The Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported that the Dutch government is working on new amendments to the laws governing asylum seekers, which would prevent those arriving from so-called "completely safe countries" from working in the Netherlands.
Outgoing Minister of Social Affairs, Mariëlle Paul, said that this step is part of the new European Migration Pact, which includes stricter rules regarding asylum and participation in the labor market. These rules are scheduled to come into effect on June 12, 2026, with the current regulations remaining in force until then.
Under the current regulations, asylum seekers are only allowed to work after six months from the start of their asylum procedure, but the new plans will reduce this period to three months for individuals who the authorities deem likely to receive residency. Conversely, a complete ban on work will be imposed on asylum seekers from countries considered safe or those who pose a risk to public safety.
Abuse of the asylum system
Through these measures, the Dutch government aims to strike a balance between encouraging the integration of refugees who are likely to remain in the country and addressing the severe labor market shortage, while simultaneously curbing the abuse of the asylum system.
Recent statistics cited by the newspaper indicate that the number of asylum applications in the Netherlands decreased by 33% during the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, with a total of approximately 16,600 applications. Most of the applicants were from Eritrea (990) and Syria (860), an increase of 45% compared to the previous quarter. This is the first increase recorded since the fall of the Assad regime at the end of 2024, according to data from the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).
Increase in Work Permits
Previously, restrictions limited asylum seekers to working only 24 weeks per year. This provision was abolished at the end of 2023 by a decision of the Dutch Council of State, leading to a surge in the number of work permits issued, from approximately 600 in 2022 to more than 16,000 during the first eight months of 2025.
Between Challenges and Opportunities for Integration
Since 2015, the Syrian community has been one of the largest refugee groups in the Netherlands. Syrians there face multiple challenges, most notably the difficulty of having their educational qualifications recognized, language barriers, and the slow processing of work and housing permits.
Despite these obstacles, many Syrians have successfully integrated into the labor market, particularly in sectors such as logistics, restaurants, healthcare, and programming. Official Dutch reports indicate that a significant percentage of working Syrians contribute positively to the local economy, especially in cities experiencing labor shortages.
With the tightening of new laws, there are concerns that these measures will negatively impact future employment opportunities for new asylum seekers. Meanwhile, the debate continues within Dutch political circles on how to balance controlling immigration with encouraging the economic and social integration of new residents.
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