Statutory minimum hourly wage as of July 1, 2026: €14.99

Increase of 1.90%

The indexation of the statutory minimum hourly wage is based on the average percentage change in contractual wages across the private sector, the subsidized and premium-supported sectors, and the public sector. In total, the statutory minimum hourly wage will increase by 1.90% as of July 1, 2026, compared to January 1, 2026. This brings it to €14.99.

Please note! As a result, the reference monthly wage will increase to €2,337 gross per month as of July 1, 2026. This reference monthly wage is used to determine the amount and indexation of various benefits.

Statutory minimum youth wages also rising

The statutory minimum youth wages are a percentage of the statutory minimum hourly wage that applies to everyone aged 21 and older. Due to the indexation of the statutory minimum hourly wage, the minimum youth wages will also increase as of July 1, 2026.

Please note! The percentage for employees aged 16 through 20 will increase effective January 1, 2027. For a 20-year-old, this will then be 87.5%, for a 19-year-old 75%, for an 18-year-old 62.5%, for a 17-year-old 50%, and for a 16-year-old 40%. For a 15-year-old, the percentage will remain at 30%.

Minimum youth wage for BBL students also increases

BBL students (students in a vocational training program with an employment contract) aged 15 through 17 and 21 and older are entitled to the minimum hourly wage as stated above. For BBL students aged 18 through 20, lower rates apply.

Please note! Effective January 1, 2027, there will no longer be any lower rates for BBL students aged 18 through 20. BBL students in this age group will therefore be entitled to the standard minimum youth wage.

Cash payments of €3,000 or more

For businesses that buy or sell goods, cash payments of €3,000 or more will no longer be permitted starting January 1, 2026. It does not matter whether the business is buying from or selling to another business or to a private individual. In all cases, cash payments of €3,000 or more are prohibited.

Please note! A private individual may accept a cash payment exceeding €3,000 from another private individual, for example, when selling on a marketplace.

The €3,000 limit is intended to make it more difficult to launder cash derived from illegal transactions and thereby also combat terrorism. The limit is also intended to ensure that payment transactions remain accessible.

Base fine amount: €10,000

The fine for violating the ban is set at a fixed base amount of €10,000. The Financial and Economic Integrity Service (DFEI), part of the Ministry of Finance, oversees compliance with the ban.

Lower or higher fine

Special circumstances, such as financial capacity, may justify reducing the fine. On the other hand, repeated violations of the prohibition may justify increasing the fine. For example, a fine of €20,000 may be imposed if the prohibition is violated again within five years of a previous fine.

Please note! Criminal proceedings may also be initiated under the Economic Offenses Act.

Simplicity Is Key

The simplicity of the plan is key. Currently, anyone wishing to operate in multiple EU member states often has to set up a separate company in each member state, such as a subsidiary. Each member state has its own conditions and rules regarding matters such as start-up capital and registration. An EU Inc. would greatly simplify this process through a harmonized set of rules. Choosing an EU Inc. is optional.

Fast and affordable

The incorporation of an EU Inc. can be completed entirely digitally within 48 hours for less than €100. There is also no capital requirement. Furthermore, a central EU registry containing company data will be introduced, and companies will automatically receive tax and VAT numbers upon registration. Bankruptcy proceedings will also be conducted entirely digitally. 

Stock option plans

EU Inc. companies can launch stock option plans for their employees, with tax obligations to the tax authorities only arising upon the sale of the options. Investing is simplified by eliminating formal procedures and intermediaries in share transactions. Member states can decide for themselves whether to grant EU Inc. access to the stock market, whereby protection can be offered against hostile takeovers.

Several new initiatives

The EU announced several new initiatives, such as digitizing communication beatween businesses and the government as much as possible. There are also plans to establish separate judicial chambers for EU Inc. companies. Furthermore, the goal is to enable fully cross-border remote work for startups and scale-ups. Other initiatives include improving access to capital and evaluating European venture capital funds, creating equal tax frameworks, and reducing administrative burdens.

Implementation via regulation

The EU Inc. will be introduced via a regulation. The advantage is that this will have direct effect in all member states. A disadvantage is that unanimous support is required for a regulation. This carries the risk that countries will seek to add exceptions during the negotiations. The goal is to finalize decision-making on the EU Inc. by 2026.

Ban on cash payments of €3,000 or more

Cash payments of €3,000 or more will be prohibited in the Netherlands starting January 1, 2026. The ban applies to all businesses that buy or sell goods in or from the Netherlands, regardless of the sector in which they operate. It does not matter whether the business is buying or selling to another business or to a private individual. Furthermore, it does not matter whether the transaction takes place in the Netherlands or abroad. In all cases, cash payments to or from businesses based in the Netherlands of €3,000 or more are not permitted.

Please note!Private sellers are exempt from the ban. For example, a private individual selling something to another private individual via Marktplaats may still accept a cash payment exceeding €3,000.

Exception for purchases outside the EU

An exception applies to the enforcement of the ban for purchases outside the EU. A business based in the Netherlands may therefore pay in cash for a purchase outside the EU of €3,000 or more.

No other exceptions

Representatives from various vehicle, metal, and shipping sectors—where parties from Africa, South America, and Eastern Europe often pay in cash—have discussed with the Minister of Finance the challenges arising from the ban on cash payments. However, these discussions have not led the minister to grant an exception for these sectors.

The minister does not intend to allow a broader exception for specific goods, sectors, or transactions with foreign parties. This would conflict with the purpose of the cash payment ban, be unenforceable, and not align well with the European ban on cash payments set to take effect in 2027.

European ban

Starting July 10, 2027, a European ban on cash payments of €10,000 or more will also take effect. This European ban does not mean that the threshold in the Netherlands will then be raised to €10,000. EU countries are free to set their own threshold for cash payments, provided that it remains below €10,000 as of July 10, 2027.

Goods, and services starting July 10, 2027

The ban currently applies only to the trade in goods. A ban on cash payments for services will follow starting July 10, 2027, with the introduction of the European ban. In the Netherlands, the limit for services will be €3,000, just as it is for goods.