News item | 28-05-2026 | 10:05
This year, the Netherlands reported for the first time on broader security and defense-related expenditure. In addition to the 3.5%, this also concerns the 1.5% that all NATO countries must spend on broader security expenditure in 2035. For the 1.5%, an investigation was carried out under the coordination of the Ministry of Justice and Security in consultation with Defense and Foreign Affairs to determine which current expenditure of all departments can be allocated to the 1.5% standard according to the NATO definition. This inventory adds up to 17.45 billion euros and a percentage of 1.4 in accordance with the Dutch calculation method.
Minister Van Weel “During the NATO summit last year in The Hague, it was agreed that the Netherlands will grow to 5 percent of the gross domestic product for defense in 2035. For the 1.5 percent part for broader security and defense, we have determined which expenditure falls under this, with a focus on investments in supporting the armed forces and making society more resilient. From now on, we will report on this annually.”
The allies agreed on growth to 1.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2035 during the NATO summit in The Hague. This percentage includes expenditure that should make society more robust, expenditure that directly supports the armed forces. These are expenditures by departments from which the armed forces can benefit.
Towards 2035, an initial inventory has now been made of what can be attributed to the 1.5% in current expenditure. From this year onwards, the Netherlands will report annually on the percentage of GDP spent on broader security and defense-related measures. NATO will still calculate the final percentage. Because this is the first time we have conducted this exercise, it is important that we continue to develop this inventory together with NATO allies.
