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MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE EU - NETHERLANDS

The Netherlands is a low-lying country with around a quarter of its territory at or below sea level. Many parts of the Netherlands are protected from flooding by dykes and sea walls and much of the land has been reclaimed from the sea. The Netherlands has a long coastline with the North Sea and borders Belgium to the south and Germany to the east.

The most important sectors of the Netherlands’ economy in 2014 were public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (22.4 %), wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (19.8 %) and industry (16.9 %).

The Netherlands’ main export partners are Germany, Belgium and the UK, while its main import partners are Germany, China and Belgium.

Capital: Amsterdam

Geographical size: 41 540 km²

Population: 16 829 289 (2014)

Population as % of total EU population: 3.3 % (2014)

GDP: € 662.770 billion (2014)

Official EU language(s): Dutch

Political system: parliamentary constitutional monarchy

EU member country since: 1 January 1958

Seats in the European Parliament: 26

Currency: Euro. Member of the eurozone since 1 January 1999

Schengen area member? Yes, Schengen Area member since 26 March 1995.

Presidency of the Council: the Netherlands currently holds the revolvingpresidency of the Council of the EU. Since 1960, the Netherlands has held the presidency 12 times.

The Netherlands in the EU

European Parliament

There are 26 members of the European Parliament from the Netherlands. Find out who these MEPs are.

European Parliament office in the Netherlands

Council of the EU

In the Council of the EU, national ministers meet regularly to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies. Council meetings are regularly attended by representatives from the Dutch government, depending on the policy area being addressed.

Presidency of the Council of the EU

The Council of the EU doesn't have a permanent, single-person president (like e.g. the Commission or Parliament). Instead, its work is led by the country holding the Council presidency, which rotates every 6 months.

During these 6 months, ministers from that country's government chair and help determine the agenda of Council meetings in each policy area, and facilitate dialogue with the other EU institutions.

Dates of Dutch presidencies:

More on the current presidency of the Council of the EU.

European Commission

The Commissioner nominated by the Netherlands to the European Commission is Frans Timmermans, who is First Vice-President, in charge of Better Regulation, Inter-institutional Relations, the Rule of Law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

The Commission is represented in each EU country by a local office, called a "representation".

Commission representation in the Netherlands

European Economic & Social Committee

The Netherlands has 12 representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee. This advisory body – representing employers, workers and other interest groups – is consulted on proposed laws, to get a better idea of the possible changes to work and social situations in member countries.

Committee of the Regions

The Netherlands has 12 representatives on the Committee of the Regions, the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives. This advisory body is consulted on proposed laws, to ensure these laws take account of the perspective from each region of the EU.

Permanent representation to the EU

The Netherlands also communicates with the EU institutions through its permanent representation in Brussels. As the Netherlands' "embassy to the EU", its main task is to ensure that the country's interests and policies are pursued as effectively as possible in the EU.

Budgets and Funding

How much does the Netherlands contribute and receive?

Member countries' financial contributions to the EU budget are shared fairly, according to means. The larger your country's economy, the more it pays – and vice versa. The EU budget doesn't aim to redistribute wealth, but rather to focus on the needs of all Europeans as a whole.

Breakdown of the Netherlands’ finances with the EU in 2014:

Total EU spending in the Netherlands: € 2.014 billion
Total EU spending as % of Dutch GNI: 0.30 %
Total Dutch contribution to the EU budget: € 6.391 billion
Dutch contribution to the EU budget as % of its GNI: 0.96 %

More figures on the EU budget, revenue and spending:

EU-funded projects in the Netherlands

The money paid into the EU budget by the Netherlands helps fund programmes and projects in all EU countries - like building roads, subsidising researchers and protecting the environment.