The Algorithm Register for Dutch public authorities
Adopted 2026-06-29 · ≈ 2 min read · 
edited by Dirk Baaijen
The Dutch Algorithm Register (algoritmes.overheid.nl) is the central public platform where government organisations voluntarily publish information about the algorithms they use; registration in the Dutch register is not legally mandatory, but public authorities deploying high-risk AI systems…
Short answer: The Algorithm Register is a public, searchable website (algoritmes.overheid.nl) where Dutch government organisations publish information about the algorithms they use. Participation is voluntary; on 9 September 2025 State Secretary Van Marum decided that a national legal obligation is "not opportune". However, public authorities deploying high-risk AI systems are required to register those in the European AI database from 2 August 2026 under the EU AI Act (Articles 49 and 71).
The Algorithm Register for Dutch public authorities
What is the register? The Algorithm Register was launched in December 2022 as the central transparency instrument of the Dutch central government. Government organisations publish information about the algorithms they deploy, enabling citizens, journalists, and supervisory bodies to understand how automated systems influence decision-making. As of 29 June 2026 the register lists 1,486 algorithms across 149 pages.
Three categories The register uses three visible categories:
- Other algorithms (Overige algoritmes): rule-based or statistical systems with limited impact on individual decisions.
- Impactful algorithms (Impactvolle algoritmes): systems with legal consequences for individuals or that classify citizens to target services.
- High-risk AI systems (Hoog-risico AI-systeem): systems that additionally qualify as high-risk AI under the EU AI Act (Annex III).
The register is broader than the AI Act: not all listed algorithms are AI systems, and it goes beyond Annex III systems.
Voluntary, but with a European obligation incoming Registration in the Dutch register is not compulsory. In a letter to Parliament dated 9 September 2025, State Secretary Eddie van Marum stated that a legal obligation is not opportune given the capacity requirements and the cost of a supervisory structure. Instead, the government is investing in an auditable Algorithm Framework and impact assessments (IAMA).
Separately, the EU obligation applies. Under Articles 49 and 71 of the AI Act, providers and public authorities acting as deployers must register high-risk AI systems (Annex III) in the European database managed by the European Commission. For public authorities, this obligation applies from 2 August 2026.
Relation to supervision The Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens) has been designated as the national market surveillance authority for the AI Act. It supervises, among other things, whether public authorities have correctly registered high-risk AI systems in the EU database. The Dutch Algorithm Register falls outside this statutory supervisory regime but can serve as a practical starting point for fulfilling the EU registration obligation.
Sources
- https://algoritmes.overheid.nl/en/footer/over
purpose, launch (December 2022), voluntary participation and forthcoming obligation - https://www.digitaleoverheid.nl/overzicht-van-alle-onderwerpen/algoritmes/algoritmeregister/
legal framework and registration requirements - https://ai-act-service-desk.ec.europa.eu/en/ai-act/article-71
Article 71 EU AI Act: EU database for high-risk AI systems - https://www.security.nl/posting/904058/Staatssecretaris:+'Wettelijke+verplichting+voor+registreren+van+algoritmes+in+Algoritmeregister+niet+opportuun'
decision State Secretary Van Marum (9 September 2025): no national legal obligation
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