Upcoming changes in the Netherlands from July 2026
From July, policy and legislative changes come into effect. Here is a list of important changes that may concern you.
Employment-related changes
Increase in minimum wage
From 1 July 2026 the statutory minimum wage for employees aged 21 and over will go up from €14,71 per hour to €14,99 per hour. The statutory minimum youth wages will also be adjusted. These will increase by the same percentage. Information on more changes can be found here.
Rules affecting entrepreneurs
New laws and regulations affecting entrepreneurs come into effect on 1 July 2026. For example, you will no longer be allowed to call customers without their consent, and a toll will be introduced on certain roads for trucks weighing 3,500 kg or more. There will also be changes to the rules about childcare and childminding. Find all the changes on the website of the Chambre of Commerce (KVK).
For upcoming changes for entrepreneurs: Business.gov.nl
Housing-related changes
Rent increase for social housing
Approximately 75% of the 3 million rental homes in the Netherlands belong to housing associations. These associations are responsible among other things for letting social housing. Starting July 1 2026, the landlord may, after a written proposal for a rent increase, standardly raise the rent of a social rental home by:
- a maximum of 4.1% if the (base) rent is €350 or more per month.
- a maximum of €25 if the (base) rent is less than €350 per month.
Is it an independent home in the social sector and does the tenant have a higher income? Then the landlord can propose a higher rent increase:
- a maximum of €50 for a higher middle income.
- a maximum of €100 for a higher income.
Rent increase in private sector
Tenancy agreements in the more expensive private housing sector have been liberalized (in terms of rent); the tenant and the landlord have more freedom to agree the rent and services provided. Until 1 May 2029 the annual rent increase is limited by law. The maximum rent increase is inflation + 1%, or (as off 2023) wage development + 1% when the wage development is lower than the inflation. In 2025 the maximum rent increase was 4.1% (3.1% inflation + 1%). In 2026 the maximum rent increase is 4.4% (3.4% inflation + 1%).
New rules applying in The Hague
From 1 April 2026, new rules for living in The Hague will apply. Splitting houses, rooming houses and hospita rentals will become easier. This will hopefully quickly add more affordable housing in the city.
Property splitting
In more neighbourhoods, residents with their own homes will be allowed to sell their house in divided housing of 2 or more independent residences. Since 2019, this was allowed almost nowhere. Now it is allowed again, for example, if the liveability in the neighbourhood is good.
Room rental
Room occupancy gets easier. Renting to more than 2 people will still require a permit, but this is now allowed in many more neighbourhoods. The number of rooms allowed per neighbourhood for room rental goes up: from a maximum of 5 to a maximum of 10 per cent per neighbourhood.
Homestay rentals
With homestay rentals, the landlord (landlady) also lives in the property. From 1 April, a hospita may rent living space to more than one person without a licence. This is only allowed if the tenants belong together (one household) or for 2 single households. However, hospitas are obliged to report this to the municipality.
