The measure is part of a total package of 18 billion euros that, as is being done across Europe, including Portugal, is intended to help families facing the rising cost of living.

King William Alexander, who addressed parliament in a traditional speech before the presentation of the State Budget, acknowledged that it is “a painful reality that more and more people in the Netherlands are struggling to pay rent, supermarket bills, health insurance and energy bills”.

Although other countries have also raised the minimum wage, no one has done so quite like the Netherlands, where the minimum wage is expected to rise to around €1,931 per month.