Netherlands News in English
Dutch national news translated to English. Politics, economy, housing, immigration, and more for expats and internationals.
Disguised as a visitor, artist Jessica Kuhn secretly draws on her own work in the Stedelijk Museum
After a long search, I must conclude I cannot fulfill my democratic duty: my voting pass is lost
The author reflects on the upcoming Dutch municipal elections, noting that many citizens treat voting as a routine chore rather than a significant civic duty. Due to a lost voting pass, the author exp...
From swimming pools to asylum centers, residents share concerns at Kennemerland polling stations: 'Let Sportdorp go ahead on May 17'
Voters in the Kennemerland region voiced their concerns on local and national issues, including asylum centers and sports facilities, at polling stations during the elections. A reporter visited sever...
In Burgerveen, Abbenes, Oude Meer and Aalsmeerderbrug, voting is different than in larger towns: 'Little happens here'
Residents of small villages in the Haarlemmermeer municipality, such as Burgerveen and Abbenes, report that voting considerations differ from larger towns due to a perceived lack of local activity. So...
From De Nieuwe Kerk to petting zoos: where Amsterdammers go to vote
Residents of Amsterdam are casting their votes in various unique locations across the city, including a petting zoo in the East and the historic Nieuwe Kerk. Voters shared diverse motivations for thei...
IJmuiden ‘local hero’ Marianne Stok hands over Food on the Shelf to Laura Tettelaar: ‘It is time for the younger generation’
Marianne Stok is stepping down after 15 years as the leader of the community initiative Voedsel op de Plank, handing over the role to Laura Tettelaar. Stok will remain involved for at least one more y...
LIVE North Holland Elections | 101-year-old Bert van der Elzen votes in specially adapted booth
During the municipal elections in North Holland, 101-year-old Bert van der Elzen demonstrated how to vote from a mobility scooter using a specially adapted booth in Hoofddorp. The demonstration was sh...
Police rule out foul play after body found in Wibautstraat flat
Police in Amsterdam have ruled out foul play following the discovery of a body in an apartment building on Wibautstraat on Sunday evening. Emergency services attempted to resuscitate the individual, b...
Utrecht politicians want talks on leash requirement in wolf territory
The Utrecht Provincial Council is seeking discussions with nature organizations about the mandatory leashing of dogs in forests bordering Leusderheide to prevent wolf-dog confrontations. While manager...
No Art gets second festival in Riekerhaven
Weekend tips: things to do in Amsterdam (March 20 to 22)
This article highlights various activities and tips for spending the weekend of March 20 to 22 in Amsterdam. As spring weather arrives, the city sees a surge in outdoor activity, including locals enjo...
Drug use remains a risk for TBS patients despite positive steps toward sheltered housing
The North Holland District Court has extended the mandatory psychiatric treatment (TBS) of 38-year-old J.H. for an additional two years due to ongoing risks associated with drug use. Originally senten...
Stolen cargo bike found during multi-agency checks in Heemskerk and Beverwijk
During a joint inspection by police, enforcement, and housing associations in Heemskerk and Beverwijk on Tuesday, a stolen electric cargo bike was recovered. The operation was conducted as part of an ...
Fireworks and stones thrown at riot police on New Year's Eve: police release footage
Amsterdam police have released footage of eight suspects who attacked a Mobile Unit van with stones and fireworks during New Year's Eve celebrations. The incident took place at the intersection of Mol...
Jumbo brings back meat promotions two years after stopping them
Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo is reintroducing temporary discounts on fresh meat, reversing a decision made earlier to stop such promotions. The company stated it is bringing back the deals because th...
Will the future of Spaarne Gasthuis still play a role in the elections? ‘I haven’t followed the discussion and honestly didn’t know’
On election day, voters at the Spaarne Gasthuis in Haarlem-Zuid are reflecting on whether the potential relocation of the hospital's emergency department to Hoofddorp affects their voting choices. Whi...
LIVE 2026 Municipal Elections | Man (81) with Alzheimer's turned away from polling station, wife not allowed to help
An 81-year-old man with Alzheimer's was turned away from a polling station in Bruinisse because he was unable to cast his vote independently. During the 2026 municipal elections, his wife was not perm...
RIVM: flu epidemic over
The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has announced that the flu epidemic is officially over. This decision follows a significant decline in GP visits for acute res...
Seriously ill within hours: why bacterial meningitis can be so dangerous
Neurologist Matthijs Brouwer explains that while viral meningitis is often manageable at home, the bacterial form is a life-threatening condition that can cause severe illness within hours. The articl...
Hay fever symptoms decrease after weeks of rising
The number of people visiting doctors with hay fever symptoms in the Netherlands decreased last week after several weeks of increases. According to research institute Nivel, there were 145 cases per 1...
Nearly 1,000 damage reports after Drenthe earthquake
The number of damage reports following two earthquakes near the Eleveld gas field in the province of Drenthe has risen to 955. This represents a significant increase from the 630 reports previously re...
More lawyers in the Netherlands, legal aid sector continues to shrink
The total number of lawyers in the Netherlands increased by more than 1.5 percent to 19,046 last year, according to the Netherlands Bar Association (NOvA). Despite this overall growth, the number of l...
Province still denies documents to Tata activist and estate owner Jan de Jong: 'The only thing that matters is they no longer exist'
Activist Jan de Jong appeared in court against the province of North Holland for the third time to demand access to secret documents concerning him. The province claims the files no longer exist, a si...
Charlie sees improvement in Zandvoort-Noord and votes VVD again: 'Drugs gone, atmosphere back'
Residents in Zandvoort-Noord expressed varying opinions on local improvements while casting their votes at a neighborhood polling station. While some voters noted a decrease in drug-related issues and...
Prosecution demands mandatory psychiatric treatment for fatal stabbing of Dragana Duric in Amsterdam-West
Hyperion Lyceum closed Thursday due to last-minute work by Waternet: ‘This takes us by surprise’
Netherlands sends single male asylum seekers back to Belgium
Dutch Asylum Minister Bart van den Brink announced that the Netherlands will resume returning single male asylum seekers to Belgium, effective immediately. This decision reverses a previous ban by the...
Schiphol uses WiFi and AI against intruders and activists: recognizing people through walls
Schiphol Airport is launching a pilot program to detect intruders and activists using WiFi and artificial intelligence technology. Developed by the Amsterdam-based startup Waving, which recently raise...
Legal fees in Marco Borsato sexual offense case reach nearly 400,000 euros
Legal fees in the criminal case against Dutch singer Marco Borsato have reached 391,000 euros, according to his lawyers Geert-Jan Knoops and Carry Knoops-Hamburger. The defense team has confirmed they...
Party leaders head to the polls: "I still have a parent-teacher meeting at my child's school"
Political party leaders in Amsterdam cast their votes in the municipal elections at various locations across the city. By early afternoon, voter turnout was reported at 16.4 percent, with candidates b...