Heat | RIVM

Oranje zonneschermen uitgeklapt boven ramen van woonhuis

In the summer months, temperatures can be very high. Many people enjoy this hot weather. There is plenty of sunshine and that puts people in a better mood. It also makes them want to go outside more. When we spend time in the sun, our bodies produce vitamin D. We also take more physical exercise, which can help prevent chronic disease.

But people can also get health problems as a result of the heat. For this reason, it is important to pay extra attention to those who are unable to take good care of themselves. This includes the elderly, people with chronic conditions and young children. For these groups, heat can lead to health problems more quickly. The National Heatwave Plan helps prevent this as much as possible.

National Heatwave Plan

The National Heatwave Plan is a warning system. RIVM uses the plan to inform organisations, healthcare professionals and informal carers about the expected heat.

Vulnerable groups

Heat can lead to health problems. For this reason, people who are unable to take good care of themselves need extra attention on hot days. Extra attention is also needed at events, schools and day care centres.

Heat and health

Heat can give anyone symptoms such as a headache, feeling tired and having trouble concentrating. Vulnerable groups are also at greater risk of more serious health problems, like dehydration and heat stroke. That is why it is important to look after each other.

Scientific information

There is a great deal of scientific information about heat and health. We have created a list of the most relevant information.

Information materials

RIVM has developed communication materials that professionals can use to give information about heat. These include animations, infographics and texts about the steps people can take to keep cool in hot weather.

Other sources of information

National Heatwave Plan to be activated on 18 June

After consulting the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), RIVM has decided to activate the National Heatwave Plan throughout the Netherlands as of 18 June 2026. The reason for activating this plan is to let informal carers and care professionals know that a heatwave is coming.

Vulnerable groups have a greater risk of dying from heat, also in Amsterdam

Climate change will lead to more tropical days and warm nights in summer, and fewer cold days in winter. In the Netherlands the risk of dying increases when it is hot. The municipality of Amsterdam wants to know what this means for their residents. Therefore, RIVM investigated whether there was an association between temperature and mortality in Amsterdam between 2007 and 2019.

Heatwave Plan no longer active from 15 August end of the day

From Friday 15 August 2025 at the end of the day the National Heatwave Plan will no longer be active in the whole country. The heatwave plan was already no longer active in the northern provinces from Thursday 14 August.

Heatwave Plan no longer active in northern provinces from 14 August at 18:00 pm

From Thursday 14 August 2025 at 18:00 pm the National Heatwave Plan will no longer be active in the provinces Noord-Holland, Flevoland, Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe. The heatwave plan will remain active in the other provinces. The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) and RIVM will continue to monitor the situation.

National Heatwave Plan to be activated on 12 August

After consulting the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), RIVM has decided to activate the National Heatwave Plan throughout the Netherlands as of 12 August 2025 at 10:00 am. The reason for activating this plan is to let informal carers and care professionals know that a heatwave is coming.

National Heatwave Plan evaluation: substantial attenuation in risk of dying from heat since 2010

The risk of dying on hot days has substantially attenuated since 2010 in the Netherlands. The estimated number of heat-related deaths decreased from 7,000 in the 2000–2009 period to 4,300 in the 2010–2019 period. This is the outcome of a study conducted by RIVM.