Age of majority in Netherlands (2026)
Last reviewed: 7 November 2026
In short: Dutch law sets the age of majority and the voting age at 18, and the minimum marriage age at 18. The juvenile criminal-law provisions apply from age 12.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Age of majorityLegal adulthood | A person is a minor until the age of 18, unless a court has declared them of age under article 253ha. [1] |
| Voting age (national elections)Legal adulthood | Members of the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) are elected by Dutch nationals who have reached 18 on polling day. [2] |
| Minimum age to marryLegal adulthood | To marry, both parties must have reached the age of 18. [3] |
| Age of criminal responsibilityLegal adulthood | The special juvenile criminal-law provisions apply to a person who was at least 12 but not yet 18 when the offence was committed. [4] |
Sources
- Wettenbank (overheid.nl): Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 1 (geldend van 05-07-2025 t/m heden) (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Wettenbank (overheid.nl): Kieswet (geldend van 01-10-2026 t/m heden) (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Wettenbank (overheid.nl): Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 1 (geldend van 05-07-2025 t/m heden) (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Wettenbank (overheid.nl): Wetboek van Strafrecht (geldend van 01-07-2026 t/m heden) (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.