Problems with an overseas government agency? Ask SOLVIT for help!

What is SOLVIT?

SOLVIT is a European network that mediates between you (as an individual or company) and an overseas government agency if it is applying the European rules incorrectly and a problem arises as a result. Mediation is free of charge! Every EU country and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway have a SOLVIT centre. The SOLVIT centres work together closely to resolve your problem. With one another and with the government agencies in the countries where the centres are located.

How SOLVIT can help you

SOLVIT helps you if you have a dispute with a government agency located in another EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway. If you disagree with the application of the European rules, encounter problems on the internal European market, or if your EU rights are breached. SOLVIT assists with complaints about:

• social security;
• freedom of movement;
• recognition of professional qualifications;
• driving licences;
• double taxation;
• VAT refunds;
• freedom to provide services.

Matters with which SOLVIT cannot assist you

SOLVIT cannot help you if you have a dispute with a national government agency. If you live in the Netherlands and have a complaint about a Dutch government agency, you can go to the National Ombudsman (website in Dutch). SOLVIT cannot help if legal proceedings are already underway, or with queries and complaints about:

• companies;
• consumer purchases;
• compensation.

How SOLVIT Nederland works

SOLVIT Nederland is part of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. You can lodge a complaint with SOLVIT if you have an issue with an overseas government agency located in one of the EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway. 

Complaint assessment

SOLVIT Nederland will conduct a legal analysis of your complaint. If the outcome of that analysis is that the government agency is not adhering to the European rules, SOLVIT Nederland will forward your complaint to the SOLVIT centre in the EU country where the breach is taking place. If the complaint is accepted, the SOLVIT centre has ten weeks to find a solution with the government agency in question.  

Contact 

If you have a query about the service provided by SOLVIT, contact SOLVIT Nederland on telephone number 070 -379 77 08, or by email at solvit@minezk.nl. If you want to lodge a complaint about an overseas government agency, you can do so via the SOLVIT web form on the European Commission’s website. Complaints can be submitted in Dutch and are automatically directed to SOLVIT Nederland.