Netherlands News in English
Dutch national news translated to English. Politics, economy, housing, immigration, and more for expats and internationals.
StemWijzer completed nearly 2.3 million times since launch
The StemWijzer voting aid has been used nearly 2.3 million times since its launch a month ago for the Dutch municipal elections. The tool is available in 258 municipalities and is expected to see high...
Jetten: Antisemitism not only among Muslims, points to FVD
Dutch leader Rob Jetten stated on the television program 'Eva' that antisemitism exists across all layers of society rather than being limited to specific groups. He specifically pointed to the politi...
Preserving bulb fields while creating more housing: the choices for young people in Hillegom
Ahead of the municipal elections on March 18, Hillegom is debating how to retain its young population amidst a housing shortage and an aging demographic. Key issues include deciding whether to preserv...
It’s time! Haarlem heads to the polls, read all about the council elections here
Residents of Haarlem are heading to the polls this Wednesday to elect a new city council following a lengthy campaign. Approximately 129,000 eligible voters will determine which 39 candidates will sec...
Dokkum celebrates King's Day over the weekend with a King's song
Dokkum and surrounding Frisian villages will host various festivities during the weekend preceding King's Day, which includes a visit from the royal family. The event program features performances by ...
What we as a polarized society can learn from the Bijlmer
Review: Comedian Isabelle Kafando’s characters are often so grotesque they cease to be interesting
Poor state of Kolenkitbuurt housing is an opportunity to reach residents behind closed doors
Where are we voting tomorrow? These are the 7 most unique polling stations in the Netherlands
The Dutch municipal elections are scheduled for Wednesday, featuring several unique voting locations across the country. Voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots in unconventional settings, s...
Dog Idol and owner Ilse take on challenge together in Spaarndam: ‘He may not be my child, but he is a full member of the family’
Ilse van Veen and her five-year-old dog, Idol, are training for the upcoming Obedience selection trials on March 22 in Spaarndam. The duo practices at the Kynologen Club Amsterdam, where Van Veen desc...
Robert (65) went to school by scooter as a child; now director, he sees pupils arrive in cars and cargo bikes
Robert Smid, a 65-year-old school administrator in Schoorl, is reflecting on the changes in student transportation as he approaches his retirement. Having attended the same school as a child on a scoo...
Stichting Vluchteling sees needs in Lebanon increasing rapidly
Benoit de Gryse, director of the Dutch organization Stichting Vluchteling, reports that humanitarian needs in Lebanon are rising rapidly as nearly a million people have been displaced. De Gryse travel...
Five hundred euros for a Telstar ticket against PSV: Fans of champions-elect desperate to attend match
Telstar is preparing for a match against PSV this Sunday, where PSV could potentially secure the national title. Due to the significance of the game, fans are reportedly willing to pay up to 500 euros...
Minister: Canceling American VAT system contract will cost money
State Secretary Eelco Eerenberg warned that terminating the contract with the American firm Fast Enterprises for the new Dutch VAT IT system would result in legal and financial repercussions. The gove...
Groningen measures against collisions with small wind turbines
The province of Groningen is introducing measures to reduce bird and bat collisions with small wind turbines. These measures include potentially shutting down the turbines at night during the month of...
Cannabis plantation at Molenwerf Uitgeest, mayor closes building for nine months
On March 17, police discovered a cannabis nursery with approximately 280 plants in a commercial building in Uitgeest. Following the discovery, the mayor ordered the premises to be closed for a period ...
D66 leafleting in De Pijp: We can still become the largest party
Melanie van der Horst, the lead candidate for D66, campaigned in Amsterdam's De Pijp neighborhood to engage undecided voters ahead of the local elections. Despite current polls placing the party behin...
Menstrual symptoms are ‘pure biology’: Nijmegen study maps impact of hormonal fluctuations on the brain
Research from Nijmegen indicates that menstrual complaints are biological rather than psychological, caused by hormonal fluctuations affecting the brain. These changes in the brain can lead to physica...
Netherlands deems nearly €2 trillion EU budget too large: ‘This is unacceptable’
The Netherlands, alongside Belgium, Sweden, and Finland, has rejected the European Commission's proposed €2 trillion multi-annual budget for 2028-2034, calling the €800 billion increase unacceptab...
Watch now: Amsterdam Chooses - The Final Debate, live from Meervaart Theater
Eleven political party leaders in Amsterdam participated in a final televised debate at theater Meervaart to discuss key issues including housing, safety, and public space. The debate occurs as latest...
Child rushed to hospital after car accident in Haarlem
Two children were involved in a car accident on Tuesday afternoon on Florence Nightingalestraat in Haarlem. One child was subsequently rushed to the hospital with urgent injuries.
Shipowners cautious about military mission in Strait of Hormuz
The Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR) has expressed opposition to a Dutch military mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The organization warns that participating in such a mission ...
From trailer park to pub: two young politicians with a mission
Young politicians Kim Denie and Sander Blankestein are campaigning for re-election to the Haarlemmermeer municipal council to better represent their generation's interests. Denie, who grew up in Amste...
Mixed feelings surrounding Persian New Year, music festival cancelled
A Persian New Year music event in Haarlem has been canceled because musicians felt it was inappropriate to perform festive music given the current unrest in their homeland. Instead, a smaller jam sess...
Municipality aims to downsize civil service with new 'top structure'
Mayor Femke Halsema and Alderman Hester van Buren have announced a restructuring of Amsterdam's municipal organization from five to seven clusters to streamline decision-making. The plan aims to reduc...
What it’s like to be the face of a supermarket: ‘Lammers would have to make twenty films for that kind of money’
After thirteen years, Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo is replacing its long-time brand ambassador Frank Lammers with entertainer Rob Kemps. Reporter Jurriaan Nolles provides insight into the role and fi...
Bevrijdingspop takes extra measures due to crowds for popular Bankzitters
Bevrijdingspop Haarlem is implementing extra security measures for its upcoming May 5th edition to avoid the dangerous overcrowding experienced during last year's festival. Organizers have improved si...
Three pedestrians hit by car in IJmuiden, two taken to hospital
Three pedestrians were struck by a car on Tuesday afternoon at the Pleiadenplantsoen in IJmuiden. Two of the injured victims were subsequently transported to the hospital for medical treatment.
Flex homes safely installed in De Glip; first residents set to move into new prefab houses soon. ‘More privacy and daylight’
The final sections of 18 prefabricated temporary housing units were installed on Tuesday in the De Glip neighborhood of Heemstede. The project includes self-contained apartments and a community room, ...
Jetten holds introductory call with President of Suriname
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten held an introductory phone call with Suriname's President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons. The leaders discussed bilateral cooperation and the upcoming visit of the King in D...