Planning travel to The Hague? Speak with a security consultant.
What are the main security threats in The Hague?
Targeted Threat to International Court Personnel
The Hague is home to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), International Criminal Court (ICC), OPCW, Europol, and Eurojust. Personnel involved in high-profile cases can face threat from state actors or parties to proceedings. FCDO Netherlands (2024) rates the Netherlands as low risk overall, but the international justice cluster creates specific risk profiles for certain principals.
Petty Crime
FCDO Netherlands (2024) notes pickpocketing at busy public locations. In The Hague this affects Centraal Station, the Binckhorst area, and the Scheveningen seafront during summer months. Tourist numbers at Scheveningen beach resort are high in July and August.
Protest Activity
Demonstrations targeting international institutions are periodic. Anti-ICC and pro-specific-nation protests have occurred near the Peace Palace and ICC buildings (documented in Dutch media 2022-2024). FCDO (2024) advises avoiding demonstrations. Route planning should account for protest activity around international organisation buildings.
Espionage and Surveillance
The Hague's concentration of intelligence-related judicial and law enforcement bodies makes it a target for state-sponsored intelligence gathering. The AIVD (Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service) annual report (2023) documents foreign state actors operating in the Netherlands, with particular focus on activities near international organisations and the diplomatic quarter.
Vetted operators with direct experience in The Hague
What security services are available in The Hague?
Executive Close Protection
Discreet close protection for international court delegates, ICC and ICJ witnesses, diplomats, UN agency staff, and HNWI visitors. Operatives experienced in the specific security culture and protocols of international organisations in The Hague.
Secure Transport and Security Driving
Vetted driver services between Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) or Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) and international organisations, embassies, and hotels in the diplomatic quarter. Counter-surveillance-aware routing for legally sensitive visits.
Residential and Estate Security
Security for diplomatic residences and private homes in the Benoordenhout and Wassenaar districts. Access control, perimeter assessment, and on-site security presence for principals requiring residential protection during proceedings.
Event and Conference Security
Discreet delegate and VIP security for conferences at international organisations, the World Forum convention centre, and private diplomatic events. Counter-surveillance support for sensitive legal and governmental gatherings.
What are the rules for private security in The Hague?
Key regulatory requirements for operating security services in The Hague.
Firearms Policy
Weapons are governed by the Wet wapens en munitie (Weapons and Ammunition Act 1997). Carrying a firearm needs a carry permit (verlof tot dragen) from the police chief (korpschef), granted only where the applicant has a well-founded reason. The Wpbr, which licenses security companies, does not itself authorise anyone to carry a weapon. Ask any provider proposing armed cover for the carry permit of each officer.
Licensing
Security companies need a licence from the Minister of Justice and Security under the Wet particuliere beveiligingsorganisaties en recherchebureaus (Wpbr, 1997). Applications go through Justis, and a licence lasts up to 5 years before it must be renewed. Managers need consent from the Minister, and other staff need consent from the police chief (korpschef) before they start work. Ask any provider for its Wpbr licence before engagement.
Foreign Operators
Under the Wpbr, a licence issued in another EU member state, or in a treaty state bound to the Netherlands, counts as a Dutch licence if it guarantees a professional level at least equal to the Dutch one. A licensed company with no establishment in the Netherlands needs the Minister's consent for each person it sends to work in the country, and equivalent declarations from those states are recognised on the same test.
Sources, checked : Wet particuliere beveiligingsorganisaties en recherchebureaus (wetten.overheid.nl); Wet wapens en munitie (wetten.overheid.nl); Ondernemersplein: licence for a private security organisation.
Which areas of The Hague carry elevated risk?
Lower-Risk Areas
- Benoordenhout: Residential embassy and diplomatic district; low crime, well-managed, suitable for protected accommodation.
- Bezuidenhout: Business and diplomatic district near Centraal Station; lower risk than the station immediate vicinity.
Elevated-Risk Areas
- Centraal Station area: Pickpocketing and opportunistic theft typical of major European rail hubs; standard counter-theft measures required.
- Binckhorst: Formerly industrial transitional district; some crime; route planning should avoid this area after dark.
Deploying to The Hague? Get a vetted close protection detail.
Request ConsultationWho do you call in an emergency in The Hague?
Emergency Services
112
Police (non-emergency)
0900 8844
Ambulance
112
Fire Brigade
112
British Embassy The Hague
+31 70 427 0427
US Embassy The Hague
+31 70 310 2209
What travel advisories apply to The Hague?
- FCDO Netherlands (2024) rates the Netherlands as low risk for most visitors; however, principals connected to ICC or ICJ proceedings should seek a tailored threat assessment given the specific risk environment.
- AIVD annual report (2023) warns of foreign state intelligence activity targeting the Netherlands, particularly around international organisations and the diplomatic quarter in The Hague.
- FCDO Netherlands (2024) advises avoiding demonstrations; protests outside international organisation buildings in The Hague can occur with limited notice and may attract counter-protesters.
This page is published by CloseProtectionHire.com and written to editorial standards overseen by James Calloway, Senior Security Consultant (regulation, licensing, vetting and risk frameworks) and Marcus Webb, Security Operations Adviser (operational close protection, secure transport and city-specific safety).
Threat, regulatory and emergency information is sourced to named, dated authorities such as the FCDO, the US State Department and national licensing bodies. Last updated . See how we verify.