A number of new laws and benefit changes come into effect on July 1. Here is a round-up of the main changes.

Transgender ID
Transgenders will be able to have their sex changed in official documents on the basis of expert testimony and will no longer have to wait for sex change operations or hormone treatment.

Rents go up for social housing
The rent for social housing goes up every July 1. The maximum rise this year is again independent, with people on incomes of below €34,085 facing a 4% increase. Those earning from that figure to €43,602 will pay 4.5% more rent and people earning above that 6.5%.

The aim of the income-related rises is to encourage higher earners to move into the non-rent-controlled sector or to buy a home.

Mortgage guarantees
The maximum mortgage to qualify for a government-backed payment guarantee goes down from €290,000 to €265,000.

Energy bills
The price of electricity and gas is adjusted every six months. Most people will see a slight drop in their energy bills this month, Nos television said.

Research by a price comparison website shows most people do not shop around for cheaper providers and many are losing out by staying with the same company for years. The Dutch energy market was deregulated 10 years ago.

Roaming
The cost of using a mobile phone in other EU countries goes down from today due to EU legislation on roaming.

Internet will now cost a maximum 24 cents per MB, rather than 54 cents. A text message will cost a maximum seven cents and phoning 23 cents per minute.

Minimum wage
The minimum wage and most social security benefits go up on July 1. The amounts are always adjusted twice a year in line with average nationally-agreed pay rises. The new minimum wage for someone aged over 23 is €1,495.20.

Pets
From today, a new list of banned pets comes into effect, including raccoons, big cats and the eland.

Stop and search
Mayors will be able to give verbal approval to designating certain areas as ‘at risk’ for periods of up to 12 hours. This means the police will have greater powers to stop and search people during incidents or threatening situations.

The complete list (Dutch only)