Dutch 2027 budget could affect Aruba and wider Kingdom

Dutch 2027 budget could affect Aruba and wider Kingdom

Posted on 8/20/2026, 9:28 AM AST | Updated on 8/20/2026, 9:28 AM AST

THE HAGUE – The Dutch Council of Ministers has approved the draft 2027 budget for Kingdom Relations and the BES Fund, with potential financial consequences for Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, as well as Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten.

The draft will first go to the Council of State for advice and will remain confidential until Prinsjesdag on September 15, when the Dutch government presents its annual budget.

For Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten, a key issue is whether the Netherlands will continue cooperation under the Country Packages. The current agreements are nearing expiration, and any extension could be reflected in new funding for the Temporary Work Organization, or TWO.

TWO supports the countries in carrying out reforms agreed after Dutch financial assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The September 15 budget is therefore expected to give a clearer indication of the future of that cooperation.