Hardenberg enforces closure of asylum centers with daily fines up to €62,500
The municipality of Hardenberg is taking legal action to close two asylum seeker centers after their permits expired, imposing hefty daily fines on the COA. Residents face uncertainty as local authorities demand compliance with long-standing closure agreements.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Hardenberg (Overijssel) |
| Locations to Close | Asylum seekers' center (azc) in Hardenberg, Emergency shelter in Loozen |
| Operator | Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) |
| Permit Expiry Date | March 8, 2026 |
| Grace Period Ends | March 24, 2026 |
| Daily Penalty (Hardenberg) | €55,000 (max €4,950,000) |
| Daily Penalty (Loozen) | €7,500 (max €675,000) |
| Total Max Penalty | €5,625,000 |
| Agreement Duration | 10 years (since 2016) |
| Deputy Mayor | Alwin Mussche |
The municipality of Hardenberg is responsible for enforcing local environmental permits and ensuring compliance with agreements made with residents and the COA. As a local authority, it holds the COA accountable for adhering to administrative and legal obligations regarding asylum seeker accommodations.
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Municipality imposes final penalty payment to enforce closure of asylum seekers' centre and emergency shelter
The municipality of Hardenberg has imposed an order subject to a penalty payment on the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) to enforce the closure of the asylum seekers' centre (azc) in Hardenberg and the temporary emergency shelter in Loozen. The municipal executive board made this final decision on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
An inspection on March 16, 2026, confirmed that both locations are still being used to accommodate asylum seekers. Since the environmental permit expired on March 8, 2026, this constitutes a violation of the Environmental Act. To terminate the violation, the municipality has imposed an order subject to a penalty payment on the COA. This obliges the COA to terminate and maintain the termination of the use of the azc in Hardenberg and the temporary emergency shelter in Loozen for the accommodation of asylum seekers.
Grace period
The COA has one week to terminate the violation. This grace period starts on March 18. This is the day after the decision was sent. If the COA continues to accommodate asylum seekers at both locations after March 24, it will have to pay a penalty of €55,000 per day for the azc in Hardenberg (with a maximum of €4,950,000) and €7,500 per day for the temporary emergency shelter in Loozen (with a maximum of €675,000).
Response to COA's objections
The COA submitted objections to the previously announced intention. The municipality has carefully assessed these objections. In its objections, the COA states, among other things, that it is currently difficult to close the shelter due to national pressure on reception capacity. However, according to the municipal executive board, the COA has had ample time to take measures to close the shelter in a timely manner. The agreement that the shelter would close by March 8, 2026, was made at the start of the azc and has been confirmed administratively several times. The municipal executive board therefore sees no reason to refrain from enforcement action.
In its objections, the COA also raised questions about the amount of the penalty. After seeking legal advice, the municipality has adjusted the amount of the penalty.
Objective: terminate the violation
With the order subject to a penalty payment, the municipality aims to ensure that the azc in Hardenberg and the temporary emergency shelter in Loozen close as soon as possible, as previously agreed with local residents, inhabitants, and the municipal council. The penalty payment is a means to prompt the COA to take action. The municipality is not seeking to collect money, but to bring this situation to an end as quickly as possible.
Deputy Mayor Alwin Mussche: “The agreement was that these locations would close after ten years. The COA has known this for years. With this order subject to a penalty payment, we are holding the COA accountable for its responsibility to arrange alternative accommodation for the residents as soon as possible and to close the locations in Hardenberg.”
Perspective
The municipality wants to hear from the Ministry and the COA how the current situation will be resolved and what steps will be taken to reach a solution. If this cannot be specified precisely, the municipality expects the Ministry and the COA to clarify what perspective there is and what steps will be taken to reach a solution. Alwin Mussche: “For ten years, Hardenberg has taken responsibility for the accommodation of asylum seekers, even when this was not yet a statutory task for municipalities. We expect the central government to stand alongside Hardenberg in this situation. That is why I would also like to invite the minister to Hardenberg.”
Agreement: azc closes after ten years
The azc in Hardenberg has been located in the municipality since 2016. It was agreed with local residents and inhabitants that this location would remain open for a maximum of ten years. The municipal council therefore decided that the azc would close on March 8, 2026. On that date, the administrative agreement with the COA and the environmental permit for the location also expired. The municipality is aware of the uncertainty this situation creates for the people currently staying at the azc and the emergency shelter. At the same time, the municipal executive board considers it important that agreements made are complied with and that clarity about the next steps is provided as soon as possible.