rijksdiensten

Rijksdiensten is the collective term used in the Netherlands for the central government’s public bodies and civil services. The term encompasses ministries and their directorates-general, as well as independent or semi-independent agencies that operate under government authority. It refers to the organs of the central government, distinct from local government services carried out by municipalities, provinces, or water boards.

Rijksdiensten are responsible for policy development, regulation, enforcement, and the delivery of public services to citizens and businesses. Examples include the ministries themselves, the Belastingdienst (Tax and Customs Administration), Rijkswaterstaat (the agency responsible for the national road and waterway network), the RDW (vehicle regulation), and the Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO), which handles student finance and examinations. These bodies operate under public law, are funded from public budgets, and are accountable to Parliament. Oversight is provided by bodies such as the Algemene Rekenkamer (Court of Audit), the Ombudsman, and parliamentary committees.

The concept of rijksdiensten also reflects the civil service culture of the Dutch state, emphasizing service to citizens, efficiency, and the development of digital government. In reforms, rijksdiensten aim to improve cross-departmental coordination, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance transparency and accessibility, while safeguarding legality, privacy, and equal treatment.