Voting from abroad: Practical obstacles hinder involvement

In the Netherlands, a new government stood on the steps of the parliament building at the end of February and municipal elections are being held this week, but what is the role of Dutch people abroad in Dutch democracy? While Dutch people living outside the Netherlands may not vote at the local level (although they do vote for the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the European Parliament), many Dutch citizens abroad continue to follow Dutch politics closely. During the national elections in October, more than 135,000 Dutch people registered as voters from abroad, and it even seemed as though our votes could make the difference in determining who would become the largest party.

As many of us have experienced firsthand, voting from abroad is by no means always easy. To better map the experiences of voters abroad, the survey committee of the Foundation for Dutch People Abroad (SNBN) investigated how Dutch people abroad experienced the voting process by having its constituency complete a questionnaire after the elections. The answers from the nearly 1,500 respondents show that the involvement of Dutch people abroad is high, but that practical obstacles complicate the voting process.

Satisfaction: A mixed picture

Of the respondents , 31% were satisfied with the voting process, while 35% were dissatisfied. Specifically, 18% reported problems such as not receiving ballots, unreliable postal services, or local strikes. At the same time, the registration process was perceived as clear by a majority ( 82% ).

Voting by Mail: Popular, but uncertain

Most Dutch people abroad vote by post (73%). Although this is the most popular method, there is a great deal of uncertainty regarding the arrival of the vote. Only 36% are certain that their vote arrived on time. This uncertainty proves to be a major source of frustration.

Alternatives and digital possibilities: great enthusiasm for digital voting

Voting via an embassy or consulate , or by proxy , is used less frequently but is perceived as reliable by respondents. These alternatives are used more often, particularly in regions where postal systems are less reliable.

A clear message from the survey: there is broad support (69% of respondents) for digital voting . For many people, this would significantly reduce uncertainty regarding postal delivery and timing.

Involved, but underexposed

Despite the practical challenges, Dutch people abroad actively follow Dutch politics, primarily through Dutch media (90%), family (44%), and friends (35%). There was some frustration regarding having to cast one's vote before the election debates had begun, meaning little information was available about party manifestos at the time of voting. As many as 16% of respondents said they would have voted differently if they had been able to vote on election day. Additionally, for the majority of respondents (62%), feelings about the lack of influence and attention from political parties regarding the issues of Dutch people abroad played a role.

When choosing a party, the interests of Dutch people abroad often play a leading role, followed by themes such as climate and the environment, international security , and domestic issues such as affordable housing and healthcare .

About the survey

The survey was distributed via SNBN channels in November and December 2025. In total , 1,492 people from more than 100 countries responded , with most respondents in Europe (53%) and North America (24%) . The majority have experience voting from abroad.

These results make it clear: Dutch people abroad are involved in Dutch democracy, but there is still work to be done to make the voting process reliable and accessible.

Would you also like to share your experiences from abroad? Stay up to date via SNBN 's channels and participate in future surveys.

Authors:

Jesse Pappers, Secretary of the inquiry committee

Monique Ackermans, Chair of the inquiry committee