands. In 2023, a pilot was started especially for the so-called non-courted EU citizens for short-term care in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, Eindhoven and Venlo. Labor migrants and other EU citizens stay at these locations.
The cabinet will discuss the extra cities with the Dutch Municipalities Association where homeless shelter comes. This looks at a good spread of reception places throughout the country. From January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028, 13 million euros per year is available.
In addition, there is a broad approach to prevent homelessness. For example, rogue employment agencies are banned from the market via a permit system. There will also be work in all labor market regions in NL points where labor migrants can go for information, help and support. In addition, the government is focusing on better rental protection and good housing.