It’s July 1st, which means a number of changes are taking effect in Dutch laws and regulations. These changes, particularly those related to finances, can impact your wallet in both big and small ways. Let’s break down the key changes you need to know:
Variable energy contracts: Fluctuating costs
Holders of variable energy contracts should check with their providers to see how the new electricity and gas prices, effective July 1st, will affect their energy bills. These prices are subject to change twice a year, on January 1st and July 1st.
Rent increase for social housing
If you live in social housing, your rent may increase by up to 5.8% starting today. This applies to properties with a base rent of €300 or more per month. For rents lower than €300, the maximum increase is €25.
Tenants with high incomes may face even higher rent hikes. The exact amount depends on their income level, ranging from an additional €50 to €100 per month. However, landlords must provide written notice before implementing such increases.
Internet and TV subscriptions: Brace for price hikes
Several internet and TV providers are implementing price increases from July 1st, citing inflation. The inflation rate for 2023 was 3.8%, and some providers are passing on this increase to their customers. Check with your specific provider to determine the exact impact on your bill.
Postage costs rise
The price of a postage stamp is going up. Starting today, a stamp will cost €1.14, a 5-cent increase from the previous price. This marks the second postage price hike this year, following an increase from €1.01 to €1.09 in January.
Minimum wage increase: A boost for some
While some expenses are rising, there’s also some positive news for workers. The minimum hourly wage is increasing from €13.27 to €13.68, a 3.1% hike. This increase will also impact social benefits like AOW (old age pension) and UWV (unemployment benefits), as well as the bijstand (minimum subsistence allowance).
Double child allowance for children with special needs
Parents of children with extra healthcare needs will automatically receive double the child allowance starting July 1st. This applies to children with an indication for Wet langdurige zorg (Wlz), a long-term care law. Additionally, parents can claim the double child allowance retroactively for up to six months.
Other changes to keep in mind
Apart from the financial aspects mentioned above, here are some other changes that may not directly affect your wallet but are still important to be aware of:
- Unused vacation days expire: Today marks the expiration of your unused vacation days from the previous calendar year. So, if you have saved up any vacation days from 2023, they will no longer be valid as of today.
- Electric commercial vehicles require truck driving license: If you drive an electric commercial vehicle, you will now need a truck driving license starting today. This is because the weight of these vehicles, due to their heavy batteries, puts them in the same weight category as trucks, requiring drivers to hold a truck driving license.
