Voting
Where can I vote as an international?
Several elections take place in the Netherlands. We explain all to you, and when you as an international can vote.
If you live in the Netherlands but do not have Dutch nationality, you are still entitled to cast your vote on some of the major elections. Elections for the Provincial Council (Provinciale Staten) and the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) are only available to Dutch nationals. The elections that you are entitled to vote for 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 last one was held on the 14th of March 2022. 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 the 23rd of May 2019, and the next election will be held on 6 to 9 June 2024. 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.
