Decisions, objections and debt
Beschikking
Formal government decision
What does Beschikking mean?
A beschikking is a formal decision by a government body about you personally: granting or refusing a residence permit, setting an allowance, fixing your WOZ value or approving a benefit. Under the General Administrative Law Act (Awb), almost every beschikking can be challenged with a bezwaar within 6 weeks. The letter should state where and how to object.
Key facts
| Legal basis | Algemene wet bestuursrecht (Awb), article 1:3 |
| Objection deadline | 6 weeks |
| Starts | The day after the date the decision was sent |
| Object to | The body that made the decision |
What to do
- Look for the word beschikking or besluit, and for a paragraph at the end about bezwaar. That paragraph confirms it is a formal decision.
- Note the date on the letter. The 6-week objection window starts the day after.
- Check the facts the decision rests on: income, dates, address, household.
- If you disagree, file a bezwaar with the body that made the decision, not with a court.
- If the decision is urgent (for example a refused permit), ask a lawyer about a provisional measure (voorlopige voorziening) as well.
Worth knowing
Missing the 6 weeks usually means the decision becomes final, even if it is wrong. If you need more time to gather evidence, file a short objection before the deadline saying you disagree and will send the grounds later. That keeps the window open.
Frequently asked questions
Is every letter from the government a beschikking?
No. Information letters, reminders and requests for documents are not decisions. A beschikking decides something about your rights or obligations and ends with a paragraph on how to object.
Who do I object to?
To the organisation that made the decision: the IND for a permit, Dienst Toeslagen for an allowance, the gemeente for a WOZ value. The letter names the address or online form.
Can I go straight to court?
Usually not. In Dutch administrative law you must first object to the body itself. Only after its decision on your objection can you appeal to the court.
Read next
Official sources
More Dutch terms: decisions, objections and debt
Plain-English explanations of the words on your letters and contracts.