Can I vote in Amsterdam?
The municipal elections are coming up on Wednesday March 18, 2026 and are you wondering if you can vote? (Most) foreign nationals who live in Amsterdam can vote!
The local election on March 18 in Amsterdam concerns the vote for the city council (gemeenteraad) and the district committee (stadsdeelcomissie). This election happens every four years and your vote directly impacts who is elected for the council and committees. The city council and district committee decide on many important topics, such as housing, social welfare and public transport. That means a vote on March 18 will help decide what day to day life in Amsterdam will look like the upcoming years!
To be eligible to vote in the city council election Amsterdam on March 18, you must be
18 years of age or older
an EU citizen and were registered in Amsterdam before January 31, 2026
a non-EU citizen living in the Netherlands without interruption for more than 5 years and registered in Amsterdam before January 31, 2026
For the district committee similar rules apply, but you are allowed to vote already from the age of 16 and non-EU citizens only need to have been living for two years in the Netherlands!
You do not have to sign up to vote in the Netherlands. If you are eligible based on above criteria, you will receive a personal voting pass (in Dutch called stempas) via postal mail at the beginning of March (at least 14 days before the election). This is the ultimate confirmation that you have a vote and a voice in this election.
If for some reason you don’t receive your personal voting pass, we advise you to visit the closest city office (Stadsloket) where you can inquire about your case.
How can I vote on election day?
Bring your personal voting pass (Stempas) and a valid ID (passport, residence permit, EU ID card or EU driving license) to the closest polling station. You can find the overview of all stations here. The polling stations are open between 7.30am to 9.00pm. You can cast your vote at any polling station within the Amsterdam borders. It usually only takes a few minutes!
What if I am not in town on election day?
In the Netherlands it is allowed to vote by proxy. If you cannot make it to a polling station on March 18, 2026, you can entrust a person close to you to vote on your behalf. For this process, simply fill in the form that is part of the voting pass envelope (Stempas) and follow the instructions. Don’t forget to let your proxy know who you want to vote for!
Why is it important to vote in local elections?
The city council is the highest governing body in Amsterdam and responsible for many decisions and policies that shape how our city looks, feels and functions. For example public transport, new building permits and renovations of housing, nightlife rules, traffic policies, parks and green spaces and tourist taxes. All these decisions have a direct impact on your daily life in Amsterdam.
Who will be the new mayor?
In the Netherlands, the mayor is not directly elected by residents. Instead the candidates get recommended by the city council. After the appointment by the monarch (a formality), the mayor chairs both the municipal council and the college of mayor and aldermen for six years.
I am still reading. What’s the next step?
If you are eligible to vote, have a look at the Volt program and read here how the city council is affecting your life in Amsterdam. Ultimately, get involved in local politics and have an impact on your city by going out and voting on March 18!
Verena Kitowski is running for Volt in the City Council elections and in the district committee West. She is German by passport, European at heart and Amsterdam has become her home in the last seven years. She is an expert on sustainability, consumer rights and circular economy. In the city council of Amsterdam, she wants to tackle local issues that affect internationals as well as Dutch residents. This includes all topics that contribute to a more open society and fighting ‘bubbles’, such as language barriers, anonymous neighbourhoods, housing and community building.