If you live in the Netherlands but do not have Dutch nationality, you are still have a right to vote in some of the major elections.
Elections for the Provincial Council (Provinciale Staten) and the general election for the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) require Dutch nationality. The elections that international residents have the right to vote in are listed below. Please note that the requirements for each election differ slightly.
Municipal Council
The Municipal Council (Gemeenteraadsverkiezing) elections take place once every 4 years. The next one will br held on the 18th of March 2026. The requirements for the Municipal elections are as follows;
- You are 18 years of age or over
- You are not barred from voting in your home country or in the Netherlands
- You are a resident of a Dutch municipality on nomination day
- You are a citizen of the European Union or;
- You are a non-EU citizen who has been living in the Netherlands for at least 5 years, and you are in possession of a valid residence permit
European Parliament
The European Parliament is elected every 5 years. Elections do not take place on the same day in all of the European member states. The last election in the Netherlands was held on 6 to 9 June 2024, and the next election will be held in 2029. The requirements are as follows;
- You are 18 years of age or over
- You are not barred from voting in your home country or in the Netherlands
- You are a citizen of the European Union
- You have to register with a Y-32 form (available at your local municipality)
District Water Authority
Every 4 years the District Water Authority elections (Waterschappen) are being held. The election date coincides with the provincial government elections, the last one being held in March 2023. The requirements for the water authority elections are as follows;
- You are 18 years of age or over
- You are not barred from voting in your home country or in the Netherlands
- You are legally residing in the Netherlands and are in possession of a permanent residence card
More information on voting in the Netherlands can be found on the website of de Kiesraad (electoral council) which is a central electoral committee, an advisory body and an information centre in the field of franchise and elections.
