On 18 March 2026, municipal council elections take place across the Netherlands. These elections give residents the opportunity to vote for their local council, the body that makes decisions on housing, transportation, social services, and local investment, including in innovation hubs like Leiden Bio Science Park.
Who can vote? You don’t need to be Dutch to participate. You’re eligible if you are 18 or older on election day, registered at a Dutch municipality as of 2 February 2026, and hold Dutch or EU nationality – or have lived legally in the Netherlands for at least five years.
Make an informed choice The Leiden International Centre has put together a dedicated page with everything internationals need to know: what to bring to the polling station, how to find your voting pass, and a StemWijzer, a voting guide that helps you find which party best matches your views on topics relevant to internationals, including investment in the life sciences sector.
