How to file a police report in the Netherlands

The short answer

For simple matters like bicycle theft or vandalism, you can file a police report online via politie.nl. This is available 24/7 and you'll receive a report number immediately. For more serious crimes like violence, threats, or burglary, you must visit a police station. You can also call 0900-8844 to make an appointment. Filing a police report is free and you're entitled to a copy of your report.

What does Dutch law say?

The Dutch Code of Criminal Procedure (Wetboek van Strafvordering) regulates how police reports are filed in the Netherlands. According to Article 161, anyone can file a police report for a criminal offence, even if you're not the victim yourself. The police are obliged to take your report if it concerns a possible criminal offence. You have the right to file your report in Dutch, or to receive an interpreter if you don't speak the language.

What should you watch out for?

Make sure you have all relevant information at hand before filing your police report. Think about the time, location, description of the perpetrator, and any witnesses. Keep all evidence such as photos, messages, or damaged items. Note that you should file a report as soon as possible, as some crimes have a limitation period under Dutch law.

Example from practice

Sarah discovers that her bicycle has been stolen from the train station. She didn't lock the bike, but theft remains a criminal offence under Dutch law. Via politie.nl, she files an online police report and fills in all details: brand, colour, and where the bike was parked. She immediately receives a report number that she needs for her insurance claim. Since it's a simple theft without violence, she doesn't need to visit a police station.

What can you do?

Follow these steps to correctly file a police report in the Netherlands.