Today is Brexit day: what does that mean for the Netherlands?

From today onwards, Britain will no longer be part of the European Union. More than three years since Brexit was voted on in the UK, it will become reality- well, sort of. 

The effects of Brexit will only really be felt after 31 December 2020: it is only after this that the free movement of goods and people between the UK and the EU will cease, RTL Nieuws reports. But politically and in terms of emigration, the Netherlands is already dealing with some of the changes Brexit will bring.

More Brits flock to the Netherlands, but Dutchies stay at home

The Netherlands has been experiencing growing numbers of British people moving to the Netherlands since 2015. In 2019, 6700 British citizens emigrated to the Netherlands: that’s 60 percent more than back in the good old days of 2015. Far fewer Dutchies than normal have been moving to the UK as well: 2600 in 2019, in comparison to 4300 in 2015, NU.nl reports based on figures from the CBS.

Other nationalities choosing the Netherlands over the UK

This boost of British expatriates moving to the Netherlands has been complemented by expats of other nationalities increasingly choosing the Netherlands over the UK as their new home as well. People from Poland, Italy, Spain and France have particularly chosen to do so over the past three years. These statistical changes are more than likely as a result of Brexit.

New political dynamics in the EU

Brexit will also have an impact on the Netherlands’ role within the EU. Previously, the Netherlands relied on the UK as an ally, but with Britain gone, the Netherlands will need to make new friends: like with France and Germany, who look set to dominate the Union now that Britain is gone.

What other effects do you think Brexit will have on the Netherlands? Let us know your predictions down in the comments below. 

Feature Image: Elionas/Pixabay

Ailish Lalor
Ailish Lalor
Ailish was born in Sydney, Australia, but grew up by a forest in south-east Ireland, which she has attempted to replace with a living room filled with plants in The Hague. Besides catering to her army of pannenkoekenplantjes, Ailish spends her days convincing her friends that all food is better slightly burnt, plotting ways to hang out with dogs and cats, and of course, writing for DutchReview.

1 COMMENT

  1. Netherlands get out let the Dutch determine hun eigen toekomst ik vind het zonde dat Holland word geregeerd vanuit Brussel. Holland voor de Hollanders!

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