News item | 14-11-2025 | 15:11
Minister Mona Keijzer of Housing and Spatial Planning (VRO) wants to change rental law to make a clearer distinction between rental contracts for residential purposes and tourist rentals (short stay). This strengthens the position of migrant workers, expats and students in the housing market. The minister announced the changes today in a letter to parliament. The measures will be submitted to consultation in early 2026 and then to the House of Representatives.
Short-stay contracts are limited to 30 days, which is in line with the maximum term for holiday rentals. The current law does not limit the duration. Migrant workers, expats and students in particular are therefore sometimes offered a short-stay contract. For example, they often pay more for the home than is permitted under rental law. The landlord can also cancel a short-stay contract at any time. This disrupts the rental market and makes it more difficult for all home seekers to find affordable housing. The maximum period of 30 days also makes it easier for municipalities to monitor the correct use of the rules.
In addition, migrant workers are given the opportunity to enter into a temporary rental contract, as a permanent contract often does not suit their temporary living situation. The minister also wants a temporary contract to be extendable once in the future, with a maximum duration of two years in total.
Rental protection applies to temporary rental contracts. The rental price is also subject to rules and the landlord cannot simply terminate a rental contract. Furthermore, short stay remains an option for migrant workers who need shelter for a maximum of 30 days, for example during the harvest season.
“With these measures, migrant workers, expats and students have a better chance of finding suitable housing,” says Minister Mona Keijzer. “By also making temporary contracts possible for migrant workers, they can work and live here temporarily within the rules of rental protection. This offers landlords and employers more room to offer suitable housing.”
Employers who offer accommodation on their own premises are given the option to terminate a permanent rental contract if the agreement ends and the accommodation is needed for a new employee. This should further encourage employers to offer employees housing.
Temporary rental contract
In the minister’s proposal, a temporary rental contract may only be offered to a migrant worker if the housing meets the so-called Roemer standard. This means, among other things, that each resident has their own bedroom of at least 5.5 m², at least 15 m² of living space is available per person, and all facilities are available under one roof. The living space must be certified for this.
The measures are adjustments to the Civil Code, the Good Landlordship Act and the Fixed Rental Contracts Act.