In the Donor Register you record whether or not you want to give organs and tissues to a patient after your passing. Examples of organs are a kidney or your lungs. Examples of tissues are skin or blood vessels. If you record your choice, your family, partner or friend will know whether or not you want to become an organ donor.
Everyone in the Netherlands is included in the Donor Register from the age of 18. If you don’t fill in a choice yourself, then ’No objections to organ donation’ will be noted next to your name in the register.
Children and the Donor Register
Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to make a choice about organ and tissue donation. Their parents will make that decision if necessary . Children from the age of 12 can record their own choice.
Read more information about making a choice as a child and the Donor Register
I'm turning 18
Everybody who turns 18 may record their own choice in the Donor Register. They will receive a letter shortly after their 18th birthday. In this letter they are asked if they want to record their choice in the Donor Register. Anyone who does not make a choice will eventually enter the register with 'no objection to donation'.
New or back in the Netherlands
Everyone from the age of 18 who moves to the Netherlands will be entered in the Donor Register. You have to be registered at a Dutch municipality though.
Unable to give legal consent (mentally incompetent)
Someone who cannot fully understand what organ and tissue donation means, should not make a choice themselves. For example someone with dementia. His or her legal representative can record in a choice on behalf of that person.
Read more information about incompetent and the Donor Register