Amsterdam City Council Elections 2026: A Comprehensive Guide

Amsterdam residents headed to the polls on March 18, 2026, to elect the 45 members of the city council (gemeenteraad) and representatives for their district committees (stadsdeelcommissie). These elections are crucial for shaping the future of the Dutch capital for the next four years, with a notable increase in participation from non-EU citizens.

Who Can Vote?

To be eligible to vote in the Amsterdam city council elections, individuals must meet the following criteria:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Be registered with the municipality where they live.
• Be an EU citizen, or
• Be a non-EU citizen who has lived continuously in the Netherlands for at least five years.

Non-EU citizens registered in Amsterdam for at least two years are also permitted to vote for their district committee (stadsdeelcommissie). I amsterdam

How to Vote

If you are registered with your municipality, you should have automatically received a poll card (stempas) by post between February 24th and March 1st. To vote, you must bring this poll card and a valid photo ID (passport, driver’s license, or EU ID card) to the polling station. Expired IDs are accepted if they expired less than five years ago. memesita.com

If you have lost or damaged your poll card, you can apply for a latest one in person at your District Committee office with your ID. You can also nominate someone else to vote on your behalf using a form supplied with your voting pass. I amsterdam

What’s at Stake?

The elections determine the composition of Amsterdam’s city council and district committees. The city council is responsible for a wide range of issues, including housing, transportation, public safety, and cultural affairs. memesita.com

Current Political Landscape

As of March 17, 2026, the left-wing alliance of GroenLinks-PvdA is projected to remain in power in Amsterdam. A final opinion poll indicated a lead over the progressive-liberal D66 party. The Labour party (PvdA) received 17.6% of the vote, with GroenLinks at 15.2%. These two parties, whereas standing separately, are expected to merge later in 2026. DutchNews.nl

Key campaign issues included addressing rogue landlords and improving housing affordability, increasing sustainability efforts, and potentially quadrupling the tourist tax to fund free public transport. DutchNews.nl

Turnout

Initial reports indicated that turnout in Amsterdam was lower compared to Utrecht on March 18, 2026. DutchNews.nl