The EU has reached a deal to overhaul air passenger rights, maintaining 3-hour delay compensation payouts and introducing new transparency requirements for hand baggage fees. The reform is also intended to make claims easier to process.
From May 22, 2026, EU Directive 2024/1233 changes how the Netherlands processes residence and work permits, affecting categories including paid employment, highly skilled migrants, EU Blue Card, researchers, work experience, and orientation year graduates. First-time applications may face longer processing times under the new rules.
The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has introduced procedural changes affecting highly skilled migrants and their family members, including a simplified MVV visa collection process following permit approval. Additional flexibility measures for international talent and dependents have also been announced.
Australia and the EU have concluded a trade agreement after eight years of negotiations that includes labor mobility provisions allowing professionals to work for up to four years. Ratification is expected to take approximately two years before the provisions take effect.
The Dutch government is developing amendments to its unrealized gains tax, focusing on loss carry-back provisions and startup exemptions. The Dutch Senate submitted 36 pages of questions to the tax minister as legislative resistance grows.