Diplomatic Corps and embassies

The Hague’s long involvement in international politics makes it home to 160 international agencies, many of which have a legal or judicial character, such as the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Court.

Their presence led the former Secretary General of the United Nations, Boutros Boutros Ghali, to call The Hague

‘the legal capital of the world’.

The presence of these international organisations has attracted a sizeable number of non-governmental organisations which are active in comparable fields.

Embassies and Consulates

In addition, the Netherlands maintains diplomatic relations with 181 states, 115 of which are represented in The Hague with an embassy or consulate. Diplomatic residences are also situated in the neighbouring municipality of Wassenaar. Including family members the diplomatic corps in The Hague consists of some 25,000 people.

A complete list of all the embassies and consulates in the Netherlands can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Embassies & Consulates. 

Click here for detailed information about the Protocol Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

You may also download the 2013 Guide to International Organisations in The Hague with extensive information about embassies and consulates in The Hague.

Guide to International Organisations in The Hague (PDF, 14,2 MB)