Most EU labor migrants, third country nationals and Ukrainians are satisfied with the way they work and live in the Netherlands, and they experience good health. Relatively, however, their position is still considerably behind the Dutch average. This is especially true in mental health. The findings come from a large-scale survey of more than 3,000 respondents, mostly of Polish, Romanian and Bulgarian descent. The research was conducted by Risbo/Erasmus University Rotterdam, commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.
Mental health
Overall, the survey results paint a positive picture, and there are signs of improvement in the housing and labor markets, especially with the length of stay in the Netherlands. At the same time, there are worrying signs. Three-quarters of respondents’ report having had anxiety or depressive feelings in the past four weeks. In addition, only a small part feels appreciated and at home in the Netherlands and we see that this decreases the longer one stays in the Netherlands. The same goes for perceived health.
Roemer Commission
These are results from the first measurement of a multi-year study, which maps how various groups are doing, that have come for work and have been staying in the Netherlands for less than 5 years. The study also aims to analyze whether the measures taken by the government based on the Roemer Commission report ‘Geen tweederangsburgers’ lead to positive development.
Experience survey
For the first time, a large-scale survey has been conducted among EU migrant workers, third-country nationals and Ukrainians on what they think about various areas of life in the Netherlands. Project manager Mr. Youri Seidler explains: “There are a lot of discussions about this group. And then often by experts or social workers who mainly have contact with problem cases. This research distinguishes itself because we let a large group of people speak for themselves. It was quite unique in terms of method: for example, we visited events and housing locations, but also Eindhoven airport and embassies, we worked on weekends or in the evenings and reached out to respondents via social media.”
Zero measurement
The results of this first monitor are a baseline measurement. Risbo will do a follow-up measurement in 2026, measuring developments over time in respondents’ satisfaction and measured determinants.
More information
Youri Seidler MA
Projectlead & researcher
- Email address
- youri.seidler@risbo.eur.nl
Risbo report and key findings
Please find below the original report in Dutch, and two documents: these documents provide the key findings of the survey in English and Polish.
- More information
More information on the 'beslisnota' of Minister Van Hijum can be found on the website of the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer), only available in Dutch.
