The Dutch Eerste Divisie in the 1995–1996 season was contested by 18 teams.
AZ won the championship.
This was the first year teams earned three points for a win instead of two.
Relegated from the 1994–95 Eredivisie In the promotion/relegation competition, eight entrants (six from this league and two from the Eredivisie) entered in two groups.
The group winners were promoted to the Eredivisie.