Netherlands News in English
Dutch national news translated to English. Politics, economy, housing, immigration, and more for expats and internationals.
Haarlem city council back to male majority, sparking GroenLinks anger: 'The patriarchy pressures women'
The Haarlem city council has returned to a male majority after two female candidates stepped down and yielded their seats to male party colleagues. GroenLinks council member Melissa Oosterbroek critic...
Oil trader on soaring fuel prices: ‘People are starting to hoard like they did with toilet paper’
Oil trader Jan de Croon explains that fuel prices spike immediately during geopolitical unrest, unlike more stable commodities like coffee or sugar. He compares the current trend of drivers rushing to...
Dutch gas reserves drop to 5.8 percent, lowest level in 10 years
Dutch gas storage levels have dropped to 5.8 percent, marking the lowest level recorded in a decade. This data, reported by Gasunie's National Energy Dashboard, reflects a significant decline in the c...
Bus transport in IJmond on the rise, passenger numbers up 14 percent
Bus transportation in the IJmond region experienced a 14 percent increase in passengers in 2024 compared to 2023. This growth indicates that ridership is steadily returning to levels recorded prior to...
Mice, Amersfoort ballots and purple pencils. Strange situations at polling stations in the Haarlem region
During the municipal elections on March 18, several unusual incidents occurred at polling stations in the Haarlem region. In Haarlem, voters discovered ballots intended for Amersfoort and a purple pen...
Municipal spending rises by nearly 6 percent
Dutch municipalities expect to increase their collective spending by nearly 6 percent in 2026, reaching a total of 84.6 billion euros. According to data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS), this represe...
Free compost for your garden! This is when you can pick it up in Haarlem
Residents of Haarlem can soon collect two free bags of compost to help kickstart their spring gardening projects. This local initiative is designed to support garden maintenance as the warmer weather ...
Car ends up on its side in ditch after accident in Haarlem, driver hospitalized
A car ended up on its side in a ditch following an accident at the intersection of Wagenweg and Van Limburg Stirumstraat in Haarlem on Wednesday morning. The driver was subsequently transported to the...
Piet Buter (76) from Haarlem was Iran’s national coach: ‘Sanctions caused a shortage of aircraft spare parts’
Piet Buter, a 76-year-old from Haarlem, reflected on his two-year tenure as the head coach of Iran's national football team. He shared his experiences working in the country under international sancti...
Nieuw-Vennep residents go to court over 'too few' parking spaces at new development: 'Hundreds of new neighbors will soon want to park on our streets'
Six residents in Nieuw-Vennep are taking legal action against a 2,000-home development project at the Pionier-Bols site due to concerns over insufficient parking. The group argues that the current pla...
At least 100 Afghan guards go to court to force evacuation to the Netherlands
Approximately 100 Afghan guards who worked for the Dutch during the NATO mission are taking legal action against the Netherlands to demand evacuation. The guards fear for their safety under the Taliba...
48 trees cut down in Heemskerk: 'Most are dead'
A permit has been requested to cut down 48 trees at the Maerten van Heemskerckplein in Heemskerk, most of which are reportedly dead. The request has caused confusion among residents because the area i...
Opposition party Ons Beverwijk questions rental agreement between municipality and council candidate Klomp. ‘Conflict of interest?’
The opposition party Ons Beverwijk has raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest regarding a municipal lease for a Ukrainian refugee shelter. The city is paying 9,500 euros per month to e...
Milouska Meulens to write this year's Children's Book Week gift
Author and presenter Milouska Meulens has been selected to write this year's Children's Book Week gift, as announced by the book organization CPNB. Additionally, illustrator Harmen van Straaten will c...
Uncertain energy market makes households hesitant about energy contracts
Fluctuating energy prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East are leading households to reconsider their energy contracts. Experts suggest there is no need for immediate action, as consumers wil...
Amstel III to get 245 senior homes
The Amstel III district in Amsterdam is set to receive 245 new senior housing units designed for safety and accessibility. These homes will provide a comfortable living environment for residents, incl...
16-year-old girl seriously injured after fall from gravel pile in Den Helder
A 16-year-old girl sustained serious injuries on Tuesday evening after falling from a 10-meter-high gravel pile at a construction site in Den Helder. Police have stated the incident was an accident an...
Dutch economy can 'take a hit' according to ABN AMRO
ABN AMRO economists report that the Dutch economy remains resilient despite slower growth and higher inflation caused by the conflict involving Iran. The bank's latest assessment suggests that while t...
Homeowner, have you learned nothing from the last energy crisis? ‘Make your home sustainable now’
An expert urges homeowners to prioritize making their houses sustainable to better withstand the ongoing energy crisis. They emphasize that 90% of owners can achieve this with neutral financing or imm...
FNV wants higher travel allowance and fuel price caps
The Dutch labor union FNV is advocating for a higher tax-free travel allowance and the implementation of maximum prices for gasoline and diesel. These proposals are being put forward ahead of a parlia...
Jetten expects quick end to 90 billion blockade for Ukraine
Rob Jetten expects Hungary to lift its blockade on a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine by mid-next month. The Hungarian government has been obstructing the aid due to a dispute with Ukraine regarding ...
Amsterdam Tigers lose national title to Nijmegen Devils in one-sided third final match
The Amsterdam Tigers lost the Dutch national ice hockey title after a 5-1 defeat in the third game of the final series against the Nijmegen Devils. The Devils secured the championship by winning three...
Joost Groen (26) runs to raise awareness for people with skin conditions, like himself: ‘You always see people staring’
Joost Groen, a 26-year-old from Haarlem, will participate in the 12-kilometer Zandvoort Circuit Run on March 29 to raise awareness for people living with serious skin diseases. Having lived with a rar...
No train service at Station Zuid during multiple periods in April and May
Train traffic at Amsterdam Zuid station will be suspended during several periods in April and May due to construction work on a wider station passage and a new cycling tunnel. These works are part of ...
Brian Brobbey reveals secret behind remarkable fitness: 'I brought my own chef from Amsterdam'
Brian Brobbey revealed that his peak physical condition is due to hiring a personal chef from Amsterdam to support his career in England. The Dutch striker's fitness became a topic of discussion after...
War is like fire. Through the centuries, almost nothing changes
This article discusses the enduring nature of warfare by examining various literary works, from ancient Chinese strategy to modern accounts of conflict. It features perspectives from authors such as T...
3.5-year prison sentence demanded for arson at Stay@Jumelet in IJmuiden; Prosecutor: 'Life-threatening situation that could have resulted in deaths and injuries'
Prosecutors have demanded a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence for a 34-year-old man accused of setting fire to the Stay@Jumelet building in IJmuiden last September. The suspect allegedly spread ga...
Caprera Park temporarily closed after dog's death
Wandelpark Caprera in Bloemendaal has been temporarily closed following the death of a dog from Weil's disease, also known as leptospirosis. Local authorities are investigating the popular off-leash a...
Reality series The Hanslers gets second season, release date not yet clear
The reality series De Hanslers will return for a second season on the Dutch television channel SBS6. A specific release date for the upcoming season has not yet been announced.
How Takehiro Tomiyasu is having an immediate impact at Ajax and why he is more likely to leave than stay
Japanese left-back Takehiro Tomiyasu has made a significant impact since joining Ajax's starting lineup, but his future at the club is uncertain due to his expiring contract. Although he has performed...