Law changes take effect July 1: Wage, social benefits rise, import parcel fee introduced

The Netherlands will implement a broad package of policy changes on July 1, with the most immediate effects falling on household incomes and social support systems. Transport, taxation rules, and business regulation are also set to change.

Minimum wage rises, higher social benefits

The statutory minimum wage increases from 14.71 to 14.99 euros gross per hour for workers aged 21 and older.

Because several social benefits are tied to the minimum wage, those payments will also rise. The state pension (AOW) for people living alone increases from 1,558.15 to 1,581.55 euros net per month. Other benefits, including social assistance, disability insurance (WIA), and youth disability support (Wajong), will also go up.

Housing

Social housing rents will increase annually by up to 4.1 percent, with a maximum rent ceiling of 932.93 euros. Housing associations have indicated an average increase of 3.6 percent, bringing the average social rent to 666 euros per month. For higher-income tenants, rent increases may be steeper, adding 50 or 100 euros depending on income level.

Monitoring cameras in new cars

From July 7, all newly sold cars in the EU must include a driver monitoring system known as Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW). The system uses an in-vehicle camera to detect whether the driver is paying attention to the road and triggers an alarm if attention is lost for too long.

Registration required for tobacco sellers

Retailers of cigarettes, vapes, and other tobacco products must now register with authorities. The government aims to reduce the number of sales points and improve oversight of where tobacco products are sold.

Supermarkets have already been prohibited from selling cigarettes, and further retail restrictions are planned in the coming years. Registration will be handled through the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).

Import parcel charge

Consumers ordering goods from outside the European Union, including China, will now pay a 3-euro import fee per product type. The previous exemption for low-value imports under 150 euros is being abolished by the EU.

The fee applies per category of goods in an order. For example, ordering two T-shirts incurs a 3-euro charge, while ordering a T-shirt and a USB cable results in a 6-euro charge.

Foster care

New foster caregivers must complete a pedagogical training module before being allowed to provide care. Existing foster carers are exempt.

Electric grid constraints

Furthermore, from July 1, households and small businesses requesting a higher-capacity electricity connection may be placed on waiting lists, depending on local grid capacity. Previously, such restrictions applied mainly to large consumers.

Authorities say new applications for connection upgrades are already being placed on waiting lists in Noord-Brabant and large parts of the province of Utrecht. There, no new connections or upgrades are currently available.

Bank transactions can be temporarily blocked

Banks may be required to block transactions for up to five days if ordered by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), which receives reports of suspicious activity from financial institutions. The measure targets transactions potentially linked to money laundering or terrorist financing. During the five-day hold, law enforcement authorities may seize funds if necessary.

Corporate calling ban tightened

Companies will no longer be allowed to call consumers without prior consent. That includes people who are existing or former customers. Exceptions remain for charities, lotteries that support charitable causes, and newspaper and magazine publishers.

Road toll system introduced for trucks

A new distance-based toll system for trucks is being implemented. That mainly applies to highways and selected provincial roads. Truck owners will pay per kilometer driven.

Road tax exemptions for vehicles up to 12,000 kg are removed. Special reduced rates for service vehicles such as mobile shops (SRV trucks), circus operators, and workshop-equipped vehicles are also abolished.

Road tax for light trucks is temporarily reduced, while road tax for freight vehicles is also temporarily suspended for all trucks until the end of 2026 due to high diesel prices. The per-kilometer toll itself is set 22.3 percent lower than previously planned until the end of this year.

Furthermore, from now on, tachographs become mandatory for vans weighing between 2,500 kg and 3,500 kg when used in international transport. These devices record driving time, rest periods, speed, and distance. The rule already applied to trucks over 3,500 kg and is intended to ensure fair competition and reduce unsafe long driving hours in commercial transport across borders.

Workplace accidents

Employers must already report workplace accidents to the Netherlands Labor Authority. Under the new rules, companies must also notify the temporary employment agency involved.

The agency must then also report the incident to the Labor Authority and verify whether the hiring company has adequate safety measures in place.

Environmental rules for buildings

Environmental performance requirements for construction materials are being tightened. Offices will face stricter standards, while new requirements are introduced for schools, shops, healthcare facilities, and industrial buildings.