Prior to the 2021 contest, the Netherlands had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest sixty times since their début as one of seven countries to take part in the inaugural contest in . Since then, the country has won the contest five times: in , , as one of four countries to tie for first place, , and finally in . Following the introduction of semi-finals for the 2004 contest, the Netherlands had featured in seven finals. The Dutch least successful result has been last place, which they have achieved on five occasions, most recently in the second semi-final of the 2011 contest. The Netherlands has also received "nul points" on two occasions; in and .