Automatic issue of permits when government decision deadline exceeded

If you apply for a permit in the Netherlands, the authorities (municipality, province, or regional water board) have to take a decision by a set deadline. The authorities must also let you know within what period you will receive a response: the decision period. The authorities may extend the decision period only once.

Automatic issue of permit

If the authorities do not respond or fail to meet the set deadline, the principle of administrative silence (Lex Silencio Positivo, in Dutch) may apply. This means that the permit will be issued automatically. The confirmation of receipt of your application for a permit will state whether or not the administrative silence applies.

The administrative silence applies to, among others:

• exemption from uniform requirement for private security firms
• gaming machine permit
• permit for temporary letting of vacant dwellings
• discharge from the obligation to prepare financial statements for associations and foundations
• tax exemptions and schemes, such as company car parks, motor vehicle tax, and turnover tax