Each year, the cabinet presents its plans for the coming year on Budget Day, known in Dutch as Prinsjesdag. In the 2026 Speech from the Throne, King Willem-Alexander once again emphasised the importance of digitalisation for Dutch society.
The cabinet recognises major opportunities in progressing digitalisation and artificial intelligence. However, this progress also demands well-defined frameworks and secure implementations.
Digital transition
The cabinet is working to align the labour market with the digital transition. Developing talent in digital sectors is a priority: “The labour market of tomorrow demands attracting, training, and retaining top talent in critical sectors such as AI, digitalisation, energy, and biotechnology.”
Cybersecurity and digital threats
Digital threats are rising, from both state actors and international criminal networks. The Cabinet is announcing new measures to better protect citizens and businesses. The Speech from the Throne states: “Cyber threats and digital attacks from Russia and other countries, as well as from internationally operating criminal organisations, have become a daily occurrence. This requires a robust response. The Cabinet will therefore introduce proposals to enable intelligence services to better protect citizens and businesses from cyberattacks, disinformation, and terrorism.”
Digital public services
The government aims to operate more effectively, with fewer rules and greater flexibility for people and businesses. Digitalisation is central to this. The Speech from the Throne notes: “Sharing information between government bodies must become much simpler, so that people and businesses can be assisted more quickly and effectively, without being passed from pillar to post.”
The cabinet emphasises a clear goal for digital government: “The guiding principle for public service delivery should be to be digital and quick when possible, and personal when needed.”
