Explaining guidelines
The municipal elections will take place on 18 March 2026. In the period leading up to that, political parties will reach out to the public in various ways.
New European rules for paid political advertising
Since 10 October 2025, new European rules have been in place for political advertising. These rules state that clear information must be provided on who makes the advertisements and what data are used. The aim is to make political advertisements fairer and easier to understand.
Political parties must add a clear label to each advertisement. They must also have a statement that sets out who the sender is, who is paying for it, what the target group is and for which elections the advertisement was made. Visit the VNG website for more information.
What is prohibited?
It is not permitted to put up stickers, paint, posters or pamphlets in public spaces. This is set out in the local authority’s rules (General Municipal Ordinance). Building something without an environmental plan is also prohibited. This is stipulated by the Environment and Planning Act.
Political statements therefore may not be attached to buildings, poles or other fixed objects. After all, these statements could be considered small structures, which means a permit is required.
What is permitted?
Overview of the possibilities for forms of political communication and publicity
For the options b to f, the local authority has made agreements with advertising agencies. You can find more information on the websites of these agencies. This includes how to submit an application.
a. municipal canvases;
In various places, canvases bearing ‘posters’ can be found. These canvases are already in place. The conditions have been communicated to all parties in advance.
b. advertising displays in MUPIs;
These are displays along major roads. Visit the Bauer Media Outdoor website for more information.
c. advertising displays attached to low light towers;
Visit the Centercom website for more information.
d. advertising displays attached to tall light towers;
Visit the NPB Media website for more information.
e. Y&M digital billboards;
Visit the YNM website for more information.
f. advertising in bus shelters;
Visit the Global Nederland website for more information.
g. public advertising columns;
The following rules apply for these:
- Only the part below the top edge of the columns may be covered with posters.
- Be considerate of each other, and do not cover other posters with your poster.
- Don’t place an unreasonable number of posters.
- Only put up posters on the advertising columns. Putting up posters elsewhere is prohibited.
- Do not detach or remove the film.
Locations of advertising columns
Camminghaburen shopping centre, Bilgaard shopping centre, Harlingerstraatweg–Poptawei, Nijlân shopping centre, Cambuurplein shopping centre, Stationsplein, Zuiderplein, Arendstuin, Vrouwenpoortsbrug, Verlaatsbrug and Rengerslaan.
h. distributing flyers;
You are permitted to distribute flyers. A duty to clean up applies in the City of Leeuwarden. This means that you are responsible for cleaning up any flyers left behind. Make sure the environment stays clean and any litter is removed.
i. banners in the public space;
Banners are permitted, but only if they: do not cause damage to objects and are safe for traffic (for example, they do not obstruct anyone’s view and do not hang too low).
To summarise
Political parties must comply with the rules from the General Municipal Ordinance, the Environmental Plan, the Requirements regarding the External Appearance of Buildings and the advertising policy. Other forms of political communication and publicity in the public space are not permitted. We urgently ask all participating parties to comply with these rules. If a party does not comply with these rules, we will first address the party. If the issue persists, the local authority may take additional measures.
Questions
Contact the City of Leeuwarden.
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New European rules for paid political advertising
Since 10 October 2025, new European rules have been in place for political advertising. These rules state that clear information must be provided on who makes the advertisements and what data are used. The aim is to make political advertisements fairer and easier to understand.
Political parties must add a clear label to each advertisement. They must also have a statement that sets out who the sender is, who is paying for it, what the target group is and for which elections the advertisement was made. Visit the VNG website for more information.
What is prohibited?
It is not permitted to put up stickers, paint, posters or pamphlets in public spaces. This is set out in the local authority’s rules (General Municipal Ordinance). Building something without an environmental plan is also prohibited. This is stipulated by the Environment and Planning Act.
Political statements therefore may not be attached to buildings, poles or other fixed objects. After all, these statements could be considered small structures, which means a permit is required.
What is permitted?
Overview of the possibilities for forms of political communication and publicity
For the options b to f, the local authority has made agreements with advertising agencies. You can find more information on the websites of these agencies. This includes how to submit an application.
a. municipal canvases;
In various places, canvases bearing ‘posters’ can be found. These canvases are already in place. The conditions have been communicated to all parties in advance.
b. advertising displays in MUPIs;
These are displays along major roads. Visit the Bauer Media Outdoor website for more information.
c. advertising displays attached to low light towers;
Visit the Centercom website for more information.
d. advertising displays attached to tall light towers;
Visit the NPB Media website for more information.
e. Y&M digital billboards;
Visit the YNM website for more information.
f. advertising in bus shelters;
Visit the Global Nederland website for more information.
g. public advertising columns;
The following rules apply for these:
- Only the part below the top edge of the columns may be covered with posters.
- Be considerate of each other, and do not cover other posters with your poster.
- Don’t place an unreasonable number of posters.
- Only put up posters on the advertising columns. Putting up posters elsewhere is prohibited.
- Do not detach or remove the film.
Locations of advertising columns
Camminghaburen shopping centre, Bilgaard shopping centre, Harlingerstraatweg–Poptawei, Nijlân shopping centre, Cambuurplein shopping centre, Stationsplein, Zuiderplein, Arendstuin, Vrouwenpoortsbrug, Verlaatsbrug and Rengerslaan.
h. distributing flyers;
You are permitted to distribute flyers. A duty to clean up applies in the City of Leeuwarden. This means that you are responsible for cleaning up any flyers left behind. Make sure the environment stays clean and any litter is removed.
i. banners in the public space;
Banners are permitted, but only if they: do not cause damage to objects and are safe for traffic (for example, they do not obstruct anyone’s view and do not hang too low).
To summarise
Political parties must comply with the rules from the General Municipal Ordinance, the Environmental Plan, the Requirements regarding the External Appearance of Buildings and the advertising policy. Other forms of political communication and publicity in the public space are not permitted. We urgently ask all participating parties to comply with these rules. If a party does not comply with these rules, we will first address the party. If the issue persists, the local authority may take additional measures.
Questions
Contact the City of Leeuwarden.