The cabinet has designated The Hague as the location for the Dutch bid for the new EU Customs Authority (EUCA). The Dutch bid will be presented in Brussels on December 2, 2025.
Mayor Jan van Zanen of The Hague: “The Hague is ready to welcome the EU Customs Authority. We are the international city of Peace and Justice. The Hague has a solid foundation of organizations working on security, international law, and international cooperation. The European Customs Authority will be in the right place in The Hague from day one. At the same time, we will continue to honor the unique history of Churchillplein 1. We present the Dutch bid with confidence and conviction.”
State Secretary for Finance Eugène Heijnen: “The Hague’s international character is essential for successfully hosting the EU Customs Authority. Establishing a presence in The Hague will provide it with easy access to relevant expertise and a suitable knowledge infrastructure. The opportunity to collaborate closely with organisations like Europol and Eurojust, as well as the NATO office in The Hague, forms a vital link in safeguarding Europe’s external borders. This naturally also has positive consequences for the European Union’s resilience against subversive crime. With The Hague, the Netherlands has the greatest chance of success. ”
Choice for The Hague
The choice of The Hague is based on the city’s strong international profile in the field of peace and justice, which also includes a growing and innovative security sector. The Hague already houses dozens of European and international organizations, including Europol and Eurojust. Housing the Customs Authority in The Hague would further strengthen cooperation between these organizations.
The Hague is also attractive to EUCA staff and their families. The city has extensive experience hosting and supporting expats and international organizations, boasts a wide selection of international schools, and offers a high-quality living environment.
The Hague is also strategically located between two major logistics hubs: the Port of Rotterdam and Schiphol Airport. This location makes the city a logical location for the European Customs Authority.
Proposed location: Churchillplein 1
The Dutch bid proposes Churchillplein 1 (CP1) as permanent accommodation, the former building of the Yugoslavia Tribunal and current seat of the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT). CP1 meets the European Commission’s requirements regarding space, environment, and feasibility within the set deadlines.
The plans explicitly include space for a permanent commemorative function, so that the history of the tribunal remains part of the building’s future.
Boost for employment and the economy
The potential establishment of the Customs Authority will give The Hague and the surrounding region a significant boost. This will generate both high-quality and practical employment and strengthen the city’s international profile and economy. The authority is expected to grow to between 250 and 450 direct jobs, with a similar volume of indirect employment. Furthermore, the Customs Authority will stimulate innovation in sectors such as logistics and security and strengthen the Netherlands’ international position as a reliable, secure, and digital hub. This confirms the Netherlands, and The Hague in particular, as a key partner in the European Union’s resilience.
Presentation Dutch bid
The Dutch bid will be presented on December 2 at 4:00 PM in Brussels at the Permanent Representation of the Netherlands to the European Union by Mayor Van Zanen of The Hague, State Secretary Heijnen of Finance, and Director-General of Dutch Customs Nanette van Schelven.
The European Parliament and the European Council will decide on the final location in the first quarter of 2026.