Filing a complaint about a public authority

Do you have a complaint about a public authority? For example, about the Belastingdienst (Tax and Customs Administration) or the Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen – UWV (Employee Insurance Agency)? If so, you can file a complaint with the public authority that your complaint is about. For instance, you can file a complaint if you feel an employee treated you unfairly, or if you feel you have had to wait too long for a response.

Lees deze informatie in het Nederlands

Conditions for filing a complaint about a public authority

A complaint about a public authority must meet the following conditions: 

  • You have not previously submitted a complaint about the same event; 
  • You must file your complaint within 1 year of the date of the event; 
  • There is no other way to file a complaint. For example, by sending a letter of objection (link in Dutch), or appealing against the public authority's decision (link in Dutch); 
  • Your complaint is not currently being dealt with (and has not previously been dealt with) before the courts; 
  • The officier van justitie (public prosecutor) has not launched investigative or criminal proceedings; 
  • Your complaint is not about legislation or policy.

Filing a complaint

File the complaint with the public authority that you have a complaint about.

Laws and regulations (in Dutch)

Algemene wet bestuursrecht (klachtbehandeling)