Dutch government plans to cut 25,000 civil service jobs by 2035

The Dutch government plans to cut about 25,000 civil service jobs over several years.

The reductions are part of a drive to save €3.5 billion a year from 2035, with an initial €900 million in annual savings targeted by 2027.

The government says AI will help increase productivity, and the Cabinet plans to present its approach to using AI in early 2027.

The changes are also meant to simplify government and reduce red tape, including through a plan to scrap 500 unnecessary or overly bureaucratic rules each year.

Police and defence are exempt from the cuts, while ministries, inspectorates and government agencies are expected to be most affected.

Government staffing reached 160,000 at the end of 2025, up 41% from 2018, despite earlier efforts to reduce it.

The government says it wants to rely as much as possible on Dutch and European technology suppliers to avoid dependence on providers from outside Europe.