News item | 23-04-2025 | 17:24
Minister Marjolein Faber (asylum and migration) wants to significantly limit the use of taxis by asylum seekers on 1 June. Only for acute medical situations is the use of the taxi still permitted. The minister writes this in response to parliamentary questions.
Minister Marjolein Faber (asylum and migration) wants to significantly limit the use of taxis by asylum seekers on 1 June. Only for acute medical situations is the use of the taxi still permitted. The minister writes this in response to parliamentary questions.
The starting point for the new strict taxi rules is to stimulate the self -reliance of asylum seekers, cutting the costs and pruning in the will growth of taxi rides.
For all other journeys, the starting point is: public transport. Only with certain agreements with the IND, in the context of return or in an emergency is an exception to the rule possible.
Minister Faber:
“Someone who is healthy can easily use public transport, or simply by bike. These taxi costs are paid and supported by the taxpayer. I feel the responsibility to deal with it very carefully and extremely reluctantly. That is why I will put a pole and bed here.”
Recent research shows that in 2023 and 2024 millions of euros were spent on journeys that was unclear what the need was. In 2024, a total of 126 thousand taxi rides of non-medical journeys were performed. Minister Faber finds this number of ‘unacceptable high’.
The COA will start on 1 June with a stricter check and extra supervision. “Anyone who cheats the system is warned. This minister does not look away.”