It’s that time again, the Netherlands is heading to the polls! On Wednesday, October 29, Dutch voters will decide who will sit in the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) for the next four years. Wondering how it all works, if you're allowed to vote, and what you need to bring? Let's guide you through all the details.

How the Dutch government works 

The Netherlands is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. That means:

• The King, Willem-Alexander, is the head of state. His role is mostly ceremonial. 
• The government consists of the Prime Minister, ministers, and state secretaries. They handle the actual decision-making and daily business.
• The parliament represents the people. It's made up of two chambers: the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) proposes and passes laws and checks the government's work, and the Senate (Eerste Kamer) approves or rejects laws. 

There are also 12 provinces and 342 municipalities that manage regional and local matters, like roads, nature, and public services.

Why are there elections now? 

Normally, general elections are held every four years. But this year, we’re voting because the government fell. That means the Dutch people get to shape a brand-new Tweede Kamer. The results will decide who forms the next coalition and who becomes the next Prime Minister. The general elections are on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

The center of Dutch politics is at Binnenhof. It houses the House of Representatives and the Senate. The prime minister also has an office here, in 'het Torentje'.

How to vote 

Am I allowed to vote?
If you’re a non-Dutch resident, you can’t vote in these elections. However, you can vote in municipal and European Parliament elections. If you’re eligible, you’ll automatically receive a voting pass (stempas) in your mailbox about two weeks before election day. 

To vote in the general elections, you must: 

• Have Dutch nationality;
• Be at least 18 years old.
  
  

Where and when to vote 
You can vote at any polling station (stembureau) in your municipality. The location of your nearest one will be on your stempas or on this website. Polling stations are usually set up in schools, libraries, or community centers. There's always a recognizable flag or sign outside the polling station. On Wednesday, October 29, you can vote from 7:30 to 21:00. 

What to bring? 
Before you rush out the door, make sure you have: 

• Your voting pass (stempas) 
• A valid ID (passport, Dutch ID card, or driver's license)

At the polling station, one of the election volunteers will ask you for your voting pass and any valid identification. Without these documents, you're not allowed to vote. You'll receive a voting paper and a red pencil. The voting paper is a (very) large sheet of paper. Choose your candidate, color the dot in front of your candidate’s name red, and fold the paper again. Finally, put your voting paper in the designated mailbox.

Who to vote for?
There are many candidates to vote for. Voting tools can help you make your decision. Dutch options include StemWijzer and Kieskompas.

Good to know
Some things are good to know when you're going to vote:

• Children are not allowed into the voting booth.
• You may take a photo of your voting paper, but you must ensure the privacy of the other voters.
  
  

During the election campaign, you see many election posters in central locations. 

Results

By casting your vote, you’re helping decide who represents you in parliament, and therefore, what decisions shape the Netherlands over the next four years. From climate action to housing, healthcare to education, this is your chance to influence the future.

On the evening of election day, the (unofficial) results will be announced on television. About two days after the voting day, the official results will be publicized.