Referendums in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, seven nationals referendums have been held between 1797 and 2018. Since 2018, there is no longer a legal basis for referendums.

The first four referendums were held during the Batavian Republic and focused on the establishment of a new constitution. In the 200 years that followed, there was no legal framework for referendums, and they did not take place at a national level. In 1999, a constitutional amendment aimed at introducing a binding referendum failed during the Night of Wiegel. Between 2002 and 2005, the Temporary Referendum Act was introduced as a compromise, allowing consultative referendums to be held, but no referendums were conducted under this law. In 2005, however, a referendum was held on the European Constitution, based on a special law created for that purpose.

From 2015 to 2018, there was the Advisory Referendum Act, under which two non-binding referendums were held. Since 2022, a constitutional amendment has been under consideration that aims to make binding referendums possible.