Rotterdam council backs a 'city passport' for undocumented residents

Rotterdam's city council adopted a motion on 15 October 2026 titled "A Rotterdam city passport: basic rights for undocumented Rotterdammers". It was filed by H. Wempe (Volt) with BIJ1, ChristenUnie, D66, Partij voor de Dieren, PRO and SP. It passed by 26 votes to 17. BIJ1, CDA, ChristenUnie, D66, DENK, Partij voor de Dieren, PRO, SP and Volt voted for, and Forum voor Democratie, Leefbaar Rotterdam and VVD against. The council record names alderman J.M. Nunnely as responsible and gives 7 January 2027 as the expected date for dealing with the motion. The motion text, and so the services the passport would cover, has not yet been published in readable form.

City identity cards for residents without legal status test how far a city can act on migration without national powers. On 30 October Prime Minister Rob Jetten said the government is taking steps to deport people faster if they have no right to be here. The city's follow-up in January will show whether the passport is practical or mainly symbolic.