What changed in the Netherlands on 1 July 2026: 8 rules newcomers should know

Twice a year — on 1 January and 1 July — a wave of Dutch laws and rates changes at once. Here are the changes that took effect on 1 July 2026 that matter most if you're building a life here, each with a source you can check yourself.

1. The minimum wage went up

The statutory minimum wage rose from €14.71 to €14.99 gross per hour for everyone aged 21 and over (+1.9%). Benefits linked to it — unemployment (WW), incapacity and social assistance — rise along with it. If you earn at or near minimum wage, check your next payslip. Source: KVK, DutchNews.

2. Social rents may rise — but no more than 4.1%

Social-housing rents (and rooms in shared housing) can increase by at most 4.1% this year — lower than last year's 5% ceiling. Higher-income tenants in social housing can face an extra surcharge. If your rent letter announces more than the cap allows, that's worth questioning — the Huurcommissie can help.

3. State pension and child benefit increased

The net state pension (AOW) for someone living alone rose to about €1,581 per month, and child benefit (kinderbijslag) was indexed to prices. These adjust automatically — no action needed.

4. Cold calling is now banned without your consent

Companies may no longer call you to sell something unless you gave prior permission, and sales calls from withheld numbers are banned (charities, charity lotteries and publishers are exempt). Good news for newcomers: an unexpected "offer" call in Dutch is now even more likely to be a scam — you can simply hang up.

5. Small parcels from outside the EU cost more

Shipments under €150 from outside the EU — think ordering from home, or platforms like Shein and Temu — now carry an import levy of €3 per product type. Factor it in before you order from outside Europe.

6. Banks may pause suspicious payments

Banks can now hold a payment for up to 5 days if they suspect money laundering or fraud. If a transfer seems stuck, check your banking app for a verification request before assuming something went wrong.

7. Trucks pay per kilometre — and vans get a tax break

A new truck toll (vrachtwagenheffing) charges heavy lorries about 20 cents per kilometre on motorways (cleaner and electric trucks pay less or nothing). To offset it, road tax on lorries is scrapped and halved for delivery vans until the end of 2026 — relevant if you're a freelancer or run a small business with a van.

8. Childcare and childminder rules changed

New childminders must complete a teaching module before starting, and the rules on trainee staff in daycare became permanent. If you're arranging childcare, it's a good moment to re-check your provider and your kinderopvangtoeslag (childcare benefit).

Also worth knowing

• New cars must now include driver-attention warning systems.
• In areas where the electricity grid is full, households may face waiting lists for heat-pump or car-charger connections.
• Tobacco sellers must register with the NVWA.

Rules like these shift twice every year — and most newcomers only find out when a letter or a bill arrives. That's exactly the problem Adapty is built to solve: it tracks what changed, knows what applies to your situation, and reaches you before it matters. Sources: KVK (official), DutchNews, IamExpat.