Background information

The Dutch government published the “Actieagenda Integratie en Open en Vrije Samenleving” (Integration and Open Society Action Plan) in February 2025 as part of broader efforts to promote social cohesion, equal opportunities, and democratic values. A key pillar of the agenda is the improvement of Dutch language skills among newcomers and the strengthening of labour market participation. Recognising that insufficient language proficiency is a barrier to employment and societal participation, the action plan places increased responsibility on employers to support language training. It also seeks to make early labour market access a foundation of the integration process, especially for asylum seekers and status holders. This builds on existing frameworks such as the Civic Integration Act and the Adult and Vocational Education Act (WEB), with additional funding allocated to municipalities to support implementation

Content of measure

The action plan emphasises that language and employment are the cornerstones of successful integration. Employers are explicitly called upon to play a greater role in language training, particularly for labour migrants who are not legally required to integrate under the Civic Integration Act. In the first quarter of 2025, the government will elaborate on how employer responsibility in this area will be strengthened. Funding is channeled through the Adult and Vocational Education Act (WEB), with municipalities receiving €10 million in additional resources for 2025 to provide language and basic skills training to groups such as EU labour migrants and displaced persons from Ukraine. In total, approximately €100 million is budgeted for municipalities in 2025, and €82 million annually from 2026 onward. Furthermore, the language requirement in the Participation Act (Participatiewet), which links benefit eligibility to language proficiency, will be retained and potentially revised to improve enforceability and effectiveness. Measures aim to ensure faster labour market access for newcomers, with a focus on job-language combinations and early activation starting in asylum reception centres (AZCs). Employers in shortage sectors (e.g., healthcare, construction, technology) are being engaged to create tailored employment pathways for newcomers, supported by government subsidies and pilot programmes

Use of measure

As the action plan was announced in early 2025, its implementation is underway and evolving. Therefore, usage statistics are not yet available. The target population includes thousands of newcomers, asylum seekers, and status holders who face language barriers to employment.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Migrants or refugees in employment	Applies to all businesses	Migrants or refugees

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

The action plan outlines cooperation with employers and municipalities. Social partners are involved indirectly through advisory consultations and sectoral coordination, especially in high-demand industries.

Views and reactions

While employers generally support enhanced integration, the requirement to provide language support may raise concerns over feasibility and costs. The government frames these responsibilities as a contribution to sustainable employment and social inclusion.

Sources

• 07 February 2025: Government of the Netherlands (2025), Kamerbrief Actieagenda Integratie en Open en Vrije Samenlevin (www.rijksoverheid.nl)