Dutch Government Requests Opt-Out from EU Migration Rules

The Netherlands' far-right-led coalition seeks to regain control over its asylum policies, despite EU opposition.

The Dutch government, led by Geert Wilders' far-right PVV party, has officially asked the European Union for an exemption from its migration obligations.
Migration Minister Marjolein Faber stated that the Netherlands needs to control its own asylum policies to manage public services like housing, healthcare, and education.
The request aims to fulfill a campaign promise to drastically reduce immigration, but any opt-out would require a complex and lengthy EU treaty amendment process.
The European Commission has reiterated that current EU migration rules are binding and that no immediate treaty changes are expected.
The Netherlands plans to implement the strictest-ever asylum regime, including stricter border checks and harsher rules for asylum seekers, while declaring a national asylum crisis.