Netherlands allocates 19.9 billion euros for security and justice

The Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security has announced a budget of nearly 19.9 billion euros for 2027, with a strategic focus on security, the rule of law, and combating organized crime. Significant funding is allocated to the police, which will receive structural increases of up to 462 million euros annually by 2030 to support neighborhood policing, cybercrime investigation, and the expansion of the Mobile Unit.

The prison system will also see increased investment, with 75 million euros allocated for 2027, rising to 100 million euros per year from 2028 to expand cell capacity and improve staffing. Cybersecurity remains a priority, with investments directed toward the National Cyber Security Centre, the Anti-Phishing Shield, and enhanced capacity for the Public Prosecution Service to tackle digital crime.

In contrast to these increases in security sectors, the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) is set to face budget cuts. The regulator's budget will decrease by 3 million euros next year to approximately 57 million euros, with further reductions projected to reach 49 million euros by 2031. This decline follows repeated warnings from the AP that it requires at least 100 million euros to effectively manage digitalization, algorithms, and data breach investigations.