Netherlands Raises Minimum Wage to €14.99 and Adds €3 Parcel Fee From July 1

2 articles · Updated · DutchNews.nl · Jun 29

July 1 brings a broad Dutch rule change package, lifting the legal minimum wage 1.9% to €14.99 an hour and increasing linked benefits including unemployment, disability and social assistance payments.
State support rises with it: the net pension for single retirees increases to €1,581.55 a month, while child benefit is indexed to consumer prices.
Social housing rents can climb up to 4.1%, with housing corporations expecting a 3.6% average increase that would take a typical social rent to €666; higher-income tenants can face an extra €50 or €100 a month.
Non-EU online orders now incur a €3 import charge per product type as the EU removes the under-€150 exemption, hitting purchases from platforms such as Temu and Shein.
The package also tightens consumer and infrastructure rules: unsolicited sales calls are largely banned, banks can freeze suspicious transfers for up to five days, and households may now face grid waiting lists for heavier power connections.