Municipal elections determine the composition of the gemeenteraad, or municipal council. The Netherlands has more than 300 municipalities, and each municipality elects its own council.

The council represents the residents of the municipality. After elections, the council forms a governing coalition that appoints aldermen (wethouders) who together with the mayor form the municipal executive.

The council itself focuses on:

• setting local policy

• approving budgets

• monitoring the municipal executive

• representing the interests of residents

In other words, the municipal council sets the direction for how a city or town develops.

Many issues that shape everyday life are managed locally rather than nationally.

Examples include:

Housing development
Municipalities decide where housing can be built, zoning rules and urban development priorities.

Local infrastructure
Bike lanes, parking policies, public transport cooperation and traffic planning are handled locally.

Education and childcare infrastructure
While national government sets education policy, municipalities often determine school locations, housing for schools and childcare availability.

Public space and neighbourhood quality
Parks, playgrounds, waste collection, street maintenance and local safety policies are municipal responsibilities.

Local taxes
Municipalities set taxes such as property tax (OZB) and certain local levies.

For residents, these policies influence daily convenience, affordability and quality of life more directly than many national policies.

Municipal elections are more accessible to internationals than national elections.

You can vote if you:

are 18 years or older, and

are registered as a resident in a Dutch municipality

Eligibility then depends on nationality.

Dutch citizens can vote in all elections.

EU citizens living in the Netherlands can vote in municipal elections if they are registered in the municipality.

Non-EU residents can vote if they have lived legally in the Netherlands for at least five years.

This makes municipal elections one of the most accessible democratic processes for internationals in the country.

If you are eligible, you should receive a voting card (stempas) by mail before the election.

Municipal councils influence many areas that affect daily life, but their authority is also limited by national law.

Typical responsibilities include:

• approving the municipal budget

• deciding on housing development plans

• determining zoning rules and spatial planning

• approving infrastructure projects

• overseeing local welfare and social programs

• supervising municipal services

The council does not run day to day operations. That responsibility lies with the municipal executive.

Instead, the council sets priorities and ensures accountability.

For newcomers, Dutch local politics can feel overwhelming. There are often many parties on the ballot, including national parties and local parties that only exist in one municipality.

A practical approach is to focus on issues that affect your daily life.

Consider questions such as:

housing availability

transport and cycling infrastructure

sustainability and environmental policies

neighbourhood development

education and childcare facilities

Most parties publish a local election program outlining their priorities.

Several tools can help compare positions.

Stemwijzer and Kieskompas are online questionnaires that show which parties align with your views based on policy statements.

Local newspapers and municipal debate events can also provide context.

The goal is not to become an expert in Dutch politics, but to understand the main directions being proposed.

Voting in the Netherlands is straightforward.

Before the election you will receive:

a voting card (stempas)

information about polling stations

On election day you can vote at any polling station within your municipality.

To vote, you need:

your voting card

a valid form of identification

At the polling station you receive a ballot paper listing all candidates and parties. You mark your preferred candidate with a red pencil.

Ballots are counted manually after polling stations close.

Election results are usually known the same evening.

If you are eligible to vote, a few steps can make the process easier.

Check your registration early

Make sure you are registered at the correct address in the municipal population register (BRP).

Look up your polling station options

Municipal websites publish lists of polling locations.

Explore party programs briefly

You do not need to read everything. Focus on topics that affect your daily life.

Use comparison tools

Stemwijzer or Kieskompas can help narrow down choices quickly.

Vote early in the day if possible

Evening hours can be busier at polling stations.

Local democracy in the Netherlands is built on participation.

Municipal councils depend on input from residents, community groups and businesses to understand local priorities.

Voting is one form of participation. Others include public consultations, neighbourhood meetings and civic initiatives.

For internationals building a life in the Netherlands, understanding local government helps make the country feel less abstract and more navigable.

Even if you choose not to vote, understanding how municipal decisions are made can help you better understand the systems shaping the places where you live.