The Netherlands Seeks to Opt Out of EU Migration Rules
The Netherlands’ coalition government said on Wednesday it wants to opt out of the European Union’s migration policy. To do so, it needs approval from all 27 EU member states.
In April, the European Parliament agreed to stricter migration and asylum rules that allow the bloc to quickly reject invalid applications and evenly distribute asylum seekers throughout member states.
For the Netherlands, the changes are not enough.
Opt-out: “I have just informed the European Commission that I want a migration ‘opt-out’ on migration matters in Europe for the Netherlands,” Asylum and Migration Minister Marjolein Faber posted on X. “We have to handle our own asylum policy once more!”
The Dutch Advisory Council on Migration, however, said that “a Dutch opt-out can only be realized by amending the treaty,” since all 27 EU member states have to agree to the move.
In a letter to the European Commission, Faber wrote that the Netherlands “aims to drastically reduce the volume of migration,” so it “will call for an opt-out from the European asylum and migration acquis in case of treaty amendment.”
This is not very likely because the number of asylum seekers must then be distributed among fewer other member states. Not every member state will be enthusiastic about this.
—Mark Klaassen and Laura Kok, Advisory Council members
Crisis: On Friday, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof announced plans for a new immigration policy, saying, “We cannot continue to bear the large influx of migrants into our country.”
People are experiencing an asylum crisis. That is why we will soon introduce an emergency measure consisting of multiple procedures to make migration and asylum stricter. We will focus on the rapid departure of those who cannot stay and an accelerated procedure for asylum applications that have no chance of success.
—Dick Schoof
It will be the nation’s “strictest-ever asylum regime.”
Like the Netherlands, many European states are getting stricter on migration. They see it as a huge threat to the Continent.
Learn more: Read “Why a New Migrant Crisis Could Destroy Europe.”
