Sex work is a legal profession in the Netherlands. This means that the profession is allowed by law, but not that it is allowed everywhere. Since 2023, the municipality of Hilversum has a new policy for sex work. With this, we want to properly regulate sex work and show that it is just work, like any other profession. Our goals are that sex work is considered normal, to counter prejudices and to ensure a safe and healthy workplace.
What do you need to know
Types of sex work
- There are various activities related to municipal sex work policy
- This applies not only to people who work in the industry, but also to sex shops
- In the overview below you can see which part the work belongs to, whether you need a permit and which article of the General Local Regulations (APV) applies.
| Part | Meaning | Permit | APV article |
| Window prostitution | Sex work where the sex worker presents themselves behind a window and clients can enter from outside. | Not allowed | Article |
| Sex work from home | Sex work performed by the main resident within his or her own home, falling under 'home-based profession'. | No, if the rules for home-based occupation are met:
| Article |
| Escort company | A company that mediates between clients and sex workers, where services are provided at external locations, such as the client's home or hotel. | Permit required | Article |
| Sex winkel | A store that sells products such as sex toys, films, and other items related to sex. | Allowed, but prohibited in areas designated by the council to protect public order and the environment. | Article |
What do you have to do
Licenses for sex businesses
- Sex businesses require a permit in Hilversum
- To get this, the location must be in the Environment plan fit and there must still be room within the number of permits
- The owner must submit a business plan
- The owner may not hire sex workers under the age of 21
- The municipality can Bibob research to check if there is a risk of criminal activity. If this is the case, the permit may be refused or revoked
- Permits are personal and cannot simply be transferred
- There may be a maximum of 6 sex businesses in Hilversum with a permit
- New permits are valid for 5 years and can be extended once. After this period, anyone who meets the conditions can apply for a permit again
Help and advice
For questions about safe working, violence or coercion, about stopping sex work and other assistance, the municipality of Hilversum works together with Belle AssistanceThis organization helps sex workers and ex-sex workers in the region.
Belle Hulpverlening can be reached via:
- Email: belle@tussenvoorziening.nl
- Telephone: (06) 53 71 18 79
STD testing
For STD testing or other questions, please contact the sexual health nurses at the GGD.
The nurses can be reached via:
- Email: soa-sense@ggdgv.nl
- Phone: (035) 692 63 20
Sounding board group
- A sounding board group is a consultation in which experiences are shared. You can talk about health, safety and policy
- Every last Tuesday of the month from 17.00:19.00 PM to XNUMX:XNUMX PM, the GGD organizes a sounding board group for sex workers together with Belle. Here you can share experiences and talk about health, safety and policy
- You will receive travel expenses and a €25 reimbursement for participation
- Questions or registration via (06) 53 71 18 79It is also possible to send a WhatsApp message
Contact
Do you have questions about our sex work policy or would you like to apply for a permit? Please contact us via 14 035 or through the contact form..
