Environmental Law

We advise businesses, project developers and private individuals on environmental law under the Dutch Environment and Planning Act (Omgevingswet). That covers permit applications, enforcement by the authorities, and objections and appeals against decisions. We work in English and Dutch; the first step is a free introductory meeting in which we check the decision, the deadlines and your options.

Clients rate Law & More 9.6 out of 10 on Klantenvertellen, the Dutch review platform (81 reviews, as of October 2026).

What can we help you with?

• you need an environmental permit for an installation, a building or a change of use;
• your permit application takes too long or has been refused;
• the municipality or province threatens an order subject to a penalty or administrative enforcement;
• a neighbour's activity causes noise, odour or other nuisance and you want the authority to act;
• a permit has been granted to someone else and you want to object;
• you want to know whether your activity needs a permit, a notification or nothing at all;
• you buy a site or company and want to assess environmental risks and permits.

What changed with the Environment and Planning Act?

The Environment and Planning Act entered into force on 1 January 2024. It brought dozens of laws on space, building, environment and water together in one system. Permits, general rules and planning are now regulated in one act with four implementing decrees.

The zoning plan has been replaced by the environmental plan (omgevingsplan) of each municipality. Municipalities move their old rules into it during a transitional period. Applications and notifications go through one digital portal, the Omgevingsloket. Many activities that used to need a permit now fall under general rules in the Environmental Activities Decree (Besluit activiteiten leefomgeving).

A key change: under the regular procedure, a permit is no longer granted automatically when the authority misses its deadline. Our article on the environmental permit in the Netherlands explains the system step by step.

When do you need an environmental permit?

You need an environmental permit (omgevingsvergunning) when the act, its decrees or the environmental plan require one for your activity. For many activities, a notification or compliance with general rules is enough.

The permit is issued per activity. The most common are:

• environmentally harmful activities, such as operating certain industrial installations;
• technical building activities, which concern construction safety;
• activities that deviate from the environmental plan, such as a different use of a building;
• activities affecting listed monuments, water bodies or nature areas.

The competent authority is usually the municipal executive. For certain complex installations it is the province, and in specific cases a minister. Regional environmental services (omgevingsdiensten) often carry out assessment and inspection on their behalf.

How do you object to or appeal against a decision?

Against most decisions under the regular procedure, you first lodge an objection with the authority within six weeks. After the decision on your objection, you can appeal to the administrative court of the district court, with further appeal to the Council of State.

The six-week period follows from Article 6:7 of the General Administrative Law Act (Awb) and starts the day after the decision is announced. A late objection is usually declared inadmissible. You can submit a short objection on time and add the grounds later.

Under the extended procedure, the authority first publishes a draft decision. Anyone may submit views (zienswijzen) within six weeks. In general, only those who submitted views can later appeal directly to the court. Missing that stage can cost you the right to challenge the permit. If the authority does not decide on time, you can send a notice of default and then appeal against the failure to decide. See our guide to objections and appeals.

What happens when the authority enforces?

When an activity breaches environmental rules, the authority can impose an order subject to a penalty (last onder dwangsom). It can also impose an order for administrative enforcement (last onder bestuursdwang). In principle it must enforce, unless special circumstances justify waiting.

With an order subject to a penalty, you must end the breach within a set period, or forfeit penalty sums. With administrative enforcement, the authority carries out the work itself at your expense. Before a decision, you usually get the chance to give your view. Use that opportunity: a legalisation route or a reasonable grace period can often be agreed.

Third parties, such as neighbours, can ask the authority to enforce. A refusal is a decision you can object to. Our article on neighbours building without a permit covers that situation. The act itself is available on wetten.overheid.nl.

How does working with Law & More work?

1. Introductory meeting: you explain the project or decision, and we check deadlines straight away.
2. Advice and cost estimate: we assess the rules, your chances and the route, and give a cost estimate.
3. Approach and negotiation: we prepare applications, views or objections, and consult with the authority.
4. Proceedings or completion: if needed, we appeal to the court and, if relevant, apply for a provisional measure.

What does an environmental lawyer cost?

Our hourly rate is 250 to 350 euros excluding VAT for a lawyer and 300 to 400 euros excluding VAT for a partner. We discuss the rate and an estimate in advance. The introductory meeting is free of charge. A one-off advice meeting without further assistance costs 300 euros including VAT.

Court fees and the costs of technical experts, such as noise or soil reports, are charged separately. Legal aid exists via the Legal Aid Board (Raad voor Rechtsbijstand), but we do not work on that basis.

Who handles your case?

Your case is handled by one of our lawyers; in the introductory meeting you will hear who. Environmental questions that are part of an energy project are handled with Tom Meevis, who handles our energy law work. You can see everyone on our team page.

Frequently asked questions

Is a permit granted automatically if the municipality decides too late?

No. Under the Environment and Planning Act, a permit under the regular procedure is no longer granted automatically when the deadline passes. You can send the authority a notice of default. If it still does not decide within two weeks, you can appeal directly to the court against the failure to decide on time.

How long do I have to object to an environmental permit?

For a decision under the regular procedure, you have six weeks from the day after it was announced. Under the extended procedure, you submit views on the draft decision within six weeks, after which you can generally appeal to the court. Late objections are usually inadmissible, so act immediately.

When should I involve an environmental lawyer?

Involve an environmental lawyer before a complex permit application, when you receive a draft enforcement decision, or when a permit affects you. Early involvement matters because most deadlines are six weeks. A good view or objection at the start often prevents long proceedings.

Can I ask the municipality to act against a neighbour?

Yes. You can submit a written request for enforcement to the competent authority, usually the municipality. The authority must decide on that request. If it refuses or does not respond in time, you can object and then appeal. Gather evidence first, such as photographs, measurements and dates.

Does an objection suspend the permit or enforcement order?

No. An objection or appeal does not suspend the decision. If the matter is urgent, you can ask the court for a provisional measure (voorlopige voorziening). Examples are building work that is about to start or a penalty that is about to be forfeited.

Do the old zoning plans still apply?

The old zoning plans became part of the temporary environmental plan of each municipality on 1 January 2024. Municipalities are replacing these rules step by step with new environmental plan rules. Always check the current rules for your location in the Omgevingsloket before you start.

In doubt about your position? Tell us about your situation. We will let you know within one working day what your options are. Contact us, call +31 40 369 06 80 or e-mail info@lawandmore.nl.

Law & More, Marconilaan 13, 5612 HM Eindhoven (+31 40 369 06 80) and visiting location Pietersbergweg 291, 1105 BM Amsterdam (+31 20 369 71 21). Available Monday to Friday 08:00-22:00, Saturday and Sunday 09:00-17:00.

This page provides general information and does not replace advice on your specific situation.