New laws come into effect

Tuesday 01 January 2008

A number of new laws come into effect on January 1. These include the introduction of an energy efficiency report on all houses which are put up for sale and a €150 charge for using the health service.

From January 1, cars made before 1960 no longer have to have an annual APK test to check how roadworthy they are. And cars older than 30 years need to be tested every two years, rather than every year, NOS tv reports.

The no-claims bonus for health insurance disappears and is replaced by a €150 own-risk charge. Doctors visits are not included.

Schiphol airport is now entirely smoke-free, including its bars and cafés. And according to the hotel and catering organisation Horeca Nederland, some 70% of cafés and restaurants have also gone smoke-free, six months ahead of the national smoking ban.

The minimum wage also increases from today. The over-23s now have the right to at least €1,335 a month gross, up 1.37% on 2007.

Changes in the driving test also come into effect today, with a focus on driving in heavy traffic and environmentally-aware driving.

© DutchNews.nl

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