european-semester-documents-netherlands

European Spring Package 2026

The European Semester is an annual exercise that coordinates the EU's economic and social policies. Based on the analysis conducted every year by the Commission, each Member State receives a set of Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs), where policy action is needed. In Netherlands, these include:

The Netherlands benefits from strong innovation ecosystems, with scope to further increase R&D intensity and SMEs uptake of new technologies to reinforce its position among Europe’s innovation leaders. Start-ups and scale-ups are supported by a dynamic venture capital market, but additional funding could accelerate their growth. Supporting investments in key technologies and expanding incentives for digitalisation could further support innovation and productivity.
The Netherlands adopted ambitious reforms to alleviate grid congestion. Continuing grid expansion and increasing flexibility would unlock further renewable energy growth and housing construction.
Nitrogen pollution still affects growth and the environment. Continued efforts to cut emissions while supporting economic activity would enhance growth potential and quality of life.
The Dutch labour market continues to perform strongly overall. However, over-reliance on self-employment and flexible contracts challenges the labour market’s job security. Implementation of a mandatory disability insurance for self-employed and stronger protection for flexworkers could support a more balanced framework and reduce gaps in social protection.
The Dutch housing market continues to be characterized by shortages and high demand. Prioritising planning and permitting reforms, along with improving the private market, can boost housing construction.
The Netherlands continues to work on the “box 3” tax reform, which will tax savings/ investments based on actual returns. Aligning capital taxation with real earnings would bring efficient allocation of capital and mitigate economic inequalities.

European Semester Spring Package 2026 - Two-page summary

Country report

Published as part of the Spring Package, country reports provide a detailed analysis of each Member State’s economic and social developments and challenges and assess the extent these are addressed by national policies. Additionally, the reports review the implementation of country-specific recommendations from previous Semester cycles.

2026 Country Report - Netherlands

Country-specific recommendations

Published as part of the Spring Package, the Country-specific recommendations (CSRs) provide tailored guidance to each Member State, suggesting socio-economic and fiscal policy actions to be taken over the next year. The Commission develops the CSRs based on the country reports and its review of the national policy plans submitted by Member States. The draft recommendations are then further discussed by the Council which reaches consensus on a final version over the summer.

The recommendations focus on policy areas that face persistent challenges or are only partially addressed by national policy plans. CSR can cover a wide range of topics, including public finances, pension system reforms, education, innovation challenges, job creation or addressing unemployment.

2026 European Semester:
Country Specific Recommendations / Commission Recommendations

Draft budgetary plan

By mid-October, eurozone Member States are required to submit their draft budgets for the following year to the Commission and the Eurogroup. The Commission assesses their compliance with the CSRs, the agreed net expenditure path and the requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact.

Draft budgets that do not align with past CSRs are addressed in the Opinions on the Draft budgetary Plans, published as part of the Autumn Package. Member States adopt their new national budgets at the end of the year.

Draft budgetary plans 2026

National reform programme (until 2023)

After receiving guidance from the Autumn Package, Member States submit their national policy plans for assessment ahead of the Spring Package. The national reform programme outlines the structural economic reforms that the Member State intends to implement, with a focus on future policies to strengthen employment and growth and prevent or correct macroeconomic imbalances. The programme should also indicate how the planned policies comply with the country-specific recommendations of previous European Semester cycles.

As of 2024, the national reform programmes will be replaced by the medium-term fiscal structural plans.

General publications (28 April 2023):
Netherlands - National Reform Programme 2023