Elections, identify
What is it?
To vote in the Netherlands, you must be able to identify yourself. Identify means that you prove who you are.
In House of Representatives elections, you can identify yourself with a Dutch passport, identity card or driver's license.
Please note that your proof of identity may be expired for a maximum of 5 years on the day of the election. You may no longer use a paper driver's license as proof of identity.
Voters can cast their vote if the polling station has checked their ID and if they have a valid voting pass or a proxy card with ID of the proxy. See Elections Act Section J 24 and Elections Act Section J 25.
How does it work?
Dutch nationality is required to vote in elections to the House of Representatives. A voter who has a second nationality in addition to Dutch nationality can also identify himself with foreign documents in certain cases.
| Document type | Published in the Netherlands | Issued in EU member states + Iceland Liechtenstein, Norway | Published in Switzerland | Published in other countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passport | Yes | Yes | Yes | Condition |
| Id. | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Driving License | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Alien document | Yes | N/A. | N/A. | N/A. |
Prerequisite: only in combination with a foreigner's document issued in the Netherlands, such as the sticker designated during the free period Verblijfsantekeningen Algemeen. The free period is the period of three months during which a person resides in the Netherlands but does not yet have a residence document.
With lawful residence beyond the free period, a voter can identify himself with a residence permit.
Additional information
Missing identity document
If a voter has lost his identity document - or it has been stolen - , he can identify himself at the polling station by using the written confirmation of the notification of loss, in combination with a document containing his name and photograph (for example, a personal public transport chip card or a library card).
Voting by private proxy
When voting by private proxy, the proxy must show proof of identity (or a copy thereof) of the proxy giver. The proxy can also show the proxy giver's ID on smartphone or tablet when voting by private proxy. The proof of identity must not have expired for more than 5 years on the day of the vote.
Voting by written proxy
When applying for a written proxy, it is not necessary to enclose (a copy of) a valid ID, because identity and eligibility to vote are checked in the Basic Registration of PersonsBRP). For voters without proof of identity or proof of identity that has expired more than 5 years, voting by written proxy is the only way to cast a vote.
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