WILLEMSTAD – Dutch citizens in Curaçao and other parts of Europe who have registered to vote in the upcoming parliamentary elections will not receive their ballot papers at home this year. Instead, the ballot papers and voting documents will be available for collection at the Representation of the Netherlands in Willemstad.

Voters must appear in person with a valid ID to collect their documents. Once collected, they will have the option to cast their vote immediately at a specially designated postal voting station on site.

The Representation advises voters to pick up their ballot papers between October 22 and October 29 to avoid long waits and possible delays. Those wishing to vote earlier may schedule an appointment by phone.

How to Register

To vote from abroad, Dutch nationals must register as voters outside the Netherlands by September 17 through the Municipality of The Hague. Once registered, the Representation in Willemstad will receive their voting documents for collection.

Eligibility requires that voters:

live outside the Netherlands and are not registered with a Dutch municipality,hold Dutch nationality, and are at least 18 years old.

Curaçao-born Dutch citizens are also eligible, provided they have lived in the Netherlands for at least ten years.

Voting from abroad is typically conducted by post, but voters may also authorize another person to vote on their behalf or request a voter’s pass to cast their ballot in person anywhere in the Netherlands, including Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba.

For Dutch citizens temporarily abroad but still registered with a Dutch municipality, registration through The Hague is also required to vote from abroad.