The Dutch court rejects the eviction of 50 Romanian workers from a holiday village

The Arnhem-Leeuwarden Court of Appeal has rejected a request to evict approximately 50 Romanian workers staying at Van Harte holiday park in Echten, Drenthe province. They may remain, for the time being, in the rented cottages, although local authorities are trying to stop recreational properties from being used permanently as homes.

The action was brought by the owner of the cottages after the De Wolden local administration asked her to stop housing the workers and threatened her with a €250,000 fine. The situation is unusual: the owner who requested the eviction is herself being ordered by the authorities to stop providing permanent accommodation at the park.

The Romanian workers have lived in the holiday village for several years and rent the properties from a company associated with the employment agency through which they work. The local administration initially tolerated the practice, but decided to stop it at the end of 2024. The eviction deadline, initially set for May 1, 2025, was extended several times.

The Assen District Court had approved the eviction request in expedited proceedings. The Court of Appeal overturned the decision, however, finding that there was no certainty that the owner would also prevail in ordinary proceedings to terminate the contracts. The judges also took into account the risk that the workers would be left homeless, as it would be very difficult for them to find an alternative quickly.