Tattoo regulations in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, a tattoo studio needs a permit from the regional public health service (GGD) under the Commodities Act decree on tattooing and piercing. The GGD inspects against the national hygiene guidelines for tattooing, which cover sterilisation, record keeping and client information. Inks follow the EU REACH restriction and health answers fall under the GDPR (AVG).
Last checked September 25, 2026
Minimum age
Who you can tattoo, and with whose permission.
Minimum age
No age set by law
Younger clients
Parental consent is not an exception
Dutch law sets no fixed tattoo age, but the national hygiene guidelines advise against tattooing young minors and expect parental consent below 16. Many studios work only from 18. Inkeva defaults to 18.
Consent
What the customer signs before each tattoo.
Client records
What to record and how long to keep it.
Keep for 5 years
Common practice, not set by law
- Accounting records: 7 years
What to record
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Date of the procedure
- Placement on the body
- Artist
- Ink brand, colour and manufacturer
- Ink lot numbers
- Health questionnaire answers
- Client signature
Ink
What can go into the skin and what you must record.
Sterilization and waste
Cleaning, sterilizing and getting rid of sharps.
Licensing
What you need to open a studio and work in it.
Guest artists
Hosting artists from somewhere else.