COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 2026 Rule of Law Report Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in the Netherlands Accompanying the document Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions 2026 Rule of Law Report The rule of law situation in the European Union
Date: 2026-07-17
Institutions: European Commission, Secretariat-General
Subjects: Netherlands, administrative transparency, corruption, democracy, freedom of the press, human rights, independence of the judiciary, pluralism in the media, rule of law, whistleblowing

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 17.7.2026  SWD(2026) 919 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 2026 Rule of Law Report                           Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in the Netherlands Accompanying the document Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions 2026 Rule of Law Report                            The rule of law situation in the European Union {COM(2026) 900 final} - {SWD(2026) 901 final} - {SWD(2026) 902 final} - {SWD(2026) 903 final} - {SWD(2026) 904 final} - {SWD(2026) 905 final} - {SWD(2026) 906 final} - {SWD(2026) 907 final} - {SWD(2026) 908 final} - {SWD(2026) 909 final} - {SWD(2026) 910 final} - {SWD(2026) 911 final} - {SWD(2026) 912 final} - {SWD(2026) 913 final} - {SWD(2026) 914 final} - {SWD(2026) 915 final} - {SWD(2026) 916 final} - {SWD(2026) 917 final} - {SWD(2026) 918 final} - {SWD(2026) 920 final} - {SWD(2026) 921 final} - {SWD(2026) 922 final} - {SWD(2026) 923 final} - {SWD(2026) 924 final} - {SWD(2026) 925 final} - {SWD(2026) 926 final} - {SWD(2026) 927 final} - {SWD(2026) 928 final} - {SWD(2026) 929 final} - {SWD(2026) 930 final} - {SWD(2026) 931 final}  
 
 
ABSTRACT 

In  the  Netherlands,  the  perception  of  the  level  of  judicial  independence  is  very  high,  and 
national  authorities  are  working  on  introducing  additional  rule  of  law  safeguards  in 
legislation. A proposal  to  remove the power of the Minister of Justice and Security to  give 
instructions to the prosecution service in individual cases is pending in the Senate. Proposals 
to  allow  judges  to  review  legislation  against  “classic”  fundamental  rights  enshrined  in  the 
constitution, to give the judiciary its own budget and to remove the role of the executive in 
the appointment of members of the Council for the Judiciary are under discussion. Changes 
were made to the regime of visual supervision of lawyer-client conversations in high-security 
prisons,  amid  concerns  by  lawyers.  Significant  steps  have  been  taken  to  improve  working 
conditions  and  address  staff  shortages  in  the  judiciary.  The  funding  for  legal  aid  was 
structurally increased. The level of digitalisation has further improved and the efficiency of 
the justice system continues to be high. 

The  investigation  and  prosecution  of  corruption  offences  remains  effective  and  the  first 
national anti-corruption policy is being implemented with plans to further refine it in the near 
future.  Changes  to  the  criminal  anti-corruption  legislation  and  the  criminal  procedure  for 
prosecuting  ministers  and  Members  of  Parliament  are  under  discussion.  Efforts  continue  to 
address  corruption  linked  to  organised  crime  and  infiltration  of  organised  crime  in  state 
institutions. The Codes of Conduct for civil servants are being revised, and, in a step forward, 
the  Government  intends  to  establish  a  transparency  register  on  lobbying.  Scrutiny  over  the 
enforcement of Parliament’s system of asset and interest declaration continues, while updated 
guidance  on  the  asset  and  interest  declaration  regime  of  ministers  and  State  secretaries 
clarifies  rules  on  interests  and  side  activities,  while  maintaining  the  principle  of  self-
responsibility.  Rules  on  revolving  doors  entered  into  force.  A  national  risk  assessment  on 
corruption and a risk assesment on corruption risks linked to subversive organised crime were 
published in March 2026. 

The  media  regulator  continues  to  operate  efficiently  and  independently.  Steps  have  been 
taken to address certain concerns about the adequacy of the Press Council, the self-regulatory 
body for the press sector, such as clarifying its role, and streamlining its complaint-handling 
procedures.  Preparatory  work  for  the  legislative  proposal  on  the  reform  of  public  service 
media  is  advancing.  Challenges  related  to  a  high  level  of  media  market  concentration,  and 
limited media ownership transparency remain. Efforts to improve transparency and access to 
information  continue.  The  safety  of  journalists  has  improved;  however,  concerns  remain  in 
view of threats in the context of demonstrations and digital threats.  

Further  steps  have  been  taken  to  bring  forward  the  proposals  of  the  State  Commission  on 
Rule  of  Law.  The  Netherlands  Institute  for  Human  Rights  and  the  Ombudsman  continue 
to carry out their mandates effectively. Civil society organisations (CSOs) remain concerned 
about initiatives that risk affecting civic space and welcomed the Senate’s rejection of the law 
on transparency of CSOs. 

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RECOMMENDATIONS 

Overall,  based  on  the  recommendations  in  the  2025  Rule  of  Law  Report,  and  considering 
other developments that took place in the period of reference, the Commission concludes the 
following:  

•  Limited  progress  has  been  made  to  establish  stricter  transparency  rules  on  lobbying  for 
members of the Government and Parliament, as the Government announced its intention 
to introduce a transparency register. It is recommended to the Netherlands to put in place 
legislative provisions to establish stricter transparency rules on lobbying for members of 
the Government and Parliament. 

•  Some  progress  has  been  made  on  taking  forward  the  planned  reform  of  public  service 
media  to  enhance  its  governance  and  its  ability  to  uphold  journalistic  standards,  with 
preparatory work ongoing for the reform of public service media and with a draft law on 
local  public  broadcasters  currently  before  Parliament.  Given  that  parts  of  this 
recommendation  are  covered  by  provisions  of  the  European  Media  Freedom  Act 
(EMFA), while the Rule of Law Report will continue to monitor significant developments 
and report on their impact, further follow-up will be ensured as part of the Commission’s 
support  to  Member  States  and  enforcement  of  the  EMFA.  In  light  of  this,  it  is 
recommended to the Netherlands to take forward its work in relation to the upholding of 
journalistic standards by public service media.  

As regards the other 2025 recommendations, the Commission concludes that: 

•  Significant  progress  has  been  made  on  improving  working  conditions  in  the  justice 
system  and  addressing  staff  shortages  as  additional  funds  were  made  available  and 
workload reduction measures started to bear fruit. Monitoring of further developments in 
this area will continue in the Rule of Law Report. 

•  Some  further  progress  has  been  made  on  taking  forward  the  proposals  of  the  State 
Commission on Rule of Law to strengthen a rule of law culture due to the availability of 
additional  funds  and  a  willingness  to  continue  the  dialogue  between  state  powers. 
Monitoring of further developments in this area will continue in the Rule of Law Report. 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
I. 

JUSTICE SYSTEM1  

Independence  

The  level  of  perceived  judicial  independence  in  the  Netherlands  continues  to  be  very 
high  among  both  the  general  public  and  companies.  Overall,  77 %  of  the  general 
population and 85 % of companies perceive the level of independence of courts and judges to 
be ‘fairly or very good’ in 20262. Among the general public, this figure has slightly increased 
in  comparison  with  2025  (76 %)  and  remained  at  the  same  level  as  in  2022  (77 %).  The 
perceived judicial independence among companies has significantly increased in comparison 
with 2025 (75 %), as well as in comparison with 2022 (72 %). The Council for the Judiciary 
and  the  Dutch  Association  for  the  Judiciary  expressed  concern  about  certain  statements  of 
politicians criticising judges and their judicial decisions3. While criticising judicial decisions 
is a normal aspect of democratic discourse, the executive and legislative powers should avoid 
criticism that undermines the independence or public confidence in the judiciary4. 

Parliamentary  discussions  continued  on  the  legislative  proposal  to  remove  the 
executive’s power to give instructions to prosecutors in individual cases and additional 
proposals  have  been  announced  to  strengthen  rule  of  law  safeguards.  These  initiatives 
follow calls by stakeholders to strengthen safeguards currently resting primarily on practice 
and legal culture5. A legislative proposal to remove the power of the Minister of Justice and 
Security to give instructions to the Public Prosecution Service in concrete criminal cases was 
approved by the Chamber of Representatives6 and is now awaiting discussions in the Senate7. 
The  Government  has  further  announced  a  proposal  to  allow  judges  to  review  legislation 
against  “classic”  fundamental  rights  enshrined  in  the  constitution8.  These  proposals  were 
welcomed  by  the  Council  for  the  Judiciary  and  the  Netherlands  Bar  Association9.  The 
Government  has  also  announced  a  proposal  to  give  the  judiciary  its  own  budget  and  to 
remove the role of the Minister of Justice and Security in the appointment of members of the 
Council  for  the  Judiciary10,  a  proposal  which  the  Council  for  the  Judiciary  supports11.  The 

1   An overview of the institutional framework for all four pillars can be found here.  
2   Figures 48 and 50, 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard and Figures 51 and 53,  2024 EU Justice Scoreboard. The 
level  of  perceived  judicial  independence  is  categorised  as  follows:  very  low  (below  30 %  of  respondents 
perceive  judicial  independence  as  fairly  good  and  very good);  low  (between  30-39 %), average  (between 
40-59 %), high (between 60-75 %), very high (above 75 %). 

3   Country  visit  Netherlands,  Council  for  the  Judiciary  and  Dutch  Association  for  the  Judiciary.  Examples 
brought  up  by  stakeholders  during  the  country  visit  include  contemptuous  parliamentary  questions  in 
February and March 2026 (Tweede Kamer (2026a); Tweede Kamer (2026)). The Council for the Judiciary 
states in its annual report that if a judge renders a judgment that may have political consequences, that does 
not mean he is rendering a political judgment (Council for the Judiciary (2026b), p. 6).  

4   Council of Europe (2010), para. 18; Venice Commission (2013), paras. 21-22. 
5   2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 3. 
6   Tweede Kamer (2025a).  
7   Eerste Kamer (2025).  
8   Coalition  Agreement  (2026),  p.  11.  Currently,  the  constitution  does  not  allow  constitutional  review  by 
judges. The Netherlands Constitution distinguishes “classic” fundamental rights (“klassieke grondrechten”) 
and  “social”  fundamental  rights  (“sociale  grondrechten”).  Judges  would  be  able  to  review  laws  against 
“classic” fundamental rights only.  

9   Country  visit  Netherlands,  Council  for  the  Judiciary,  Netherlands  Bar  Association  (2025),  pp.  40-41,  59, 

83-84, 118, 153, 173-174, Council for the Judiciary (2026a), p. 7.  

10   Coalition Agreement (2026), p. 11. 
11   Council for the Judiciary (2025), Council for the Judiciary (2026b), p. 7. European Network of Councils for 
the Judiciary (2026), p. 50. The Council of State stated in the past that it did not see a reason to amend the 
role of the Minister in the appointment procedures (Council of State (2020)). 

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Dutch Association for the Judiciary has reiterated its position that also the role of the Minister 
in the appointment of court management boards should be removed12.  

Quality 

Changes  were  made  to  the  new  regime  of  visual  supervision  of  lawyer-client 
conversations in high-security prisons, amid concerns by lawyers. On 1 November 2025, 
the  law  providing  for  visual  supervision  of  all  lawyer-client  conversations  in  high  security 
prisons  entered  into  force,  as  part  of  the  measures  to  fight  organised  crime13.  The  law 
provides  that,  in  principle,  confidential  information  from  such  conversations  may  not  be 
transmitted  to  third  parties.  Numerous  lawyers  however  suspended  their  activities  in  high 
security  prisons,  expressing  concerns  about  lawyer-client  privilege14.  They  resumed  their 
work  after  the  Custodial  Institutions  Agency  introduced  changes  to  the  new  visual 
supervision regime15. The Netherlands Bar Association however still reports some concerns 
related  to  the  presence  of  microphones  in  cameras  and  to  the  possibility  for  prison  staff  to 
intervene  during  lawyer-client  conversations16.  The  Government  explained  that  no  audio 
recordings  are  made  during  visits  by  lawyers.  The  Government  also  pointed  to  guidelines 
clarifying when prison staff are allowed to intervene, for example when pressure, coercion or 
threats are directed at the lawyer17. The internal audit service of the Ministry of Justice and 
Security  and  the  Audit  Service  of  the  State  (Auditdienst  Rijk)  have  started  the  preliminary 
works for an audit of the regime18.  

The  digitalisation  of  justice  is  advanced  overall.  The  level  of  digitalisation  is  high19, 
including the availability of electronic communication tools in courts20. The digitalisation of 
legal  proceedings  through  the  electronic  exchange  of  documents  and  secure  electronic 
communications via digital portals was extended to civil proceedings21. In a judgment of June 
2025,  the  Supreme  Court  held  that  hearings  in  civil  cases  can  take  place  in  a  hybrid  form 
when  duly  motivated22.  Four  tribunals  will  start  using  an  experimental  AI  tool  for  the 
pseudonymisation of judgments before publication23. The existing Online Dispute Resolution 
tool will be further expanded in 2026 under the supervision of the Council for the Judiciary24 

12   Country visit Netherlands, Dutch Association for the Judiciary, 2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p.3.  
13   2025 Rule of law Report, Netherlands, p. 4. 
14   Letter of lawyers to Presidents of courts and tribunals and the senior prosecutors (2025). This letter refers to 

relevant national and European provisions and standards.  

15   Country  visit  Netherlands,  Netherlands  Bar  association.  The  changes  concern  reduced  image  quality  to 
prevent lip-reading and to improve transparency on the processing of the footage. Those changes should be 
reflected  in  an  update  of  the  information  sheet  for  lawyers  (Netherlands  Government  (2026),  additional 
written input; Custodial Institutions Agency (2025)).  
16   Country visit Netherlands, Netherlands Bar association.  
17   Netherlands Government (2026), additional written input. 
18   Netherlands  Bar  association  (2026),  additional  written  input;  Netherlands  Government  (2026),  additional 

written input.  

19   2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, pp. 4-5; Figures 39 – 47, 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard. 
20   Figure 42, 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard.  
21   Netherlands Government (2026), written input, p. 6. 
22   Judgment  of  the  Supreme  Court,  ECLI:NL:HR:2025:902.  For  criminal  cases  and  immigration  detention 
cases  a  legal  basis  already  existed  (Article  131a  Code  of  Criminal  Procedure;  Article  97  Aliens  Act; 
Decision on Videoconferencing (Stb. 2022, 465)).  

23   Council for the Judiciary (2026a), p. 22. 
24   The  team  behind  the  tool  (“voorRecht-rechtspraak”)  provides  information  about  rights  and  obligations  in 
accessible language and gives tips to find a solution without the involvement of a judge, for example with 
the  help  of  an  expert  or  mediator.  Eventually,  if  needed,  a  judge  can  be  involved  to  find  a  solution  to  a 
dispute. The tool was awarded the title “best government innovation 2025”, see Government awards (2025).  

4 

 
 
and an evaluation is scheduled for 202725. Reflections in the judiciary are ongoing on how to 
implement artificial intelligence in the daily work, starting with low-risk applications26. The 
Public Prosecution Service continues to invest in its IT systems to prevent security breaches 
following an incident in the summer of 202527.  

Significant  progress  has  been  made  on  the  recommendation  to  improve  working 
conditions in the justice system and address staff shortages28. An agreement between the 
Minister for Justice and Security and the Council for the Judiciary provides for an additional 
EUR 31 million for the judiciary in 2026 and EUR 50 million for both 2027 and 202829. In 
March 2026, the Minister informed the Chamber of Representatives that a temporary scheme 
to allow judges to continue to work until the age of 73 had proven successful in  increasing 
the  capacity  of  the  judiciary  and  that  legislation  is  being  prepared  to  make  the  scheme 
permanent30.  While  workload  remains  high,  the  Council  for  the  Judiciary,  based  on  a  2025 
time-allocation study, reported a decrease in overtime31. An employee survey, conducted in 
2025, further confirms that, although judges still experience a high workload, it has decreased 
since 2022, aligning with the findings of the time-allocation study. The profession of judge 
remains attractive, and the judiciary continues to work towards recruiting 140 trainee judges 
each  year,  which  would  mean  that  the  workforce  remains  stable  and  could  potentially 
increase  in  the  coming  years32.  In  2025  there  were  258  trainee  judges33.  The  European 
Association  for  Judges  (EAJ)  reports  that  the  current  training  programme  for  judges  in  the 
Netherlands imposes a substantial administrative burden on practical supervisors, which adds 
to  their  workload34.  Investments  in  judicial  support  staff  were  made  in  four  courts,  and  an 
evaluation  is  planned  after  one  year35.  The  Public  Prosecution  Service  has  meanwhile 
recruited 240 prosecutors (out of the planned 250) and considers that the shortage of public 
prosecutors has been solved36. The Council of State reported that while there is no shortage of 
judges in  the Administrative Jurisdiction Division, there are not  enough lawyers supporting 
the  judges37.  The  Council  of  State  also  indicated  that  despite  a  high  workload  due  to  the 
complexity and high number of cases, for the first time in five years, the outflow of cases was 

25   Council for the Judiciary (2026), p. 46.  
26   The judiciary can already use “RechtspraakGPT”, enabling judiciary staff to use generative AI for simple 
administrative tasks. Country visit Netherlands, Council for the Judiciary, Netherlands Government (2026), 
written input, p. 7; Netherlands Government (2026), additional written input.  

27   Public Prosecution Service (2025), Country visit Netherlands, Public Prosecution Service.  
28   The 2025 Rule of Law Report recommended to the Netherlands to “Continue efforts to improve challenging 
working  conditions  in  the  justice  system  and  address  shortages  in  human  resources”.  Some  progress  was 
previously assessed on this recommendation in 2025.  

29   Netherlands  Government  (2026),  additional  written  input,  Tweede  Kamer  (2025).  The  Chamber  of 
Representatives and Court of Audit made critical remarks on the budget of the Ministry of Justice, of which 
the  budget  of  the  judiciary  is  part,  Country  visit  Netherlands,  Court  of  Audit;  Court  of  Audit  (2025); 
Netherlands Government (2026a).  

30   Tweede Kamer (2026b).  
31   Country visit Netherlands, Council for the Judiciary.  
32   Ibidem.  
33   Council for the Judiciary (2026b), p. 61. It takes between 1 and 4 years to finish the training procedure to 

become a judge, depending on previous work experience.  

34   European Association for Judges (2026), written input, p. 29. The Dutch Association for the Judiciary is a 

member of EAJ.  

35   Country visit Netherlands, Council for the Judiciary. 
36   Country  visit  Netherlands,  Public  Prosecution  Service.  This  conclusion  is  confirmed  by  European 

Association of Judges (2026), written input, p.3. 

37   Country visit Netherlands, Council of State. 

5 

 
 
slightly  higher  than  the  inflow38.  In  light  of  the  efforts  made,  there  has  been  significant 
progress in implementing this recommendation. 

increase  funding  for 

The  Government  decided  to  structurally 
legal  aid.  On 
1 February 2026,  amendments  to  the  Legal  Aid  Fees  Decree 200039  entered  into  force, 
increasing  the  funding  for  legal  aid.  This  amounts  to  EUR 30 million  structurally  for  2027 
onwards and a lower amount for 2026 due to the moment of entry into force and the fact that 
a  large  number  of  cases  started  in  2026  will  be  submitted  for  reimbursement  after  202640. 
With  these  amendments,  the  Government  followed  up  on  an  independent  review41.  The 
Netherlands  Bar  Association  and  civil  society  organisations  welcomed  the  increase  in 
funding,  while  flagging  that  the  independent  review  had  recommended  a  EUR 40 million 
increase.  They  also  highlighted  the  absence  of  an  office  allowance,  as  well  as  what  they 
consider  to  be  a  too  low  reimbursement  rate  of  legal  aid  fees42.  As  of  1  January  2026,  the 
citizens of the Caribbean Netherlands have access to a service providing legal advice43.  

Pending  the  results  of  an  impact  assessment,  the  prosecution  service  has  halted  the 
possibility to decide on certain criminal cases without involving a judge44. In May 2026, 
the Procurator General at the Supreme Court referred to certain shortcomings by the Public 
Prosecution  Service  in  its  use  of  the  possibility  to  decide  on  certain  criminal  cases  without 
involving  a  judge  (“penal  orders/strafbeschikkingen”)  and  made  recommendations45.  The 
Public  Prosecution  Service  stated  that  it  sees  potential  for  a  more  extensive  use  of  penal 
orders if it implements  the recommendations of the Procurator General46. A study from  the 
Research and Data Centre of the Ministry of Justice and Security (WODC) reports positive 
experiences of both professionals and suspects with the use of penal orders. At the same time, 
the  study  notes  that  some  professionals  are  critical  of  a  more  extensive  application  of  this 
instrument47.  The  Public  Prosecution  Service  is  also  carrying  out  an  impact  assessment48. 
Pending the results of that impact assessment, no new instructions to further intensify the use 
of penal orders have or will be given49. 

Efficiency 

The efficiency of the justice system continues to be high. The duration of proceedings in 
first  instance  civil,  commercial,  administrative,  and  other  cases  remains  short50,  and  the 

38   Council of State (2026), written input.  
39   Legal Aid Fees Decree 2000 (Besluit vergoedingen rechtsbijstand 2000), BWBR0011018, in the version in 

force as of 1 February 2026.  

40   Decision  of  4  December  2025  to  amend  the  Legal  Aid  Fees  Decree,  stb-2025-415,  explanatory 

memorandum Section 7.  

41   Conducted by the Van der Meer II Committee. 2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 6.  
42   Netherlands bar association (2026), additional written input, p.1; NJCM, NHC, TI-NL, FPU, RNW (2026), 

written input, p. 11. 

43   National coordinator against discrimination and racism (2025).  
44   2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 6. See the concerns described by the Council for the Judiciary, 

the Supreme Court’s Attorney General, Police Unions and the Netherlands Bar Association.  

45   Supreme Court (2026); Supreme Court (2026a).  
46   Public Prosecution Service (2026b).  
47   Research and Data Centre WODC / Pro Facto (2026), pp. 53-54, 109-110; The 2025 Rule of Law Report, 
Netherlands, p. 6 describes the concerns of the Council for the Judiciary, the Supreme Court’s Procurator 
General, Police Unions and the Netherlands Bar Association.  

48   2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 6.  
49   2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 6.  
50   Figure 4, 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard. 

6 

 
 
 
clearance  rate  is  effective51.  The  estimated  time  to  resolve  administrative  cases  at  first 
instance courts decreased (246 days in 2024, compared to 267 in 2023)52. The estimated time 
to resolve civil and commercial cases at  first instance courts stood at 124 days in 2024 (no 
data is available for 2023)53. The rate of resolving civil, commercial, administrative and other 
cases at first instance remained at 100 % in 202454. The rate of resolving administrative cases 
at first instance increased to 93 % in 202455. The rate of resolving civil and commercial cases 
at first instance stood at 102 % in 2024 (no data is available for 2023)56. The Council for the 
Judiciary  and  the  European  Association  of  Judges  indicated  that  the  “timely  justice” 
programme  [“tijdige  rechtspraak”],  aimed  at  ensuring  that  cases  are  dealt  with  in  a  timely 
manner,  was  only  partially  successful  in  improving  processing  times  between  2020  and 
202557.  

II. 

ANTI-CORRUPTION FRAMEWORK  

The  perception  among  experts,  citizens  and  business  executives  is  that  the  level  of 
corruption in the public sector remains relatively low. In the 2025 Corruption Perceptions 
Index  by  Transparency  International,  the  Netherlands  scores  78/100  and  ranks  4th  in  the 
European Union and 8th globally58. This perception has deteriorated59 over the past five years. 
The  2026  Special  Eurobarometer  on  Corruption  shows  that  56 %  of  respondents  consider 
corruption  widespread  in  their  country  (EU  average  71 %)  and  9 %  of  respondents  feel 
personally  affected  by  corruption  in  their  daily  lives  (EU  average  30 %).  As  regards 
businesses, 46 % of companies consider that corruption is widespread (EU average 65 %) and 
15 %  consider  that  corruption  is  a  problem  when  doing  business  (EU  average  37 %). 
Furthermore, 47 % of respondents find that there are enough successful prosecutions to deter 
people  from  corrupt  practices  (EU  average  38 %),  while  41 %  of  companies  believe  that 
people  and  businesses  caught  for  bribing  a  senior  official  are  appropriately  punished  (EU 
average 31 %)60.  

The  first  national  anti-corruption  policy  is  being  implemented,  with  plans  to  further 
refine it in the near future. The first national anti-corruption policy, adopted in June 2025 
and  covering  four  pillars61,  is  now  being  implemented  through  a  multi-stakeholder 
approach62.  The  policy  is  expected  to  be  further  refined  following  the  publication  of  the 

51   Figure 6, 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard. 
52   Figure 7, 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard. 
53   Figure 5, 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard. 
54   Figure 9, 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard. 
55   Figure 11, 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard. 
56   Figure 10, 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard. 
57   Council for the Judiciary (2026b), p. 26; European Association for Judges (2026), p. 39. On 20 May 2026, 
as  part  of  its  annual  accountability  audit,  the  Court  of  Audit  criticised  the  lack  of  improvement  in  case 
processing times, Court of Audit (2026).  

58   The level of perceived corruption is categorised as follows: low (the perception among experts and business 
executives  of  public  sector  corruption  scores  above  79);  relatively  low  (scores between  79-60),  relatively 
high (scores between 59-50), high (scores below 50). 

59   In 2021, the score was 82 while in 2025, the score is 78. The score significantly increases/decreases when it 
changes  more  than  five  points;  improves/deteriorates  (changes  between  4-5  points);  is  relatively  stable 
(changes from 1-3 points) in the last five years. 

60   Data from Special Eurobarometer 573 (2026) and Flash Eurobarometer 582 (2026). 
61   Addressing  the  main  vulnerabilities  (as  identified  through  the  national  risk  assessment),  strengthening 
governmental processes and systems, promoting preventive measures in the private sector and ensuring an 
efficient criminal justice response. 2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 7. 

62  Such as intensive consultations with law enforcement and prosecution. Public Prosecution Service (2026), 

additional written input, p. 2.  

7 

 
 
National  Risk  Assessment  on  Corruption  and  a  risk  assessment  on  subversive  organised 
crime in March 202663. While civil society has welcomed the policy, it regrets that it is not a 
comprehensive  anti-corruption  strategy,  spanning  all  government  services,  and  that  it  does 
not contain measurable indicators64. 

Changes  to  the  criminal  anti-corruption  legislation  and  the  criminal  procedure  for 
prosecuting  Ministers  and  Members  of  Parliament  are  under  discussion.  In  2025,  a 
number of high-profile corruption cases gave rise to a debate on the criminalisation of trading 
in influence65. Civil society has continued to call for a broad criminalisation of the offence66. 
The  Government  is  currently  analysing  this  in  the  context  of  potential  broader  legislative 
changes required to transpose the EU Directive on combating corruption67. Draft legislation 
on  the  procedure  for  the  prosecution  and  trial  of  Ministers  and  Members  of  Parliament68, 
which includes a constitutional change69, continues to be discussed in Parliament and will be 
amended on the basis of the advice provided on 22 December 2025 by the Council of State70.  

The investigation and prosecution of corruption offences remains effective, including in 
high-level  cases,  and  efforts  continue  to  strengthen  the  effectiveness  of  enforcement  in 
foreign bribery cases. The investigation and prosecution of corruption offences continues to 
function properly, including in high-level cases, although investigators and prosecutors report 
that issues such as legal privilege and mutual legal assistance can cause serious delays 71. The 
additional  structural  financing  that  was  allocated  to  the  Rijksrecherche  and  the  Anti-
Corruption  Centre  (ACC)  of  the  Fiscal  Intelligence  and  Investigation  Service  (FIOD)  has 
helped  both  organisations  expand  their  investigative  capacities72.  In  2025,  40  persons  were 
indicted  by  the  Public  Prosecution  Service  on  charges  of  corruption  (25  in  2024)73. 
Additionally, in 2025, courts imposed final convictions in 15 cases in first instance and in 5 
cases in second instance74. None of the EPPO cases in 2025 involved corruption offences75. 
The Public Prosecution Service signalled that the issue of professional legal privilege in the 
investigation of large datasets affects corruption cases, in both domestic and foreign bribery 

63   Netherlands  Government  (2026),  additional  written  input.  See  also  Research  and  Data  Centre  WODC 

(2026) and Strategic Knowledge Centre on Subversive Crime SKC (2026).  

64   NJCM, NHC, TI-NL, FPU, RNW (2026), written input, pp. 3-4 and p. 10; Civil Liberties Union for Europe 

(2026), p. 592, p. 607. 

65   2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, pp. 7-8. 
66   NJCM, NHC, TI-NL, FPU, RNW (2026), written input, p. 11. Ensuring the criminalisation of “trading in 
influence” is a long-standing objective of civil society organisations, on which no action has been taken so 
far. 2022 Rule of Law report, Netherlands, p. 9. 

67   Directive  2026/1021  on  combatting  corruption  introduces  an  obligatory  criminalisation  of  trading  in 
influence  (Article  6).  The  Directive  entered  into  force  on  31  May  2026  and  has  a  two-year  transposition 
deadline for most of its provisions. Netherlands Government (2026), additional written input. 

68   Netherlands Government (2026), written input, p. 8, and Council of State (2025a). 
69   The  draft  legislation  concerns  a  change  of  both  the  constitution  and  the  law  and  would  ensure  that  the 
prosecution of members of parliament and ministers is conducted with greater independence and led by the 
prosecutor general. See also 2025 Rule of Law Report, pp. 7-8.  

70   Netherlands Government (2026), written input, p. 8.  
71  Country visit Netherlands, Public Prosecution Service, FIOD and Rijksrecherche; Netherlands Government 

(2026), written input, p. 9; 2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 8.  

72  Country  visit  Netherlands,  Public  Prosecution  Service,  FIOD  and  Rijksrecherche;  2025  Rule  of  Law 

Report, Netherlands, p. 8.  

73   Only data linked to bribery cases. There are no data available on the number of investigations. 
74   This concerns cases in which breaches of one or several corruption crimes have been proven. The number 
on final convictions only refers to the number of cases in which convictions were handed down, not to the 
number  of  defendants  convicted  in  each  case.  Netherlands  Government  (2026),  written  input,  p.  8  and 
statistical annex. 
75   EPPO (2026), p. 43. 

8 

 
 
cases. The Government aims to address delays in criminal proceedings due to legal privilege 
claims  in  the  reform  of  the  Dutch  Code  of  Criminal  Procedure.  In  May  2026,  a  public 
consultation  was  launched  on  draft  legislation  which  incorporates  recent  case-law  on  the 
issue, and which aims to provide a clearer statutory framework for the handling, filtering and 
protection of privileged material in criminal investigations76. The Public Prosecution Service 
reports a number of recent convictions of multinational companies for foreign bribery77 and 
the ACC reports that it has now increased investigative capacity in this area to ensure more 
effective enforcement78.  

Efforts  continue  to  address  corruption  linked  to  organised  crime  and  infiltration  of 
organised  crime  in  state  institutions.  The  increasing  influence  of  corruption  tied  to 
organised crime remains of concern79, with civil society organisations pointing to the risk of 
infiltration  in  state  institutions80.  Police  monitoring  of  potential  unauthorised  access  to 
official  databases  by  civil  servants  and  police  officials  continues81.  In  2025,  the 
Rijksrecherche investigated 20 cases focused on violation of professional secrecy by public 
officials  (15  in  2024)  and  25  cases  of  bribery  of  public  officials  (20  in  2024)82.  The 
Rijksrecherche and the Public Prosecution Service continue to present reports to the relevant 
authorities to flag identified vulnerabilities. These reports typically address the awareness of 
corruption  risks,  compliance  with  working  procedures,  screening  of  personnel  and 
authorisation management and log monitoring83.  

The Code of Conduct for civil  servants is  being revised.  A revised Code of Conduct  for 
civil  servants  is  being  discussed  with  social  partners  and  is  expected  to  enter  into  force  in 
202684.  Special  counsellors  on  ethics  and  integrity  issues  will  also  be  made  available  to 
political  assistants  of  Ministers  and  a  new  Complaints  Committee  started  operations85.  In 
2027, the Court of Audit will evaluate if the measures taken by the Government to improve 
the integrity of civil servants have addressed the concerns raised in its 2025 audit86. The Code 
of Conduct for Ministers and State Secretaries is also being updated87 to align with the new 
legislation  on  revolving  doors,  although  other  updates  are  not  excluded88.  The  police 
continues to reflect on ways to improve its integrity policy, although it has not yet announced 

76   Public  Prosecution  Service  (2026)  and  Netherlands  Government  (2026),  additional  written  input. 
Concretely, the right of the defence to claim that large datasets (or a substantial part thereof) fall under the 
professional  legal  privilege  of  lawyers  and  as  such  cannot  be  used  has  been  flagged  as  an  issue  by 
investigators,  the  Public  Prosecution  Service  and  civil  society.  See  also  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report, 
Netherlands, p. 15. 

77   Country  visit  Netherlands,  Public  Prosecution  Service,  FIOD  and  Rijksrecherche  and  Public  Prosecution 

Service (2026), additional written input.  

78   Country visit Netherlands, Public Prosecution Service, FIOD and  Rijksrecherche. Nonetheless, such cases 
remain complex and lengthy amid concerns of stakeholders over effective enforcement.  See NJCM, NHC, 
TI-NL,  FPU,  RNW  (2026),  written  input,  pp.  16-17,  as  also  reported  in  the  2025  Rule  of  Law  Report, 
Netherlands, p. 8. 

79   Public Prosecution Service (2026a), chapter 7. 
80   NJCM, NHC, TI-NL, FPU, RNW (2026), written input, p. 15  
81   The programme includes algorithmic risk analsyis. Problems on this topic relate to inadequately equipped 
IT systems which are not able to track the identity of persons accessing the specific data in an unauthorised 
manner. 2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 9 and Dutch Police (2026), written input.  

82   Public Prosecution Service (2026a), chapter 7.  
83   Country visit Netherlands, Public Prosecution Service, FIOD and Rijksrecherche 
84   Netherlands Government (2026), written input, p. 13. 
85   Netherlands Government (2026), written input, p. 12. 
86   Country visit Netherlands, Court of Audit and 2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 9. 
87   Netherlands Government (2026), written input, p. 12. 
88   Netherlands Government (2026), additional written input. 

9 

 
 
initiatives to improve the registration of gifts within the police in line with a recommendation 
from GRECO89.  

Updated  guidance  on  the  asset  and  interest  declaration  regime  of  ministers  and  State 
secretaries clarifies rules on interests and side activities, while maintaining the principle 
of  self-responsibility.  In  September  2025,  the  previous  Government  issued  updated 
guidance90  on  the  interpretation  of  the  rules  under  the  2022  Code  of  Conduct,  by  which 
ministers must report any acceptance of financial interests to the House of Representatives91. 
This  includes  a  clearer  recommendation  to  halt  side  activities  and  step  away  from  or  limit 
commercial interests upon taking office. The lack of an oversight mechanism, as the system 
relies on self-responsibility and the principle of parliamentary trust92, has remained an issue 
of concern for stakeholders93. In line with the existing rules, a session to raise awareness on 
integrity issues with the Council of Ministers was organised in 202594.  

Scrutiny  over  the  enforcement  of  the  Parliament’s  system  of  asset  and  interest 
declaration  continues.  Issues  with  the  asset  and  interest  declarations  in  both  houses  of 
Parliament and with the overall mandate of the College of Investigation of Integrity, which is 
attached  to  the  Chamber  of  Representatives,  remain95.  The  College  of  Investigation  of 
Integrity  continues  to  investigate  Members  of  Parliament’s  failures  to  declare  assets  and 
interests on the basis of individual complaints96. It has criticised the limited scope of the 2024 
Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament97. CSOs have reiterated that the oversight and 
enforcement mechanism is insufficient and non-deterrent. Stakeholders regret that there have 
been no improvements to the overall functioning of the system so far98. The Senate also lacks 
an adequate sanctioning mechanism99. 

New legislation on revolving doors is being implemented. New rules on post-employment 
restrictions  for  Ministers  and  State  Secretaries  entered  into  force  on  20  February  2026.  All 
former Ministers and State Secretaries who wish to take up a new job or assignment within 
two  years  of  their  resignation  are  now  required  to  request  an  opinion  of  the  Advisory 
Committee on the Legal Position of Ministers and State Secretaries (ARPA). The legislative 

89   GRECO (2025), recommendation xii, paras 46-51.  
90   Netherlands Government (2025a). 
91  2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, pp. 9-10.  
92   Government members can be requested to resign from office if they lose the confidence of a parliamentary 

majority. See 2024 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 16. 

93   The effectiveness of the Code of Conduct was criticised previously by GRECO, the Open State Foundation, 

and Transparency International. See 2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, pp. 9-10.  

94   Netherlands Government (2026), written input, p. 12. 
95   Stakeholders signalled in the past that over one third of MPs do not, or only insufficiently, declare their side 
jobs and interests and that rules are not enforced. According to civil society this is partly due to the fact that 
the  College  of  Investigation  of  Integrity  lacks  sufficient  enforcement  powers.  Country  visit  Netherlands, 
NJCM, NHC, TI-NL, FPU, RNW and 2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 10.  

96   One  Member of Parliament was suspended for two weeks following an investigation of the College. In a 
number  of  other  cases,  the  College  reports  that  informing  the  Member  of  Parliament  about  a  non-
declaration generally induces them to immediately correct it. College  of Investigation of Integrity (2026), 
pp. 4-5.  

97   In  particular,  the  College  feels  rules  concerning  “statements  harming  the  integrity  of  the  Chamber”  are 

unclear. College of Investigation of Integrity (2026), p. 3. 

98   Notably, the College cannot initiate ex officio investigations into Member of Parliament’s asset declaration 
but  only  on  the  basis  of  complaints,  and  the  maximum  sanction  for  non  declaration  cannot  exceed  two 
weeks of suspension. NJCM, NHC, TI-NL, FPU, RNW (2026), written input, p. 12. 

99   2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 10 and NJCM, NHC, TI-NL, FPU, RNW (2026), written input, 

p. 11. 

10 

 
 
obligations also apply to the members of the most recent former governments, as long as their 
formal  resignation  took  place  within  two  years  prior  to  the  entry  into  force  of  the  new 
rules100.  The  advice  from  ARPA  will  only  be  made  public  if  the  former  Minister  or  State 
Secretary accepts the job. Although there is no obligation for officials to follow the ARPA’s 
advice101, national authorities consider that making the advice public discourages officials to 
disregard it102. Civil society has welcomed the entry into force of these rules103. 

Limited progress has been made on the recommendation on  transparency of lobbying, 
intends  to  establish  a  transparency  register104.  The  new 
as  the  Government 
Government’s  coalition  agreement  includes  an  explicit  commitment  to  introduce  a 
transparency  register105.  A  legislative  proposal  to  that  effect  is  expected  by  autumn  2026, 
following  broad  consultations106.  Civil  society  has  welcomed  this  step,  which  is  a  long-
standing  recommendation  to  the  Netherlands,  but  awaits  further  details107.  Given  the 
promising stated intention but the absence of concrete plans, there has been limited progress 
as regards transparency of lobbying. 

The Political Parties Act, regulating political party financing, remains under discussion 
in Parliament108. The draft Act enables the public financing of local political parties109. The 
draft law was amended in December 2025 in the House of Representatives and the Council of 
State issued its advice on these  amendments  in  May 2026, stressing the  need  for  a balance 
between  regulation  and  the  freedom  of  political  parties  to  organise  themselves110.  The 
parliamentary  procedure  is  now  expected  to  resume  and  to  take  the  Council’s  advice  into 
account. Provisions on national party financing have largely stayed the same111. Civil society 
have  raised  concerns  on  the  revised  draft  allowing  foreign  persons112  to  donate  up  to 
EUR 250  to  political  parties  –  compared  to  a  full  ban  on  such  foreign  donations  in  earlier 
drafts113.  

An evaluation of the whistleblower legislation is planned for 2026. Possible amendments 
to the whistleblower legislation114, such as introducing anonymous reporting and supervisory 
and enforcement powers for the Whistleblower’s Authority, continue to be considered within 

100   As  of  June  2026,  seven  pieces  of  advice  to  former  ministers  or  state  secretaries  have  been  made  public. 

Netherlands Government (2026), additional written input. 

101   2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 10. 
102   Netherlands Government (2026), additional written input.  
103   NJCM, NHC, TI-NL, FPU, RNW (2026), written input, p. 10. 
104   The 2025 Rule of Law Report recommended to the Netherlands to ‘Establish stricter transparency rules on 
lobbying  for  members  of  the  Government  and  Parliament’.  “Limited  further  progress”  was  previously 
assessed on this recommendation in 2025. 

105   Coalition Agreement (2026), p. 10. 
106   A parliamentary debate, where the responsible Minister would set out further details, has been planned for 

September 2026. Ministry of Internal Affairs and Kingdom Relations (2026). 

107   Transparency International Netherlands (2026).  
108   It was submitted to Parliament in May 2025. 2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 11. 
109   The  Act  introduces  transparency  rules  on  the  organisation  of  political  parties  and  also  incorporates  the 
existing Act on Political Party Financing. It also aims to regulate, amongst other provisions, foreign parties’ 
activities and includes a prohibition on parties that “present a clear and present danger of undermining or 
abolishing the democratic rule of law”. 2024 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, pp. 18-19. 

110   Council of State (2026a).  
111   Netherlands Government (2026), additional written input; Tweede Kamer (2026c).  
112   This concerns individuals who are not residents in the Netherlands or do not possess Dutch nationality. 
113   NJCM, NHC, TI-NL, FPU, RNW (2026), written input, p. 11. 
114   In force since 2023 and aimed at transposing the EU Directive on whistleblower protection. 2023 Rule of 

Law Report, Netherlands, p. 16. 

11 

 
 
the Government115. An evaluation of the legislation’s effectiveness and efficiency at national 
level  is  to  be  conducted  in  2026116.  The  Whistleblower’s  Authority  and  civil  society 
underlined  the  complexity  of  the  national  legislation  and  the  difficulty  to  meet  the  “public 
interest” criterion, which is required for protecting persons reporting on wrongdoings, other 
than  violations  of  EU  law,  within  the  meaning  of  the  whistleblower  law117.  There  is  no 
specific  data  on  the  number  of  reports  that  relate  to  corruption.  The  Whistleblower’s 
Authority signalled one specific case with a link to corruption118.  

A national risk assessment on corruption and an assessment on corruption risks linked 
to subversive organised crime were published in March 2026. The Flash Eurobarometer 
on Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU shows that 22 % of companies in the 
Netherlands  (EU  average  30 %)  think  that  corruption  has  prevented  them  from  winning  a 
public tender or a public procurement contract in the last three years119. The Single Market 
and Competitiveness Scoreboard on access to public procurement in the Netherlands reports 
23 % of single bids for 2025 (EU average 27 %)120. 56 % of businesses perceive the level of 
independence of the public procurement review bodies (district courts) as very or fairly good, 
which  has  significantly  decreased  in  comparison  to  2025  (64 %)121.  Public  procurement  is 
seen as one of the main areas at high risk of corruption in the country, as also signalled by the 
Court  of  Audit122.  A  national  risk  assessment  on  corruption,  and  a  risk  assesment  on 
corruption  risks  linked  to  subversive  organised  crime,  were  published  in  March  2026.  The 
former analysed corruption risks and identified thirteen of them as the greatest threats, both in 
the public and private sector, including the size of the threat compared to its resilience, and 
points to the importance of integrity and prevention policies in each organisation123, while the 
latter  points  to  the  increasing  professionalisation  of  organised  crime  utilising  informal 
networks  to  influence  civil  servants124.  The  Government  is  analysing  these  indepedendent 
assessments with a view to feed them into its anti-corruption policy125. An audit flagged that 
most  government  departments  lack  an  adequate  corruption  risk  prevention  policy126.  The 
maritime and defence sectors have also been flagged by stakeholders as high risk areas127.  

III.  MEDIA PLURALISM AND MEDIA FREEDOM  

The  media  regulator  continues  to  operate  efficiently  and  independently.  The  Dutch 
media regulator, the Commissariaat voor de Media (‘CvdM’), is following up on compliance 
with the 2024 recommendations of the  Investigation Committee on Conduct and Culture of 

115   Dutch  Whistleblower’s  Authority  (2026),  written  input  and  NJCM,  NHC,  TI-NL,  FPU,  RNW  (2026), 

written input, p. 12. 

116   Netherlands Government (2026), written input, p. 14. 
117   NJCM,  NHC,  TI-NL,  FPU,  RNW  (2026),  written  input,  p.  13.  See  also  2025  Rule  of  Law  Report, 

Netherlands, pp. 11-12.  

118   Dutch Whistleblower’s Authority (2026), written input. 
119   Flash Eurobarometer 582 on businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2026). This is 8 percentage 

points below the EU average. 

120   2025 Single Market and Competitiveness Scoreboard. 
121   Figure 59, 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard. 
122   NJCM, NHC, TI-NL, FPU, RNW (2026), written input, p. 15; Country visit Netherlands, Court of Audit. 

See also 2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 12.  

123   Research and Data Centre WODC (2026). 
124   Strategic Knowledge Centre on Subversive Crime SKC (2026).  
125   Netherlands Government (2026), additional written input. 
126   Central Government Audit Service (2025), pp. 4-7.  
127   NJCM,  NHC,  TI-NL,  FPU,  RNW  (2026),  written  input,  p.  14  and  Country  visit  Netherlands,  Court  of 

Audit.  

12 

 
 
Broadcasters established by the foundation for public broadcasting (‘NPO’)128 to investigate 
misconduct and unsafe working environments within national public broadcasters, as well as 
on the resulting action plans by the public broadcasters and the NPO. For instance, the CvdM 
continued to report on the action plans it had asked all public broadcasters and their umbrella 
organisation  –  the  NPO  –  to  submit,  emphasising  the  need  for  strong  leadership,  improved 
supervision and renewed ethical standards to support long-term cultural change129. The CvdM 
has indicated that, while its current resources are sufficient, the resource-intensive nature of 
supervising  the  digital  environment  necessitates  careful  prioritisation,  as  reflected  in  its 
Multiannual Strategy 2025–2030130. The strategy puts the focus of the CvdM’s activities on 
strengthening  news  services,  ensuring  a  well-functioning  public  media  landscape,  and 
creating  a  safer  online  environment  for  minors,  acknowledging  the  growing  influence  of 
social  media  and  AI-driven  content  distribution131.  The  CvdM  was  assigned  as  National 
Contact Point under the Political Advertising Regulation132. 

The impact of steps taken to address concerns about the adequacy of the Press Council 
still remains to be seen, nevertheless there was an increase in the number of complaints 
received. The Press Council had taken initiatives to address concerns about its adequacy133. 
The  initiatives  aim  to  prevent  the  Press  Council  from  being  perceived  as  a  forum  for  legal 
disputes, for example by asking parties to waive legal action if they submit a complaint to the 
Press Council134, and would be tested during a period of two years. The Press Council stated 
in its annual report for 2024, published mid-2025, that the initiatives work well in practice135. 
While  the  full  effects  still  remain  to  be  seen136,  the  Press  Council  reported  a  significant 
increase in number of complaints received137. 

The Government continues to work on the planned reform of the public service media, 
marking  some  progress  on  the  recommendation  to  strengthen  its  governance  and 
capacity to uphold journalistic standards138. Preparatory work on the reform of the public 
service media is still ongoing. A public consultation is scheduled for the summer of 2026 and 
a  draft  law  is  expected  to  be  sent  to  Parliament  in  early  2027139,  with  a  planned  entry  into 
force on 1 January 2028. Provided this timeline  is  maintained, the new system for national 
public broadcasters should be operational on 1 January 2029140. As previously reported141, the 

128   Country visit Netherlands, Dutch public service media. 
129   CvdM (2025a). 
130   Country visit Netherlands, Dutch media regulator (CvdM); CvdM (2025). 
131   CvdM (2025). 
132   The  CvdM  was  appointed  by  ministerial  decree  –  i.e.  the  Temporary  Designation  Decree  for  the 
implementation of the Regulation on transparency and targeted political advertising, and an Implementation 
Act for the Regulation on Transparency and Targeted Political Advertising is pending in the Parliament. 

133   Press Council (2026), written input.  
134   2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 13. 
135   Press  Council  (2025),  p.6.  The  Press  Council  acknowledged  that  it  cannot  enforce  the  waiver  of  legal 
action;  however  so  far  there  have  been  no  cases  in  which  parties  to  a  complaint  procedure  at  the  Press 
Council ignored the waiver. 

136   Country visit Netherlands, Government. 
137   Press Council (2026), written input.  
138   The  2025  Rule  of  Law  Report  recommended  to  the  Netherlands  to  ‘Take  forward  the  planned  reform  of 
public service media to enhance its governance and its ability to uphold journalistic standards, taking into 
account  European  standards  on  public  service  media’.  Some  progress  was  previously  assessed  on  this 
recommendation in 2025.  

139   Country  visit  Netherlands,  Dutch  media  regulator  (CvdM)  and  Government;  Netherlands  Government 

(2025), p. 11. 

140   Netherlands  Government  (2026),  written  input,  p.  2;  Dutch  public  service  media  (NPO)  (2026),  written 

input, pp. 14-15. 

13 

 
 
reform  aims  to  strengthen  editorial  independence,  journalistic  standards  and  oversight  and 
abolish the current licensing system142. In parallel, annual budget cuts to be implemented in 
2027143 are expected to have an impact on programming and overhead staff structure144. The 
previously  proposed  increase  in  VAT  for  the  sports,  cultural  and  media  sectors  was 
withdrawn145.  The  Government  has  sent  the  draft  law  aimed  at  strengthening  local  public 
broadcasters to the parliament on 24 March 2026146. The proposal aims, as of 1 January 2028, 
to increase the budget (to an estimated EUR 34,5 million), shift funding from local authorities 
to  the  central  government,  and  reduce  the  number  of  local  broadcasters  from  220  to 
maximum  80.  Finally,  in  view  of  NPO’s  plan  of  action  following  the  inquiry  by  the 
Committee on Conduct and Culture of Broadcasters, stakeholders report some improvements, 
while journalists’ associations highlight in particular the uncertainty surrounding journalists’ 
positions  due  to  unclear  decision-making  structures  within  the  NPO  and  the  prevalence  of 
temporary  contracts147,  calling  for  the  implementation  of  the  recommendations  on  a  safe 
working environment. Given the ongoing work to reform public service media, some further 
progress has been made on this recommendation. 

Challenges  related  to  a  high  level  of  media  market  concentration  and  limited  media 
ownership  transparency  remain.  The  Government  reiterated  its  intention  to  propose 
legislation  on  the  assessment  of  media  market  concentrations  with  potentially  significant 
impact on media pluralism and editorial independence in the context of the implementation of 
EMFA148.  The  CvdM  still  faces  challenges  in  accessing  full  information  about  media 
ownership,  due  to  a  lack  of  competence  in  this  regard,  especially  in  complex  financial 
structures  for  the  purposes  of  its  Media  Monitor149.  The  Media  Pluralism  Monitor  2026 
observes a very high risk in view of transparency of media ownership150 (compared to a high 
risk in the 2025 report)151. Regarding the merger between DPG Media and RTL Nederland152 
which  became  final  in  September  2025,  stakeholders  consider  it  too  early  to  report  on  the 
effects on the Dutch media landscape of the structural conditions imposed by the Netherlands 
Authority for Consumers and Markets. The trade organisation for news companies expressed 
the need to protect the earning models of local commercial news media153. In line with last 
year’s findings, the Media Pluralism Monitor 2026 indicates that while risks to media market 
plurality  are  medium-high,  editorial  independence  continues  to  be  assessed  at  very  low 
risk154. 

Work  to  improve  transparency  and  access  to  information  continued.  The  Dutch 
Government is continuing the work to improve the implementation of the Open Government 

141   2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 13. 
142   The  current  licensing  system  has  been  extended  for  two  years,  until  1  January  2029.  Country  visit 

Netherlands, Dutch public service media (NPO). 

143   Netherlands  Government  (2026),  written  input,  p.  1.  The  total  amount  of  funding  was  lowered  with 
EUR 156,7 million starting in 2027. At the  same time, the  advertising limits are being expanded from an 
expected advertising revenue of EUR 153 million in 2025 to EUR 165 million in 2027. 

144   Country visit Netherlands, Dutch public service media (NPO). 
145   Netherlands Government (2025), p. 11. 
146   Tweede Kamer (2026d). 
147   Country visit Netherlands, Association of Journalists. 
148   Country visit Netherlands, additional written input, p. 5, 2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 14.  
149   Country visit Netherlands, Dutch media regulator (CvdM). 
150   Media Pluralism Monitor (2026), p. 22. 
151   Media Pluralism Monitor (2025), p. 18. 
152   2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 14. 
153   Country visit Netherlands, NDP Nieuwsmedia. 
154   Media Pluralism Monitor (2026), p. 21 and 27. 

14 

 
 
Act155.  Efforts  to  improve  the  processing  of  disclosure  requests  continued  in  2025. 
Intergovernmental working groups are in  the final  stages of  developing a handbook to  help 
public  authorities  address  misuse  of  requests156.  Additionally,  the  Government  is  working 
with  local  and  regional  authorities  on  the  implementation  of  the  proactive  disclosure  of  17 
compulsory categories  of information157 and on guidance how  authorities should meet  their 
best-efforts  obligation  when  it  comes  to  disclosure,  with  a  focus  on  meaningful 
transparency158. The information of all public authorities is made available through a central 
platform with  a search function159. The Government  has commissioned an external  party to 
conduct  a  study  to  gain  better  insights  into  the  concrete  administrative  burden  and  costs 
resulting from the Open Government Act160. The results of this study will be published and 
will serve as the basis for an evaluation of the Act, foreseen to be launched still in 2026161. 
An improvement highlighted by stakeholders is the possibility to rely on a mediation officer, 
as  part  of  an  independent  government  office,  when  the  Government  is  not  providing  the 
information162. Meanwhile, some concerns remain, notably on the quality of information and 
delays  in  processing  requests  due  to  multiple  legal  and  political  reviews  required  before 
releasing information163. In view of delays in processing requests, an interministerial working 
group  will  be  launched  in  the  summer  of  2026  with  the  aim  of  ensuring  a  more  efficient, 
responsive and verifiable Open Government Act process164. 

Further  steps  to  ensure  the  safety  of  journalists  have  been  taken.  The  PersVeilig165 
initiative continues to be appreciated by stakeholders166 and the Government167 as playing an 
important  role  in  enhancing  the  safety  of  journalists,  both  online  and  offline.  It  was  given 
foundation status in 2025 to ensure its sustainability and financing. Its board is comprised of 
representatives of public service media, publishers and the Dutch Association of Journalists 
and  it  receives  annual  funding  from  the  Ministry  of  Education,  Culture  and  Science, 
complemented  by  employer  contributions168.  In  2025,  journalists  reported  a  total  of  262 
incidents to PersVeilig, compared to 249 in 2024 and 218 in 2023169. Since the publication of 
the 2025 Rule of Law Report, two alerts were registered on the Council of Europe’s Platform 
concerning assault while reporting170. The Mapping Media Freedom platform has identified 
17 alerts171. Some incidents against journalists were also  reported during demonstrations172, 

155   The law entered into force on 1 May 2022 and is intended to make governments more transparent and aims 

to ensure that government information is easier to find, exchange, access, and is properly archived. 

156   Netherlands Government (2026), written input, p. 16. 
157   Section 3.3 of the Open Government Act. 
158   Netherlands Government (2025), p. 11. 
159   open.overheid.nl.  
160   Country visit Netherlands, Government. 
161   Country visit Netherlands, Government, Netherlands Government (2026), written input, pp. 15-17. 
162   Country visit Netherlands, Association of Journalists. 
163   Country  visit  Netherlands,  Dutch  public  service  media  (NPO),  Association  of  Journalists,  Free  Press 

Unlimited (2026), written input. p. 19. 
164   Netherlands Government (2025), pp. 11-12. 
165   PersVeilig operates as an independent organisation dedicated to protecting press freedom. The foundation 

provides support, training, and expert legal advice. 

166   Country visit Netherlands, NIHR. 
167   Country visit Netherlands, Dutch public service media (NPO), Country visit Netherlands, Government. 
168   Netherlands Government (2026), written input, p. 16. 
169   Free Press Unlimited (2026), written input. p. 18. 
170   Council of Europe Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists (2026). The 
national authorities have not replied to one of the alerts, while a reply is expected by 21 July 2026 on the 
other alert. 

171   This includes cases of assault, harassment, intimidation, damage, spoofing, hacking and blocked access to 

information. Mapping Media Freedom (2026). 

15 

 
 
but were addressed swiftly by the police and the Public Prosecution Service173. Stakeholders 
raised  concerns  about  political  pressure,  intimidation  and  the  hardening  political  rhetoric 
towards  journalists174.  They  highlighted  that  this  environment  could  create  a  chilling  effect 
and ultimately affect press freedom, discouraging journalists from covering certain topics or 
expressing critical  views. In a letter addressed to  the relevant  ministers, stakeholders called 
for politicians to be held accountable for remarks that call into question the independence and 
integrity  of  the  media  and  interfere  with  editorial  independence  and  media  freedom175. 
Enforcement against online threats against journalists is considered another pressing issue176. 
While SLAPPs are not seen as a systemic issue, concerns persist about their potential impact, 
and a full assessment is challenging due to limited reporting mechanisms177. The Government 
continues to work on the draft law aiming to transpose the anti-SLAPP Directive, scheduled 
for plenary debate in the House of Representatives in June 2026178. Stakeholders called for an 
extension of the scope to cover both cross-border and domestic cases179.  

IV.  OTHER INSTITUTIONAL ISSUES RELATED TO CHECKS AND BALANCES 

Some further progress was made on the recommendation to take forward the proposals 
of  the  State  Commission  on  Rule  of  Law  to  strengthen  a  rule  of  law  culture180.  The 
proposals of the State Commission date from June 2024 and notably cover the strengthening 
of a rule of law culture among Government officials, politicians and civil servants, enhanced 
access to information and justice for citizens, further possibilities for constitutional review of 
legislation  and  significant  investments  in  the  judiciary  and  legal  aid181.  Concrete 
developments  have  taken  place  on  several  of  these  proposals.  The  Spring  budget  of  the 
Government  allocates up to  EUR 75 million annually by 2030 for strengthening the rule of 
law  in  the  Netherlands,  for  example  by  improving  access  to  justice  and  citizenship 
education182. In 2025, a kick-off meeting for a structured dialogue between State powers to 
discuss rule of law matters took place, chaired by the Speaker of the Senate. The next rule of 
law dialogue is scheduled for 7 September 2026 in the context of the “Rule of Law week”183. 
The  Government  is  reflecting  on  setting  up  a  permanent  secretariat  for  the  dialogue184.  In 
October  2025,  the  House  of  Representatives  decided  to  keep  the  Temporary  Committee  on 

172   Country visit Netherlands, NIHR, association of journalists, Free Press Unlimited (2026), written input, p. 

18. 

173   Country visit Netherlands, Association of Journalists and Dutch public service media (NPO). 
174   Country visit Netherlands, NIHR. 
175   Letter of 25 February 2026 addressed to Ministers Letschert and Van Weel, signed by NDP Nieuwsmedia, 
Nederlandse  Vereniging van Journalisten,  Nederlands  Genootschap  van  Hoofdredacteuren  and  Free  Press 
Unlimited, Free Press Unlimited (2026), written input. p. 20.  

176   Country visit Netherlands, Association of Journalists. 
177   Country visit Netherlands, NIHR, Dutch public service media (NPO). 
178   For  more  details  on  the  state  of  play,  see  the  website  of  the  Dutch  Government  and  the  website  of  the 

Chamber of Representatives. 

179   Country  visit  Netherlands,  Association  of  Journalists;  Country  visit  Netherlands  NJCM,  NHC,  TI-NL, 

FPU, RNW; Free Press Unlimited (2026), written input. pp. 19-20. 

180   The 2025 Rule of Law Report recommended to the Netherlands to “Take forward the proposal of the State 
Commission  on  Rule  of  Law  to  strengthen  a  rule  of  law  culture,  including  by  setting  up  a  structured 
dialogue between the state powers based on a ‘rule of law agenda’.” Some progress was previously assessed 
on this recommendation in 2025.  

181   2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 16.  
182   Ministry  of  Finance  (2026),  budget  line  27.  See  for  more  developments  Section  I  of  this  Chapter  on  the 

Justice System.  

183   Council for the Judiciary (2026b), p. 7, Netherlands Government, additional written input. 
184   The secretariat is currently housed at the Court of Audit and consists of one staff member. 

16 

 
 
Human  Rights  and  Constitutional  Review  in  place185.  While  the  restructuring  of  the 
Administrative  Jurisdiction  Division  of  the  Council  of  State  is  not  under  consideration 
anymore, the Council of State is exchanging with the Government to formally enshrine the de 
facto  independence  of  the  Administrative  Jurisdiction  Division  in  legislation186.  The 
Netherlands  Bar  Association  and  the  Council  for  the  Judiciary  observe  that  in  several 
legislative initiatives, procedural safeguards are being weakened, including by abolishing one 
level  of  judicial  review  in  the  standard  two-stage  administrative  law  appeal  procedures187. 
Overall, there has been some further progress on this recommendation.  

More than two thirds of companies surveyed in the Netherlands express confidence in 
the effectiveness of investment protection. 71 % of companies are very or fairly confident 
that  investments  are  protected  by  law  and  courts,  a  figure  which  has  slightly  increased  in 
comparison with 2025 (68 %)188. As regards authorities relevant for economic operators 67 % 
of  companies  perceive  the  level  of  independence  of  the  national  competition  authority  (the 
Authority for Consumers and Markets) as very or fairly good, a figure which has significantly 
decreased in comparison with 2025 (75 %)189. The Council of State has jurisdiction in some 
business-related  cases,  including  in  cases  related  to  public  concessions  and  economic 
regulation.  A  number  of  judicial  mechanisms  to  improve  efficiency  are  available  in  these 
cases, including the possibility to apply interim measures, joint examination of similar cases 
and the consolidation of multiple appeals190. 

On 1 January 2026, the Netherlands had 11 leading judgments of the European Court 
of  Human  Rights  pending  implementation,  an  increase  of  4  compared  to  the  previous 
year191. At that time, the Netherlands’ rate of leading judgments from the past 10 years that 
had  been  implemented  was  at  45 %  (compared  to  59 %  in  2025;  55 %  remained  pending), 
and the average time that the judgments had been pending implementation was 2 years and 
11 months (compared to 3 years and 2 months in 2025)192. The oldest leading judgment has 
been pending implementation for 10 years193. As regards the respect of payment deadlines, on 

185   2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 16; Tweede Kamer (2026f).  
186   Council of State (2026), written input, p. 1. 
187   Country  visit  Netherlands,  Netherlands  Bar  Association,  Netherlands  Bar  Association  (2026),  additional 
written input, Council for the Judiciary (2026a), additional written input. The Netherlands Bar Association 
refers  notably  to  the  revision  of  the  Criminal  Procedure  Code  and  measures  affecting  legal  professional 
privilege. The Council for the Judiciary emphasized in several reactions to a variety of legislative proposals 
(for example in the area of housing, defence and sharing of sensitive information in research organisations) 
that a two-stage appeal procedure allowing for a review regarding both facts and law is an important part of 
the  rule of  law.  Simplification  of  the  two-stage  appeal process  should  be balanced  against  effective  legal 
protection.  

188   Figures  52  and  53,  2026  EU  Justice  Scoreboard.  8 %  and  7 %  of  the  surveyed  investors  respectively 
perceive  the frequent  changes  in  legislation  or  concerns  about  the  quality  of  the  law-making  process  and 
concerns  about  quality,  efficiency  or  independence  of  justice  as  a  reason  for  the  lack  of  confidence  in 
investment protection.  

189   Figure 60, 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard.  
190   Figures 66 and 67, 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard. The data presented reflects exclusively the mechanisms in 
place at the level of the highest administrative jurisdictions; the same or other mechanisms may be in place 
at lower instance administrative courts. 

191   For an explanation of the supervision process, see the website of the Council of Europe.  
192   All figures calculated by the European Implementation Network (EIN) and based on the number of cases 
that are considered pending at the annual cut-off date of 1 January 2026. EIN (2026), written input, p. 7. 

193   Judgment of the ECtHR, 10511/10, Murray v. the Netherlands, pending implementation since 2016.  

17 

 
 
31  December  2025  there  were  no  cases  awaiting  confirmation  of  payments  (same  as  in 
2024)194. By 17 June 2026, there were still 11leading judgments pending implementation195.  

The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights and the Ombudsman continue to carry out 
their  mandates  effectively.  The  Netherlands  Institute  for  Human  Rights  (NIHR)  has  been 
accredited  an  A-Status  since  2014196.  Both  institutions  have  been  exempted  from  the 
instructions of the new government to structurally reduce expenditure197. The NIHR indicated 
that  resources  were  made  available  for  new  tasks,  including  the  National  Prevention 
Mechanism198. In its annual report, the NIHR reported an increase in human resources199 and 
the Ombudsman reported a small  decline200. On 1  September 2025, the new chairperson of 
the  NIHR  took  up  his  post.  To  carry  out  its  task  of  issuing  non-binding  decisions  in  the 
Caribbean  Netherlands,  the  NIHR  received  an  incidental  additional  contribution  for  2026 
from  the  Government201.  The  Ministry  for  Justice  and  Security  has  published  its  Policy 
Strategy  Caribbean  Netherlands  2026-2030,  setting  priorities  that  should  among  others 
strengthen the rule of law202. 

Civil society organisations welcomed the Senate’s rejection of the law on transparency 
of CSOs, while raising concerns on other initiatives that risk affecting civic space.  The 
Netherlands’ overall civic space remains, according to Civicus, narrowed203. In March 2026, 
the Senate rejected the Law on transparency of CSOs204, which had been criticised by CSOs, 
charitable organisations and the NIHR205. The NIHR called on the Government to take steps 
to facilitate the work of civil society206. Empirical research among CSOs has shown that 86 % 
consider  that  their  situation  has  worsened  over  the  last  two  years207.  Following  a  report 
commissioned by the WODC208, the Government is carrying out an assessment with a view 
to  amending  legislation  to  address  situations  where  protesters  are  breaking  the  law 
intentionally,  where  the  rights  of  protesters  clash  with  the  rights  of  others,  or  where  police 
capacity is limited. A detailed government reply to the report of the WODC is expected after 
Parliament’s 2026 summer recess209. In its report of May 2026210, the Ombudsman took the 
view  that  the  government’s  focus  on  limiting  risks  and  nuisance  in  demonstrations  may 

194   Council of Europe (2026), p.163 
195   Data according to the online database of the Council of Europe (HUDOC). 
196   Accreditation is provided by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), based 

on the Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions (The Paris Principles). 

197   Coalition Agreement (2026a). Also, the police, prisons, the Public Prosecution service, the Council for the 
Judiciary, the Legal Aid Board, the Supreme Court, the Council of State and the Court of Audit have been 
exempted. 

198   2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 17; NIHR (2026), p. 45.  
199   NIHR (2026), p. 42.  
200   National Ombudsman (2026), p. 34.  
201   Additional EUR 70 000. NIHR (2025b), p. 35.  
202   For  example,  in  the  area  of  corruption,  access  to  justice  and  organised  crime.  Ministry  for  Justice  and 

Security (2026).  

203   The  Netherlands  scores  75/100.  Ratings  by  CIVICUS  are  on  a  five-category  scale  defined  as:  open, 

narrowed, obstructed, repressed, and closed.  

204   The draft aimed to introduce transparency requirements to prevent donations and undue foreign influence. 
The  draft  provisions  would  have  introduced  the  possibility  to  make  targeted  enquiries  about  foreign 
donations above a certain threshold and for the Courts to impose penalties.  

205   Country  visit  Netherlands,  NJCM,  NHC,  TI-NL,  FPU,  RNW,  Goede  Doelen  Nederland  (2026);  NIHR 

(2025a).  

206   NIHR (2025), p. 11.  
207   NIHR (2025), p. 10.  
208   Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Pro Facto, de Universiteit van Amsterdam and Tilburg University (2025).  
209   Netherlands Government (2026), additional written input, Tweede Kamer (2026e).  
210   National Ombudsman (2026a), pp. 16, 42, 64, 65.  

18 

 
 
discourage  citizens  from  taking  part.  Several  civil  society  organisations  have  reiterated 
concerns  reflected  in  the  2025  Rule  of  Law  Report  about  certain  measures  taken  by  public 
authorities211,  such  as  the  increased  use  of  emergency  ordinances  to  prohibit  or  disband 
protests212, considering them to be disproportionate213. The city of Amsterdam has called for 
more  support  to  local  authorities  to  assist  them  in  their  task  to  protect  and  facilitate 
demonstrations214.  

211   Country visit Netherlands, NJCM, NHC, TI-NL, FPU, RNW (2026), written input, p. 41; 2025 Rule of Law 

Report, Netherlands, p. 18-19. 

212   NOS (2025).  
213   2025 Rule of Law Report, Netherlands, p. 19. 
214   City of Amsterdam (2026), written input.  

19 

 
 
Annex I: List of sources in alphabetical order* 

The list of contributions received in the context of the consultation for the 2026 Rule of Law Report 
can 
https://commission.europa.eu/publications/2026-rule-law-report-targeted-
found 
stakeholder-consultation_en.  

be 

at 

Centre  for  Media  Pluralism  and  Media  Freedom  (2026),  Media  Pluralism  Monitor  2026,  Country 
report for the Netherlands, https://cmpf.eui.eu/projects/media-pluralism-monitor/.  

Centre  for  Media  Pluralism  and  Media  Freedom  (2025),  Media  Pluralism  Monitor  2025,  Country 
report for the Netherlands, https://cmpf.eui.eu/projects/media-pluralism-monitor/.  

Central  Government  Audit  Service  (2025),  Investigative  report  –  controlling  fraud-  and  corruption 
risks,  2  October  2025,  https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2025/10/02/beheersing-
fraude-en-corruptierisico-s. 

City of Amsterdam (2026), Input from the City of Amsterdam for the 2026 Rule of Law Report.  

Civil  Liberties  Union  for  Europe  (2026),  Liberties  Rule  of  Law  Report  2026,  30  March  2026, 
https://www.liberties.eu/f/wtaqoq.  

Coalition  Agreement  (2026),  Getting  started  –  coalition  agreement  2026-2030  (Aan  de  Slag  – 
Coalitieakkoord 
2026, 
https://www.kabinetsformatie2025.nl/documenten/2026/01/30/aan-de-slag---coalitieakkoord-2026-
2030.  

2026-2030), 

January 

30 

Coalition  Agreement (2026a),  Budgetary  table  and  appendix  to  coalition agreement  Getting started, 
30  January  2026  (Budgettaire  tabel  en  bijlage  bij  coalitieakkoord  Aan  de  slag),  30  January  2026, 
https://www.kabinetsformatie2025.nl/documenten/2026/01/30/budgettaire-tabel-en-bijlage-bij-
coalitieakkoord-aan-de-slag.  

of 

College 
Investigation 
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/sites/default/files/2026-
03/Jaarverslag%202025%20van%20het%20College%20van%20onderzoek%20integriteit.pdf.  

Integrity 

Annual 

(2026), 

Report 

of 

2025, 

Council  for  the  Judiciary  (2025),  Judiciary  welcomes  proposal  for  own  budget  (Rechtspraak 
verwelkomt  voorstel  voor  eigen  begroting),  26  March  2025,  https://www.rechtspraak.nl/organisatie-
en-contact/organisatie/raad-voor-de-rechtspraak/nieuws/rechtspraak-verwelkomt-voorstel-voor-eigen-
begroting.  

Council for the Judiciary (2026), Annual plan for the judiciary 2026 (Jaarplan Rechtspraak 2026), 13 
January  2026,  https://www.rechtspraak.nl/binaries/_rts_1768901819918/content/assets/rvdr/jd/rvdr-
jd-jaarplan-van-de-rechtspraak-2026.pdf.  

Council for the Judiciary (2026a), additional written input from the Council for the Judiciary for the 
2026 Rule of Law Report. 

Council  for  the  Judiciary  (2026b),  Annual  report  2025  (Jaarverslag  2025),  23  April  2026, 
https://www.rechtspraak.nl/binaries/_rts_1776914786729/content/assets/rvdr/jd/rvdr-jd-jaarverslag-
rechtspraak-2025.pdf.  

Council of Europe (2026), Supervision of the execution of judgments decisions of the European Court 
of Human Rights – 19th Annual Report of the Committee of Ministers – 2025, https://rm.coe.int/2025-
annual-report/48802b1633.  

Council  of  Europe  (2025),  Council  of  Europe  Convention  for  the  Protection  of  the  Profession  of 
Lawyer, 13 May 2025, https://rm.coe.int/1680b4c6be.  

Council  of  Europe  (2010),  Recommendation  of  the  Committee  of  Ministers  to  member  states  on 
judges:  independence,  efficiency  and  responsibilities,  17  November  2011,  CM/Rec(2010)12, 
https://search.coe.int/cm?i=09000016805afb78.  

20 

 
Council  of  Europe  (2000),  Recommendation  No.  R(2000)21  of  the  Committee  of  Ministers  to 
member  States  on 
lawyer,  25  October 
the  freedom  of  exercise  of 
2000, https://search.coe.int/cm?i=09000016804d0fc8.  

the  profession  of 

Council of State (2026), Input from the Council of State for the 2026 Rule of Law Report. 

Council of State (2026a), Advice on the amendments of Members of Parliament Sneller and Tseggai 
on  the  law  on  political  parties,  18  May  2026,  https://www.raadvanstate.nl/adviezen/@156044/w04-
26-00006/.  

Council of State (2025a), Pieces of advice on prosecution and adjudication of Members of Parliament 
and  Ministers 
2025, 
during 
https://www.raadvanstate.nl/actueel/nieuws/december/adviezen-vervolging-wegens-ambtsdelicten/. 

22  December 

the  mandate, 

offences 

arising 

for 

Council of State (2020), Advice on possible vulnerabilities in the Judiciary Act (RO Act) with regard 
to  the  appointment,  reappointment,  suspension  and/or  dismissal  of  members  of  the  Council  for  the 
Judiciary  and  the  court  management  (Advies  over  mogelijke  kwetsbaarheden  in  de  Wet  op  de 
rechterlijke  organisatie  (Wet  RO)  met  betrekking  tot  de  benoeming,  herbenoeming,  schorsing  en/of 
het ontslag van leden van de Raad voor de rechtspraak en het gerechtsbestuur), 23 September 2020 
(No.W16.20.0045/II/Vo), https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/blg-953721.pdf.  

Court of Audit (2026), Minister's approach to improving performance in the criminal justice chain is 
insufficient  (Aanpak  minister  om  prestaties  in  de  strafrechtketen  te  verbeteren  is  onvoldoende),  20 
May  2026,  https://www.rekenkamer.nl/documenten/2026/05/20/aanpak-minister-om-prestaties-in-de-
strafrechtketen-te-verbeteren-is-onvoldoende.  

Court of Audit (2025), Points of attention for the draft budget 2026 budget chapter VI of the Ministry 
of Justice and Security (Aandachtspunten bij de ontwerpbegroting 2026 begrotingshoofdstuk VI van 
het  ministerie 
(25004206  R), 
van 
https://www.rekenkamer.nl/site/binaries/site-
content/collections/documents/2025/09/23/aandachtspunten-bij-de-ontwerpbegroting-2026-van-het-
ministerie-van-justitie-en-veiligheid/Brief+JenV+PAC24.pdf. 

en  Veiligheid), 

23  September 

Justitie 

2025 

Custodial Institutions Agency (2025), Fact sheet Visual supervision in the AIT and ECI - for legal aid 
providers  (Informatieblad  Visueel  toezicht  in  de  AIT  en  EBI  -  voor  rechtsbijstandverleners),  15 
December  2025,  https://www.dji.nl/documenten/2025/07/10/infoblad-visueel-toezicht-in-de-ait-en-
ebi---voor-rechtsbijstandsverleners.  

CvdM (2025a), Progress report by the national public broadcasters following up on the report of the 
Broadcasting  Conduct  and  Culture  Investigation  Committee  (Voortgang  opvolging  rapport  van  de 
Onderzoekscommissie  Gedrag  en  Cultuur  Omroepen  door  de  landelijke  publieke  omroepen), 
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/2025/11/01/voortgang-opvolging-rapport-van-de-
onderzoekscommissie-gedrag-en-cultuur-omroepen-door-de-landelijke-publieke-omroepen.  

CvdM (2025), Multi-Year Strategy 2025–2030: Supervision with Societal Impact (Meerjarenstrategie 
2025 
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maatschappelijke 

Toezicht 

2030: 

met 

– 

Directorate-General  for  Communication  (2026),  Flash  Eurobarometer  582  on  businesses’  attitudes 
towards corruption in the EU and selected candidate countries.  

Directorate-General  for  Communication  (2026),  Special  Eurobarometer  573  on  citizens’  attitudes 
toward corruption in the EU. 

Dutch Police (2026), Input from the Dutch Police for the 2026 Rule of Law Report.  

Dutch  Whistleblower’s  Authority  (2026),  Input  from  the  Dutch  Whistleblower’s  Authority  for  the 
2026 Rule of Law Report. 

Eerste Kamer (2025), Initiative proposal - Sneller Act on the removal of special powers of instruction 
bijzondere 
of 

the  Public  Prosecution  Service 

(Initiatiefvoorstel-Sneller  Wet 

verval 

21 

 
aanwijzingsbevoegdheid 
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openbaar 

ministerie), 

(36.125), 

EPPO 
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https://www.eppo.europa.eu/assets/annual-report-

European Association for Judges (2026), Input from the European Association for Judges for the 2026 
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European  Centre  for  Press  and  Media  Freedom  (2026),  Mapping  Media  Freedom,  the  Netherlands 
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European Commission (2026), 2026 EU Justice Scoreboard. 

European Commission (2025), 2025 EU Justice Scoreboard. 

European Commission (2024), 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard. 

European Commission (2025), 2025 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation 
in the Netherlands.  

European Commission (2024), 2024 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation 
in the Netherlands.  

European Commission (2023), 2024 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation 
in the Netherlands.  

European Commission (2022), 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation 
in the Netherlands. 

European Commission (2025), 2025 Single Market and Competitiveness Scoreboard. 

European Implementation Network (2026), Input from the European Implementation Network for the 
2026 Rule of Law Report. 

European  Network  of  Councils  for  the  Judiciary  (2026),  ENCJ  contribution  for  the  2026  European 
Commission Rule of Law report, https://www.encj.eu/index.php/node/867.  

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available 
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meerderheid 
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verwerpt-wtmo.  

Eerste  Kamer 

15  March 

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(Finalisten 

Finalists 

2025), 

2025 

Letter  of  lawyers  to  Presidents  of  courts  and  tribunals  and  the  senior  prosecutors  (2025), 
Consequences  of  amendments  to  the  Penitentiary  Principles  Act  for  ECI  and  AIT  (Consequenties 
2025, 
wijzigingen  Penitentiaire  Beginselenwet 
https://www.recht.nl/s3/attachment/?nref=254290&uref=571836&id=7828xbf3357f101a65cd25f21bc
e38d2e7c6e.  

18  November 

voor  EBI 

en  AIT), 

Letter to Ministers Letschert and Van Weel, signed by  NDP Nieuwsmedia, Nederlandse Vereniging 
van  Journalisten,  Nederlands  Genootschap  van  Hoofdredacteuren  and  Free  Press  Unlimited,  25 
February  2026,  https://nvj.nl/_assets/f/291561/x/03788d3456/brief-minister-letschert-en-van-weel-
inzake-veiligheid-van-journalisten.pdf.  

Ministry  for  Justice  and  Security  (2026),  Policy  agenda  Caribbean  Netherlands  2026-2030 
(Beleidsagenda 
2026, 
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/brieven_regering/detail?id=2026Z06584&did=2026D148
85.  

2026-2030), 

Nederland 

Caribisch 

March 

31 

22 

 
Finance 
Ministry 
https://www.rijksfinancien.nl/voorjaarsnota/2026#12992214.  

(2026), 

Spring 

of 

budget 

(Voorjaarsnota), 

Ministry  of  Internal  Affairs  and  Kingdom  Relations  (2026),  Transparency  of  Decision-making  – 
lobby 
(Nr.  303),  8  May  2026, 
the  House  of  Representatives 
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=2026D21257.  

register,  Letter 

to 

National  coordinator  against  discrimination  and  racism  (2025),  Finally  a  service  for  legal  aid  and 
equal  treatment  in  the  Caribbean  Netherlands  (Eindelijk  een  voorziening  voor  rechtshulp  en  gelijke 
2025, 
behandeling 
https://www.bureauncdr.nl/actueel/nieuws/2025/11/05/eindelijk-een-voorziening-voor-rechtshulp-en-
gelijke-behandeling-in-caribisch-nederland.  

Nederland), 

November 

Caribisch 

in 

5 

National  Ombudsman  (2026),  Public  version  Annual  Report  2025  Doing  what  is  necessary 
2026, 
(Publieksversie 
https://www.nationaleombudsman.nl/nieuws/nieuwsbericht/2026/ombudsman-proactieve-overheid-
nodig-om-vertrouwen-te-herstellen.  

Jaarverslag 

21  May 

nodig 

Doen 

2025 

wat 

is), 

National Ombudsman (2026a), Right to demonstrate increasingly under pressure (Demonstratierecht 
steeds 
2026, 
https://www.nationaleombudsman.nl/nieuws/artikel/2026/demonstratierecht-steeds-verder-onder-
druk.  

verder 

druk), 

onder 

May 

26 

Netherlands  Bar  Association  (2026),  additional  written  input from the  Netherlands  Bar  Association 
for the 2026 Rule of Law Report. 

Netherlands  Bar  Association  (2025),  Rule  of  law  assessment  of  election  programmes  2025 
https://www.advocatenorde.nl/voor-
verkiezingsprogramma’s 
(Rechtsstatelijke 
advocaten/de-rol-van-de-advocatuur-de-rechtsstaat.  

2025), 

toets 

Netherlands Government (2026), Input from the Netherlands for the 2026 Rule of Law Report.  

Netherlands Government (2026), Additional written input from the Netherlands for the 2026 Rule of 
Law Report (received on 18, 19 March, 26 March and 2 June). 

Netherlands Government (2026a), Letter to parliament on the implementation of the Mutluer motion 
for  criminal  cases  (Kamerbrief  over  uitvoering  motie  Mutluer  strafrechtzaken),  12  January  2026, 
6944114, available at: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstukken/2026/01/12/tk-reactie-
op-de-motie-mutluer-c-s.  

Netherlands  Government  (2025),  Letter to  Parliament  with  government  assessment  of  the  European 
Commission's  2025  rule  of  law  report  (Kamerbrief  met  kabinetsappreciatie  op  rechtsstaatrapport 
2025 
2025, 
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/2025/08/29/kamerbrief-inzake-kabinetsappreciatie-
commissie-rechtsstaatrapport-2025. 

Commissie), 

Europese 

August 

29 

Netherlands  Government  (2025a),  Letter  to  the  House  of  Representatives  on  the  assessment  of 
candidate 
2025, 
https://open.overheid.nl/documenten/1c7f0d59-dbab-485e-acba-7aac33db6277/file.  

secretaries, 

September 

ministers 

state 

and 

26 

2025 
NIHR 
https://publicaties.mensenrechten.nl/publicatie/53cefe0d-475b-4ab6-9154-41a081472f9a.  

(Jaarverslag 

(2026), 

Annual 

2025), 

report 

16 

April 

2026, 

NIHR  (2025),  Civil  society  in  the  Netherlands  is  under  pressure  (Maatschappelijk  middenveld  in 
2025, 
Nederland 
https://www.mensenrechten.nl/actueel/nieuws/2025/09/08/maatschappelijk-middenveld-in-nederland-
staat-onder-druk.  

September 

druk), 

onder 

staat 

8 

NIHR  (2025a),  Position  paper:  Input  for  the  expert  meeting  of  the  Transparency  and  Countering 
Inbreng  voor  de 
Undermining  by  Civil  Society  Organisations  Act 
deskundigenbijeenkomst  Wet  transparantie  en  tegengaan  ondermijning  door  maatschappelijke 

(Position  paper: 

23 

 
November 
organisaties), 
https://publicaties.mensenrechten.nl/publicatie/8430ccdb-3e60-4786-8b01-0befb6f2e665.  

available 

2025, 

24 

NIHR 
2026 
https://publicaties.mensenrechten.nl/publicatie/e5a0bc5d-31a6-4e7f-a14e-12576a8f1fcc.  

(2025b),  Annual 

(Jaarplan 

18  December 

2026), 

plan 

at: 

2025, 

NJCM,  NHC,  TI-NL,  FPU,  RNW  (2026),  ,  Input  from  Netherlands  Juristen  Comité  voor  de 
Mensenrechten (NJCM), Netherlands Helsinki Comité (NHC), Transparency International Nederland 
(TI-NL), Free Press Unlimited (FPU); RNW Media for the 2026 Rule of Law Report.  

NOS  (2025),  Citizens'  rights  more  often  curtailed  with  emergency  measures,  sometimes  for  a  long 
time  (Rechten burgers  vaker ingeperkt  met  noodmaatregelen,  soms  langdurig), 23  November 2025, 
https://nos.nl/artikel/2591625-rechten-burgers-vaker-ingeperkt-met-noodmaatregelen-soms-langdurig.  

Press Council (2026), written input from the Press Council for the 2026 Rule of Law Report. 

Press  Council 
Journalistiek-Jaarverslag-2024-V5.pdf. 

(2025)  Annual 

report, 

https://rvdj.nl/assets/uploads/2025/07/Raad-voor-de-

Public Prosecution Service (2026),  additional written input from the Public Prosecution Service for 
the 2026 Rule of Law Report. 

Public 
https://www.om.nl/actueel/magazines/jaarbericht/2025/01 

Prosecution 

(2026a), 

Service 

Annual 

Report 

2025, 

may 

2026, 

Public Prosecution Service (2026b), Response of the Public Prosecution Service to the report of the 
Procurator  General  of  the  Supreme  Court  (Reactie  Openbaar  Ministerie  op  rapport  procureur-
generaal Hoge Raad), 27 May 2026, https://www.om.nl/actueel/nieuws/2026/05/27/reactie-openbaar-
ministerie-op-rapport-procureur-generaal-hoge-raad.  

Public  Prosecution  Service  (2025),  Public  Prosecution  Service  goes  online  step  by  step  (OM  gaat 
stapsgewijs  online),  4  August  2025,  https://www.om.nl/actueel/nieuws/2025/08/04/om-gaat-
stapsgewijs-online.  

Research  and  Data  Centre  WODC  (2026),  National  Risk  Assessment  on  Corruption  (National  Risk 
Assessment Corruptie), February 2026, https://repository.wodc.nl/handle/20.500.12832/3521.  

Research and Data Centre WODC / Pro Facto (2026), Experiences of participants in legal proceedings 
with  the  Public  Prosecution  Service  penal  order  (Ervaringen  van  procesdeelnemers  met  de  OM-
strafbeschikking),  1  June  2026,  https://repository.wodc.nl/entities/publication/b5ae9f76-7496-4438-
93dc-e77b0c1da791.  

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Pro Facto, Universiteit van Amsterdam and Tilburg University (2025). , 
The right to demonstrate in the democratic rule-of-law-based State (Het recht om te demonstreren in 
de 
at: 
https://www.wodc.nl/actueel/nieuws/2025/12/11/aanpassing-wetten-rond-demonstratierecht-niet-
nodig-en-niet-effectief.  

democratische 

rechtsstaat), 

available 

October 

2025, 

Strategic  Knowledge  Centre  on  Subversive  Crime  SKC  (2026),  Thematic  Study  on  Criminal 
Infiltration, February 2026, https://skc-oc.nl/nieuwe-themastudie-criminele-inmenging/. 

Supreme  Court  (2026),  Follow-up  investigation  by  PG  at  the  Supreme  Court  into  the  Public 
Prosecution  Service  penalty  order  (Vervolgonderzoek  PG  bij  de  Hoge  Raad  naar  de  OM-
strafbeschikking), 
https://www.hogeraad.nl/actueel/nieuwsoverzicht/2025/maart/vervolgonderzoek-
pg-hoge-raad-strafbeschikking/.  

Supreme  Court  (2026a),  Results  of  follow-up  investigation  into  the  Public  Prosecution  Service 
penalty order presented (Resultaten vervolgonderzoek over de OM-strafbeschikking aangeboden), 26 
May  2026,  https://www.hogeraad.nl/actueel/nieuwsoverzicht/2026/mei/resultaten-vervolgonderzoek-
strafbeschikking-aangeboden/.  

Supreme 
https://deeplink.rechtspraak.nl/uitspraak?id=ECLI:NL:HR:2025:902.  

judgment 

(2025), 

Court 

June 

13 

of 

2025, 

ECLI:NL:HR:2025:902. 

24 

 
Transparency  International  Netherlands  (2026),  First  reaction  of  TI  NL  to  the  new  coalition 
agreement,  March  2026,  https://www.transparency.nl/nieuws/2026/03/eerste-reactie-ti-nl-op-het-
coalitieakkoord-van-d66-vvd-en-cda/. 

Tweede  Kamer  (2026),  Written  questions:  The  independent  position  of  the  District  Court  of  The 
Hague  and  the  ruling  on  the  Greenpeace  case  about  'protecting'  Bonaire  (Schriftelijke  vragen:  De 
onafhankelijke positie van de rechtbank Den Haag en de uitspraak over de zaak van Greenpeace over 
het 
2026, 
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/kamervragen/detail?id=2026Z03080&did=2026D06913.  

‘beschermen’ 

Bonaire), 

February 

van 

12 

Tweede Kamer (2026a), Written questions: The interview with an asylum judge in NRC Handelsblad 
(Schriftelijke  vragen:  Het  interview  met  een  asielrechter  in  NRC  Handelsblad),  18  March  2026, 
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/kamervragen/detail?id=2026Z05355&did=2026D12297.  

Tweede Kamer (2026b), Evaluation and follow-up of the 70+ scheme for deputy judges (Evaluatie en 
vervolg 
(29279-1016) 
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/brieven_regering/detail?id=2026Z06645&did=2026D150
41.  

rechters-plaatsvervangers), 

31  March 

regeling 

2026 

70+ 

Kamer 

Tweede 
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/wetsvoorstellen/detail?qry=wetsvoorstel%3A36742&cfg
=wetsvoorsteldet. 

12  May 

(2026c), 

Political 

Parties, 

Law 

on 

2026, 

Tweede  Kamer  (2026d),  Letter  from  the  Government,  State  of  play  strengthening  local  public 
broadcasters and evaluation of funding of local public broadcasters 2022-2024 (Brief regering: Stand 
van  zaken versterking lokale  publieke  omroepen en evaluatie  bekostiging  lokale  publieke  omroepen 
2026, 
2022-2024), 
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/brieven_regering/detail?id=2026Z10999&did=2026D249
54.  

May 

27 

Tweede  Kamer  (2026e),  Letter  from  the  Government,  Government's  commitment  to  the  right  to 
2026, 
terrein 
demonstrate 
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/brieven_regering/detail?id=2026Z11752&did=2026D267
90.  

demonstratierecht), 

kabinet 

(Inzet 

June 

op 

3 

Tweede  Kamer  (2026f),  Temporary  Committee  on  Fundamental  Rights  and  Constitutional  Review 
(Tijdelijke 
toetsing), 
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerleden_en_commissies/commissies/tcgct.  

Constitutionele 

Grondrechten 

commissie 

en 

Tweede  Kamer  (2025),  Letter  from  the  government,  Price  Agreements  Council  for  the  Judiciary 
2026-2028 (Brief regering, Prijsafspraken Raad voor de rechtspraak 2026-2028), 15 September 2025 
(36600-VI-162), 
https://www.tweedekamer.nl/kamerstukken/brieven_regering/detail?id=2025Z16894&did=2025D392
09.  

Tweede  Kamer  (2025a),  Overview  of  votes  in  the  House  of  Representatives  -  Initiative  proposal 
Faster  Act  on  the  Lapse  of  Special  Powers  of  Designation  of  the  Public  Prosecution  Service 
(Overzicht  van  stemmingen  in  de  Tweede  Kamer  -  Initiatiefvoorstel-Sneller  Wet  verval  bijzondere 
(36.125), 
aanwijzingsbevoegdheid 
https://www.eerstekamer.nl/9370000/1/j9vvkfvj6b325az/vmssro220add/f=y.pdf.  

ministerie), 

November 

openbaar 

2025 

25 

Venice  Commission  (2023),  Joint  opinion  of  the  Venice  Commission  and  Directorate  General  of 
Human  Rights  and  Rule  or  Law  (DGI)  of  the  Council  of  Europe  on  the  legal  safeguards  of  the 
independence  of  the  judiciary  from  the  executive  power,  11  October  2023  (CDL-AD(2023)029), 
https://www.coe.int/en/web/venice-commission/-/cdl-ad-2023-029-e.  

Venice  Commission  (2013),  Opinion  on  the  legislation  on  defamation  of  Italy,  9  December  2013, 
https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL-
CDL-AD(2013)038, 
AD(2013)038-e.  

25 

 
Annex II: Country visit to Netherlands 

The Commission services held in-person meetings in March 2026 with: 

•  Algemene Rekenkamer 
•  College voor de Rechten van de Mens 
•  Commissariaat voor de Media 
•  Fiscale Inlichtingen en Opsporingsdienst (FIOD) 
•  Free Press Unlimited 
•  Rijksrecherche 
•  Nationale Ombudsman 
•  NDP Nieuwsmedia 
•  Nederlands Juristencomité voor de Mensenrechten 
•  Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten 
•  Nederlandse Publieke Omroep (NPO) 
•  Nederlandse Vereniging van Journalisten 
•  Nederlandse Vereniging voor Rechtsspraak 
•  Netherlands Helsinki Committee 
•  Openbaar Ministerie 
•  Raad van State 
•  Raad voor de Rechtspraak 
•  Hoge Raad 
•  Transparency International Netherlands 
•  VNO-NCW / MKB Nederland 

The Commission also met the following organisations in a number of horizontal meetings:  

•  Civil Liberties Union for Europe 
•  Civil Society Europe 
•  End FGM EU 
•  European Civic Forum 
•  European Partnership for Democracy 
•  Human Rights Watch 
• 
ILGA-Europe 
• 
International Federation for Human Rights 
•  Philea - Philanthropy Europe Association 
•  Transparency International EU 

26