Netherlands News in English
Dutch national news translated to English. Politics, economy, housing, immigration, and more for expats and internationals.
Should another artwork be added to the Velsen council chamber? New council members now have their say
The Velsen municipal council is tasked with deciding whether to commission a new artwork for its council chamber following a renovation in the summer of 2024. After a tapestry was removed, the incomin...
18-year-old from Rijswijk released after death of 16-year-old in Den Hoorn
An 18-year-old suspect from Rijswijk has been released from pre-trial detention following the fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old in Den Hoorn. The court in The Hague ruled that there are significant indi...
Curtain falls for online home store fonQ
The Dutch online home retailer fonQ has been declared bankrupt by the court, according to the company's trustees. Approximately 100 employees face potential job losses as a result of the filing.
Essent pulls out of heating network, but Haarlem continues steadily
Energy company Essent has withdrawn from Haarlem's district heating network project, leaving the Haarlem heat company with full responsibility for the initiative. Despite the departure of this major p...
IJburg home closed for three months after discovery of cannabis farm
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema has closed a residence in the IJburg neighborhood for three months following the discovery of a professional cannabis plantation containing 605 plants. Police found the i...
Heerschop to lead Heemskerk coalition formation again, parties want to talk with everyone
Karen Heerschop has been appointed as an independent explorer to lead the coalition formation process in Heemskerk. She previously served as an informateur and formateur for the city's last coalition ...
David runs 2,000 km to Rome in 60 days: Giving back after brother's difficult time
David from Amsterdam is embarking on a 60-day, 2,000-kilometer run to Rome to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House. The initiative is a tribute to the support his family received during his broth...
FVD: no policy to refuse candidates with preferential votes
Forum for Democracy (FVD) has denied having a policy that prevents candidates elected via preferential votes from taking their seats in local councils. The party issued this statement after candidates...
Seven injured in Oosterhout gas cylinder accident, including four teenagers
Seven people, including four teenagers and three adults, were injured in a gas bottle accident at a vocational school in Oosterhout. One minor was transported to the hospital for treatment following t...
Multiple injured in gas cylinder accident at school in Oosterhout
Several people were injured in Oosterhout, Netherlands, after an accident involving a gas bottle near a vocational school. The incident occurred while pancakes were being baked, resulting in approxima...
Free anti-scam doorbell stickers distributed in North Holland
Police and local municipalities in North Holland are offering free doorbell stickers to help residents prevent fraud. This initiative aims to reduce the number of scam victims by providing a visual re...
Cartoonist Jip van den Toorn to deliver 2026 Arondéus Lecture on freedom: 'What are we furious about today? And what are we doing about it?'
Cartoonist Jip van den Toorn will deliver the 2026 Willem Arondéus Lecture on May 7 at the Grote of St. Bavokerk in Haarlem. Organized by the Provincial Council of North Holland, the annual lecture w...
Rhona (17) and Evy (17) play basketball together at Akrides: 'The occasional glass of wine and some gossip and you'll get through it'
Seventeen-year-olds Rhona Wise and Evy van der Schuit discuss their close friendship and shared experiences playing basketball for the club Akrides. Residing in Santpoort-Noord and Velsen-Zuid, the tw...
Consumentenbond accuses Jumbo of misleading customers with 'lowest Easter prices'
The Dutch Consumers' Association has accused supermarket chain Jumbo of misleading customers with its 'lowest Easter prices' promotional campaign. The association argues that banners and signs in stor...
Prosecutors demand psychiatric treatment for fatal stabbing of father in Rijswijk
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service has demanded TBS with mandatory psychiatric treatment for a 40-year-old man accused of killing his father in Rijswijk in November 2024. The fatal stabbing occurred...
Netherlands does not support UN slavery resolution due to legal objections
The Netherlands abstained from voting on a UN resolution that classifies the slave trade as the most serious crime against humanity, citing legal concerns. Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen stated that t...
Yeşilgöz: Private jet trip truly necessary, easyJet doesn't land there
Dutch Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz defended her use of a private jet to visit the frigate Zr. Ms. Evertsen on Cyprus, stating the trip was necessary for its mission in the Mediterranean. Speaking...
BBB members gather in Barneveld but outcome is certain: Mona will not return
Members of the BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB) party are meeting in Barneveld to vote on a motion aimed at reconciling Mona Keijzer with the party leadership. Despite the scheduled vote, a return is consider...
Minister calls ban on Grok undressing feature a good signal
Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel welcomed a ruling by an Amsterdam court to ban the 'undressing' function of the AI chatbot Grok. The minister described the decision as a positive signal for vict...
Police investigate serious violent incident near Veldhoven
Police have launched an investigation into a serious violent incident involving a young woman that occurred Tuesday evening in a rural area between Veldhoven and Waalre. Authorities are currently seek...
Paul de Leeuw in less demand for shows: 'Younger generation is ready'
Dutch television presenter Paul de Leeuw stated in an interview with Het Parool that he is receiving fewer offers for television programs. At 64, De Leeuw acknowledged that a younger generation is rea...
Debby and Joost live in a farmhouse on Texel: ‘Showering under the stars, an owl suddenly flies past’
Joost Albers and Debby Hordijk live in a historic 1903 farmhouse near Den Hoorn on the island of Texel. The spacious 357-square-meter property accommodates the couple, their son, and Debby's parents i...
Count Floris V gets own boulevard at De Bazaar in Beverwijk, tribute for granting market rights in 1276
A boulevard at De Bazaar in Beverwijk is being renamed in honor of Graaf Floris V, the 13th-century ruler who granted the town market rights in 1276. The renaming serves as a tribute from both the mun...
Two girls seriously injured in collision between car and fatbike in Castricum
Two girls were seriously injured on Friday morning following a collision between their fatbike and a car on Oranjelaan in Castricum. Emergency services, including a trauma helicopter, were dispatched ...
Hardenberg asylum center still in use, new penalty for COA
The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) must pay a third consecutive daily penalty of €55,000 for keeping an asylum center in Hardenberg open. The municipality is enforcing the ...
Red carpet for offshore ship of the future, which was almost named Windcat IJmuiden: ‘Not a name that works well in international ports’
Damen Shipyards and Windcat have unveiled a new, innovative offshore vessel designed for the future of the industry. The ship was originally going to be named 'Windcat IJmuiden,' but the name was chan...
Suddenly your late father is standing before you: artists come to life in musicals
A new biographical musical about cabaretier Frans Halsema is being produced, following previous shows about Dutch icons like Annie M.G. Schmidt and Wim Sonneveld. The article explores the emotional ex...
Public Prosecution Service employee and partner arrested in drug investigation
A 31-year-old employee of the Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) and her 34-year-old partner were arrested on Tuesday for alleged drug possession and trafficking. The arrests were confirmed by the ...
Thousands of accidental 112 calls made via car emergency buttons last year
The Dutch emergency center received 37,500 calls from vehicles last year, but approximately 75 percent were non-emergencies often caused by accidental button presses. In total, the emergency services ...
Heemskerk and Beverwijk investigate construction of heat networks to reduce natural gas consumption
The municipalities of Heemskerk and Beverwijk are investigating the implementation of heating networks to reduce natural gas consumption. On Thursday, they signed an intent agreement with heat company...