The long-standing Guardianship Arrangement for minors from Curaçao and St. Maarten who travel to the Netherlands will officially end on November 1, 2025, following a joint decision by the three countries and the Netherlands Child Protection Board (RvdK).
Originally established to safeguard children from the former Netherlands Antilles upon arrival in the Netherlands, authorities now say the arrangement is no longer necessary. The decision reflects changing circumstances, including improved communication tools that allow parents to supervise and guide their children remotely.
Governments also agreed that maintaining a separate system for Caribbean minors was no longer equitable. According to Curaçao’s government, the policy shift aligns with modern youth protection strategies emphasizing parental involvement and digital oversight.
Under the new framework, parents from Curaçao and St. Maarten will retain full legal responsibility for their children while they reside in the Netherlands, who will now be treated the same as minors from any other country.
The existing guardianship guidelines will be phased out, and the Ministry of Justice in Curaçao will lead an informational campaign to help parents understand the new procedures. This applies to minors traveling for education, medical care, or other purposes.
Children from Bonaire, St. Eustatius, Saba, Curaçao, Aruba, and St. Maarten who move to the Netherlands without a parent typically live with relatives or family friends in “network foster families.” In such cases, their local Guardianship Council must consult with the RvdK, which assesses the suitability of the temporary guardian and conducts follow-up checks after three months.
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