Archive · 30 Jan 2026
Dutch Government Plans Freedom Tax for Defence
The new Dutch government wants to add more money to defence spending.
They plan to do this by adding a small extra tax to people's and companies' taxes, which will give them about 5 billion euros each year.
This is to meet a promise made by NATO countries to spend more on defence.
The government also wants to spend money on houses and keep the amount they borrow to around 2% of the country's total money.
The government is a mix of different parties and will be the youngest prime minister in Dutch history.
They will need help from other parties to make their plans work.
The Dutch government plans to introduce a 'freedom tax' to fund increased defence spending.
The tax surcharge will generate around 5 billion euros per year.
Defence spending aims to reach 2.8% of GDP by 2030 and 3.5% by 2035, up from around 2% currently.
The government will also invest in housing and limit the deficit to around 2% of GDP.
The coalition government, led by Rob Jetten, will be a minority government and needs support from opposition parties.
- Who
- The incoming Dutch government, led by Rob Jetten
- What
- Plans to introduce a 'freedom tax' to fund increased defence spending
- When
- The coalition agreement was presented on Friday, with the government expected to be officially installed within a month
- Where
- Netherlands
- Why
- To meet NATO targets and increase defence spending to 2.8% of GDP by 2030 and 3.5% by 2035
- Tax Surcharge
- 5 billion euros per year
- Defence Spending Target
- 2.8% of GDP by 2030, 3.5% by 2035
- Current Defence Spending
- Around 2% of GDP
- Government Deficit Limit
- Around 2% of GDP
- Coalition Parties
- D66, Christian Democrats, VVD
- Government Seats
- 66 out of 150 in the lower house
- New Prime Minister
- Rob Jetten, aged 38