Tens of thousands live in holiday parks and the government is considering allowing this.
Approximately 60,000 people live in holiday resorts in the Netherlands, although permanent residence is not legally permitted. New data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) indicates that this number has increased slightly since the beginning of the year, but the actual number is believed to be much higher, as many residents avoid registration for fear of fines. Previous government research suggests that the actual figure could be between two to 2.5 times the reported number.
Temporary Housing Minister Mona Kaiser is seeking to legalize stays in holiday resorts for ten years as a temporary solution to the worsening housing crisis. According to current laws, municipalities have the freedom to determine whether stays in holiday homes are allowed, and this is often permitted for only 11 months of the year.
The Kaiser plan will only allow those who can prove they have been residing in a holiday home since May 16, 2024, to stay legally. Some municipalities are already turning a blind eye to these laws, which Kaiser previously described as her preferred approach. However, the plan faces strong opposition from many municipalities and counties. The Dutch Association of Municipalities (VNG) believes the impact of the plan on the housing crisis will be minimal and warns that it may create false hopes. It also criticized the additional burden that will fall on employees in small towns, emphasizing that the focus should be on building suitable homes.
VNG added that holiday resorts are often located in remote areas that are difficult for emergency services to reach. In the province of Overijssel, local and provincial authorities expressed their concern about losing control over urban planning decisions, and they fear that the plan may negatively affect the recreational function of those parks, which is important for the local economy.
Lisbeth Grijsen, from the executive authority in Overijssel, told RTV Oost: "Holiday resorts play a significant role in supporting services in rural areas and provide a huge number of job opportunities."