The number of children abducted from or to the Netherlands rose by more than a quarter last year, reversing a previous decline. The figures come from the annual report of the IKO Centre for International Child Abduction.
In 2025, authorities recorded 190 international child abduction cases involving 270 children. A total of 148 cases in 2024 involved 200 children.
In around three-quarters of the cases, the mother took the child. Children abducted to other countries most often ended up in Poland, Spain, Syria, the United States and Egypt. Children from Spain, Belgium and Curaçao were most often taken to the Netherlands.
The IKO Centre highlights Spain as a notable new entry on the list. The centre links this trend to increased migration to Spain, driven by housing pressures, relationship issues and the rising cost of living in the Netherlands. Syria is also notable. In many cases involving that country, the father wishes to return there while the mother does not.
Of the 190 cases, 42 involved parents bringing children to the Netherlands from abroad. The number remained the same as in 2024, although more children were involved, rising from 50 to 65.
According to the IKO Centre, child abduction often follows a period of tension and threat within a family. Disagreements between parents can be difficult to resolve. The organisation also notes that many people are unaware that taking a child abroad without the other parent’s permission is a criminal offence.
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