Netherlands Proposes Two-Year Halt on Family Reunion Permits for Asylum Seekers
The Hague, 20 March 2026
Dutch MP Vondeling has introduced a controversial amendment to temporarily stop granting family reunion permits to asylum seekers’ relatives for two years, citing overwhelming numbers that the Netherlands can no longer handle. With 16,500 family members entering in 2025 - representing over 40% of total asylum influx and a 39% increase from 2024 - the proposal aims to reduce the country’s attractiveness as a destination. Currently, 53,000 family reunion applications remain pending, creating significant processing backlogs.
Amendment Details and Legal Framework
The amendment, submitted on 19 March 2026, proposes inserting Article 29e into the Vreemdelingenwet (Aliens Act 2000) as part of the broader Implementation and Implementation Act for the EU Asylum and Migration Pact 2026 [1]. This new article would deny asylum residence permits to family members as described in existing articles 29b, 29c, and 29d of the current legislation [1]. The proposed measure includes a built-in expiration clause, with Article 29e set to be repealed automatically two years after its enactment [1]. The amendment invokes Article 72 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (VWEU), which permits member states to deviate from EU rules within immigration and asylum policy in exceptional circumstances to protect public order and national security [1].
Implementation Timeline and Justification
Should the amendment pass parliamentary approval, the temporary halt would take effect immediately upon publication in the Staatsblad (Official Journal) and automatically expire two years later [1]. MP Vondeling justified the measure by stating: ‘Het is duidelijk dat Nederland dit niet meer langer aankan…Als we tijdelijk geen nareis meer toestaan wordt Nederland ook minder aantrekkelijk als bestemmingsland’ (It is clear that the Netherlands can no longer handle this…If we temporarily no longer allow family reunification, the Netherlands will also become less attractive as a destination country) [1]. The amendment characterises the temporary halt as necessary to protect society and facilities whilst reducing the Netherlands’ appeal as a destination country [1].
Parliamentary Context and Competing Amendments
Vondeling’s proposal emerged alongside several other amendments to the Vreemdelingenwet 2000 submitted on 20 March 2026 by various parliamentary members [2]. MP Ceder proposed amendments including maintaining the application date of residence permits as the effective date, introducing a hardship clause for family reunification, and requiring justified deviation from expert advice in cases involving immigration detention of children [2]. Jointly, MPs Ceder and Westerveld submitted amendments to remove supplementary conditions for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection in family reunification cases and introduce preliminary consultation requirements [2]. Under Dutch parliamentary procedure, only the Tweede Kamer (House of Representatives) possesses the right to propose and adopt such amendments [2].
Broader Immigration Policy Discussions
The amendment debate occurred during a period of intense parliamentary activity on immigration matters. On 19 March 2026, the 53rd meeting of the Tweede Kamer convened with 135 members present, chaired by Van Campen [3]. During the session, various legislative proposals were adopted without debate, including amendments to aviation law and financial supervision legislation [3]. The timing coincided with municipal election results from 17 March 2026, where the BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB) party secured 41 seats, with MP Van der Plas noting: ‘Mensen hebben gisteren gekozen voor lokale partijen. Nogmaals, ik ben er ontzettend trots op dat de BBB 41 zetels heeft gehaald bij de gemeenteraadsverkiezingen, waarvan een groot deel in de regio’ (People voted for local parties yesterday. Again, I am extremely proud that the BBB has won 41 seats in the municipal elections, a large part of which in the region) [3].