Netherlands organ donor registrations reach 8.2 million

As of early 2026, 8.2 million adults in the Netherlands are registered as organ donors, an increase of over 90,000 compared to the previous year. According to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics, this growth is primarily driven by individuals who have not made an explicit choice regarding donation.

Following a 2020 change to donation laws, Dutch citizens who do not express a preference are automatically registered as donors upon turning 18. While registrations have risen, the number of people providing explicit consent has been declining for several years. Additionally, a slightly higher number of people are categorically choosing not to donate.

Minors between the ages of 12 and 18 can also register. At the start of 2026, 5,000 children had registered; of these, over 1,000 gave consent, 3,600 declined, and approximately 400 opted to leave the decision to others. The Dutch Transplantation Foundation and Maastricht University Medical Center noted that the actual increase in available organs remains modest, as relatives reject donation in more than half of the cases.