News | RIVM

From 12 August: National Heatwave Plan active in the south and east, and from 13 August in the whole of the Netherlands

Following consultation with the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), RIVM has decided to activate the National Heatwave Plan. From Wednesday 12 August, this applies to the four provinces of Limburg, North Brabant, Gelderland and Overijssel. From Thursday 13 August, the National Heatwave Plan will apply throughout the Netherlands. This is the fourth time this year that the National Heatwave Plan has been activated.

Heatwave Plan no longer active from 5 August

From Wednesday 5 August 2026 at 08:00 the National Heatwave Plan will no longer be active in the whole country. Naturally, KNMI and RIVM will remain alert to new periods of heat.

National Heatwave Plan to be activated on 3 August

After consulting the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has decided to extend the National Heatwave Plan to the entire country as of Monday.

Heatwave Plan no longer active from 29 June end of the day

From Monday 29 June 2026 the National Heatwave Plan will no longer be active in the whole country. The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) and RIVM will remain on the lookout for new heatwaves.

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Heatwave Plan no longer active from 15 August end of the day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 The heatwave plan was already no longer active in the northern provinces from Thursday 14 August.

Heatwave Plan no longer active in northern provinces from 14 August at 18:00 pm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