Voting for the European Parliament
This week, all European Union (EU) residents can vote for members from national political parties to represent them in the European Parliament. The Netherlands will start voting on Thursday 6 June. On that day, you use your vote to decide which Dutch party can speak on your behalf when making laws for all EU countries. For example, to protect consumers when travelling or shopping in the EU.
Why is it important for me to vote?
The European Parliament speaks for nearly 450 million Europeans and is the only EU organisation for which you can vote. So this is your chance to influence how the EU decides on things you care about over the next five years. With your vote, you give your opinion on important topics, such as the environment, security, migration, work, travel and even (online) shopping.
Your vote also influences who becomes the President and members of the European Commission. This is important because the European Commission proposes laws to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union (the Council). Together, they can adopt or amend these laws.
The European Parliament
The European Parliament defends freedom, equality, and the rule of law in the EU, and has the power to
- adopt laws, together with the Council
- change laws to improve them
- decide on the EU budget
- check whether other EU organisations are doing their job properly
Who can I vote for?
Candidates from Dutch parties
The European Parliament has 720 members (MPs) from all EU countries. Of these, 31 are from the Netherlands. During the elections, you vote for a candidate from a Dutch party. Twenty Dutch parties are taking part in the European Parliament elections. The list of candidates of each party can be found on the website of the Electoral Council: lists of candidates for the 2024 European Parliamentary elections. Want to know which party suits you?
- Fill in the Kieskompas or the StemWijzer. With these voting aids, you can see what the parties think about issues that are important to you
- Watch the election debates on TV
- Want to know more about a party's plans? Then visit that party's website or social media page for more information
Parties in the European Parliament
Parties in the European Parliament
Usually, elected candidates join a political group with MPs from all EU countries who often share the same views. We call this group a political fraction. Currently, there are 7 political groups in the European Parliament.
- Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats)
- Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament
- Renew Europe Group
- Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance
- European Conservatives and Reformists Group
- Identity and Democracy Group
- The Left group in the European Parliament - GUE/NGL
#fractions-european-parliament
Can I vote?
You may vote in the Netherlands if you meet these conditions:
- You are 18 years or older
- You have Dutch nationality or the nationality of another EU country
Do you have the nationality of another EU country? If so, you must be registered with your municipality before 23 April 2024 to vote in the Netherlands. - You are not excluded from the right to vote. You can read more about this on the Electoral Council's website: Exclusion from the right to vote | Elections | Kiesraad.nl. If you are excluded from the right to vote, you will not receive a voting pass from your municipality.
How can I vote?
How can I vote?
To vote, go to the polling station in your municipality. You will need this to do so:
- your polling card
- An ID card, passport or driving licence. Your ID card must be valid until 7 June 2019 or later
#voting-in-your-municipality
Can I vote in another municipality?
Have you applied for or collected a voter card from the municipality? Then you can vote anywhere in the Netherlands. You will still need proof of identity.
#voting-in-another-municipality
Are you temporarily abroad during the elections, or do you not live in the Netherlands? Then check below to see if and how you can vote during the European Parliament election.
- You are temporarily abroad
Are you temporarily abroad during the elections? Then you can have someone vote for you by an authorisation form. This form must be received by your municipality by 3 June at the latest.
- You live abroad
Do you live abroad? If so, you must be registered with the municipality of The Hague by 25 April to vote in the European Parliament elections in the Netherlands. Registering is unfortunately no longer possible.
More information on voting from abroad can be found at Voting for the European Parliament from abroad | NetherlandsWorld Wide.
Want to vote in your EU country of residence? Then see How to vote for the 2024 European elections (europa.eu) to find out how it works in your country and whether you need to register to do so. Note: In some countries, voting is compulsory. The age to vote may also differ.
- Compulsory voting: in Belgium, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Cyprus and Greece, voting is compulsory for all residents. So, also if you have Dutch nationality.
- Age: in Austria, Belgium, Germany and Malta, anyone can vote from the age of 16. In Greece, anyone can vote from the age of 17.
#voting-from-abroad
Can anyone else vote for me?
There are two ways to get someone else to vote for you.
- You provide your voting card
This is only possible if you live in the same municipality as the person who is going to vote. It works like this:
1. You fill in the back of the voting card
2. You and the person voting for you put a signature on the back of the voting card
3. You give a copy or photo of your ID to the person voting for you
- You have sent an authorisation form to your municipality
Do you not have proof of identity or does the person who is going to vote live in another municipality? Then you can have someone vote for you with a written proxy. The municipality should have received this form by 3 June.
#letting-someone-else-vote
What happens after the election?
On Sunday evening, 9 June, the final results will be announced. We will then know what the European Parliament will look like for the next five years. After the election, elected MEPs become members of a political fraction. This can be an existing fraction or a new one. Once the political fractions are formed, the European Parliament elects its President. Then the European Parliament elects the President and Commissioners of the European Commission.
Want to know more?
More information and explanations about the elections can be found on the European Parliament website: European elections 2024: everything you need to know (europa.eu).
Easy-to-read texts on the elections can be found at Easy-to-read (europa.eu). And in ProDemos' election paper: Election paper in plain language: European Parliament Election 2024.
You can also find information on the central government election page: European Parliament election.