Ad-Hoc Query on the total costs estimated for 2012 for the reception of asylum seekers
Requested by NL EMN NCP on 15 February 2012
Compilation produced on 24 April 2012
Responses from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom plus
Norway (20 in total)
Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of
the EMN. The contributing EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and
reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.
1. Background Information
The costs for the reception of asylum seekers are a substantial part of the total budget for immigration and asylum. Against this background the Minister for Immigration, Integration
and Asylum requests the following ad-hoc query.
Could you please you inform us about the total costs estimated for 2012 for the reception of asylum seekers? If you could provide a breakdown of these costs, this would be
appreciated.
NL answer: €425.869.000 This is the total budget of the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers for 2012, which is the organisation responsible for the reception of
asylum seekers in the Netherlands. Since this ad-hoc query is particularly relevant for policymaking, we kindly ask you to provide your answers as soon as possible and no later than
22 February 2012. We apologize for this tight deadline.
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EMN Ad-Hoc Query: Total estimated costs for 2012 for the reception of asylum seekers
Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of the EMN. The contributing
EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does
not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.
2. Responses1
Wider
Please can you inform us about the total costs estimated for 2012 for the reception of asylum seekers? If available please provide a
Dissemination?2 breakdown of these costs, this would be welcomed.
Austria
No
This EMN NCP has provided a response to the requesting EMN NCP. However, they have requested that it is not disseminated further.
Belgium
Yes
The total costs of Fedasil (Belgian Federal Agency responsible for the reception of asylum seekers) for 2012 are estimated at €
402.501.439 (approved budget 2012 – currently under review).
The 2012 budget comprises the following costs:
- Personnel costs (own personnel of Fedasil): € 57.869.591
- Working costs of collective centers owned by Fedasil: € 53.091.312
 which consists of the following costs:
Rental charges & energy: € 9.073.450
Reception costs asylum seekers (catering, transport,...): € 21.418.004
Medical costs: € 18.633.355
Administration and other costs: €3.966.504
- Funds transferred to non-governmental organisations and local authorities for the reception of asylum seekers: € 284.508.822
 which comprises:
Reception in collective centers: € 145.524.556
Reception in individual reception structures: € 130.566.551
Programmes for voluntary return: € 5.424.050
Other: € 2.993.665
- Investments (of collective centers Fedasil): €3.210.768
- Other: € 3.820.946 (European projects in which Fedasil takes the role as responsable authority for distributing EU funds towards
other partners)
Bulgaria
1
2
Yes
The total budget for reception of asylum seekers for 2012 of the Bulgarian State Agency for Refugees with the Council of Ministers is €
1 636 134 .
If possible at time of making the request, the Requesting EMN NCP should add their response(s) to the query. Otherwise, this should be done at the time of making the compilation.
A default "Yes" is given for your response to be circulated further (e.g. to other EMN NCPs and their national network members). A "No" should be added here if you do not wish
your response to be disseminated beyond other EMN NCPs. In case of "No" and wider dissemination beyond other EMN NCPs, then for the Compilation for Wider Dissemination
the response should be removed and the following statement should be added in the relevant response box: "This EMN NCP has provided a response to the requesting EMN NCP.
However, they have requested that it is not disseminated further."
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EMN Ad-Hoc Query: Total estimated costs for 2012 for the reception of asylum seekers
Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of the EMN. The contributing
EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does
not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.
Cyprus
Yes
Czech Republic
Yes
Denmark
Yes
Estonia
Yes
The total budget of the Illuka Reception Center for Asylum Seekers for 2012 is €232 162.- (for comparison, in 2011 it was €125 715.-).
Finland
Yes
The estimated cost for 2012 is 63.627.000 euros.
France
Yes
The budgetary resources allocated to the reception of asylum seekers have risen by 62 % between 2008 and 2011. In 2011, €333 million
were spent on measures for asylum seekers’ housing. €199 million were allocated to reception centres for asylum seekers (Centre
d’accueil de demandeurs d’asile = CADA). In CADA, asylum seekers receive financial aid for food (Allocation mensuelle de subsistance
= AMS) calculated according to family composition, resources and each of the services offered by the centre, such as catering. In 2011,
the AMS amounted to 16 % of the €199 million allocated by the State for the functioning of CADA, which is about €32 million. €134
million were allocated to emergency shelters in 2011. It increased by 85 % in three years. Asylum seekers who are not received in CADA
can benefit from the temporary waiting allowance (Allocation temporaire d’attente = ATA). Its payment accounted for €145 million in
2011. The payment of this aid had increased by 126% since 2009. In addition, the State spent almost €10 million to finance reception
platforms.
The means provided more globally in emergency accommodation, general arrangement of care for vulnerable people, medical care,
schooling for children, should be added. The resources spent on asylum seekers in these fields may not be exactly determined.
The credit from the European Refugee Fund (ERF) enjoyed by France supports these efforts and helps developing innovative actions with
high added value. For example, it contributes, up to €3.5 million per year, to co-finance the resources allocated to the reception platforms.
Germany
Yes
Greece
Yes
Hungary
Yes
Ireland
Yes
Italy
Yes
Due to the federal organization of the rception systems (each of the 16 Länder has an independent rception system) we have no figures
about the total costs for the reception of asylum seekers.
In Italy the asylum reception system is based on specific reception projects (this system is called SPRAR that means System of Protection
for Asylum Applicants and Refugees) implemented by local bodies and funded by the National Fund for asylum policies and services
(FNPSA).
For the 3 years period 2011-2013, the Ministry of Interior approved 151 local bodies projects, for an overall expense of almost 35 million
Euro per year (of which 80% funded by FNPSA and 20% by local bodies funds), divided into 3 target items:
 mental disease € 453.988,23 (local bodies) - € 1.476.017,39 (FNPSA fund)
 vulnerable cases € 2.282.682,22 (local bodies) € 6.972.183,65 (FNPSA fund)
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EMN Ad-Hoc Query: Total estimated costs for 2012 for the reception of asylum seekers
Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of the EMN. The contributing
EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does
not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.
 ordinary cases € 7.956.422,88 (local bodies) € 26.719.354,15 (FNPSA fund).
Thanks to this system, at local level, the local bodies may also benefit from the (free) support of third sector agencies that provide
complementary activities and services.
In addition to SPRAR projects, starting from the period 2011-2013, the European Refugee Fund III (funding established by Decision
573/2007/EC) has no longer been used for the institutional reception activity implemented by SPRAR, and it is now used for
complementary actions aimed to integrate and strengthen such activity. The estimate for 2012, that is subject to a final confirmation of the
European Commission, is equal to € 6.234.384,00.
Moreover, every year the Ministry of Economy may distribute the quota of the so-called Eight per thousand, or otto per mille (the
provision under which Italian taxpayers can choose to whom devolve a compulsory 0.8% ('eight per thousand') from their annual income
tax return between an organized religion recognised by Italy or, alternatively, to a social assistance scheme run by the State). The quota
devolved to the State may also be used to support extraordinary measures for the assistance to refugees. The 2010 Fund, implemented in
2011, for the assistance to refugees has been equal to € 12.826.864,06. However, the Fund for the following year (145 million Euro) has
been devolved to Civil Defense (strengthening of air fleet for fire suppression) and for prisons construction.
Between 2011 and the beginning of 2012, the Civil Defense has devolved about 700 million Euro to the humanitarian emergency caused
by the exceptional inflow of protection seekers from North Africa that took place in the first months of the year.
A separate expense item is devoted to those protection seekers hosted at Reception Centres for Asylum Applicants (CARA) for
identification purposes (maximum 20 days), or because they have entered the national territory avoiding border checks, in case of
irregular stay, or who have submitted their asylum application after an expulsion or refusal of entry (maximum 35 days). Legislative
decree n. 25 of 28th January 2008, implementing Directive 2005/85/EC on minimum standards on procedures in Member States for
granting and withdrawing refugee status, establishes that the cost for reception shall be equal to € 12.218.250 as from the year 2008.
The above-mentioned expense items do not calculate some costs that are attributable to public services and whose beneficiaries are also
asylum applicants, that nevertheless cannot be disaggregated separately (i.e. medical care, education, etc.). For this reason it is not
possible to provide the total costs estimated for 2012 for the reception of asylum seekers.
Furthermore, it should be taken into account that every year the SPRAR reception system has proved to be inadequately funded to host the
overall number of new asylum applicants. According to an estimate provided by the Central Service appointed by the Ministry of Interior
to manage the SPRAR, in 2010, when the flow of asylum applicants was extremely reduced, the number of applicants who could not be
hosted by the system was equal to 2.500 units (the situation got worse in 2011 due to the “Arab spring” in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia).
Finally, aside from the complexity to disaggregate expense items and the free contribution of NGOs, an effective comparison of
information gathered from Member States on asylum applicants’ reception costs is currently unfeasible. Despite that, the experienced
gathered within the EMN for the elaboration of comparative studies shows that several factors shall be taken into account, such as the
national population, the number of asylum applicants and refugees present in the country, the number of refugees and asylum applicants
effectively hosted at reception centres, as well as socio-economic indicators such as GDP, cost of living, salaries and so on. These data
may show extremely significant differences like the fact that, for the same task assignments, a worker in the Netherlands receives twice
the salary of a worker in Italy. These income comparison shows that in proportion Italy has devolved a considerable financial support to
the reception of asylum seekers, that is even higher if taking into account the contribution of volunteer work which, according to some
sources, would even double in value the above-mentioned amounts.
In conclusion, a thorough analysis of the quality of the reception offered, of the type of services included and the added value of free
contributions from the civil society and volunteering organisations would be recommended. This topic could be widely analysed, for
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EMN Ad-Hoc Query: Total estimated costs for 2012 for the reception of asylum seekers
Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of the EMN. The contributing
EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does
not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.
example, in the context of an EMN focussed study.
Latvia
Yes
As the reception of asylum seekers is just one of responsibilities of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of the Ministry of
Interior (hereinafter – OCMA) there is no possibility to specify the total costs to ensure reception of asylum seekers. We can only inform
that the estimated budget of OCMA to ensure the covering of Expenses for the Purchase of Subsistence, Hygiene and Basic Necessities
for Asylum Seekers in 2012 are 36000 LVL (≈ €25 300).
Lithuania
No
This EMN NCP has provided a response to the requesting EMN NCP. However, they have requested that it is not disseminated further.
Luxembourg
Yes
17'660'751.46 €. This is the total budget for 2012 of the Luxemburgish Reception and Integration Office (OLAI), which is responsabile
for the reception of asylum seekers in Luxembourg.
Malta
Yes
Netherlands
Yes
€425.869.000 . This is the total budget for 2012 of the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers, which is responsible for the
reception of asylum seekers in the Netherlands.
Poland
No
This EMN NCP has provided a response to the requesting EMN NCP. However, they have requested that it is not disseminated further.
Portugal
No
This EMN NCP has provided a response to the requesting EMN NCP. However, they have requested that it is not disseminated further.
Romania
Yes
The medium estimated costs for 2012 are:
- Accommodation costs: approximately 350 RON (approximately 81 Euros)/asylum seeker/year
- Material assistance costs: approximately 260 RON (approximately 60 Euros)/asylum seeker/year
- Medical assistance costs: approximately 40 RON (approximately 10 Euros)/asylum seeker/year
- Total costs: approximately 650 RON (approximately 150 Euros)/asylum seeker/year
The budget for 2012 for reception and accommodation centres for asylum seekers is 2,375,000 RON (approximately 546,153 Euros)
Note: the calculation rate used is 1 Euro = 4.3486 RON
Slovak Republic
Yes
The Migration Office of the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic has a planned total budget for 2012 in the amount of 1 273 424
EUR. As for the reception of asylum seekers, three centres are relevant – Reception Centre in Humenne and Accommodation Centres in
Rohovce and Opatovska Nova Ves. The breakdown of the costs relating to these three centres is as follows:
Reception Centre in Humenne - 270 370 EUR
 Energy, water and communications - 74 900 EUR
 Maintanence - 3700 EUR
 Office Supplies, Office Equipment and Technical Equipment - 5700 EUR
 Rental Fees - 48 EUR
 Services - 176 872 EUR
 Transport - 8150 EUR
 Travel expenses - 1000 EUR
Accommodation Centre in Opatovska Nova Ves - 213 838 EUR
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EMN Ad-Hoc Query: Total estimated costs for 2012 for the reception of asylum seekers
Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of the EMN. The contributing
EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does
not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.
 Energy, water and communications - 38 340 EUR
 Maintanence - 2600 EUR
 Office Supplies, Office Equipment and Technical Equipment - 5650 EUR
 Rental Fees - 48 EUR
 Services - 159 800 EUR
 Transport - 7050 EUR
 Travel expenses - 350 EUR
Accommodation Centre in Rohovce - 268 692 EUR
 Energy, water and communications - 67 310 EUR
 Maintanence - 2600 EUR
 Office Supplies, Office Equipment and Technical Equipment - 5650 EUR
 Rental Fees - 0 EUR
 Services - 184 832 EUR
 Transport - 8000 EUR
 Travel expenses - 300 EUR
Please note that the budget does not include salaries of the Migration Office employees.
Slovenia
Reception costs for international protection seekers in the Republic of
Slovenia in 2011
Yes
Slovenia's national budget
Budget funds for the reception of international protection seekers in the Republic of Slovenia in 2011 amounted to 662.000,00 EUR.
These funds include material costs of the International Protection Division's operations plus the costs of Asylum Centre for providing
basic supplies for international protection seekers.
*Salaries of the staff and costs of the applicants' health care are not included in the above amount.
Distributions under thematic items:
-
Food:
145.000 EUR
Security costs:
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EMN Ad-Hoc Query: Total estimated costs for 2012 for the reception of asylum seekers
Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of the EMN. The contributing
EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does
not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.
185.000 EUR
- Cleaning and cleansing material:
31.000 EUR
- Provision of clothes, footwear, personal hygiene material and medical supplies with medicaments for general use in Asylum
Centre:
36.000 EUR
- Heating, electricity, public utility services, communication via Internet:
93.000 EUR
- Transportation costs (including Dublin procedures):
35.000 EUR
- Routine maintenance:
12.000 EUR
- Social transfers (financial aid for private housing upon relocating from Asylum Centre):
41.000 EUR
- Payments related to work (maintenance jobs performed by applicants, students, contract workers etc.):
59.000 EUR
- Other translation and interpretation services (resources needed for translating and interpreting in international protection
determination procedures are not included because they are funded through ERF programmes)
20.000 EUR
- Other costs:
5.000 EUR
The number of DOS (days of supply) in Asylum Centre was 32.009 and the average number of applicants accommodated in Asylum
Centre was 87, 7.
A total amount of 662.000,00 EUR provided from the budget of Slovenia!
ERF Resources
The value of the 2011 ERF yearly programme for the reception of international protection seekers amounts to 470.000 EUR, of which
25% or 117.500 EUR is provided by the Slovene national budget. It is impossible to give a more detailed report on the use of these
resources because the programmes will have been implemented by the end of June 2013. The resources are used for implementing the
assistance programmes regarding the supplies and accommodation of international protection seekers in Asylum Centre (above all the
organisation and implementation of leisure time activities), work with vulnerable categories (persons with special needs), Slovene
language course and the provision of informing, translating and interpreting in asylum procedures as well as to provide legal aid free of
charge at all decision making stages.
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EMN Ad-Hoc Query: Total estimated costs for 2012 for the reception of asylum seekers
Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of the EMN. The contributing
EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does
not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.
The values from Slovenia's national budget in 2012 meant for the supply of international protection seekers remain within the
scope of funds in 2011.
Spain
Yes
Sweden
Yes
The latest estimated total cost for reception of asylum seekers 2012 is 554 571 150 Euro (with an exchange rate 8,8417 skr/euro). This can
be divided into two main parts. 108 388 555 euro is administration, authorities and so on 446 182 595 euro is costs for accommodation,
allowance, health care, education and so on. More detailed information can be supplied upon request.
United Kingdom
Yes
Budget information and current spend on the reception of asylum seekers in the UK has not yet been audited and is therefore unavailable
at this time.
Norway
Yes
Estimated cost of asylum reception in Norway 2012
Tthe following assumptions have been made:
 11 000 asylum seekers
 16 500 occupants, of which 300 are unaccompanied minors (annual average): UDI is required to have an average occupancy rate
of 85% in 2012.
 1 Euro is approx NOK 7,5
Estimated total cost for 2012:
NOK 2 552 881 000 or 340 385 000 Euro
Of which:
 NOK 1 757 100 000 (234 280 000 Euro) to cover running cost for the reception centres

NOK 263 185 000 (35 091 000 Euro) as compensation to the host municipalities with reception centres.
 NOK 518 596 000 (69 146 000 Euro) as direct financial support paid to the asylum seekers
 NOK 14 000 000 (1 867 000 Euro) as grants to activate children in the reception centres
The running cost for the reception centres shall cover the capacity of the centres provided by the operators, as well as the cost for initial
health services, cost of age assessment procedures and the cost of interviewing the asylum seekers.
Compensation to the host municipalities shall cover their cost of providing health services, child protection service, interpretation services
and associated administrative costs. In addition, it shall cover the cost of alternative placement in the municipalities, which applies to
asylum seekers living with family members or friends outside the reception centres.
The direct financial support paid to the asylum seekers is to cover all their private expenses for food, clothing etc.
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EMN Ad-Hoc Query: Total estimated costs for 2012 for the reception of asylum seekers
Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of the EMN. The contributing
EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does
not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.
Grants to activate children are provided primarily for children who have been living in the reception centres for a long time. Providers of
activities will apply for grants, and on the basis of their plans grants will be given to cover part or whole cost of organising meaningful
activities.
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