On 8 July 2026, the Council of the EU endorsed the Netherlands' revised medium-term fiscal-structural plan covering 2026–2030, accepting a higher net expenditure growth path based on assumptions the Commission deemed duly justified. The plan, submitted in April 2026 following the formation of a new government on 23 February 2026, commits to maximum net expenditure growth rates of 4.7% in 2026, 3.5% in 2027, 3.1% in 2028, 3.5% in 2029, and 3.7% in 2030, averaging 3.7% over both the adjustment period (2026–2029) and the plan's validity. The general government deficit is projected to stay below 3% of GDP, reaching -1.2% by 2029, and not exceed 3% until 2039. General government debt is projected at 45.6% of GDP by 2029, remaining below the 60% reference value over the medium term.
The Council's endorsement follows the Commission's assessment that the Netherlands' net expenditure growth in 2025 exceeded the recommended maximum by 1.5% of GDP on an annual basis and 1.0% cumulatively over 2024–2025. The plan's assumptions, such as a structural primary balance of -0.4% of GDP and a GDP deflator of 2.5% in 2027, differ from the Commission's technical information but were accepted as duly justified. The Netherlands is no longer considered to be experiencing macroeconomic imbalances as of 3 June 2026.
For the Netherlands, the endorsement provides a stable fiscal framework for the new government's policy agenda, allowing higher spending than initially recommended. For the European Commission, the decision signals flexibility in applying the reformed fiscal rules, though it requires rigorous future compliance monitoring. For other EU member states, the precedent may encourage similar requests for tailored expenditure paths. For EU taxpayers, the plan's deficit and debt projections remain within the Stability and Growth Pact limits, reducing risks of future fiscal crises. The Council will monitor the Netherlands' compliance through annual assessments under the European Semester.