Refugees again expected to cost Dutch state €1.5bn

Finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem said on Wednesday he expects refugees to cost the Dutch state €1.5bn this year, according to public broadcaster NOS. This is roughly the same as last year.

The sum is based on a total of 58,000 refugees – a figure prime minister Mark Rutte also highlighted on Tuesday – and takes into account measures by the Dutch government and EU to reduce numbers.

Earlier this week, the NRC said the refugee settlement agency COA, justice ministry and local councils are making plans to take in 93,600 asylum seekers this year, well above the official government figure.

Dijsselbloem told reporters he is surprised at the certainty with which others spoke about greater numbers. He did not answer questions about the maximum number of asylum seekers the Netherlands can handle, but pointed out that figures are four times higher than several years ago.

‘If the numbers rise as fast as they have done recently, you will see support in towns and cities rapidly decreasing. This is another good reason to ensure they are under control,’ he said.