Are You on the Organ Donor List in the Netherlands Without Knowing It?

If you’re an adult living in the Netherlands, you’ve likely received letters about the National Organ Donor list. It’s one of those important life admin tasks that’s easy to put off. But what happens if you don’t make a choice? Since mid-2020, the Netherlands has an “opt-out” system. This means if you don’t actively register your preference, you are automatically on the list as having “no objection” to donating your organs after death.

While this system aims to increase the number of potential donors, making an active choice is still incredibly important. It provides clarity for your family and medical teams during a difficult time. Imagine your loved ones facing that moment, unsure if what’s happening is truly what you would have wanted. That uncertainty can add an emotional burden in the midst of grief.

Let’s take a look at where things stand with organ donation registration in early 2025.

The Current Picture of Organ Donor List in the Netherlands

As of January 1, 2025, a total of 8.1 million people aged 18 or older are in the National Donor Register. That’s nearly 30,000 more than the previous year, showing a slow but steady increase in engagement.

Read Also: Healthcare in the Netherlands Explained

So, how do the numbers break down? About 58% of adults are registered as donors in some capacity. This includes the 34% who have actively given their consent and another 24% who are listed with “no objection” simply because they haven’t registered a choice. On the other side, about 31% have actively decided against donation. A smaller group, nearly 11%, have opted to let a family member or another designated person make the decision for them.

Interestingly, even with the opt-out system, over 3.3 million adults remain in the “no objection” category by default. While this means they are technically considered donors, it also highlights that a significant portion of the population hasn’t actively considered and recorded their wishes. However, people are taking action. Last year, 61,000 people updated their status, with most moving from the default “no objection” to making a specific choice.

Who Is—and Isn’t—Making a Choice?

When we look closer at the data, some interesting trends emerge across different demographics.

Age Plays a Big Role

Young adults between 18 and 25 are the least likely to have made an active choice. A striking 41% of this group haven’t registered a preference, leaving them in the “no objection” category. In contrast, older adults aged 75 and up are the most likely to have actively refused donation, with more than half opting out.

Gender Differences

There’s also a noticeable difference between men and women. Men are almost 1.5 times more likely than women not to have registered a preference at all. While 37% of women have actively consented to donation, only 31% of men have done the same.

Education and Background

The data also shows that people with primary or vocational education are more likely to be in the default “no objection” group compared to those with higher education. Similarly, individuals with a non-Dutch origin are less likely to have given active consent.

Making Your Decision Count

The goal of the donor registration system is to ensure that your personal wishes are respected. The “opt-out” system has changed the landscape, but the power to choose remains firmly in your hands. You can change your registered preference at any time through the official Donorregister website.

Every year, lives are saved because someone took the time to register as a donor, and every year, families face uncertainty when that decision hasn’t been made. Recording your choice provides clarity, giving comfort to your loved ones and hope to those awaiting a life-saving transplant.

Whether you choose to give consent, refuse, or let a loved one decide, making your decision official to appear on the organ donor list in the Netherlands is a simple step that can make a world of difference. So don’t leave it to chance, log in today and make your wishes clear.