Legislation

The Netherlands is increasingly embracing the digital age. Our aim is to seize the opportunities presented by digitalisation while increasing citizen and business involvement and control. We recognise that the interaction between the government and its citizens and business owners can be improved. To achieve this, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) is collaborating with other governmental bodies to develop new legislation in regard to digital governance.

Digital Government Law

The Digital Government Act (Wdo) aims to regulate secure and reliable login processes for Dutch citizens and businesses when accessing digital government services, including semi-government entities. Furthermore, this legislation establishes guidelines concerning information security and privacy. It also provides a legal basis for mandating government agencies to adopt open standards. The use of these standards facilitates greater choice in ICT suppliers and enables more efficient, interconnected operations across government entities.

On 21 March 2023, the Senate passed the bill. The Digital Government Law is being implemented in phases, starting from 1 July 2023.

Modernisation of the Electronic Administrative Exchange Act

Set to come into effect in 2024, the Modernisation of the Electronic Administrative Exchange Act requires all administrative bodies to assess whether measures are needed to comply with the Wdo’s obligations. They must then initiate preparations and implementation of these measures. The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) has published a preliminary guide (in Dutch) to assist with the implementation of this Act.

Amendment to the General Administrative Law Act

This amendment to the General Administrative Law Act (AWB) ensures that citizens and businesses can always send ‘messages’ electronically to an administrative body. Currently, it’s up to the administrative body to decide whether or not it is accessible electronically for applications and similar matters.

Amendment to the Publication Act

The purpose of this amendment is to make government notifications and announcements digitally accessible to citizens and businesses. Depending on the administrative body and the target audience, all notifications and announcements are published in the State Gazette (Staatscourant), municipal, provincial, water authority gazettes or the gazette of a joint scheme. These publications are accessible at a single web location through the mandatory use of the Common Facility for Official Publications (GVOP). The legislation proposal for this has been published on internetconsultatie.nl (Dutch).

Single Digital Gateway

On 20 June 2018, the European Council approved a proposal to establish a Single Digital Gateway. This gateway will provide access to online information, procedures, and support services for problem-solving. It aims to be a user-friendly, unique access point to assist citizens and businesses in finding the necessary information about the EU’s internal market. The gateway will offer complete access to a wide range of online procedures, aiding those who wish to move, work, study, retire, set up or conduct business in another country. Click here for more information about the SDG.