Compulsory Identification

Everyone over the age of 14 in the Netherlands must carry legal proof of identification.

Compulsory identification in public

There are only certain officials who can request to see your ID, specifically:

• police officers
• ticket inspectors on public transport
• special enforcement officers (BOAs) like labor inspectors and forest wardens.

There are only a few specific circumstances where officials can ask to see your ID, namely:

• traffic stop (e.g., if a cyclist rides through a red light);
• maintaining public order (when people’s safety is at stake);
• the investigation of criminal offenses.

Fines for failure to provide identification

The fine is €60 for people 16 or over who fail to comply with the requirement to identify themselves. For minors aged 14 or 15, the fine is €30.

No objection

If you are fined by the police for failing to provide valid identification, you are not entitled to file an objection. The Central Fine Collection Agency (CJIB) will send you a notice for how you can pay the fine. If you fail to pay, the public prosecutor will decide whether to prosecute you. You can be prosecuted within two years of the date of the offense.

Valid forms of identification

The following are valid identification documents in the Netherlands for non-EU citizens:

• a valid passport containing a visa sticker or other valid residence sticker
• a Dutch residence permit issued by the IND
• a refugee travel document issued by the Dutch authorities
• an alien’s travel document issued by the Dutch authorities
• a leave to remain card (W-document)

The following are valid identity documents in the Netherlands for EU citizens:

• a Dutch passport or a passport or identity card of a country belonging to the EU or the EEA
• a Dutch identity card
• a Dutch driving license

You can find out more information about compulsory identification at the Dutch government website.