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Geert Wilders brought down the government in the Netherlands earlier this summer, leaving the coalition with the comment: "We have too much immigration."
Geert Wilders' triumph: Yes to greatly tightened asylum policy in the Netherlands
Published July 4, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Foreign. Despite a collapse in the previous government coalition, the Dutch parliament has now voted through what PVV leader Geert Wilders has called the country's "toughest asylum law ever." The decision entails severe restrictions on both asylum rights and family reunification, as well as criminalizing both illegal residence and support for illegal immigrants.

Two bills have been passed in the second chamber of parliament.

One of them introduces a two-tier asylum system that distinguishes between people fleeing persecution – for example, due to ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation – and those fleeing war or natural disasters.

The second bill means, among other things, that permanent residence permits will be abolished for asylum seekers, who will instead have to apply for extended residence every three years.

Furthermore, requirements are being introduced that asylum seekers who want to be reunited with their families must have lived in the Netherlands for at least two years and have both a place to live and an income. Adult children of asylum seekers will no longer have the right to be reunited at all.

The bill would make it a criminal offense to assist illegal migrants. According to Junge Freiheit, this could direct the authorities' focus towards activist organizations and NGOs that assist illegal immigrants.

Wilders forced the coalition collapse in June when former allies refused to agree to asylum restrictions.

"We have too much immigration, too much Islam, too little respect for our culture and for our citizens. People are afraid of becoming a minority in their own country," he stated.

Now he still managed to push through his policies with the support of these very former coalition partners.

According to Die Welt, however, it is uncertain whether the legal package will also be given the green light in the first chamber – the equivalent of the German Federal Council – where a vote is expected this autumn. New elections to the parliament will also be held then.

In 2024, the Netherlands received around 32,000 asylum seekers and an additional 10,000 family members. However, in the first three months of 2025, the numbers were halved, according to Die Welt.