Netherlands News in English
Dutch national news translated to English. Politics, economy, housing, immigration, and more for expats and internationals.
Children explore nature at Lusthof De Haeck: Trudge through the swamp in your boots
Lusthof De Haeck, located south of the Nieuwkoopse Plassen, offers a short 1.5-kilometer walking route ideal for families with children to explore marshes, trees, and local wildlife. Visitors are enco...
Wouter Mulder had imagined Zwanenburg’s title match differently: ‘It will just have to happen in a few weeks’
Wouter Mulder shared his disappointment after Zwanenburg's championship match did not go as planned, delaying their potential title win. Reporter Aad Mathot reviewed the match to select the player of ...
Under the hood | Why we're speed dating our readers
NU.nl is providing insights into its development process by explaining how user research and direct engagement with readers help improve its digital platforms. Arie Bart de Vries, who oversees user ex...
The Greenhouse | Let politicians think of their great-great-grandchildren for once
Climate reporter Jeroen Kraan highlights a recommendation from the Dutch Council of State suggesting that politicians should consider future generations when drafting new legislation. The column advoc...
Tonight on TV: This well-known Haarlemmer cycles through India with his childhood friend
Haarlem resident Joshua Nolet features in the new television program The Bicycle Race, airing tonight. The show follows Nolet and a childhood friend as they embark on a cycling journey through India.
Police helicopter flying over city for hours supports high-value transport
A police helicopter was deployed in Amsterdam on Sunday morning to provide security for a high-value transport traveling across several districts. Residents reported the activity starting around 6:30 ...
Climate activists protest against 'dark side' of Haarlem Flower Parade
Extinction Rebellion is conducting peaceful protests during the Haarlem Flower Parade to raise awareness about the use of pesticides in flower cultivation. Activists organized a "bee march" and gagged...
Actor Daan Buringa plays role in Joe Speedboot that subtly parallels his own life: 'I have never really mourned things'
Actor Daan Buringa plays a role in the film 'Joe Speedboot' that reflects his personal struggle with a rare muscle disease affecting his voice. The 24-year-old actor seeks to continue performing and m...
Banned in Haarlem but happening anyway: Reserving sidewalk spots for King's Day. Residents warn: 'We’re standing here ourselves'
Residents in Haarlem are increasingly reserving sidewalk spaces for King's Day flea markets ahead of time, despite official city prohibitions. On the Raamvest, locals have begun using handmade signs t...
Mocro Maffia actor Marouane Meftah gets married
Actor Marouane Meftah, known for his role in the series Mocro Maffia, has announced his marriage on Instagram. On Sunday, he shared photos featuring his bride's diamond ring and his own silver wedding...
Car rams lamppost in Haarlem
A driver struck a lamp post on the Zijlweg in Haarlem during the night between Saturday and Sunday. The road was temporarily closed while crews cleared glass shards from the asphalt.
Wouter Klootwijk wonders: why must there be playground equipment on a beach?
Columnist Wouter Klootwijk questions the necessity of installing playground equipment on beaches in his latest weekly column. He also discusses the selection of shovels available in stores and argues ...
How a distant war makes it difficult for homebuyers in the Netherlands
The conflict involving Iran is causing mortgage interest rates to rise and average house prices to fall in the Netherlands. Economic experts explain that geopolitical instability impacts the Dutch hou...
Exhibition on Heemskerk during World War II opens in town hall. 'History must continue to be told'
An exhibition detailing the history of Heemskerk during World War II has opened at the local town hall, organized by the Historische Kring Heemskerk. The display, which includes vintage military vehic...
Back then: This is what the Rokin looked like in the 1930s
This article presents historical imagery of the Rokin in Amsterdam as it appeared during the 1930s. It reflects on a quieter era for the street before it became a major hub for thousands of modern tou...
Scouting is popular and facing waiting lists. What’s the magic? ‘You make friends for life here’
Scouting remains highly popular in 2026, yet nearly half of all groups are facing significant waiting lists due to a critical shortage of volunteers. The article examines the enduring appeal of the mo...
Skinnybikes with thin tires to bypass fat bike rules in Vondelpark: "New hype"
Cyclists in Amsterdam are turning to "skinnybikes" to bypass a new ban on fatbikes in Vondelpark starting May 11, which only permits bicycles with tires thinner than seven centimeters. Retailers repor...
Woman stabbed at home in Czaar Peterbuurt
A woman was seriously injured in a stabbing on Blankenstraat in Amsterdam's Czaar Peterbuurt on Saturday night. She was found bleeding heavily outside a residence and transported to the hospital while...
Hillegom turns out for annual flower festival. ‘Parade remains the moment everyone comes out again’
The annual Bloemencorso Bollenstreek flower parade attracted large crowds to the center of Hillegom on Saturday. Spectators lined the streets to watch the floral displays, marking a major community ev...
Fishmonger Henk (31kg lighter) continues to amaze as IJmuiden's 'marathon king': 'I feel reborn'
Henk Koning, a fishmonger from IJmuiden, completed his second marathon in six months in Rotterdam after losing 31 kilograms. Koning describes feeling reborn and fitter than ever following his radical ...
Not an April Fool's joke: Tent-on-wheels flying off the shelves
Karsten Tenten has released the "Tent-On-Wheels" (TOW), which combines their signature inflatable igloo tent with a lightweight trailer. Although announced on April 1st, the product is a legitimate ne...
15-year-old arrested after stabbing in Numansdorp
A 15-year-old boy from Numansdorp has been arrested following a stabbing incident during a fight involving several youths on Schubertstraat. The victim sustained injuries from a sharp object and was t...
Million spectators line the route for Bollenstreek Flower Parade
Approximately one million people gathered on Saturday to watch the Bollenstreek Flower Parade as it traveled from Noordwijk to Haarlem. The procession featured fifteen floral floats and dozens of othe...
Bloemendaal keep play-off hopes alive after victory over struggling Laren
Bloemendaal's men's field hockey team maintained their hope for a playoff spot after a 5-3 home victory over Laren on Saturday. The win was fueled by a dominant first quarter where the team scored mul...
Evacuation due to strange smell at COA reception center in Hoofddorp
Emergency services responded to a COA asylum seekers' reception center in Hoofddorp on Saturday following reports of a strange smell. The building was evacuated, and the situation was escalated to a G...
Hoofddorp asylum center evacuated after gas smell, 500 people sheltered
An asylum seeker center in Hoofddorp was fully evacuated on Monday evening after reports of a gas smell. Approximately 500 residents were temporarily sheltered in a nearby restaurant while emergency s...
Mayor sees effect of measures against A2 cut-through traffic
Mayor Sjors Fröhlich of Vijfheerenlanden reports that measures to reduce cut-through traffic during major roadworks on the A2 highway appear to be successful. While traffic remained heavy due to the ...
AMVJ ruins title party: Zwanenburg forced to regroup
Zwanenburg's championship celebrations were cut short following a 3-5 home defeat against relegation-threatened AMVJ. Despite extensive preparations for a victory party, the home team was left disappo...
Why the cabinet thinks unions will reach a state pension deal soon after all
The Dutch minority cabinet is seeking a quick agreement with trade unions regarding the state pension (AOW) to ensure its own political survival. While the government's policies have revitalized the u...
Everyone frustrated by draw between AFC’34 and Hoofddorp
A football match between AFC’34 and Hoofddorp in Alkmaar ended in a 2-2 draw, leaving both teams disappointed with the final result. The home team conceded a late equalizer in stoppage time, while t...