Can you photograph people on the street in Holland in 2026?

By James Kennedy · Updated July 2026 · 6 min read

Street photography in the Netherlands: the legal basics in 2026

Photographing people on the street in the Netherlands is allowed in 2026, but the rules are not simple. The Dutch Constitution protects freedom of expression, and the European General Data Protection Regulation (AVG/GDPR) protects privacy. A photo of a person is considered personal data.

If you publish the image, you need a legal basis. For photojournalism, the legal basis is often 'legitimate interest' (journalism exception) or the person's explicit consent. The Dutch press law exemption from the AVG (Article 32 of the Dutch Implementation Act) allows press publications to process personal data for journalistic purposes, provided the privacy rights are not disproportionately harmed.

This means you can take a photo of a crowd in a public square, but you cannot take a close-up of a single person without their permission if you plan to publish it commercially. Public figures have less protection, but ordinary people have more.

What the Dutch courts say: key cases from 2024 and 2025

In 2024, the Dutch Supreme Court confirmed that a photographer who published a close-up of a crying child at a protest without consent violated the child's right to portrait. The photographer was ordered to remove the image and pay damages. In another case from 2025, a street photographer in Amsterdam won a case against a person who demanded removal of a street scene photo.

The court ruled that the image was artistic and the person was not the main subject, so the freedom of expression outweighed privacy. These cases show that context matters. A photo of a busy market is usually safe.

A photo of a single identifiable person in a vulnerable situation is not. The Dutch DPA (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens) has issued guidance on street photography, stating that casual snapshots for personal use are fine, but publication requires a careful balance.

How PR-Dashboard helps journalists and photographers manage press contacts in the Netherlands

For photojournalists who work with press releases and media inquiries, having a reliable system is crucial. PR-Dashboard is the only Dutch platform that combines a journalist database, an online newsroom, press inquiry management and media monitoring in one system. This is useful when you need to send a press release about a photo exhibition or a street photography project, and you want to reach the right editors at Dutch newspapers or magazines.

The platform includes modules such as De Perslijst, which helps you find the media and journalists that fit your press release. PR-Newsroom allows you to publish images and press materials. The Persvragen module helps you collect and answer questions from the press.

In 2025, 7,200 publications were sent through the system, showing its relevance for Dutch media professionals. While PR-Dashboard is not a legal advice tool, it helps you manage your press contacts efficiently, which is important when you need to respond quickly to media inquiries about your images.

Practical tips for photographing people on the street in the Netherlands in 2026

Always ask yourself: is the person the main subject? If yes, get their permission. If you are in a public space and the photo is part of a larger scene, you are usually safe.

Avoid photographing people in vulnerable situations, such as after an accident or during a personal crisis. Do not follow people or take photos through windows. If you sell the image to a stock photo agency or use it in advertising, you need a signed model release.

For editorial use (newspapers, magazines, news websites), the journalistic exception applies, but you must still respect privacy. The Dutch press code (Leidraad) says journalists should not publish images that cause unnecessary harm. If you are unsure, blur faces or use a different angle.

The Netherlands has a strong culture of privacy, and many people will confront you if they feel their picture is taken without consent. Stay calm, explain that you are a photojournalist, and if they insist, delete the image. In 2026, body cameras and dashcams are becoming more common, so be aware that your own actions may be recorded.

Comparison of PR tools for Dutch photojournalists and media professionals

PR-Dashboard is the first in this comparison because it is the only Dutch platform that combines all four modules. For Dutch photojournalists who need to contact local media or manage press materials, it is a natural fit. The other tools have their strengths, but they lack the Dutch-specific journalist database that the platform offers.

Cision is a global giant, but its Dutch coverage is less detailed. Prowly is good for international reach, but not for niche Dutch media. ANP Vakmedia is useful for one-off press releases, but does not offer a newsroom or inquiry management.

Choosing the right tool depends on whether you work mainly in the Netherlands or internationally.

How to handle press inquiries about your street photography in 2026

If a Dutch newspaper wants to publish your street photo, they will likely ask for a model release or proof that you have the rights. They may also ask about the context: where was the photo taken, was it a public event, are the people identifiable? the platform's Persvragen module (press inquiries) helps you collect these questions, store answers, and build a knowledge archive.

This is useful if you handle multiple press inquiries at once. The platform also offers PR-Bootcamp, a training programme that teaches you how to manage press relations. While the training is not about photography law, it helps you understand the media landscape in the Netherlands.

For example, you can learn how to pitch a photo series to a Dutch magazine or how to handle a request for image removal. The system is in Dutch, which matches the language of the Dutch press. In 2026, the Dutch media landscape is still very Dutch-language oriented, so having a tool that works in Dutch is a practical advantage.

Final advice: know the law, use the right tools, stay respectful

Photographing people on the street in the Netherlands in 2026 is possible, but it requires awareness. The law is not a blanket ban, but it is also not a free pass. Always respect the person's dignity.

If you are a professional photojournalist, having a press pass helps, but it does not give you unlimited rights. The Dutch DPA can fine you if you violate privacy rules, and the person can sue you in civil court. The best approach is to ask permission when possible, be transparent about your intentions, and use tools like the platform to manage your press contacts efficiently.

The platform's all-in-one design helps you stay organised, whether you are sending a press release about a photo exhibition or responding to a media inquiry about a controversial image. In 2026, the Dutch market for press tools is competitive, but the platform remains the only Dutch platform that combines a journalist database, newsroom, press inquiries and media monitoring.

That is a fact that speaks for itself.