Rules, rules, rules. Less regulatory burden in theory and in practice?
In a Previous article we discussed what the 2026 coalition agreement could mean for you as an entrepreneur in fiscal terms. An important point that emerged from the coalition agreement was reducing the regulatory burden placed on entrepreneurs, citizens, professionals and the semi-government sector. Are you curious about the progress of these plans and what this could mean for you as an entrepreneur? You can find out more below.
Regulatory pressure: What was it again?
The government intends to tackle 500 rules annually that unnecessarily burden entrepreneurs. The aim is to remove or simplify these rules in order to reduce the administrative burden on businesses.
How is this being handled?
At the end of last year, the cabinet published a list of rules it intends to tackle. Based on input from entrepreneurs, trade associations, various studies and evaluations of existing laws and regulations, new rules have now been added to the list. The list now contains several hundred rules that are eligible for adjustment. The government is also aiming to increase transparency around this process. On this page Regulatory burden reduction in focus | Regulatory Pressure Monitor (in Dutch) it is possible to find out for each ministry which rules have now been or are being adapted or simplified. The diagram below shows current (June 2026) progress regarding regulation reduction:
Source: Regeldrukmonitor.nl (Regulatory burdens reduction monitor: green: reduction finished, blue: still to reduce, pink: reduction in progress)
The current situation? Two examples.
One administrative rule that has already been amended are the lists of Statistics that companies from various sectors are obliged to provide to the CBS. The CBS has ensured that the questionnaires are more efficient, which shortens and simplifies the delivery of data. The CBS also intends to reduce the sample size, which means that fewer companies are obliged to participate in the sample. An action plan will be drawn up for this before the summer.
There will also be some changes in the administrative burden in terms of wage cost benefits. Previously, employers had to apply for a target group statement from the UWV in order to be able to make use of the wage cost benefit. That process has been simplified: a tick in the wage tax return is now sufficient.
Always an advantage for entrepreneurs?
Some adjustments in terms of regulatory burden have been formulated very positively. For example, the following can be read in the regulatory pressure monitor on 'wage cost benefit (LKV) for the elderly':
The scheme will be abolished. For employers, this means that they no longer have to apply for a target group statement for the wage cost benefit 'older employee' from the UWV and do not have to tick the box in the wage tax return if they want to invoke the wage cost benefit 'older employee'. This significantly reduces the regulatory burden in this area.
Abolition of the scheme for wage cost benefit for employers will lead to considerably less administration as you can no longer submit an application. Shelving benefits for entrepreneurs as a way of reducing regulatory burden? You may wonder how positive reduced regulatory pressure is in this case.
Want to know more?
There are many measures that still need to be worked, but the first steps to make doing business easier have already been taken. We will continue to monitor the implementation of the plans regarding the approach to regulatory pressure and keep you informed of any new developments. Would you like to know which specific rules are subject to adjustment? On the regulatory burden monitor, you can check to what extent administrative burdens are being relieved for you.
If you have questions about upcoming changes that may apply to you? Please feel free to contact us. We are here to help.