Frederik Johannes Paas was born on 16 September 1966 in Dordrecht in the Netherlands.

[3][4] During his studies, he was an active member of the Christian Democratic Youth Appeal (CDJA), the youth organisation of the political party Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA).

[3] René Paas was a member of the Groningen municipal council for the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) from 1990 to 1996 and an alderman (wethouder) from 1996 to 2005.

[1][5] Paas was chairman of the Christelijk Nationaal Vakverbond (National Federation of Christian Trade Unions in the Netherlands) from 2005 to 2009.

[1][6] René Paas is married to Protestant minister and CDA party chair Ruth Peetoom.