THE HAGUE - Dutch citizens living in Curaçao will soon have greater flexibility to renew their Dutch driver’s licenses digitally. The Dutch Parliament has approved a legislative amendment that allows licenses to be renewed, replaced, or upgraded with additional vehicle categories online, rather than exclusively in person at a municipality.

Until now, Dutch nationals residing abroad often had to return to their local municipality in the Netherlands or undergo a lengthy process through the national road authority, the Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer (RDW).

Simplifying the Process for Overseas Residents

Under the new regulation, holders of a Dutch driver’s license — including those who have settled in Curaçao — will be able to update their licenses more easily through a secure digital system managed entirely by the RDW. The authority oversees the national driver’s license registry and works with accredited photographers to ensure that ID photos are submitted safely and directly.

Improved Security and Efficiency

Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, Steven Tieman, said the new digital system will not only save time but also reduce the risk of fraud.

“Thanks to higher photo quality and electronic verification, identity checks will be more reliable. This is both easier for citizens and more cost-effective for the government,” he explained.

The new system will apply to renewals and replacements, while first-time applications must still be made in person in the Netherlands for registration and identification purposes.

Rollout and Implementation

The amendment has been submitted to the Council of State for advisory review and is expected to take effect on January 1, 2027. Until then, digital renewals — as tested during previous pilot programs — will continue to be permitted under transitional rules.

For Dutch citizens living in Curaçao, the change marks a long-awaited improvement, easing a bureaucratic burden that has often required costly and time-consuming trips back to the Netherlands.