From Asylum to Defense: New Dutch Coalition Plan Reshapes the Country
D66 (Democrats 66), VVD (People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy) and CDA (Christian Democratic Appeal) have presented their coalition agreement for 2026–2030, outlining major reforms in housing, defense, migration, healthcare, energy, and social security, though parliamentary support is still needed for each proposal.
The coalition plans to launch at least thirty large national housing projects and remove legal barriers to speed up construction. Mortgage interest deduction will remain unchanged, and permanent living in recreational homes may be allowed. Lelystad Airport will be shared by civil aviation and the Ministry of Defence. The armed forces will expand to at least 122,000 personnel, with defense spending fixed in law at 3.5 percent of GDP. Ukraine is described as being on an irreversible path toward EU and NATO membership, while EU countries seen as undermining Europe, such as Hungary and Slovakia, should face stricter action.
On asylum and security, the Spreidingswet (Dispersion Act) will remain temporarily in force, while the coalition aims to process asylum requests outside Europe and speed up decisions by the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service). Emergency shelters in hotels and ships must end, and asylum seekers who commit crimes will face tougher penalties. More police officers, cybercrime units and detectives will be trained, and the ME (Mobile Unit) will be better equipped. Special focus will be placed on combating organized crime and domestic and gender-based violence. A new vehicle category will be introduced for fat bikes, including helmet and age requirements.
Healthcare and youth policy will change significantly. The eigen risico (healthcare deductible) will rise to 460 euros by 2027, with a cap of 150 euros per treatment, a move defended by روب ييتن. Over one billion euros will be cut from long-term care, and elderly care funds will be redirected. Children will receive free fruit at school, and the legal age to buy cigarettes and vapes will increase to 21. Youth care will be restricted to proven effective treatments, with more emphasis on prevention and light support.
In social security, unemployment benefit (WW) will be reduced from two years to one year by 2028, and the AOW (state pension) age will be fully linked to life expectancy from 2033. Child benefit and child-related budget will be merged into a single scheme. Education will focus on basic skills, and social media will have a proposed minimum age of fifteen. On climate and energy, nitrogen targets will be set for 2035 with a 20-billion-euro fund, focusing on Natura 2000 areas such as the Veluwe and the Peel. The Groningen gas field will stay closed and no gas extraction will occur under the Wadden Sea, while four new nuclear power plants will be built. The government also plans to cut bureaucracy by scrapping at least five hundred rules, reducing civil servants and external consultants, and streamlining government organizations.