Renovations at Binnenhof parliamentary complex won’t be completed before 2030
The long-awaited renovation of the Binnenhof, the Dutch seat of government, has faced yet another setback, with full completion now not expected until the summer of 2030. Documents obtained under the Dutch Public Access to Government Information Act (Woo) reveal that the project, already delayed once, is running behind schedule and may cost much more than initially projected.
The delay means that the government and parliament will not be able to return to the historic complex until at least 2030, marking a further delay of 18 months beyond the previous expected completion date of 2028.
In early 2023, the initial completion was pushed back by two years, and the most recent documents now confirm that the complex will not be fully usable until after the summer of 2030. Once construction is completed, additional time will be required for furnishings and moving operations, which are expected to take place during the summer recess for optimal timing.
Sources within the Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning confirmed the delay, noting that the final security installations will not be completed until December 2029. This extended timeline will require the use of temporary facilities, with key government operations remaining outside of the Binnenhof until renovations are fully completed.
The cost of the renovation, which initially had a budget of 475 million euros, has escalated significantly over the years. As of now, the cost has ballooned to an estimated 2 billion euros, with no clear end in sight for the expenses.
The final cost may even exceed the 2 billion euros mark, with additional financial risks stemming from the aging state of the building, market volatility, and rising demands for higher security standards and sustainability requirements.
The latest documents reveal that negotiations are still ongoing with contractors, with several contracts under review. While a spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning confirmed that the revised planning will be shared later this year, they acknowledged that the final cost and timeline are still subject to change.
"The ongoing contracting process with the builders will provide important input for the planning," the spokesperson stated. "A revision of the planning will be carried out in the coming period and will be shared by the end of this year."
Former Minister of Housing Hugo de Jonge had previously raised concerns about potential cost overruns, suggesting that the project would require significant "squeezing and steering" to stay below the 2 billion euros mark. De Jonge had also pointed out that reaching 2.1 billion euros was not out of the question. Last year, members of the VVD party voiced their concerns about the rising costs, calling the situation increasingly difficult to justify.
The renovation of the Ministry of General Affairs, which includes the Prime Minister's office, is also slated for completion in early 2030. The Prime Minister’s return to the Binnenhof is expected to mark the final phase of the extensive renovation project, as the Ministry of General Affairs was the last to vacate the historic complex during construction.
