Netherlands
Gmw
Formally: Gemeentewet
Gemeentewet (Stb. 1992/96) Art. 19–26; Art. 11b (Stb. 2022/xxx, participatiewet)
Sunshine Score
| Advance Notice | 7 days, online posting required |
|---|---|
| Public Comment | Required |
| Closed Sessions | 7 permitted categories |
| Minutes | Required, online posting required |
| Recording | Not required |
| Remote Participation | Allowed |
| Enforcement | Voidable, legislature exempt |
Agenda & Notice Requirements
Online posting: Required
The agenda (agenda) must be published at least 7 days before an ordinary council meeting (Art. 19(3): 'ten minste zeven dagen'). Agenda and supporting documents must be published on the municipality's official website. For extraordinary meetings (buitengewone vergadering, Art. 20), shorter notice is permitted if the urgency requirement is met. Each municipality sets its own reglement van orde specifying additional procedural requirements within the statutory minimum.
Agenda changes at meeting: Allowed
Public Participation
Time limits: Time limits for spreekrecht are set per municipality in the reglement van orde; commonly 3–5 minutes per speaker.
Spreekrecht (right of citizens to speak at council meetings) is established by Art. 11b Gemeentewet, added by the Wet versterking participatie op decentraal niveau (effective 2022). Municipalities must provide citizens an opportunity to speak at or before ordinary council meetings. The municipality sets the conditions (time limits, procedure) in its reglement van orde. Spreekrecht applies to items on the agenda — citizens cannot speak on items not yet listed.
Virtual Meetings
Remote participation (digitale vergadering) was permitted during COVID and subsequently enabled on a permanent basis via amendment. Each municipality's reglement van orde governs the specific conditions. Members participating remotely count toward quorum. Verify exact statutory provision in current consolidated Gemeentewet at wetten.overheid.nl.
Closed Sessions
Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances
Permitted Categories
Meeting Minutes
Online posting: Required
Content requirements: Minutes (notulen) of open council meetings must be published and are public documents under the Wet open overheid (Woo, replacing WOB from 1 May 2022). Minutes must record agenda items, decisions, votes, and motions. No specific statutory publication deadline; common practice is within 2–4 weeks pending confirmation at the next meeting.
Recording & Broadcast
Enforcement
Accessibility & Language Access
Language access: Dutch (Nederlands) is the official language. Frisian (Fries) is co-official in the province of Friesland. In Frisian municipalities, members may use Frisian in council meetings (Wet gebruik Friese taal).