Submitting a citizens’ initiative to the House of Representatives

Do you wish to bring an issue to the attention of the Tweede Kamer (House of Representatives)? If so, you can submit a burgerinitiatief  (citizens’ initiative). For example, this could be a proposal for improvements to the environment or education.

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Giving your opinion

The House of Representatives and the Eerste Kamer (Senate) together comprise the Dutch parliament. The members of the House are the elected representatives of the people of the Netherlands. As such, they would like to know your thoughts on possible improvements to society. A citizens’ initiative is a means of giving your opinion and influencing politics.

Conditions for a citizens’ initiative

A citizens’ initiative is subject to several conditions, including that: 

  • you have gathered 40 000 signatures of supporters of your initiative; these supporters are aged 18 or over, and they must also hold Dutch citizenship; 
  • the initiative concerns a new proposal, and the issue has not been discussed in the House of Representatives in the past 2 years. 

You can find all the conditions for a citizens’ initiative (link in Dutch) on the House of Representatives website.

Submitting a citizens’ initiative

You can submit a citizens’ initiative (link in Dutch) to the Commissie voor de Verzoekschriften en de Burgerinitiatieven (Committee on Petitions and Citizen's Initiatives) of the House of Representatives.

Laws and regulations (in Dutch)

Grondwet, artikel 5

Reglement van Orde van de Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal, artikel 14.2

Regeling van de commissie voor de Verzoekschriften en de Burgerinitiatieven