Netherlands News in English
Dutch national news translated to English. Politics, economy, housing, immigration, and more for expats and internationals.
Mayor Marcouch: government must apologize to Moluccans
Arnhem Mayor Ahmed Marcouch has called on the Dutch government to formally apologize to the Moluccan community for their treatment since arriving in the Netherlands in 1951. He emphasized that thousan...
War in Iran drives up prices and hits our economy harder than expected: We see a very bad scenario unfolding
The escalating conflict in Iran is significantly impacting the Dutch economy, leading to rising inflation and the threat of economic stagnation. Experts warn that the current situation could be more s...
RCC: Anti-abortion group's Boomerang card violates advertising code
The Dutch Advertising Code Committee (RCC) has ruled that the anti-abortion organization Schreeuw om Leven used misleading advertising on promotional cards offering help to pregnant women. The committ...
Expensive fuel, so lower the excise duty? 'We really need to make people resilient'
Economists are advising against lowering gasoline excise duties despite rising prices, arguing that such broad tax cuts do not effectively target those most in need. Instead, experts suggest that poli...
Hillegom alderman Jan van Rijn steps down after eight years: 'I'm going back to my comfort zone'
Jan van Rijn, an alderman in Hillegom, has announced his departure after eight years in office to start a new job in mid-April. While he enjoyed the role, he cited its demanding nature as the reason f...
Singing along with the St. Matthew Passion in Haarlem’s Adelbertus Church: How music connects despite a failing brain
Stichting Bachkoor Holland is hosting a sing-along concert of the Matthäus Passion this Sunday at the Adelbertuskerk in Haarlem. The event is a collaboration with the KomPassie choir, which brings to...
Marco loves life aboard a trawler: 'I just jumped into the deep end and sailed to Africa'
Marco Schaaper serves as a versatile foreman on a trawler for the Dutch shipping company Cornelis Vrolijk, managing various tasks such as crane and forklift operation. He reflects on his career at sea...
Book Week brings crowds to libraries and bookstores: 'Continuing to read stories is so important'
Book Week has led to increased traffic in libraries and bookstores across the IJmond region, emphasizing the importance of continued reading. The event has prompted local displays and discussions as r...
Jari from Castricum makes skating documentary for graduation project: ‘I can never get enough of skating’
Seventeen-year-old Jari Hoogeboom from Castricum has created a documentary titled 'Valse Start' for his high school graduation project at the Adriaan Roland Holst School in Bergen. The film explores v...
Heemstede resident must tolerate neighbor's chimney and wood stove
An 83-year-old resident of Heemstede lost a legal battle in the highest administrative court of the Netherlands to prevent her neighbor from using a wood stove. The woman had requested that the neighb...
Free day out: visit these greenhouses near Haarlem during Kom in de Kas
The Kom in de Kas event offers a free family outing on April 11 and 12, 2026, featuring greenhouse visits near Haarlem. This event is designed to be accessible regardless of the weather, providing an ...
Vast majority of readers want current playground at Hoeve Duin- en Kruidberg to stay: ‘Only place in the municipality where young children can play in nature’
A large majority of readers support the legalization and preservation of the playground at Hoeve Duin- en Kruidberg. According to a poll with 858 responses, the site is considered the only natural are...
Man, 24, arrested for fatal shooting in Amsterdam
A 24-year-old man has been arrested following a fatal shooting at Koningin Wilhelminaplein in Amsterdam Nieuw-West that left a 19-year-old dead and a 21-year-old seriously injured. The police are cont...
Caught between Trump and Europe: The lonely position of NATO chief Mark Rutte
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is facing growing criticism in Europe due to his perceived unconditional support for Donald Trump. Critics express concern that Rutte's stance risks making Europe a p...
Even though Michaëlla Krajicek has retired and turned to padel, the online tennis hate continues
Former professional tennis player Michaëlla Krajicek has transitioned to padel and is currently making her debut at the Dutch National Championships. In an interview, she discusses balancing her new ...
From 'Do we have money to spare?' to 'it brings cooling to the city': Haarlem deeply divided over restoring filled-in canals
A poll regarding the restoration of water to Haarlem's filled-in canals resulted in a nearly equal split among 1,135 respondents. The "disagree" camp won by a single vote, reflecting deep public divis...
How GHB use has gripped a city for years: 'You can't let someone who screams all night sleep among 55 others'
The city of Leiden is implementing a new strategy to address long-standing GHB addiction issues among its homeless population, which have cost the municipality millions of euros. For years, users stru...
Tens of thousands of volunteers clean up trash in the area
Tens of thousands of volunteers participated in the 24th National Cleanup Day on Saturday, collecting litter across the Netherlands. Organized by Verpact, the event saw over 1,500 registered cleaning ...
From Sittard to Spain: Why Mitch Kolkman (23) chose a new start in Girona on the road to the LA Games
Mitch Kolkman, a 23-year-old triathlete from Haarlem, has moved from Sittard to Girona, Spain, to prepare for the upcoming season and the Los Angeles Olympics. Despite his transition to the new traini...
Which energy contract is best right now and how to keep costs under control
Rising energy and fuel prices are impacting consumers as the war with Iran disrupts global oil production and transport. The article explores strategies for managing household energy costs and selecti...
Healthcare providers struggle to find practice space in the city
Healthcare providers in Amsterdam, including general practitioners and social services like HVO-Querido, are struggling to find affordable practice spaces due to rising real estate prices. This shorta...
It's raining free money in Groningen
Residents in the province of Groningen are filing mass claims for mining damage attributed to gas extraction despite national budget cuts to healthcare and pensions. Reports indicate that many of thes...
Customers travel from far and wide to Budget Food in Beverwijk: 'They sometimes save forty euros a week on groceries'
Budget Food in Beverwijk's Wijkerbaan shopping center attracts customers from across the province of North Holland by selling surplus supermarket goods at significant discounts. Shoppers report saving...
Top chef Nico Koji Miyahira now prepares meals as a volunteer at Hospice De Heideberg: ‘If I can still contribute to this final stage of life, I want to do that’
Nico Koji Miyahira, a 37-year-old professional chef from Haarlem, has begun volunteering to prepare high-quality meals for residents at Hospice De Heideberg in Santpoort-Noord. Inspired by his childho...
Dozens of medicines contain PFAS: 'It has added value, medications work longer'. There are alternatives, but you must actively ask for them
Dozens of medications, including antidepressants like fluoxetine, contain PFAS to improve their effectiveness and longevity, which contributes to environmental pollution. Experts note that while alter...
Municipality of Beverwijk pays council candidate Paul Klomp 9,500 euros per month for Ukrainian refugee shelter
The municipality of Beverwijk is paying entrepreneur and council candidate Paul Klomp 9,500 euros per month to rent a temporary shelter for Ukrainian refugees. Mayor Martijn Smit has stated that stric...
Firefighters rescue people from balconies in Voorburg fire
A fire broke out in an elevator shaft of a residential building in Voorburg early Saturday morning, causing smoke to spread throughout several floors. Firefighters evacuated residents from approximate...
Unique behind-the-scenes look: how the Netherlands is trying to get 'Bolle Jos' extradited
The Dutch government is actively working on a plan to extradite drug criminal ‘Bolle Jos’ Leijdekkers, who has been living in Sierra Leone under the protection of the president. A reconstruction r...
Cyclist dies in collision with car in Putten
A cyclist died following a collision with a car on Beulekampersteeg in Putten, Gelderland, around midnight on Friday night. Despite the rapid arrival of emergency services, the victim could not be sav...
Number two on The Hague D66 list received more votes than lead candidate
In the municipal elections in The Hague, D66 candidate Marije Mostert received 9,904 votes, surpassing the party's lead candidate Yousef Assad, who received 8,082. This outcome was revealed in the pre...