Digitalisation has profound implications for how we live, work, and play, particularly in a digitally advanced country like the Netherlands. Therefore, digitalisation is at the heart of the government’s ambitions. Achieving those ambitions depends on the responsible use of digital technologies and the delivery of high-quality public services for citizens and entrepreneurs.
This requires the government to act proactively, provide clear direction and set priorities. How do digital developments affect government and society? Which opportunities should we seize, and where do we need to intervene to reduce risks? What requires immediate action, and what can wait?
Netherlands’ Digitalisation Strategy (NDS)
Building on these questions, the government launched the Netherlands’ Digitalisation Strategy (NDS) in 2025. The NDS aims to bring together existing digitalisation initiatives and establish shared priorities across all levels of government, enabling the public sector to work as 1 government.
Curious to learn more about the NDS and earlier digital policy? Explore the timeline below.
Timeline of Cabinet Policy on Digitalisation
For many years, the Dutch Government has been crafting a coordinated digitalisation strategy to safeguard public values, enhance services, and promote a unified approach across government amid a swiftly evolving digital landscape. Key policy documents illustrate how the emphasis has shifted from innovation and service delivery (NL Digibeter) to values-driven digitalisation (Values Driven Work Agenda) and finally to a comprehensive, government-wide Netherlands' Digitalisation Strategy (NDS).
2018 - 2020 NL Digibeter
NL Digibeter was the Dutch Government’s agenda for digital government, focusing on innovation, better public services and the protection of public values.
Responsibility
The agenda was the responsibility of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK). The minister responsible was State Secretary Raymond Knops.
Key priorities
- Investing in innovation, including artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and start-ups.
- Delivering digital public services that are accessible and easy to use for everyone.
- Protecting fundamental rights and public values in the digital domain.
- Improving public services around key life events and strengthening collaboration across government.
- Enhancing the government’s digital infrastructure and improving data exchange between public organisations.
2020 - 2024 Values Driven Work Agenda
The Values Driven Digitalisation Agenda (Werkagenda Waardengedreven Digitaliseren) was guided by public values, human-centred design and social impact.
Responsibility
The agenda was led by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK). Alexandra van Huffelen, State Secretary for Kingdom Relations and Digitalisation, was the minister responsible.
Key priorities
- Everyone can participate: digital skills, accessible and proactive public services.
- Everyone can trust digitalisation: public values, privacy, transparency, cybersecurity and tackling disinformation.
- Everyone has control over their digital life: control over personal data, the digital identity system and regulation of algorithms.
- Government works in a values-driven and open way: better information and data management and a stronger ICT organisation.
- A strong focus on the Caribbean Netherlands.
2025 - Netherlands' Digitalisation Strategy (NDS)
The NDS is a government-wide strategy in which the central government, provinces, municipalities, water authorities and public service providers jointly set priorities to accelerate digitalisation.
Responsibility
The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) has primary responsibility for the NDS, working closely with other ministries and public authorities. Willemijn Aerdts, State Secretary for Digital Economy and Sovereignty, is the minister responsible.
Key priorities
- 1 government in a ‘digital House of Thorbecke’: joint governance and delivering breakthroughs across government.
- Investing in digital foundations: data, cloud, AI and cybersecurity.
- Making standards and shared solutions mandatory and implementing them across government.
- Enabling data-driven working through a federated data ecosystem.
- Focusing on strategic autonomy and cooperation with the EU, businesses and research institutions.
