Every third Tuesday in September, The Hague rolls out its pomp, pageantry, and horse-drawn carriages, while the king reads a speech that shapes how much money you’ll have in your pocket next year.
Meet Dutch Prinsjesdag, an event that’s part royal pageant and part financial breakdown, with the most unusual host. While that combination might sound like pindakaas (peanut butter) and sambal on bread to you, it actually marks one of the most important days on the Dutch calendar.
Here’s what you and your wallet need to know about Prinsjesdag, also commonly referred to as “Budget Day”.
What exactly is Prinsjesdag?
Prinsjesdag, or Prince’s Day, is the ceremonial opening of the Dutch parliamentary year. It always falls on the third Tuesday in September, which this year is September 15.
On this day, King Willem-Alexander delivers the Troonrede (official speech from the throne) at the Royal Theatre in The Hague.
Typically, the speech sums up the current state of the economy and outlines the government’s most important plans for the coming year.
But wait… why is the Dutch king reading a speech about the economy?
If you assumed the king was secretly a financial advisor, we do have to burst your bubble: the Troonrede is actually written by the Dutch government.
Afterwards, the current Minister of Finance presents the Miljoenennota (Budget Memorandum) and the Rijksbegroting (National Budget) for the following year in the assembly hall of the Dutch House of Representatives.
Together, these documents outline what you can expect for your personal finances over the following year, as well as any major changes affecting taxation or government benefits.
Expect carriages, crowds, and some spectacular hats
If you’re spending the day in The Hague, here’s how the event typically unfolds.
By midmorning, the military honour guard stands along the route, all the way to the Royal Theatre. An hour or so later, all the key politicians arrive at the venue, and the Speaker opens the session.
The royal procession will then set off in the early afternoon from Noordeinde Palace to the Royal Theatre, with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima travelling in the Glazen Koets (Glass Coach). A short while later, the king delivers his speech from the throne.
After the king’s speech is wrapped up, the royals head back to the palace for balkonscène (balcony scene), where they wave to the gathered crowds outside.
Sometime in the afternoon, the sitting Finance Minister presents the briefcase containing the Budget Memorandum and the 2027 National Budget to the House of Representatives.
Good to know: You’ll also want to stay tuned for the hoedjesparade (hat parade), one of the day’s most photographed events. All female politicians and royals turn up in celebratory hats, which tend to range from the sartorially elegant to the downright bizarre.
If you’re attending in the crowd, don’t be afraid to strut your stuff!
Why is there no longer a Golden Coach?
For most of the last century, the reigning Dutch monarch joined the procession in a gleaming Gouden Koets (or Golden Coach).
This dazzling gilded carriage was gifted to Queen Wilhelmina by the people of Amsterdam in 1898, but is now conspicuously absent from all Prinsjesdag celebrations.
The reason? Well, its glamour came with some rather unpleasant baggage.
One side panel, titled Hulde der Koloniën (“Tribute from the Colonies”), depicts kneeling Africans presenting goods to a seated white woman. For years, critics argued that the imagery glorified colonialism and slavery, amidst growing calls for the coach to be retired.
The coach went into restoration in 2016, with the older Glazen Koets (Glass Coach) standing in as its replacement.
Then, in January 2022, King Willem-Alexander settled the debate in a personal video message on the palace’s YouTube channel:
He announced the Golden Coach wouldn’t be used again “until the Netherlands is ready”, arguing that outright banning historical objects solves nothing.
Since then, the Glass Coach has been the royal family’s carriage of choice, with the Golden Coach spending time on display at Amsterdam Museum.
Here’s what Prinsjesdag means for your wallet
Any financial changes coming down the pipeline are revealed in the Miljoenennota.
This is where the Dutch government announces changes in taxation, benefits, healthcare, housing, and more. Most of these changes will only take effect from January 1, 2027 — so you’ll have some months to get your head around them.
One word you’ll want to watch for is “koopkracht“, or purchasing power. This refers to what the average household can afford, once wages, taxes, and current prices are all weighed against each other.
Every year on Prinsjesdag, the government reveals whether they expect your spending power to go up… or down. While these predictions aren’t set in stone, they’re handy for any financial planning you might want to do for 2027.
A few other changes also tend to be announced at the same time. Key among them are adjustments to health insurance premiums and your eigen risico (health insurance deductibles), and any revisions to income tax brackets.
READ MORE | Toeslagen? Everything you should know about government allowances in the Netherlands in 2026
If you’re registered for any government benefits, you’ll also want to pay attention to changes in the Miljoenennota. Adjustments to state pensions, childcare benefits, healthcare benefits, etc., are all addressed on Prinsjesdag.
Is Prinsjesdag a holiday in the Netherlands?
If you’re hoping to spend a relaxing afternoon unwinding at home, helaas — Prinsjesdag is not an official holiday.
Despite the pomp and ceremony, shops, offices, and schools are all expected to carry on as normal. For those who work in the heart of The Hague, you can expect disruptions, as several streets may be closed for the procession.
Will you be braving the crowds in The Hague this year, or watching the procession on TV? Share your thoughts on this year’s changes in the comments below.
