# Netherlands Tightens Rules for Third-Country Labor Migrants via EU Loophole New regulations aim to curb circumvention of Dutch labor laws by non-EU workers. - **Source:** [NOS – Politiek](https://nos.nl/nieuws/politiek) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/e07d5e1d-70da-4e2c-8117-431d027cbee0 ## Closing the Migration Loophole The Dutch cabinet is introducing stricter requirements for non-EU workers deployed in the Netherlands via other EU member states. Minister Vijlbrief identified this practice as a loophole used to bypass national labor regulations. By requiring workers to first spend three months in their initial EU entry country, the government intends to curb this trend. ## Rising Number of Migrants Statistical data highlights a significant increase in these deployments over recent years. In 2021, approximately 18,000 third-country nationals were registered through this route, a figure that surged to over 29,000 by 2025. Officials believe the actual number of workers entering the country through this specific channel is likely much higher than official records suggest. ## New Residency Requirements Under the proposed rules, third-country nationals must hold a residency permit in their arrival country that exceeds the duration of their Dutch work assignment. This ensures that workers have a legal basis to return to the initial EU member state once their specific project in the Netherlands concludes. These measures take effect July 2027. ## Enforcement and Inspections The Dutch Labor Inspectorate will be responsible for verifying compliance with these new residency and employment duration mandates. This oversight is designed to ensure that companies cannot simply transit workers through other EU nations to avoid Dutch labor standards. The policy follows previous efforts initiated by the Schoof cabinet to limit such practices. ## Increased Financial Penalties Employers violating labor laws will face significantly higher fines starting mid-next year. Effective July 1, penalties for labor law infractions will rise by approximately 22 percent. For instance, the maximum fine for paying workers less than the legal minimum wage will increase from 10,000 euros to approximately 12,200 euros to deter non-compliance. ## Housing Deduction Reforms Beyond migration rules, the government is targeting exploitative practices regarding worker compensation. Starting July 1, 2028, companies will be prohibited from deducting housing costs from the minimum wage of their employees. This measure aims to protect the financial autonomy of migrant workers who often rely on employer-provided housing during their stay in the Netherlands. ## Meat Sector Restrictions The government plans to implement a total ban on hiring temporary agency workers within the meat processing sector by 2028. This industry frequently relies on migrant labor, and the policy shift seeks to address systemic issues within these employment models. This move represents a broader effort to regulate labor conditions in high-risk sectors. ## Upcoming Legislative Review The proposed legislative package will undergo formal scrutiny next Thursday during a committee debate involving members of the Tweede Kamer and Minister Vijlbrief. This discussion will determine the final implementation trajectory for these reforms. The cabinet aims to balance labor market needs with the necessity of maintaining strict regulatory oversight across all sectors. ## Sources covering this story - https://nos.nl/l/2638357 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._