Prinsjesdag 2026: this is what the king said about asylum, reception and migration

Prinsjesdag is held every year on the third Tuesday of September in The Hague. On this day, the king reads the Speech from the Throne on behalf of the

Later that day, the

Prinsjesdag has a long history. Since 1814, the parliamentary year has officially opened with Prinsjesdag. The name Prinsjesdag is even older. In the 18th century, this name was used to refer to the celebration of William V’s birthday.

Since 1887, Prinsjesdag has been held on a Tuesday. The date was changed so that members of the House of Representatives would not have to travel to The Hague on a Sunday.

Well-known traditions on Prinsjesdag

The Finance Minister’s famous briefcase is a tradition. This tradition began in 1947, when Finance Minister Pieter Lieftinck brought the budget documents to the House of Representatives in a briefcase.

Hats are also a well-known tradition of Prinsjesdag. Many women who attend the Speech from the Throne wear an eye-catching hat. Some hats have a unique shape, colour or message.

The royal carriage is also a part of Prinsjesdag. For a long time, the king rode in the Golden Carriage from Noordeinde Palace to the Ridderzaal. The Golden Carriage was first used on Prinsjesdag in 1903. Since 2022, the Golden Carriage has no longer been used, and on Prinsjesdag the king rides in the Glass Carriage. The king and queen depart from Noordeinde Palace and are accompanied by a royal procession during the ride.

In his Speech from the Throne on 15 September 2026, the king outlined three key goals for asylum policy: reducing the influx of asylum seekers, ensuring proper reception and implementing a strict return policy.

The cabinet wants the Netherlands to continue providing protection to people fleeing war, violence and oppression. The cabinet emphasises that language classes and job placement assistance are important for these people. They must be able to become self-sufficient and participate in Dutch society as quickly as possible.

According to the king, the cabinet has made major changes before the summer to get a handle on how many people are coming to the Netherlands and staying here. This was due to the

In his Speech from the Throne, the king said that while the Dutch may expect to see lower numbers of refugees soon, the cabinet believes that changes are becoming apparent step by step.

In his Speech from the Throne, the king also addressed the unrest surrounding reception locations. According to the cabinet, unrest surrounding the reception of asylum seekers is on the rise and sometimes takes extreme forms. The king mentioned the recent events in Loosdrecht and Engelen. The king also said that threats and violence are unacceptable. According to the cabinet, greater control over migration is needed to restore calm on this issue.

Read more on RefugeeHelp about protests and unrest at reception locations in the Netherlands.

According to the cabinet, asylum seekers awaiting a decision on their applications must receive proper reception. In the Speech from the Throne, the cabinet therefore asks municipalities to cooperate with Ter Apel and other locations that have been receiving large numbers of asylum seekers for a long time.

This is not a new legal obligation. Since 2024, municipalities have already had a legal duty to provide reception for asylum seekers. This is regulated by the

According to the Speech from the Throne, stricter controls at the European Union’s external borders could help reduce the number of asylum applications. Since 12 June 2026, new rules have been in effect at these external borders under the European Asylum and Migration Pact.

The cabinet also intends to continue cooperating with safe countries outside Europe. The Speech from the Throne does not explain exactly what plans are meant by this. The cabinet is, however, working on various plans outside the European Union. For example, the Netherlands, together with other European countries, is exploring the idea of

The Speech from the Throne outlines the cabinet's main plans and goals. The speech itself does not affect your asylum proceedings, reception or residence permit.

Some of the rules the cabinet is discussing are already in effect. Other plans still need to be worked out. The cabinet will also present the 2027 budget on Prinsjesdag. The House of Representatives and the Senate have yet to vote on the budgets.

That is why it is important to check for each plan whether it is already in effect, when it will take effect, and whether the House of Representatives and the Senate still need to vote on it.