The threat is significant and we must remain constantly vigilant. Thanks to the alertness of Dutch and international security partners and to effective intervention, most attacks in Europe are prevented. These are some of the key conclusions of the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV) in the June 2026 edition of its semi-annual Terrorist Threat Assessment for the Netherlands (DTN). The threat remains significant, and there is still a realistic chance of a terrorist attack occurring in the Netherlands. The threat level therefore remains at 4 (substantial) on a scale of 1 to 5.
Image: © ANP
Jihadists still see the Netherlands as a target. Developments relating to Iran increase the likelihood of attacks in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe. In addition, there are growing concerns about nihilistic violence originating from an international online milieu, and about a normalisation of right-wing extremist ideology that could eventually lead to more violence. Young people are radicalising more quickly due to online influences, which could lead to violence in some cases.
National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security Marc Kuipers: ‘The skilful work being done by our security services and international partners is of great importance. This work is preventing terrorist networks from regrouping, while also foiling attacks plotted by lone actors. Together we remain alert to the various threats facing the Netherlands. And we can’t allow that alertness to slacken while the threat level remains high.’
Jihadism
The threat of jihadist attacks in Europe and the Netherlands is still the main driver of the overall threat. Thanks to effective and timely action on the part of the security services and the police, the number of attacks in Europe has remained limited. The primary risk comes from lone actors and small groups. The threat posed by networks linked to ISIS appears to have diminished slightly. However, jihadist material continues to be available online. As a result, young people can radicalise at a young age, which in some cases could escalate into violence.
Effects of the war in Iran
The chance of an attack in the Netherlands or elsewhere in Europe has increased as a result of the war in Iran. There is a combination of state-based threats and terrorist threats posed by the Iranian security services, state actors linked to Iran, and pro-Iranian extremist groups or individuals. The threat is directed primarily at Israeli, Jewish and US targets. Even if the conflict were to end, the heightened threat could persist.
Nihilistic extremism
There are growing concerns about the threat of nihilistic violence. Nihilistic violent extremism is the product of a highly violent online subculture that has little, if any, ideological motivation. Extremists of this sort share a misanthropic and destructive worldview and commit violence on that basis. Within nihilistic extremist circles, violence and chaos are simultaneously an end in themselves and a means to an end. Gaining status and recognition by both perpetrating and sharing images of violence is central, with more extreme violence garnering greater recognition.
Right-wing terrorism and extremism
The threat posed by right-wing terrorism remains limited and thus stable. The movement is mainly active online. The online network in the Netherlands consists of several hundred individuals whose activity includes sharing knowledge about materials for carrying out attacks. Right-wing extremists in the Netherlands chiefly engage in non-violent extremism and the dissemination and normalisation of their ideas. This could eventually lead to violence. To counter online radicalisation, we use the existing Enhanced Approach Online.
Right-wing extremists are involved in protests against the asylum system. A significant proportion of these demonstrations have escalated into more serious disturbances. In some cases, politicians have been threatened and asylum seekers’ centres have been vandalised. As a result, local politicians sometimes feel constrained when demonstrations degenerate into intimidation, threats or violence. Such self-censorship undermines the rule of law and its institutions, in this case local government.
The complete Terrorist Threat Assessment for the Netherlands (June 2026) will be published in English in July 2026.