Anyone aged 14 or over must be able to show valid proof of identity if asked to do so by the police. Other public officials, such as forest rangers and tax inspectors, may also ask you to show valid proof of identity.
Duty to identify
The obligation to carry identification does not give the police or security staff the right to check your identity without good reason. For more information on the obligation to carry identification, please visit the central government. The following applies to children under the age of 14 other rules.
What forms of ID can I use to prove my identity?
There are various ways to prove your identity. For example, with your passport. A driving licence cannot always be used as proof of identity. You can find more information on this at the central government.
The following documents are always accepted as proof of identity:
- passport;
- Dutch identity card;
- ID card or passport issued by a EEA country;
- Dutch immigration document
Driving licence
Your (European) driving licence serves as proof of identity. However, you cannot always use your driving licence to identify yourself. This is because the driving licence does not contain any information about your residence status or nationality.
Identification in healthcare, including for minors
If you need medical care, you must show valid proof of identity to the healthcare provider. For example, at a hospital or the dentist. The requirement to show proof of identity in healthcare applies to everyone, including minors under the age of 14. For more information, see the central government.