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1. Young people as voters

2. Young people as political representatives

Young people as voters

The voting age limit is 18 for elections in all levels; national, regional, local and European Parliament. There are no imminent plans to lower the voting age limit. Special provisions for young people are not mentioned in the electoral law. 

The turnout of young people in the national elections in November 2023 was 73%. The age range of these voters was between 18-34 years. The overall population turnout was 78% in 2023. 

As for the European elections in 2024, the total Dutch population turnout was 54%. Of young people between 15 and 24, 32% voted. Young people between 25 and 39, 37% voted.

There is no information available about the percentage of young people in the total population turnout for regional and local elections. 

Young people as political representatives

Political parties can receive a subsidy if they have a youth wing with a minimum of 1000 members between age 14 and 27.  

Young people can be candidates for elections (Electoral Council, Kiesraad). The criterium is that they have to be at least 18 years old on the day that they become a member of Parliament. There are no quota of seats reserved for young people or provision to facilitate young people as political candidates on a national level. 

In 2024/2025 the average age of members of the House of Representatives was 47 years, compared to 61 in the Senate (Parlement.com, only in Dutch). There is no information available about the proportions of young people in representative bodies in the Netherlands.