Pornography

In the Netherlands, it is permitted under certain conditions to watch, buy or produce pornography. However, child pornography is illegal and there is severe punishment for watching, possessing, producing or distributing child pornography.

What is legal?

It is legal to:

• privately watch legal pornography;
• buy legal pornography;
• produce pornography, as long as it is legal pornography and the adult participants agree.

What is illegal?

It is illegal to:

• produce pornography without the agreement of the adult participants;
• produce child pornography (this is pornography involving persons younger than 18);
• buy, distribute, download or watch child pornography.

Punishments:

People who are guilty of crimes relating to child pornography can receive a maximum prison sentence of 4 years, or a fine. If it has become a job or habit, the maximum prison sentence is 8 years.