KNM: staatsinrichting en democratie

In the Netherlands the people choose their government. The Netherlands is a democracy (democratie). There is a king (de koning), but he has no political power. The ministers (de regering) make the plans, and the Tweede Kamer checks them.

Voting is your own choice. From 18 you may vote (stemmen). It is a right, not a duty, and your vote is secret (geheim). Nobody may tell you who to vote for: not your partner, family or boss. In the voting booth (het stemhokje) you are alone. One exception: if a physical disability means you can't vote yourself (for example, you can't hold a pencil or you see very poorly), someone may help you in the voting booth. You may bring someone to help, or ask someone who works at the polling station.

Who may vote? Dutch citizens vote in all elections. For the gemeenteraad, people from other EU countries may vote too, and other residents after five years of legal residence.

If you get a voting pass (stempas)… bring it with your ID to a polling station (het stembureau) in your gemeente. Lost it? Ask the gemeente for a new one in time, not on election day. Can't go yourself? Another voter can vote for you if you give them permission (een volmacht).

The gemeente is close by. The gemeenteraad makes decisions about your street, parks, waste and sport. The burgemeester is not elected; the government appoints the mayor.

If you don't like a plan of the gemeente… give your opinion. Go to an information evening, write an e-mail, or listen at a meeting of the gemeenteraad (de vergadering). These meetings are open to everyone.

The government follows the law too. If you think the gemeente made a wrong decision, you can object (bezwaar maken) and then go to an independent judge (de rechter).

You may criticise. You may say that a minister or the burgemeester does a bad job, and join or start a political party.

Types of elections

The Netherlands has several different types of elections.

1. National elections (House of Representatives / Tweede Kamer)
These elections determine the members of the Dutch national parliament. Only people with Dutch nationality can vote. You must also be at least 18 years old.

2. Provincial elections (Provinciale Staten)
These elections determine the members of the provincial councils. Only Dutch citizens aged 18 or older can vote. You generally need to live in the province where you vote.

3. Municipal elections (gemeenteraadsverkiezingen)
These elections determine the members of the municipal council. Both Dutch citizens and foreign residents can vote. EU citizens can vote, and non-EU citizens can generally vote if they have legally lived in the Netherlands for at least five years. You must be at least 18 and live in the municipality.

4. Water authority elections (waterschapsverkiezingen)
These elections determine the members of the local water authority. Dutch citizens and certain foreign residents can vote, provided they meet the applicable residence requirements. This means that foreign nationals can also have voting rights in these elections.

5. European Parliament elections
These elections determine the Dutch members of the European Parliament. Dutch citizens and citizens of other EU countries can vote. EU citizens living in the Netherlands can choose to vote in the Netherlands, but they cannot vote in both the Netherlands and their home EU country in the same European Parliament election.

In short

Being a foreigner in the Netherlands does not automatically mean that you cannot vote. Foreign residents can vote in municipal elections and, under the relevant conditions, water authority elections. Citizens of other EU countries can also vote in European Parliament elections.

However, national and provincial elections are reserved for Dutch citizens.

Component · KNM, official theme Staatsinrichting en rechtsstaat.

• Task type · A short situation with a photo (a stembureau, the gemeentehuis), then "Wat is waar?" or "Wat kan X het beste doen?" with three options.
• The real task · On the computer, 45 minutes. The language is about A2. DUO publishes no fixed number of questions; prep providers work with about 40.

Most common mistakes

1. Thinking voting is compulsory. It is your right, not a duty.
2. Thinking a partner, family member or employer may tell you who to vote for. Your vote is your own and it is secret.
3. Thinking residents choose the burgemeester. They don't; the government appoints him or her.
4. Thinking only Dutch citizens may vote. Many other residents may vote for the gemeenteraad.