Legislative changes will come into effect in the Netherlands from July 1

Starting Monday, July 1, new laws will come into effect in the Netherlands. For example, in the future, plastic bottles must be fitted with caps, and keeping meerkats as pets will be banned. What else will change from July 1? Here is an overview of the most important legal changes that will come into effect:

Minimum wage
The minimum wage increases by 3.1 percent and is thus adjusted to the average growth in collective labor agreements. At the same time, various benefits linked to this will also increase, such as the AOW and social assistance.

Rent
The rents of most social housing will increase by a maximum of 5.8 percent. This applies to homes with a basic rent of at least 300 euros. The prices of rooms, caravans, and pitches may increase by the same percentage. The price of social housing under 300 euros may increase by 25 euros.

Rent controls
The maximum price of rental properties in the middle segment will now be determined using a points system. Houses receive points for characteristics such as the surface area and the insulation of homes. The rules apply to new contracts for homes in the private sector with a rental price that, according to the points system, comes to between 880 and 1158 euros.

New tenants also receive a rental contract for an indefinite period as standard. Temporary contracts are only allowed in a few exceptional cases.

Tobacco sales
Tobacco may no longer be sold in supermarkets or catering establishments. Smokers must go to a specialty store for this.

Plastic bottles
From 3 July, caps must be attached to plastic bottles and beverage containers. This should ensure that they end up less in litter and are, therefore, recycled more often.

Descendants of enslaved people
Descendants of enslaved people are allowed to change their surname, which refers to this past, for free. Until now, that cost 835 euros. They also no longer have to prove with a psychological statement that they suffer from this surname.

Sex crimes
People who are victims of rape or assault can report it in more cases. It is no longer necessary to prove that someone was forced to have sex. It is sufficient if it is clear that the victim did not want sex, but the other person persisted anyway.

Pets
From Monday, the list of allowed pets will be shortened. As a result, for example, people are no longer allowed to become owners of a capybara or impala. Anyone who already has such an animal at home can keep it. But breeding is no longer allowed.