Government explained
Who does what in the Netherlands?
From the municipal council to the House of Representatives: discover who makes decisions, who provides scrutiny and how your vote counts.
Staatskaart maps Dutch governance. Start with a topic below or explore the map. Each guide includes official sources for further reading.
Explore the interactive mapChoose a topic
01The House of Representatives: members, committees and scrutiny
Discover how the 150 members of the House of Representatives make laws and scrutinise the cabinet. Explore members, committees and their official sources on Staatskaart.
02The Senate: election and scrutiny of legislation
Who elects the 75 senators, and what can the Senate do with a bill? Follow the route through the provincial councils and four electoral colleges.
03Government, cabinet and Council of Ministers: the difference
See who belongs to the government, cabinet and Council of Ministers, how ministers are held accountable and how to find the right minister or state secretary.
04Provinces: provincial councils and provincial executives
Who sets provincial policy, and who implements it? Explore provincial councillors, executive members and the King’s Commissioner, with official sources.
05Municipalities: council, aldermen and mayor
Understand the division of roles between the municipal council and the municipal executive. Find municipal positions and sources for council work, policy and dossier research.
06Water boards: governance, duties and reserved seats
Who decides on water levels, dykes and wastewater? Explore water boards, their general and executive boards, the chair and four reserved seats.
07From vote to seat: how the House of Representatives is elected
Follow the count, electoral quota, remainder seats and preference votes. The Staatskaart tour shows how votes translate into 150 seats in the House of Representatives.
08From proposal to law: the Dutch legislative process
Follow a bill through a ministry, the Council of State, both Houses, signing and the Bulletin of Acts and Decrees. With guidance for dossier work.
09Staatskaart for elected representatives and staff
Use Staatskaart to get to know a dossier, understand institutional roles and prepare verifiable briefings. A workflow for councillors, parliamentarians and staff.
Dutch government compared with the UK and US
Understand Dutch government by comparing its parliament, elections, cabinet and local authorities with the United Kingdom and the United States.
Compare governmentA map for exploring further together.
Preparing a discussion, starting as an elected representative or wondering how a decision is made? Staatskaart helps you explore the institutions and their relationships.
The map and these guides are available in 28 languages. Always check the source and date for people and positions: information can change.
View our sources and datasets