Granting or refusing the right to repayment based on means

Education Implementation Service

The algorithm automatically checks whether borrowers repaying their loan for integration purposes are eligible for repayment based on their ability to pay. ‘Means-tested’ means that borrowers repay a monthly amount that they can afford to set aside based on their income (or that of their partner). This is calculated on the basis of their family circumstances and their (and their partner’s) income.

Last change on 29th of June 2026, at 11:49 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0

• Publication category: Impactful algorithms
• Impact assessment: IAMA, DPIA
• Status: In use

General information

Theme

Migration and Integration

Begin date

2011-03

Contact information

[e-mail]

Link to publication website

https://inburgeren.nl/inburgeren-betalen/lening-terugbetalen.jsp

Responsible use

Goal and impact

To integrate into Dutch society, many participants take a course and/or sit an exam. In some cases, they can borrow money from DUO for this. Six months after they have completed their integration programme, they must repay the loan. When repayments begin, DUO automatically assesses whether a participant can repay the loan in accordance with their means. If DUO applies the ‘repayment according to means’ scheme, the participant pays a lower monthly amount than the statutory monthly amount.

The algorithm automates the process of determining the monthly repayment amount a debtor must pay, based on their (and their partner’s) income and family circumstances. In doing so, the algorithm considers the assessed income (gross annual income) from two years ago. The integration course participant is informed that their income details will be requested from the Tax and Customs Administration. Unless otherwise notified, this request is processed automatically. DUO also retrieves the data automatically at the start of each new calendar year. The principle is that integration course participants must repay their entire debt within 10 years. If this is not possible due to their assessed financial capacity, the remaining debt will be written off after 10 years.

Considerations

Using the algorithm makes it easier and more efficient to assess and determine the repayment amount. DUO uses the same type of available data for every debtor. This ensures a reliable process.

The process is largely automated. The algorithm uses data from the Basic Register of Persons (BRP) and income data from the Tax and Customs Administration. The outcome depends on the accuracy and completeness of this data. This is because the BRP only states whether someone is married or in a registered partnership. That is why DUO always sends a letter before the repayment period begins, stating which partner is known to DUO. The letter also states that DUO will request the partner’s income details and specifies the year for which the income will be requested. The debtor can then submit additional information regarding their income, household and/or partnership situation. The use of the algorithm is justified because the calculation is based on legislation and regulations.

Human intervention

If, in response to the letter from DUO, the debtor submits additional information regarding their household and/or partnership situation and their income, or if the debtor lodges an objection, a DUO member of staff will review the case. The member of staff assesses the situation and uses the additional information to make a new calculation. A new decision is then issued. DUO can therefore adjust the outcome of the process using the algorithm if necessary. A human assessment is therefore always part of the process in these situations.

Risk management

A person’s relationship status and household composition affect their entitlement to repayments based on means and the corresponding amount. The BRP only contains information on partners who are married or in a registered partnership. Other forms of cohabitation are not always fully or up to date in the BRP. If an integration programme participant does not declare a partner in the current year but did so the previous year, the algorithm checks, via the address, whether the participant may still be living with that partner.

In addition, the algorithm uses the debtor’s available tax data. A new calculation is made each year. This fixed and repeated procedure reduces the risk of incorrect or incomplete data.

To further reduce the risk of inaccurate data, the debtor may submit additional information and/or lodge an objection to DUO’s decision. This can be done both before and during the repayment period. It is therefore the responsibility of the person undergoing the integration programme to notify DUO of any errors or changes.

Legal basis

The legal basis for the process is set out in the Integration Act and the associated regulations. For individuals required to undertake integration before 1 January 2022, the Integration Act 2013 applies.

Article 6.10 of the 2021 Integration Decree states that debtors who are unable to pay the fixed instalment amount may submit an application to have their financial capacity assessed. This is calculated in accordance with Article 6.11 of the 2021 Integration Decree and Article 6.8 of the Integration Regulations. The amount of the monthly instalment is determined in accordance with Article 6.5 of the 2021 Integration Regulations.

Links to legal bases

• Integration Act: https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0020611/2013-01-01
• Integration Decree, Chapter 4, Articles 4.9–4.11: https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0020674/2013-01-01/0
• Integration Scheme, Chapter 4, Articles 4.9–4.11: https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0020657/2013-01-01?g=2013-01-01&z=2013-01-01
• Integration Act 2021: https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0044770/2023-01-01
• Integration Decree 2021, Chapter 6, Articles 6.10–6.12: https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0045555/2026-04-02
• Integration Scheme 2021, Chapter 6, Articles 6.5, 6.6, 6.8–6.10: https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0045574/2026-04-18/#Hoofdstuk6_Afdeling2

Elaboration on impact assessments

Impact assessments have been carried out for this algorithm, in which privacy rights and human rights have been weighed against its positive and negative effects. The conclusion drawn from these assessments is that the use of the algorithm is justified.

Impact assessment

• Human Rights and Algorithms Impact Assessment (IAMA)
• Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)

Operations

Data

The algorithm uses the following data relating to the debtor:

1. BRP data: address details of any partner, relationship status and details of any children if there is no partner.
2. Assessed income from two years ago.

Technical design

This is a rule-based algorithm that assesses the right to make repayments in line with one’s means. The algorithm is not self-learning.