Voting in the Dutch parliamentary elections for internationals

How do the Dutch elections work?

The parliamentary elections (or general elections) in the Netherlands take place at least every four years and determine who sits in the Dutch House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer). This is the main legislative body in the country; it has 150 seats. Members of the House of Representatives are directly elected and various political parties compete for the seats.

Electoral system and coalitions

The Netherlands operates a system of proportional representation. This means that the number of votes a party receives is proportional to the number of seats it wins.

There has never been a majority government in the Netherlands under this system, so after the elections, the parties who have won seats negotiate to form a coalition government. This government will determine national policies on issues such as housing, education, the environment and climate change, immigration and healthcare.

Who can vote?

To vote in the Dutch parliamentary elections, you must:

• be a Dutch citizen (i.e. have Dutch nationality)
• be 18 years or older on election day
• be registered as a resident in a Dutch municipality
• not be excluded from voting rights.

If you meet these criteria, you will automatically receive a poll card (stempas, ‘voting pass’) in the post before the elections.

Which political parties are there in the Netherlands?

There are many political parties in the Netherlands, ranging from large, well-known parties to smaller parties. Some of the smaller parties are focused on specific issues (such as animal rights, green policies or farming reforms) or population groups (such as senior citizens). Each party has its own platform and priorities.

How can I decide who to vote for in the Dutch elections?

There are a number of online tools and guides that provide an overview of the parties and their goals and manifestos. These tools can help voters to decide how to cast their vote. They usually ask a series of questions about current affairs and more general issues and then suggest parties that might align with these views.

These guides are only available in Dutch, but you can use various browsers or platforms that offer English translations or summaries. The tools include:

• Stemwijzer – This guide works with 30 statements that have been presented to the participating parties.
• Kieskompas – This tool uses the parties’ manifestos and compares them with the user’s opinions on a range of issues.
• Stemchecker – This tool, made by the Volkskrant newspaper, compares the user’s stance on various issues with the parties’ voting record on these issues in the House of Representatives.

Election day: where to go and what to bring

You can vote at any polling station in your municipality – check your municipality’s website for polling stations or visit this list and map of all polling stations in the country.

You will need to bring your poll card (stempas, ‘voting pass’), which you will have received by post before the elections, and a valid form of identification.

The following are considered valid proof of identity:

• all passports, identity cards and driving licences from the Netherlands
• all passports, identity cards and driving licences from other EU countries
• all passports, identity cards and driving licences from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
• a passport or identity card from Switzerland
• a document proving your residence permit issued by the Netherlands.

You can bring expired documents, but the expiry date must be less than five years ago.

How does the Dutch government work?

The Dutch government consists of the monarch, the ministers (who form the cabinet) and state secretaries. Ministers and state secretaries (junior ministers) are responsible for the day-to-day running of the government. They implement government policy.

Government ministers are in charge of a ministry. There are also so-called ‘ministers without portfolio’, who work for a ministry headed by a different minister. State secretaries support and sometimes stand in for the ministers.

The government must have the confidence of a majority of the House of Representatives and is subject to parliamentary scrutiny.

What does the House of Representatives do?

In the Netherlands, parliament consists of the Eerste Kamer (the Senate) and the Tweede Kamer (the House of Representatives). New laws must be approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The main tasks of the House of Representatives are:

• passing or rejecting bills
• scrutinising the government.

What does the Senate do?

The 75 members of the Senate are elected by the members of the Provincial Councils every four years. The Senate’s main duty is to approve or reject bills.

What is the role of the king in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy. This means that the head of state is a king or queen whose powers are laid down in the constitution. Currently, this is King Willem-Alexander. The powers of the monarch are very limited. It’s the ministers who are responsible for what the Government does.

The tasks and roles of the king include:

• being part of the government alongside the ministers
• signing all new Acts of Parliament and royal decrees
• ratifying international treaties (as part of the government)
• appointing, dismissing and swearing in all government ministers and state secretaries
• delivering the Speech from the Throne at the State Opening of Parliament each September. In this speech, the government announces its plans for the coming parliamentary year
• conducting weekly meetings with the prime minister and regularly speaking with ministers and state secretaries
• acting as president of the Council of State – a historical and purely symbolic role. The day-to-day management of the Council of State is in the hands of the vice president.

Dutch election tips for internationals

• Understanding the ballot: the ballot lists all candidates from all parties. You vote by marking the box next to the candidate of your choice. Be careful to mark only one box and add no writing or other marks, otherwise your ballot will be spoilt and your vote will not count.
• Voting by proxy: if you cannot vote in person, you can authorise someone else to vote on your behalf (machtigen). Instructions for this will be included with your poll card.
• Why your vote matters: participating in the elections is your chance to influence policies that affect your life in the Netherlands. Remember that every vote counts, and that in a system of proportionate representation, even small parties can play a significant role in coalition negotiations.

More information

Read more about the elections and government formation in the Netherlands.