Public understanding and attitudes to irregular migration in Netherlands

Laurence Lessard-Phillips, Minke Hajer and Ilse van Liempt

 This document outlines insights from the I-CLAIM public perceptions survey on irregular migration, which on what people in the Netherlands know about irregular migration, how they perceive it, and their attitudes toward irregular migrants, particularly in relation to work and employment. The survey was carried out in the Netherlands in February 2025 with a nationally representative sample of 1,052 adults.

Findings from the survey point to gaps in knowledge, especially regarding the estimation of the share of irregular migrants in the Netherlands. While estimates of irregular migration suggest that irregular migrants account for between 1.4% and 3.6% foreign-born population, respondents greatly overestimated this figure. Overestimation was particularly pronounced among older and right-leaning respondents.

Gaps in knowledge also exist regarding probable pathways into irregularity. When asked about possible scenarios leading to irregularity, respondents mainly linked them to unauthorized border crossings and pending asylum claims, patterns that mirror dominant political and media narratives. More routine or administrative pathways to irregularity, such as overstaying a visa or losing lawful residence after changes in employment, processes that research shows are central to the production of irregular status, were less often recognised as leading to irregularity.

Attitudes toward, and perceptions of, irregular migrants as workers were mixed. Respondents identified food delivery, construction, hospitality, cleaning, and care as the main sectors of irregular employment. They added sex work in the open questions as a sector where it was expected to have many irregular migrants working. They indicated some level of unease toward irregular migrants, especially if encountered within their home or work settings.

Hiring experiments revealed pragmatic choices: candidates with longer Dutch residence, good recommendations, and family ties in the country were favoured, even if irregular. However, racialised hierarchies shaped these choices, with candidates from Morocco less favoured than those from Brazil.

Perceptions of integration were tied to socio-cultural indicators, such as Dutch fluency and the presence of family and friends in the Netherlands.

Overall, the survey suggests that views on irregular migration in the Netherlands are fragmented and often distorted. Attitudes combine suspicion and pragmatic considerations, and demonstrated the importance of social markers of belonging. These findings highlight the need to address misperceptions and the wider narrative environment that shapes public debates on irregularity.