The Dutch election on Wednesday had been billed as a litmus test for populism in Europe after last's year British vote to leave the European Union and the election of US President Donald Trump.

With centre-right Prime Minister Mark Rutte on course for a resounding victory over anti-Islam and anti-EU Geert Wilders early on Thursday, there was relief from other EU governments facing a wave of nationalism.

But there were also warnings that Mr Wilders and the the far-right movement across Europe would not quietly fade away.

"It appears that the VVD will be the biggest party in the Netherlands for the third time in a row," Mr Rutte told cheering supporters at a post-election party in The Hague. "Tonight we'll celebrate a little."