Ciao Going Expat People,
After months and months of discussion, there is finally a new coalition in the Netherlands, which means we have a Government in place. How much it will resist? This is a great question, and considering the parties involved, the answer might be scary.
An why so? Because after national elections in late 2025, political parties reached an agreement in January 2026 to form a new minority government led by centrist D66, together with the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and conservative VVD. This coalition holds only 66 seats in the 150-seat lower house, meaning it must work with other parties to pass laws, including any immigration-related changes, a dynamic that will shape policies this year.
What does the coalition mean for immigrants and expats in the Netherlands?
Anyone planning a move abroad quickly learns that politics and immigration rules go hand in hand. In the Netherlands, this is especially true right now. With a new political coalition shaping the country’s direction, many future residents are asking the same question: what does the coalition mean for immigrants and expats in the Netherlands? And with this blog post I am trying to give you a clear basic idea.
Disclaimer: not all proposed changes are final yet.
While the new coalition formed in January 2026 is more centrist and pragmatic, it still recognises public concern over migration and aims to strike a balance between control and international competitiveness.
For expats and prospective residents, this shift means policy changes are likely but more moderate and negotiable compared to the more ambitious proposals of earlier government
Work Visas & Highly Skilled Migration
The Netherlands still welcomes international talent, especially in sectors with labour shortages. However, some practical requirements have been updated for 2026:
The salary threshold for the highly skilled migrant route was adjusted starting in January 2026, with stricter documentation and compliance for employers and recognised sponsors.
This means companies hiring from abroad must meet clearer rules, and expats must meet updated income criteria to qualify.
For expats: Work visas remain available and the Netherlands continues to compete internationally for skilled workers, but employers and employees both face tighter administrative checks in 2026.
Citizenship & Long-Term Residency
The question “What does the new Dutch coalition mean for immigrants and expats in the Netherlands?” often comes up around citizenship.
While details are still being worked out by policymakers, there has been discussion in policy circles about adjusting how long you need to live in the Netherlands before applying for citizenship, how integration requirements are measured, and how temporary vs permanent status works.
Maybe the Netherlands will increase the requirement from 5 to 10 years, but as said already, no decisions have been made yet and therefore we cannot say much more on this matter for now. In fact this can also simply be a general idea that people have due to the previous colaition and the presence of the VVD in the current one.
Taxes & Expat Benefits
Some expat-specific financial incentives saw adjustments in recent years, and discussions around them continue in 2026. While the Netherlands remains competitive for global talent, some changes have been already made and you can find all the details in my previous blog What is changing in the Netherlands in 2026? – Going Expat
Students in the Netherlands and language
The Netherlands has been always a major destination for international students. In recent time, due to the housing shortage and much more Dutch courses at universities, some discussions started and the needs to have clarification increased as well.
The good news is that the three parties forming a new coalition government in the Netherlands want to invest €1.5 billion in education and scientific research. And they agree to stop restricting universities from teaching programs in languages (English on the top of the list).
Defence, Security and Public Spending
Defence and national security are a major focus of the new coalition in the Netherlands, so it looks that the government plans to invest billions of euros in defence and intelligence.
To help fund these plans, a new “freedom tax” (vrijheidsbijdrage) is expected to be introduced via income tax, meaning residents will contribute collectively.
Healthcare and Pensions: What to Expect
Healthcare costs are likely to rise for many residents. The mandatory health insurance deductible (eigen risico) is expected to increase from €385 to €460, helping keep monthly premiums lower but increasing extra costs for those who need care more often.
However Lower-income households will receive higher healthcare allowances (zorgtoeslag) to offset this, while publicly funded household help will be reduced for higher earners. The state pension age (AOW) will also continue to rise and, from 2027, will be linked to life expectancy.
For expats planning to stay long-term, these changes highlight the importance of factoring taxes, healthcare costs and pension planning into your move to the Netherlands.
Let’s wat and see what of this all will become reality and if and what other changes will be made towards the next few months.
I will make sure to update all of you at every important step
Cheers
Rossella
Written by
Rossella Daví
