Overview The AIVD defines extremism as a willingness, for ideological reasons, to engage in non-violent or violent activities that undermine the democratic rule of law. In 2025, investigations focused on four main areas: Islamic extremism, anti-institutional extremism, right-wing extremism, and left-wing extremism.
Islamic Extremism The primary terrorist threat continues to come from jihadism, specifically ISIS. A notable trend in 2025 is a sharp rise in young people (under 24) being radicalized, now making up one-third of the jihadist research population. In 2025, the AIVD issued official reports on 19 individuals connected to jihadism, leading to multiple police arrests. Hamas was also investigated. It has both a political and lobbying network active in the Netherlands and, more alarmingly, individuals linked to Hamas were found concealing firearms across Europe, suggesting it was building violent capabilities.
Anti-Institutional Extremism This is described as a growing threat. Two large groups of anti-institutional extremists were arrested in 2024 and 2025, with police finding firearms, ammunition, castor beans (used to make the poison ricin), and detonators. Adherents believe a “malevolent elite” is oppressing or planning to murder citizens, with COVID-19 measures and immigration as key grievances. Notably, these extremists tend to be older (45+), often legally own weapons, and the arrests have had little deterrent effect. Some supporters view those arrested as “political prisoners.”
Right-Wing Extremism The AIVD issued reports on 8 individuals in 2025 due to violent right-wing threats. A key strategy of the broader right-wing extremist movement is “normalization,” presenting extremist ideas like mass deportation (framed as “remigration”) in milder language to gain mainstream acceptance. A well-attended European “remigration” conference was held in Italy in May 2025, with Dutch participants. The AIVD also flagged a new phenomenon called nihilistic violent extremism, involving individuals radicalized in dark online environments (including exposure to child abuse content and violent imagery) who seek to cause societal disruption and incite others to violence, self-harm, or suicide.
Left-Wing Extremism The overall threat from left-wing extremism was low. The war in Gaza was the dominant theme, driving protests from anarchists, Marxist-Leninist groups, students, and climate activists. Actions were largely activist in nature, including graffiti, vandalism of buildings linked to arms suppliers to Israel, and demonstrations. The organization Samidoun Netherlands was highlighted for glorifying violence against Israel, though its direct threat to national security was deemed limited. Anti-militarist and anti-fascist actions were relatively subdued in 2025.
