Administrative law
If you are living, working or doing business in the Netherlands, you will likely interact with public authorities at some point. Whether it involves a residence permit, a parking fine, a building permit or a benefit application – these matters fall under Dutch administrative law (bestuursrecht).
This article explains the basics of administrative law in the Netherlands, including your rights when dealing with government decisions, how to file an objection, and what to do in case of a dispute.
What is administrative law?
Administrative law (bestuursrecht) governs the relationship between individuals or companies and public authorities. It ensures that municipalities, government agencies and other public bodies act lawfully, fairly and transparently when making decisions that affect you.
Examples of administrative decisions include:
- granting or denying permits (e.g. building, residence, or environmental)
- imposing fines or penalties
- Removal of your car or bike
- decisions on social security, child benefits or student finance
- revoking a licence or subsidy
- Tax matters (e.g. income tax assessments, VAT and corporate tax, tax fines or penalties, rejections of refund claims or corrections to previous filings)
The legal basis for administrative law can be found in the General Administrative Law Act (Algemene wet bestuursrecht, or Awb) [1]. This law sets out how decisions must be made and what rights citizens have if they disagree [2].
What counts as an administrative decision?
Not every action by a government body counts as a formal administrative decision (beschikking). A decision must:
- be made by a public authority,
- be written,
- have legal consequences for one or more persons,
- and be based on public law.
For example, a decision to grant a building permit is an administrative decision. But a general policy announcement or internal memo is not.
Your rights when dealing with the government
If you are affected by an administrative decision, you have legal rights, including:
- the right to be heard before a decision is made (in most cases)
- the right to receive a written explanation of the decision
- the right to access the file and see the documents used
- the right to object (bezwaar maken) and appeal (beroep instellen)
These rights apply to both Dutch citizens and internationals who are lawfully residing in the Netherlands.
How to object to a decision
If you disagree with an administrative decision, you can file an objection (bezwaarschrift) with the authority that issued it. Deadlines are strict – the objection must be submitted within six weeks from the date stated on the decision letter (beschikking). If you miss this deadline, your objection may be declared inadmissible.
Your objection must include:
- your name and contact details
- a clear reference to the decision you are objecting to
- your reasons for disagreeing
- your signature and the date
The authority is required to review your objection, give you the opportunity to explain your point of view, and issue a new decision.
Most municipalities and government agencies offer the option to file your objection online using your DigiD – your personal digital identification system for secure access to Dutch public services. After logging in, the steps are clearly explained.
You can also find information on how to object at the bottom of the decision letter itself.
How to appeal to court
If the outcome of the objection procedure is unsatisfactory, you can take the case to court (beroepsprocedure). This is done by filing an appeal (beroepschrift) with the competent court – usually the administrative chamber of the district court (rechtbank).
Deadlines are strict: you must file your appeal within six weeks after the objection decision. The court will review whether the government acted lawfully, reasonably, and followed the correct procedures.
Further appeal may be possible to a higher administrative court, depending on the subject:
- The Council of State (Raad van State) [3] for spatial planning and immigration cases
- The Central Appeals Tribunal (Centrale Raad van Beroep) [4] for social security
- The Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (College van Beroep voor het bedrijfsleven) [5] for economic-administrative matters
Responding time
If a public authority does not respond to your objection or request within the legal time limit (usually six weeks), you may take action.
Under Dutch law, you can formally notify the authority that it is late (ingebrekestelling). If there is still no response within two weeks, you may be entitled to a penalty payment (dwangsom) for each day the delay continues, up to a legal maximum.
This rule is meant to encourage timely decision-making by public bodies.
Common areas of administrative law
Administrative law applies to many everyday situations, including:
- immigration law – decisions on residence permits, visas or asylum (see our separate article on immigration law)
- environment and planning – building permits, zoning plans, noise or air quality restrictions (see our separate article on real estate, construction and planning law)
- social benefits – decisions on unemployment benefits (WW) (see our separate article on employment and labour law) child allowance, housing support
- tax decisions – company tax, income tax etc. (see our separate article on tax and fiscal law)
- education and student finance – grants and loans via DUO
- municipal decisions – such as fines, registration issues or local permits
In all these areas, the government must act fairly, base decisions on correct facts, and follow legal procedures.
Administrative law vs civil law
Administrative law deals with the government as a regulator. If you have a dispute with a public authority, administrative procedures apply. In contrast, civil law (burgerlijk recht) governs legal relationships between private individuals or companies – such as contracts, property or family matters.
Legal remedies and support
Many expats are unaware that they can challenge government decisions, even if they are not Dutch nationals. It is important to act quickly, as deadlines are short and missing them may affect your case.
You can file an objection yourself, but legal advice is often helpful – especially in more complex cases involving immigration, benefits or permits.
If needed, mediation with the government is sometimes possible, and some municipalities offer free legal help or advice points.
Conclusion
Administrative law (bestuursrecht) protects your rights when dealing with Dutch government decisions. Whether you’re applying for a permit, disputing a fine or appealing a benefit ruling, the law sets out clear procedures and timelines. If you receive an unfavourable decision, you have the right to object and – if necessary – take the matter to court.
Make sure to act within the legal deadlines, and don’t hesitate to seek legal advice if you feel the decision was incorrect or unfair.
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Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not legally binding. Although we strive for accuracy, the content may contain errors. If you notice any mistakes, please let us know by contacting us via the contact form located at the bottom of the page.
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References
[1] Government of the Netherlands, General Administrative Law Act (Algemene wet bestuursrecht), wetten.overheid.nl, accessed on 06/19/2025
[2] Inspection for Public Information and Heritage, General Administrative Law Act (Algemene wet bestuursrecht), inspectie-oe.nl, accessed on 06/19/2025
[3] Website of the Council of State (Raad van state),raadvanstate.nl, accessed on 06/19/2025
[4] National Service Centre for the Judiciary, Central Appeals Tribunal (Centrale Raad van Beroep), rechtspraak.nl, accessed on 06/19/2025
[5] National Service Centre for the Judiciary, Administrative High Court for Trade and Industry (College van Beroep voor het bedrijfsleven), rechtspraak.nl, accessed on 06/19/2025