The definition for asylum was changed on 1 April 2014. If following family members arrive in the Netherlands within 3 months after the asylum seeker has received a residence permit, these family members automatically receive a residence permit too. In the past, they were counted as asylum seekers, but since April 2014, this is no longer the case. Since then, arriving family members automatically qualify for a residence permit and are no longer counted as asylum seekers. As a result, there is a trend break in the time series. In the period March-December 2014, nearly 4 thousand individuals were involved. In order to facilitate international comparison, asylum-related figures will be calculated consistent with the new definition as soon as possible from 2008 onwards.
Back to article