The Netherlands is preparing for an unprecedented security operation as The Hague hosts the NATO summit on June 24-25, 2025. The event will require 27,000 police officers—nearly half of the nation’s police force—making it the largest security effort in Dutch history, according to news agency ANP.
The summit will welcome 45 heads of state and government leaders, along with foreign and defense ministers, 6,000 delegation members, and 2,000 journalists. Numerous side meetings and events, as well as routes between Schiphol Airport and the city, will demand heightened security.
“This is an enormous logistical undertaking,” said national commander Willem Woelders, who is overseeing the operation. He noted that the large team includes support roles, explaining, “If a vehicle gets a flat tire or communication systems fail, someone has to fix it. It takes a lot of hands to keep everything running smoothly.”
To accommodate the summit’s needs, police will handle logistics such as transportation, meals, and lodging for attendees. However, this massive deployment will strain resources, limiting police availability for other events during that time.
Woelders acknowledged the impact on local activities, stating, “It’s unfortunate if events can’t go ahead, but we need to be extra cautious with our resources. Each officer can only be deployed once.” Consequently, mayors were advised to avoid planning events, even smaller ones, around the summit dates.
To meet the summit’s demands, police leave requests have been suspended. “This ensures we have enough capacity to handle the NATO summit while maintaining essential police services,” Woelders added.
This marks the first time the Netherlands will host a NATO summit. The decision to hold it in The Hague was made prior to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s tenure, announced by his predecessor, Jens Stoltenberg.
