On 4 February 2025, the Grand Chamber of the EU Court of Justice delivered its judgment in a case concerning the costs associated with the Dutch civic integration system for asylum status holders here. Asylum status holders are required to bear the costs of civic integration courses and exams themselves and can take out a government loan for this purpose. If, regardless of the circumstances of their individual case, they had not passed their civic integration exam within three years, they were required to repay both the loan and a fine to the government. In short, the Court ruled that it is in violation of European law for this to occur automatically upon failure to pass the civic integration exam in time. The client in question was represented by lawyer Eva Bezem.
Recently, another one of Eva's clients forwarded a message from DUO to her that shows that the Court's ruling is now being followed in concrete cases. This also has direct consequences for the client in question: the collection of funds from him have been immediately stopped, DUO no longer withdraws money from his account, repayment—to DUO, the CJIB, and the bailiff—is no longer required, and payment reminders and demands addressed to him are also cancelled. Finally, DUO indicates that it will determine whether any money needs to be repaid to this client.
It is good to see that the government (DUO) has now brought its policy in this matter in line with its obligations under European law.
Annexes:
- Judgment of the EU Court of Justice, 4 February 2025 (Keren)
- Letter from DUO to cliënt, 17 July 2026 (in Dutch)
Previously: