The Dutch participating broadcaster, Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS), selected its entry for the contest through Nationaal Songfestival 1996.

Five entries qualified from to compete in the final on 3 March 1996 where "De eerste keer" performed by Maxine and Franklin Brown was selected as the winner following the votes from 13 regional juries.

Five artists nominated by the Conamus music organisation competed in the competition consisting of six shows that commenced with the first of five semi-finals on 26 February 1996 and concluded with a final on 3 March 1996.

[11][12] The five semi-finals took place daily between 26 February and 1 March 1996 during the television programme De Week van het Songfestival.

[15] The five entries that qualified from the preceding five semi-finals competed, accompanied by the Metropole Orchestra conducted by Dick Bakker, and the winner, "De eerste keer" performed by Maxine and Franklin Brown, was selected by the votes of 13 regional juries of ten members each.

[19] During the allocation draw which determined the running order of the final on 22 March 1996, the Netherlands was announced as having finished in the top 22 and subsequently qualifying for the contest.

[24] The Dutch jury consisted of 8 professional jurors and 8 representatives of the public, with Sandra de Jong as the non-voting chairperson.