The Dutch Eerste Divisie in the 1982–83 season was contested by 16 teams, two less than the previous season. This was due to the disbandment of FC Amsterdam at the end of last season and the disbandment of SC Amersfoort halfway this year. DS '79 won the championship.
Relegated from the 1981–82 Eredivisie
In the promotion competition, four period winners (the best teams during each of the four quarters of the regular competition) played for promotion to the Eredivisie.