Dutch government unveils leaked details of the 2026 fiscal plan
Leaked documents reveal the Netherlands' 2026 budget, outlining cuts to public administration, tax adjustments, and new spending on housing, health and defence.
According to leaked papers, the Dutch cabinet plans to trim €400 million from its own operational budget while aiming for a €1 billion structural saving by 2030, limiting external hires to 10 % of staff. Local authority funding will edge up to just under €50 billion, though cuts are slated for youth social work and home-help programmes. Tax changes feature a 0.06-point drop in the first two income-tax brackets, a slight increase in the arbeidskorting, and the elimination of tax-free discounts on company products, staff outings and Christmas boxes, while VAT on plants, flowers and balloon trips jumps from 9 % to 21 %.
Spending increases include €940 million for residential development, €630 million for elderly housing, €1.5 billion for road and bridge repairs, a €600 million defence boost and €100 million for shingles vaccinations for 60-69-year-olds. Health-insurance premiums are expected to rise by €12 a month, and the government will allocate €1.3 billion for carbon-capture projects under the North Sea.
Why it matters
The budget sets the fiscal direction for the Netherlands, affecting taxes, public services and major investment projects.
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