Netherlands – End of Life Issues

What end of life care options are available in the Netherlands, and how does the system work?

The Dutch healthcare system approaches medical care as a continuous spectrum, whereby curative treatment gradually gives way to palliative support as death draws closer. Rather than requiring patients to abandon curative care before palliative care begins — as happens in many other countries — the Netherlands designs these two strands to run alongside one another and shift in emphasis over time.

Palliative care is fully embedded within the broader Dutch healthcare structure. National policy holds that palliative care is a form of generalist care that any healthcare professional should be capable of delivering when the situation demands it, rather than treating it as a separate clinical discipline reserved for specialists alone.

Foundational aspects of palliative care — including symptom control and aligning treatment with patient goals — are woven into the everyday practice of all healthcare providers. Where patients present with more complex needs, specialist palliative care teams (PCTs) are available for consultation and can deliver advanced care both within and outside hospital settings.

People nearing the end of their lives in the Netherlands may receive care in their own home supported by visiting nurses and specialist professionals, in a nursing home (verpleeghuis), in a dedicated hospice, or in a hospital palliative care unit. The system places considerable emphasis on enabling home deaths, with both professional and volunteer services in place for patients who wish to spend their final days in familiar surroundings.

What is palliative care in the Netherlands, and who is eligible for it?

In the Netherlands, palliative care is understood as the support provided to patients and their close circle when they are confronted with a life-threatening illness or frailty. Its central purpose is to enhance the quality of life — and of dying — by preventing and relieving suffering across physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions.

The Dutch philosophy holds that every person should be able to receive palliative care in the right place, at the right time, and from the right caregivers. This principle underpins the country’s ongoing investment in strengthening palliative care provision across all four dimensions of wellbeing. Notably, the Netherlands does not impose a rigid eligibility threshold — such as the requirement used by Medicare in the United States that a patient must have a prognosis of six months or fewer before accessing hospice — meaning people can be supported earlier in their illness trajectory.

Palliative care is delivered primarily by generalist practitioners, who can call upon professionals with specialist palliative care expertise — from dedicated palliative units, consultation teams, or hospice facilities — when a patient’s needs become more complex. The huisarts (GP) is almost always the first point of contact, coordinating care and arranging referrals to specialist teams where required.

In cases requiring a higher level of expertise, clinicians with advanced training in palliative care can step in to provide specialised support. Integrated palliative care programmes across the Netherlands aim to connect care delivered in different settings, bringing together generalist and specialist practitioners within a coherent, joined-up approach.

Are there hospices in the Netherlands, and how do you access them?

The Netherlands has around 300 hospice facilities nationally, a figure that has grown considerably over the past two decades. Hospice provision takes three distinct forms: volunteer-driven hospices (VDH), standalone hospices (SAHs), and hospice units embedded within nursing homes (HU). These differ meaningfully in their structure — VDHs are guided primarily by trained volunteers, while SAHs and HU units are staffed by multiprofessional clinical teams.

Admissions to inpatient hospice care are handled directly by individual hospices rather than through a centralised coordination system. Importantly, applications can be made by anyone — including the patient and their informal caregivers — without necessarily requiring a formal referral from a GP. This is a notably more accessible process than in some countries where a doctor’s referral is a mandatory first step.

Insurance regulations designate inpatient hospice care for patients who are within the final three months of life, though in practice your GP, specialist, or hospital team will help guide the referral process. The national palliative care knowledge platform Palliaweb offers resources and can assist in identifying suitable facilities.

Hospices in a given region often collaborate with one another, meaning that if no place is immediately available at the preferred facility, alternatives can generally be found nearby. Beginning the application process early is highly advisable, as capacity in certain areas can be limited.

Is palliative or hospice care covered by public health insurance, or does it need to be funded privately?

The costs associated with palliative care in the Netherlands are met either through the standard health insurance scheme or through the Long-Term Care Act (Wlz), which together mean that most palliative and end-of-life expenses are covered for residents who hold Dutch health insurance (Zorgverzekeringswet, or Zvw) — a policy that is compulsory for all legal residents of the country.

Medical components of palliative care — including GP appointments, nursing visits, specialist consultations, pain relief medication, and hospital-based palliative services — fall within the basic insurance package. Extended residential care, such as longer stays in nursing home hospice units, is covered under the Long-Term Care Act (Wlz), with eligibility assessed by the Centre Indicatiestelling Zorg (CIZ).

Volunteer-driven hospices rely in part on charitable contributions and unpaid labour, which helps contain costs. Standalone hospices are generally reimbursable through health insurance, though the specific terms differ by insurer and facility. Before admission, it is important to confirm the details of your coverage with your health insurer (zorgverzekeraar). Expats who are not registered residents or who hold private international health insurance should scrutinise their policies carefully, as many international plans do not automatically match the level of inpatient hospice coverage provided under a Dutch Zvw policy.

What legal documents should expats have in place before the end of life in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands provides a well-established framework for advance care planning. Expats are strongly encouraged to put key documents in order as early as possible — ideally while still in good health — to ensure their wishes will be honoured and to reduce the administrative burden on those left behind.

• Levenstestament (Living Will / Advance Directive): A legal document recording your preferences regarding medical treatment in the event that you can no longer make or communicate decisions yourself. It may cover matters such as refusal of resuscitation, wishes regarding artificial nutrition, and — uniquely in the Netherlands — a declaration regarding euthanasia. It can be prepared with a notary (notaris) or, in some forms, written and signed personally.
• Behandelverbod (Treatment Refusal / Do Not Resuscitate): A directive explicitly refusing specific treatments, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This can be carried as a card on your person or documented in your medical record held by your GP.
• Volmacht / Medische volmacht (Power of Attorney / Healthcare Proxy): Grants a named individual authority to make medical and/or financial decisions on your behalf should you lose capacity. A general power of attorney (algemene volmacht) is prepared through a notary; a healthcare-specific version can form part of a levenstestament.
• Will (Testament): A legally binding will, executed through a notary, specifying how your estate should be distributed after death. In the absence of a valid Dutch will, intestacy rules will determine the outcome (see below).

Documents that affect property rights, financial authority, or have substantial legal consequences must generally be executed before a Dutch notary to be enforceable under Dutch law. Your GP can retain a copy of your advance directive in your medical file, ensuring healthcare staff can access it quickly when needed. The NVVE (Dutch Right to Die Society) also provides templates and practical guidance on end-of-life documentation.

Are documents such as advance directives or powers of attorney made in another country legally recognised in the Netherlands?

Whether a foreign legal document is recognised in the Netherlands depends on what type of document it is and where it was made. The Netherlands applies principles of private international law in these situations, and documents originating in EU member states are frequently recognised under EU legislation — for instance, the EU Succession Regulation (EU 650/2012) covers cross-border wills and inheritance matters throughout the EU.

Advance directives prepared in another country do not carry automatic legal enforceability in a Dutch medical setting in the same way as a Dutch document would. That said, Dutch healthcare professionals are generally guided by the principle of respecting a patient’s known and documented wishes. In practice, if a foreign directive has been translated into Dutch and clearly sets out the patient’s preferences, clinical staff will take it into account. For full legal certainty, however, it is strongly advisable to have a Dutch-format advance directive drawn up with a local notary or GP.

Foreign powers of attorney may require apostille certification (under the Hague Apostille Convention, to which the Netherlands is a signatory) and a translation by a sworn translator (beëdigd vertaler) before Dutch institutions will accept them. A Dutch notary can advise on whether an existing foreign document satisfies Dutch requirements or whether a new document should be created. It is unwise to assume that a document valid in your home country will automatically be accepted in the Netherlands without checking.

What are the laws around euthanasia or assisted dying in the Netherlands?

The Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide (Review Procedures) Act was adopted in April 2001 and entered into force on 1 April 2002. It legalises euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide under tightly defined conditions. The Netherlands was the first country in the world to enact such legislation, and its framework continues to be among the most transparent and rigorously monitored anywhere on the globe.

The law permits regional review boards to refrain from referring doctors for prosecution when they perform euthanasia, provided the following conditions are all satisfied: the patient’s suffering must be unbearable with no prospect of improvement; the request for euthanasia must be entirely voluntary and must have been sustained over time; the patient must be fully informed about their diagnosis, prognosis, and available alternatives; at least one independent second physician must have been consulted and must confirm that the criteria are met; the procedure must be carried out in a medically appropriate manner by the attending physician or the patient themselves, with the physician present; and the patient must be at least 12 years of age, with parental consent required for those between 12 and 16.

A physician who has carried out euthanasia is legally obliged to notify the municipal pathologist and submit a detailed report. The pathologist then investigates the death and forwards the notification and all accompanying documents to one of the five regional euthanasia review committees, which assess whether the physician fulfilled every due care criterion.

The number of euthanasia notifications has risen gradually over the years, reaching 9,958 in 2024 — representing approximately 5.8% of all deaths. The great majority of cases involve serious physical illness; cases relating to psychiatric conditions or dementia continue to generate significant public and ethical debate.

Euthanasia is conceived as the final stage of an ongoing care relationship — not a standalone service that can be requested by someone arriving in the Netherlands specifically for that purpose. The law centres on the attending physician, who will typically have known the patient for a considerable period and whose assessment draws on a detailed understanding of the individual’s circumstances. Expats who are registered with a Dutch GP and have built an established medical relationship may raise this option with their doctor, but the assessment process is thorough, requires time, and cannot be concluded rapidly.

The legislation also explicitly acknowledges the validity of a written euthanasia declaration made by a patient — sometimes called a euthanasia directive — which can be invoked when a patient is in a coma or otherwise unable to express their current wishes.

What are the local customs, traditions, and religious practices around death and dying in the Netherlands?

Dutch society is characterised by a notably open and pragmatic attitude toward death. It is not uncommon for individuals to plan their own funeral arrangements well in advance — selecting music, readings, and venues — and the healthcare system actively encourages honest conversations about end-of-life wishes between patients, families, and clinicians. People moving to the Netherlands from cultures where death is treated as a sensitive or rarely discussed topic may find this directness striking.

After a death occurs, it is customary in the Netherlands to hold a period during which the deceased lies in state (opbaring) — usually at the funeral home or at home — for one to three days, giving family members and friends an opportunity to visit and pay their respects. A condolence book (condoleanceregister) is typically made available for visitors to sign.

The funeral ceremony (uitvaart) generally takes place within five to seven working days of death. Funerals in the Netherlands are frequently secular or humanist in character, reflecting the country’s relatively low levels of regular religious observance, though Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and other religious ceremonies are all well catered for. Funeral directors in larger cities are well practised in accommodating a wide variety of cultural and religious traditions.

Within Dutch Muslim communities, burial is typically arranged as swiftly as possible — ideally within 24 hours — and funeral directors familiar with Islamic requirements can be found in most cities. Jewish funerals similarly prioritise prompt burial. Hindu cremation rites can be arranged, and a number of crematoria are equipped to accommodate the specific ceremonies involved. Expats from any cultural background should communicate their requirements to a funeral director (uitvaartondernemer) at the earliest opportunity.

Sending flowers or a plant to the bereaved family is a common gesture, as is making a financial donation to a charity named by the family. Memorial gatherings (herdenkingsbijeenkomsten) are sometimes held separately from the funeral itself, particularly within secular and humanist communities.

What must you do when someone dies in the Netherlands? Who do you notify, how quickly, and in what order?

Following a death in the Netherlands, a clearly defined sequence of legal and practical steps must be undertaken, many within tight deadlines. Dutch law imposes strict timeframes on both the medical certification and civil registration of deaths, making prompt action essential.

1. Call a doctor without delay. If death takes place at home, contact the person’s GP (huisarts) or, outside of normal surgery hours, the out-of-hours GP service (huisartsenpost). Where death occurs in a hospital or hospice, the clinical team will take charge. The doctor is required to examine the body and confirm the cause of death.
2. Obtain the medical statement of death from the attending doctor. The doctor issues a verklaring van overlijden (statement of death) and, where the cause of death is natural, a certificate authorising burial or cremation (verlof tot begraving of crematie). If the death is unnatural or the cause is unclear, the doctor must refer the matter to the municipal forensic physician (gemeentelijke lijkschouwer) for investigation.
3. Register the death with the municipal civil registration office (Afdeling Burgerzaken of the gemeente) within five working days. You will need the doctor’s statement and typically the identity document of the deceased. The gemeente will then issue the official death certificate (akte van overlijden).
4. Engage a funeral director (uitvaartondernemer). Most families contact a funeral home at the same time as notifying the doctor — the funeral director can take custody of the body and help navigate the administrative process. The funeral must take place within six working days of death unless an extension is granted.
5. Notify the deceased’s employer, pension provider, and benefit agencies — such as the Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB) if the deceased was receiving a state pension or other benefits. Payments must cease promptly to prevent overpayments that will subsequently need to be returned.
6. Notify the deceased’s bank. Accounts are typically frozen once the bank learns of the death. If you hold a joint account, seek clarification from the bank about access arrangements.
7. Notify the embassy or consulate of the deceased’s home country if they were a foreign national (see the dedicated section below).
8. Inform all other relevant organisations and service providers as appropriate: insurers (including health and funeral insurance), the Dutch Tax Authority (Belastingdienst), utility companies, the landlord or mortgage lender, and the RDW if the deceased owned a vehicle.

How is a death officially registered in the Netherlands, and what documents are needed?

Civil registration of deaths in the Netherlands is the responsibility of the municipality (gemeente) in which the death took place — not where the deceased was living. The legal basis for this requirement lies in the Civil Code (Burgerlijk Wetboek) and the Wet op de lijkbezorging (Burial and Cremation Act).

To register a death at the gemeente, you will generally need to present the following:

• The medical statement of death (verklaring van overlijden) issued by the attending doctor
• The deceased’s valid identity document (passport, identity card, or residence permit)
• Your own identity document (if you are the person making the report)
• The deceased’s Dutch registration document where applicable — particularly relevant for those registered in the BRP (Basisregistratie Personen, the national population register)

The gemeente issues the official death certificate (akte van overlijden), which is the document required for virtually all subsequent legal, financial, and administrative purposes. It is advisable to request several certified copies (gewaarmerkte uittreksels) at the time of registration, as banks, insurers, notaries, and foreign embassies will each need their own. A small fee is charged per certified extract; contact your gemeente to confirm the current amount.

Where the deceased is to be cremated, an additional cremation permit must be issued by the doctor — or by the municipal forensic physician if an investigation was required. Because cremation is irreversible, Dutch law imposes this extra layer of documentation to ensure that no evidence of an unnatural death is inadvertently destroyed.

What happens if a foreign national dies in the Netherlands — what are the specific steps for notifying their home country’s embassy or consulate, and what role does the consulate play?

When a foreign national dies in the Netherlands, their death must be reported to the consulate or embassy of their home country, in addition to complying with all Dutch legal obligations outlined above. The consulate’s role is important but defined: it cannot override Dutch law, but it provides vital assistance to bereaved family members and facilitates the legal steps required in the deceased’s own country.

Make contact with the relevant embassy or consulate as soon as practicably possible after the death — many maintain emergency consular lines that operate around the clock. You will need to provide a certified copy of the Dutch death certificate (akte van overlijden), the deceased’s passport, and the contact details of the next of kin. The consulate will typically:

• Issue a consular report of death, which constitutes the formal record of the death for the purposes of the deceased’s home country
• Assist with obtaining the documentation required for repatriation of the body, where applicable
• Provide a list of local funeral directors with experience in international repatriation
• Support bereaved family members who may require emergency travel documents or guidance about available local support
• Advise on whether the death must be registered or reported in the home country, and explain how to do so

It is important to understand that consulates generally cannot provide financial help, settle funeral expenses, or make practical arrangements on behalf of the family. If the deceased had no family present locally, or if relatives are travelling from overseas, a funeral director can act as a coordinating point until they arrive. Some embassies maintain lists of recommended local lawyers and funeral directors for exactly this situation.

How are funerals typically arranged in the Netherlands, and what are the usual options for burial or cremation?

Funerals in the Netherlands are ordinarily organised through a professional funeral director (uitvaartondernemer or uitvaartbegeleider). The process is generally well structured, with the funeral expected to take place within five to six working days of death in accordance with the Burial and Cremation Act (Wet op de lijkbezorging). Extensions can be requested from the municipality in exceptional circumstances, such as when relatives need to travel from abroad.

The principal options are burial (begraving) and cremation (crematie). Cremation is extremely prevalent in the Netherlands and accounts for the majority of all funerals. Burial takes place in municipal or private cemeteries (begraafplaatsen); grave plot leases typically run for between 10 and 30 years depending on the municipality, after which they may be renewed or the remains relocated. Natural or green burial (natuurbegraving) is also possible at designated woodland and nature sites across the country.

The funeral ceremony itself may be held at a funeral home, a church or other religious venue, a community space, or at the graveside or crematorium. Non-religious and humanist ceremonies are increasingly prevalent. A ceremony leader (uitvaartleider or ceremoniemeester) can be engaged to conduct a service without religious content.

Funeral directors in the Netherlands are generally thorough professionals, and most in major cities have considerable experience serving international families. Choosing a member of the Branche Organisatie Ondernemers Begrafeniswezen (BGNU) or the Koninklijke Begrafenis- en Crematiebranche Nederland (KBCN) provides assurance of professional standards. Registered funeral directors can be found through the BGNU website.

What are the approximate costs of a funeral in the Netherlands, and are there any state or insurance-based funds that can help cover them?

Funeral costs in the Netherlands vary widely according to the choices made. A straightforward cremation without a ceremony may cost from around €2,500 to €4,000, while a complete funeral with a ceremony, coffin, hearse, and burial in a municipal cemetery typically falls in the range of €6,000 to €12,000 or more. More elaborate arrangements with premium options can exceed €15,000. These figures are indicative for 2024–2025; obtaining itemised quotes from several funeral directors and confirming current prices directly with providers is always recommended.

A common mechanism for meeting funeral costs in the Netherlands is the uitvaartverzekering (funeral insurance policy), which many Dutch residents take out specifically to cover their final expenses. Such policies either pay out a lump sum or guarantee specific services. If the deceased held a policy of this kind, the insurer must be notified promptly — the funeral director can generally assist with this step.

The Netherlands does not operate a universal state grant for funeral costs in the way that some other countries do (such as the Social Fund Funeral Payment available in the United Kingdom). However, if the deceased was receiving certain social benefits, the municipality may contribute to funeral expenses in cases of genuine financial hardship, to prevent an undignified burial. This is assessed individually and is not guaranteed. If you believe this may apply, contact the gemeente’s social services department (sociale zaken). Certain life insurance policies also include a death benefit that can be directed toward funeral costs.

What is the process for repatriating the remains of a foreign national from the Netherlands to another country?

Repatriating a body or cremated remains from the Netherlands requires careful coordination among the funeral director, Dutch authorities, the authorities in the receiving country, and — in most cases — the deceased’s embassy. Repatriating a body prior to cremation is considerably more complex than transporting ashes.

For repatriation of a body (before cremation):

1. Obtain a certified copy of the Dutch death certificate (akte van overlijden) from the gemeente.
2. Engage a Dutch funeral director with expertise in international repatriation — they will arrange embalming (if mandated by the destination country), a zinc-lined coffin (required for most international transport), and the associated paperwork.
3. Obtain a laissez-passer (a document permitting the movement of the body) from the municipality or, for destinations outside the EU, in accordance with applicable international agreements — the Netherlands is a signatory to the 1973 Strasbourg Agreement on the Transfer of Corpses.
4. Secure any import permits required by the receiving country — your funeral director and the relevant embassy can advise on the requirements for specific destinations.
5. Arrange international transport, which is typically carried out by air freight, with the funeral director handling the logistics.

For repatriation of cremated remains (ashes): This is a significantly simpler process. You will need the Dutch death certificate and the cremation certificate. Most countries permit ashes to be carried in hand luggage or as checked baggage; some require a certificate from the crematorium. Your funeral director can advise on the specific documentation needed for the destination country.

The total cost of repatriation varies considerably depending on the destination, but for a body (as opposed to ashes) costs can typically range from €2,500 to more than €10,000 when embalming, a specialist coffin, air freight, and documentation are all taken into account. Travel insurance or international private health insurance sometimes includes a repatriation benefit — check the policy of the deceased before incurring costs.

What happens to the estate of someone who dies in the Netherlands — how does probate or estate administration work, and are there inheritance taxes?

Estate administration in the Netherlands does not follow the formal probate process used in certain common law countries such as the United Kingdom or Ireland. Under Dutch law, heirs inherit directly upon death and do not require a court to “grant probate” in the traditional sense. However, a notary plays a central role throughout the process.

The estate is typically administered by a notary (notaris), who identifies the heirs, establishes whether a valid will exists, and oversees the distribution of assets. If a valid will is found, its provisions are implemented accordingly. The notary can issue a verklaring van erfrecht (certificate of inheritance), which heirs can use to access the deceased’s bank accounts, transfer ownership of property, and deal with other third parties.

EU Regulation 650/2012 (the EU Succession Regulation) means that for EU citizens, the law of the country of habitual residence generally governs succession to the whole estate. This has significant implications for expats: if you were habitually resident in the Netherlands at the time of your death, Dutch law will ordinarily apply to your estate regardless of your nationality. It is possible to make an explicit choice in your will for the law of your nationality to govern instead. Legal advice from a Dutch notary or an international estate lawyer is strongly recommended to navigate these issues.

Inheritance tax (erfbelasting) is levied on assets passed from a deceased person who was resident in the Netherlands. The rates charged and the exempt amounts depend on the nature of the relationship between the deceased and the beneficiary, and are set by the Dutch Tax Authority (Belastingdienst). As of 2025, partners and children benefit from more generous exemptions and lower tax rates than distant relatives or unrelated beneficiaries — check the Belastingdienst website for current thresholds and rates, which are periodically updated. The inheritance tax return must be submitted within eight months of the date of death.

If an expat dies without a will in the Netherlands, what happens to their assets under local intestacy laws?

Where a person dies without a valid will in the Netherlands (intestate), the Dutch Civil Code (Boek 4 Burgerlijk Wetboek) determines the order in which heirs are entitled to inherit. Dutch intestacy law groups heirs into four categories, applied in sequence:

1. Group 1: The surviving spouse or registered partner and children (along with the descendants of any child who has already died)
2. Group 2: Parents, siblings, and their descendants
3. Group 3: Grandparents
4. Group 4: Great-grandparents

The next group only inherits if there are no surviving heirs in the group above. Where there are both children and a surviving spouse, they ordinarily inherit in equal shares; however, the surviving spouse automatically acquires the right to continue living in the family home and using the household contents during their lifetime, regardless of how the estate is formally divided. An unmarried partner who has not entered into a registered partnership has no automatic inheritance rights under Dutch law and will receive nothing unless they have been specifically named in a will — a critical consideration for expat couples who are not formally married or registered as partners in the Netherlands.

For foreign nationals who die intestate in the Netherlands, the EU Succession Regulation will generally direct that Dutch intestacy rules govern the estate, based on habitual residence, unless the deceased had expressly chosen the law of their nationality in a will. Assets held in countries outside the EU may be subject to different rules in those jurisdictions, introducing additional layers of complexity. Engaging a Dutch notary to manage the estate is strongly advisable in these circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dutch health insurance required to access palliative care in the Netherlands, or will foreign or international insurance be accepted?

All legal residents of the Netherlands are obliged to hold Dutch health insurance (Zorgverzekeringswet), which covers palliative and end-of-life care. If you are a temporary resident, an EU/EEA national covered by your home country’s state scheme (via the European Health Insurance Card), or an expat holding international private health insurance, your coverage may be accepted in some cases — but you must verify this with your insurer and with the care provider before admission is arranged. Many international policies do not automatically provide inpatient hospice or long-term palliative care coverage at the same level as a standard Dutch Zvw policy, so reviewing your arrangements in advance is essential.

Will advance directives or powers of attorney written in a language other than Dutch be accepted by Dutch doctors and institutions?

Dutch healthcare professionals will generally make every effort to understand and give effect to a patient’s documented wishes regardless of the language in which they are written, but documents not in Dutch can cause uncertainty or delay in urgent situations. For full legal certainty, it is strongly advisable to have advance directives and powers of attorney translated into Dutch by a sworn translator (beëdigd vertaler) and, where significant legal consequences are involved, to have new documents properly executed before a Dutch notary. Your GP can also hold a Dutch-language summary of your preferences in your medical file, which will be immediately accessible to any clinician treating you.

How long does the process of repatriating a body from the Netherlands typically take?

The timeframe depends on the destination country, the completeness of the required documentation, and whether any investigation into the cause of death is needed. In uncomplicated cases — natural death, with all documents readily available — repatriation of a body can often be completed within five to ten days. Cases involving an inquest, difficulties with identification, or complex import requirements in the receiving country may extend to several weeks or beyond. Repatriation of ashes is substantially faster and can often be arranged within a few days of cremation taking place. Appointing an experienced Dutch funeral director with international expertise as early as possible will help minimise unnecessary delays.

Is euthanasia available to foreign nationals living in the Netherlands?

Euthanasia in the Netherlands is not a service that can be accessed by travelling there specifically for that purpose. The legislation requires the attending physician to possess detailed knowledge of the patient’s medical history and circumstances, enabling a thorough and multifaceted assessment that takes place over a period of time. Foreign nationals who are formally registered with a Dutch GP, have established an ongoing medical relationship, and are habitually resident in the Netherlands may raise the subject with their doctor, but access is not guaranteed and the process cannot be completed quickly or informally. Dutch government guidance makes clear that euthanasia is the concluding stage of an existing care relationship, not a standalone procedure that can be arranged on request.

What support is available to bereaved family members in the Netherlands?

Bereaved families in the Netherlands can seek support through their GP, who can refer them to counselling services or grief therapy (rouwtherapie). Many hospices and palliative care organisations extend bereavement support to family members following a death. The NVVE and organisations such as Hospice Nederland can provide information and direct people to appropriate support. Expats who face language barriers or cultural isolation can also look to international community organisations and expatriate networks in cities including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague for practical and emotional help. Where available, an employer’s employee assistance programme (EAP) may offer short-term counselling as well.

What happens if the deceased had property or bank accounts in both the Netherlands and another country?

This situation is common among long-term expats. The EU Succession Regulation (EU 650/2012) generally means that a single legal framework governs the entire estate of someone who was habitually resident in an EU country, based on where they lived. However, assets located outside the EU — or in countries that are not party to the Regulation — will be subject to the rules of those individual jurisdictions, potentially necessitating separate estate administration processes running in parallel. Bank accounts held in each country will typically need to be dealt with according to that country’s own laws. A Dutch notary experienced in cross-border estate matters, or an international estate lawyer, should be engaged at the earliest stage to map all assets and coordinate the process across multiple jurisdictions.

Does the Netherlands have a time limit for filing an inheritance tax return?

Yes. The inheritance tax return (aangifte erfbelasting) must be filed with the Dutch Tax Authority (Belastingdienst) within eight months of the date of death. The Belastingdienst will then issue a tax assessment based on the information submitted. Extensions may sometimes be requested in advance of the deadline. Failure to meet the deadline may result in financial penalties and interest charges. The notary managing the estate will typically assist with the inheritance tax filing or advise heirs on how to proceed. Always confirm current deadlines and rates at belastingdienst.nl.

Can an expat be buried or cremated in the Netherlands if they were not a Dutch citizen or resident?

Yes. Dutch law places no restriction on burial or cremation based on citizenship or residency status. Any person who dies in the Netherlands may be buried or cremated there, provided the applicable legal requirements — medical certification and civil registration — are satisfied. The family or their appointed representative may choose burial within the Netherlands, repatriation of the body for burial elsewhere, or cremation in the Netherlands followed by transport of the ashes. Municipal cemeteries may have their own rules regarding grave plot leases for non-residents; it is worth checking with the relevant gemeente for the details that apply in that municipality.