Politics · Netherlands · 2 hrs ago
Dutch proposal would give children both parents’ surnames by default
The Dutch government plans to change the default surname for children when parents cannot agree on a name.
Children would receive both parents’ surnames instead of only their father’s.
The plan follows a motion passed by PRO and D66.
The proposal is now being turned into a bill for public consultation.
Consultation is scheduled to begin in January, when interested people can share their views.
Their feedback will come before the bill is submitted.
The plan matters because it would change which surname children receive by default when parents disagree.
The Dutch cabinet wants children of married parents to receive both parents’ surnames by default if the parents cannot agree on a name.
The proposal would replace the current automatic choice of only the father’s surname.
An adopted motion by PRO and D66 has been turned into a draft law.
The draft law is due to go out for consultation in January.
Stakeholders will be able to give their views before the bill is submitted.
- Who
- The Dutch cabinet is proposing the change. It concerns children of married parents.
- What
- Children would receive both parents’ surnames by default if their parents cannot agree on a name.
- When
- The draft law is due to go out for consultation in January. The article was published on November 6, 2026.
- Where
- The Netherlands.
- Why
- The proposal would change the default from only the father’s surname when parents cannot agree. A further reason is not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
An adopted motion by PRO and D66 was translated into a draft law.
The draft law is due to go out for consultation.
Stakeholders will have the opportunity to give their views.
- Current default
- Only the father’s surname if married parents cannot agree
- Proposed default
- Both parents’ surnames
- Motion sponsors
- PRO and D66
- Consultation
- January