Recovery process
The Dutch court decided that DUO cannot fine to status holders if they take too much time to complete their integration. DUO will pay back fines that status holders already paid. DUO also cannot ask people to pay back their integration loan. If you already paid back all or part of the loan, you will get this money back. DUO is starting a recovery process. This means DUO will return the money. This will take some time.
Conditions
You will only get money back if you meet the conditions below. Are you a statusholder under the Wi2013 act and did you:- pay a fine from DUO? Or
- pay back an integration loan? Or
- pay both a fine and an integration loan?
If yes, you will get back the money for the fine and/or the loan. You do not have to pay any money that is still open for the fine or the loan.
Are you a statusholder under the Wi2021 act? Then DUO does not give you a fine if your integration takes too long. You also did not get an integration loan from DUO. Your municipality pays for your integration. Because of this, you will not get any money back.
What do you have to do?
You do not have to do anything. Do you meet conditions above? And will you receive money back? Or do you have an unpaid fine or unpaid loan? DUO will send you a letter in fall of 2026. Please wait till you receive this letter. DUO can help you with questions with information from your own letter.
Family migrants and other migrants
Are you a family migrant or another type of migrant? Then this information is not for you.
Continue your integration
Do you still have to complete your integration? Then it's important to continue with your integration.
More information
You can read the decision of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment in this letter to Parliament (in Dutch). When there is more information for you, DUO will send you a personal letter.