Netherlands - July 2025

On 4 July, the Lower House (Tweede Kamer) approved two bills setting new limits on asylum rights. The bills reduce the length of temporary residence permits from five to three years, abolish permanent residence permits for new applicants, and tighten rules on family reunions. An amendment introduced by the Party for Freedom (PVV), which criminalizes aid to migrants by NGOs and individuals, drew criticism, with outgoing Minister of Justice and Security, David van Weel, urging its removal. The bills now move to the Upper House of Parliament (Eerste Kamer) for consideration.

Update: After the Upper House of Parliament (Eerste Kamer) deferred consideration pending the Council of State’s review, the Council issued its opinion on 3 November, warning that the draft bill was poorly prepared and legally inconsistent, advising government revision of the amendment. The Minister of Asylum and Migration has since revised the bill accordingly and resubmitted it to the Upper House.

 Sources: Euronews, AP News, NOS, Dutch News, Council of State, Eerste Kamer