Netherlands

1. After a request to that effect, Our Minister will provide a subsidy to a political party if, on the reference date, that party has 1,000 members who have meeting and voting rights in the political party and each pay a minimum of € 12 a year. Membership is evidenced by an express declaration of intent from the person concerned.
Source: Art. 7,1 Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

1. After a request to that effect, Our Minister will provide a subsidy to a political party if, on the reference date, that party has 1,000 members who have meeting and voting rights in the political party and each pay a minimum of € 12 a year. Membership is evidenced by an express declaration of intent from the person concerned.
Source: Art. 7,1 Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

Parliamentary parties that have at least 1,000 members and one seat in parliament are entitled to receive public funding and may use the public subsidy for broadly defined activities, including campaign activities.
Source: OSCE/ODIHR (2017) The Netherlands, Parliamentary Elections, 15 March 2017. OSCE/ODIHR Election Assessment Mission, Final Report. OSCE/ODIHR, Warsaw

1. The grant shall not exceed the sum of the following amounts:
a. a basic amount of € 181,947, per parliamentary seat of the political party an amount of € 52,773 and per member of the political party an amount equal to € 1,992,218 divided by the total number of members of the political parties that were on the reference date receive a subsidy;
b. if on the reference date the political party has designated a political-scientific institute as ancillary institution as referred to in Article 2 , a basic amount of € 127,789 and an amount of € 13,135 per parliamentary seat of the political party;
c. if on the reference date the political party has designated a political youth organization as a secondary institution as referred to in Article 3 , an amount per seat of the political party and an amount per member of the political youth organization, calculated in accordance with the second paragraph;
d. if on the reference date the political party has designated an institution for foreign activities as a secondary institution as referred to in Article 4 , a basic amount and an amount per seat of the political party, calculated in accordance with the third paragraph.
2 The amount per room seat, referred to in the first paragraph, under c, is calculated by dividing € 512,256 by the total number of room seats of the political parties that have designated a political youth organization on the reference date. The amount per member of the political youth organization is calculated by dividing € 512,256 by the total number of members of all designated political youth organizations.
3 The basic amount, referred to in the first paragraph, under d, is calculated by dividing € 655,183 by the total number of political parties that on the reference date has designated an institution for foreign activities. The amount per room seat, referred to in the first paragraph, under d, is calculated by dividing € 942,824 by the total number of room seats of the political parties that have designated an institution for foreign activities on the reference date.
4 For the purposes of paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, the number of parliamentary seats of a political party, the number of members of a political party and the number of members of a political youth organization are based on the reference date.
5 The amounts referred to in the first, second and third paragraphs are amended annually as of 1 January by ministerial regulation, in accordance with the wage and price adjustment used for the national budget and rounded to the nearest whole number.
Source: Art. 8, Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

Article 7(1) of the PFA states that public funding is allocated to all parliamentary parties that have at least 1,000 members with voting rights, who each pay an annual contribution of at least EUR 12. The annual public grant consists of a general amount allocated to each eligible political party, an amount per seat and an amount per member which are both provided annually in proportion to the number of seats a party has in parliament and to the number of contributing members of the party, respectively.
Source: OSCE/ODIHR (2017) The Netherlands, Parliamentary Elections, 15 March 2017. OSCE/ODIHR Election Assessment Mission, Final Report. OSCE/ODIHR, Warsaw

The grant is awarded for expenditure directly related to the following activities:
a. political education and training activities;
b. provision of information;
c. maintaining contacts with sister parties outside the Netherlands and supporting education and training activities for the benefit of those parties;
d. political science activities;
e. activities promoting the political participation of young people;
f. recruiting members;
g. involving non-members in political party activities;
h. recruitment, selection and guidance of political office holders;
i. activities in the context of election campaigns.
Source: Art. 7.2, Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

1. The Commissioner allocates a number of hours per year on the general program channels of the national public media service to political parties that have acquired one or more seats in the last election of the members of the House of Representatives of the House of Representatives.
2 The Media Authority allocates a number of hours on the general program channels of the national public media service to:
a. political parties that participate in the election of the members of the House of Representatives of the States General in all constituencies; and
b. political parties that take part in the election of members of the European Parliament in the Netherlands.
3 The hours referred to in the second paragraph are available in a period to be determined by the Media Authority, immediately preceding the day determined in the Netherlands for the relevant election.
Source: Art. 6.1, Media Act, 2003 (amended 2020)

1. The Commissioner allocates a number of hours per year on the general program channels of the national public media service to political parties that have acquired one or more seats in the last election of the members of the House of Representatives of the House of Representatives.
2 The Media Authority allocates a number of hours on the general program channels of the national public media service to:
a. political parties that participate in the election of the members of the House of Representatives of the States General in all constituencies; and
b. political parties that take part in the election of members of the European Parliament in the Netherlands.
3 The hours referred to in the second paragraph are available in a period to be determined by the Media Authority, immediately preceding the day determined in the Netherlands for the relevant election.
Source: Art. 6.1, Media Act, 2003 (amended 2020)

Source: Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

Source: Media Act, 2003 (amended 2020)

1 Deductible donations are:
a. periodic gifts;
b. other gifts.
2 There is no deductible gift if the gift is paid, settled or made available upon or after the death of the taxpayer or at a related time.
Source: Art. 6.32, Law on Income Tax, 2001 (amended 2020)

Source: Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

Source: Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

1 A person who, in an election by gift or promise, bribes a voter to authorize the casting of his vote, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months or a third-category fine.
 2 A person who, in an election by gift or promise, bribes or otherwise forces a voter to make a statement as referred to in Section H 4 (1) in support of a list, shall be punished with imprisonment of up to six months or fine of the third category.
3 The voter who is bribed by gift or promise to vote by proxy or to make a statement of support is punished with the same penalty.
Source: Art. Z.4, Electoral Law, 1989 (amended 2019)

Source: Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

The legislation does not impose expenditure ceilings on either political parties or candidates.
Source: OSCE/ODIHR (2017) The Netherlands, Parliamentary Elections, 15 March 2017. OSCE/ODIHR Election Assessment Mission, Final Report. OSCE/ODIHR, Warsaw

Source: Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

The legislation does not impose expenditure ceilings on either political parties or candidates.
Source: OSCE/ODIHR (2017) The Netherlands, Parliamentary Elections, 15 March 2017. OSCE/ODIHR Election Assessment Mission, Final Report. OSCE/ODIHR, Warsaw

Source: Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

The legislation does not further specify the conduct of the campaign in public and private media beyond the free airtime allocation.
Source: OSCE/ODIHR (2017) The Netherlands, Parliamentary Elections, 15 March 2017. OSCE/ODIHR Election Assessment Mission, Final Report. OSCE/ODIHR, Warsaw

Source: Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

Source: Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

Political parties have to report on their finances annually.

1 Before 1 July of each calendar year, a political party shall send to Our Minister:
a. a financial report for the previous calendar year with a representation of the data included in the records pursuant to Article 20 ;
b. an overview of the contributions of a total of € 4,500 or more that the party received from a giver in that calendar year, including the data registered pursuant to Article 21, first paragraph;
c. an overview of the debts of € 25,000 or more, including the data registered pursuant to Article 21, third paragraph , and
d. the written statement of the accountant, referred to in the third paragraph
Source: Art. 25.1, Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

Source: Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

Source: Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

A financial report held by Our Minister is public.

Source: Art. 25.4, Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

While there is no legal deadline for publishing the parties’ annual reports, positively, the MoIKR does publish the reports by 1 October on the same year.
Source: OSCE/ODIHR (2017) The Netherlands, Parliamentary Elections, 15 March 2017. OSCE/ODIHR Election Assessment Mission, Final Report. OSCE/ODIHR, Warsaw

1 Before 1 July of each calendar year, a political party shall send to Our Minister:
a. a financial report for the previous calendar year with a representation of the data included in the records pursuant to Article 20 ;
b. an overview of the contributions of a total of € 4,500 or more that the party received from a giver in that calendar year, including the data registered pursuant to Article 21, first paragraph;
c. an overview of the debts of € 25,000 or more, including the data registered pursuant to Article 21, third paragraph , and
d. the written statement of the accountant, referred to in the third paragraph
Source: Art. 25.1, Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

1. A political party shall keep records such that it provides a reliable picture of the party's financial position by including:
a. the received grants;
b. the contributions received;
c. the other income;
d. the financial position;
e. the debts of the political party.
Source: Art. 20.1, Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

Source: Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (MoIKR)

Supervisory committee on the finances of political parties

1. There is a Committee on the Supervision of Finance of Political Parties, hereinafter referred to as: the Committee.
2 The committee consists of three members. The members are appointed by Our Minister for a maximum of four years. Reappointments can take place twice and each time for a maximum of four years.
3 The committee has the task to advise Our Minister on the application of:
a. Article 5, third paragraph ;
b. Article 25, fifth paragraph, third sentence , Article 28, third paragraph, fourth sentence , Article 29, fourth paragraph, fourth sentence , Article 30, fourth paragraph, third sentence and Article 32, fourth paragraph, fourth sentence , and
c. Article 37, first paragraph .
4 In connection with the task referred to in the third paragraph, under c, the committee can advise Our Minister on the supervision of compliance with this Act.
5 Our Minister makes available to the committee, whether or not on request, the information necessary for the proper performance of its task.
6 Rules may be laid down by or pursuant to an Order in Council concerning the working method of the committee.
Source: Art. 35, Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (MoIKR)

Supervisory committee on the finances of political parties

1. There is a Committee on the Supervision of Finance of Political Parties, hereinafter referred to as: the Committee.
2 The committee consists of three members. The members are appointed by Our Minister for a maximum of four years. Reappointments can take place twice and each time for a maximum of four years.
3 The committee has the task to advise Our Minister on the application of:
a. Article 5, third paragraph ;
b. Article 25, fifth paragraph, third sentence , Article 28, third paragraph, fourth sentence , Article 29, fourth paragraph, fourth sentence , Article 30, fourth paragraph, third sentence and Article 32, fourth paragraph, fourth sentence , and
c. Article 37, first paragraph .
4 In connection with the task referred to in the third paragraph, under c, the committee can advise Our Minister on the supervision of compliance with this Act.
5 Our Minister makes available to the committee, whether or not on request, the information necessary for the proper performance of its task.
6 Rules may be laid down by or pursuant to an Order in Council concerning the working method of the committee.
Source: Art. 35, Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

Source: Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

The MoIKR may impose a range of financial sanctions of up to EUR 25,000 in case of failure to record contributions and debts, failure to submit a financial report, non-compliance with disclosure requirements, or acceptance of anonymous donations above the established threshold. In case a political party is a recipient of public funding, the amount of the fines will be withdrawn from the subsidy. In case of criminal infringements of regulations, the MoIKR has to turn to the Public Prosecutor and eligibility for public funds can be suspended for up to four years. The MoIKR decisions can be appealed to the Council of State.
Source: OSCE/ODIHR (2017) The Netherlands, Parliamentary Elections, 15 March 2017. OSCE/ODIHR Election Assessment Mission, Final Report. OSCE/ODIHR, Warsaw

Source: Political Parties Financing Act, 2013 (amended 2019)

The MoIKR may impose a range of financial sanctions of up to EUR 25,000 in case of failure to record contributions and debts, failure to submit a financial report, non-compliance with disclosure requirements, or acceptance of anonymous donations above the established threshold. In case a political party is a recipient of public funding, the amount of the fines will be withdrawn from the subsidy. In case of criminal infringements of regulations, the MoIKR has to turn to the Public Prosecutor and eligibility for public funds can be suspended for up to four years. The MoIKR decisions can be appealed to the Council of State.
Source: OSCE/ODIHR (2017) The Netherlands, Parliamentary Elections, 15 March 2017. OSCE/ODIHR Election Assessment Mission, Final Report. OSCE/ODIHR, Warsaw