Several Dutch websites remain unreachable after being taken offline as a precaution following a security vulnerability in the programming language PHP. Among the affected sites is overheid.nl, the central government portal, as well as the website of Meld Misdaad Anoniem (Report Crime Anonymous). Sites for 113 and the Centrum Seksueel Geweld (Sexual Violence Center) were also offline until late. A spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior says it is not yet clear when overheid.nl will be available again. Some organisations are taking longer to restore their systems.
What this means if you are learning Dutch or new in the Netherlands
If you rely on overheid.nl for official information, appointments, or forms, you may need to wait or use alternative channels such as direct contact with the relevant municipality or agency. The outage is a precaution, not a sign that your personal data has been compromised. For language learners, this is a reminder that Dutch government sites are a key resource for practising real-world vocabulary around bureaucracy and public services. Keep an eye on official channels for updates, and if you need urgent support from 113 or the Centrum Seksueel Geweld, try phone contact while their websites are restored. The situation is being monitored, and services are expected to return as systems are checked and secured.