Environment: permit or notification

If your company's activities have an impact on the environment, you must apply for an environmental permit, provide information about it, or submit a notification under the Activities (Environmental Management) Decree.

Check whether an environmental permit is required

Use the Permit Check in the Environmental Portal to check whether you need to apply for a permit or whether submitting a notification or providing information is sufficient. 

Do the Permit Check

Apply for a permit

Follow these steps to apply for an environmental permit for your work:

  • discuss your plans with the municipality first. You can do this via the Explore your project idea page;
  • Apply for an environmental permit in the Environment Desk;  
  • you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your application;
  • For a complex application, the municipality will first make a draft decision on your application.
  • If you disagree with this draft decision, you can submit your opinion (view) to the municipality within 6 weeks. Please indicate why you disagree with the draft decision;
  • you will receive a message from the municipality whether you will get the permit. 

Reporting or information obligation

If the Permit Check in the Omgevingsloket (Environment Desk) shows that submitting a notification or providing information about your activity is sufficient, the following applies:

  • submit the notification or provide the information at least 4 weeks before you start your activities;
  • The municipality will send you an acknowledgement of receipt of your notification or your information. 

Environmental regulations

Via Customized Measures in the Environmental Desk, you can see which rules from the Activities Decree apply to you and what you need to do to comply with these rules. You must always adhere to these rules, even if you do not need a permit or notification. You will receive an overview with, for example, which measures you need to take, how often, and in what order. You can use the overview as a checklist.   

When will you receive a notification from the municipality?

  • With a standard application: you will receive a message within 8 weeks whether you will receive the permit (can be extended by 6 weeks). Do you disagree with the municipality's decision? Then you can file an objection within 6 weeks.  
  • For a complex application: you will receive a message within 26 weeks whether you will receive the permit (can be extended by 6 weeks). Do you disagree with the municipality's decision? Then you can lodge an appeal with the court within 6 weeks. This is only possible if you have also submitted an opinion on the draft decision.