Letter from the Dutch gemeente: what it means and what to do

You come home to a white envelope with "Gemeente" in the top left corner. The letter inside is in Dutch, runs about one page, and uses words you have never seen before. Before you panic or ignore it, it helps to know that gemeente letters fall into four categories, and each one asks something different from you.

Beschikking

A beschikking is an official decision. The gemeente has decided something about you: approved or denied your parking permit, assessed your WOZ-waarde (property valuation), granted or rejected a vergunning (permit). A beschikking always includes a section near the bottom titled "bezwaar" or "bezwaar maken" explaining how to appeal if you disagree.

Key vocabulary: besluit (decision), beschikking (official ruling), vergunning (permit), WOZ-waarde (property valuation for taxes), bezwaarschrift (written objection).

If you agree with the decision, you do not need to respond. If you disagree, you typically have six weeks from the date on the letter to submit a bezwaarschrift. The deadline is strict. After six weeks, your right to object expires unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Aanmaning

An aanmaning is a payment reminder or warning. You owe the gemeente money and have not paid yet. This could be for gemeentelijke belastingen (municipal taxes), a fine, or an unpaid fee. The letter states the amount, the original due date, and a new deadline.

Key vocabulary: aanmaning (formal reminder), openstaand bedrag (outstanding amount), betalingstermijn (payment deadline), incasso (collection), dwangbevel (enforcement order).

Take this one seriously. If you miss the new deadline, the gemeente can issue a dwangbevel, which adds collection costs. If you cannot pay the full amount, call the number on the letter and ask about a betalingsregeling (payment plan). Most gemeenten offer this, but you have to ask before the deadline passes.

Informatiebrief

An informatiebrief is a notice with no required action. The gemeente is telling you about something: a change to waste collection days, planned roadworks on your street, a new regulation that affects your neighbourhood. These letters are informational only.

Key vocabulary: informatiebrief (informational letter), kennisgeving (notification), wijziging (change), mededeling (announcement).

You do not need to respond or do anything. Read it, note any dates that affect you (like a new trash pickup schedule), and file it.

Uitnodiging

An uitnodiging is an invitation to do something: attend an inburgeringsexamen orientation, come to a neighbourhood meeting, schedule an appointment for a paspoort renewal. The letter includes a date, time, and location, and usually a phone number or website to confirm or reschedule.

Key vocabulary: uitnodiging (invitation), afspraak (appointment), bijeenkomst (meeting), inschrijving (registration), bevestigen (to confirm).

If the uitnodiging is for a mandatory process like inburgering, missing it can have consequences for your verblijfsvergunning (residence permit). If you cannot attend, call or email to reschedule before the date.

How to appeal a besluit (bezwaar maken)

If you received a beschikking and disagree with the decision, you can submit a bezwaarschrift. This is a formal written objection. Your letter should include your name, address, BSN, the date of the beschikking, the kenmerk (reference number, printed at the top of the original letter), and a clear explanation of why you disagree.

Send it within six weeks to the address listed in the bezwaar section of the letter. Some gemeenten accept bezwaar digitally through their website using your DigiD. If you do not yet have a DigiD, see our guide on how to get one.

After you submit, the gemeente must confirm receipt and issue a new decision, usually within six to twelve weeks. If they reject your bezwaar, you can take the case to the bestuursrechter (administrative court), but at that stage you may want legal advice.

Practice the vocabulary

TikTaal's brief van de gemeente scenario walks through reading and responding to a gemeente letter in Dutch: identifying the type of letter, understanding the key sections, and asking a colleague or neighbour for help with unfamiliar terms. Every Dutch word is clickable for audio and a translation.