A number of new laws come into effect on July 1 and there are other changes to the social security system as well. Here are the main points:

New donor law
The new ‘opt out’ organ donor legislation comes into effect on July 1 but will not be fully enacted until next year. So far 7.3 million people have expressed their wishes in the register – those who don’t will be presumed to agree that their organs can be donated after their death.

Parental leave
Since January 2019, the partners of new mothers have been entitled to five days paid leave and from July they will be able to take a further five weeks of leave in the first six months since the birth, paid at 70% of their salary.

They must let their employer know at least a month in advance if they intend to take the leave, unless the baby is premature.

Cigarettes out of sight
Supermarkets must keep cigarettes and rolling tobacco hidden, and government inspectors have already said they will get tough on this from the word go.

The ban on smoking in public spaces and buildings is also being extended to e-cigarettes.

Electric car subsidy

Private individuals who buy or lease a fully electric car which can travel at least 120 km without being recharged can apply for subsidies. The catalogue price of the car must be between €12,000 and €45,000. The subsidy amounts to €2,000 for a second hand car and €4,000 for a new one.

Minimum wage goes up
The minimum wage for some aged over 21 will go up by €27 a month to €1,680, for a week of at least 36 hours a week. The minimum wage for a 15-year-old rises by just under €8 a month to €504.

State pensions are also rising, to €1,201.42 for a single person and €1,645.24 for a couple – if both have retired.

Amsterdam
In Amsterdam, a ban on holiday rentals comes into effect in three popular parts of the city.

The city has also licenced a second electric scooter company to offer its services from July 1. Check will operate alongside the vehicles currently offered by Felyx.