Netherlands News in English
Dutch national news translated to English. Politics, economy, housing, immigration, and more for expats and internationals.
More reports to animal cruelty hotline in 2025
The Dutch animal abuse and neglect hotline, 144, received over 155,000 reports in 2025. This marks a 10 percent increase in the number of calls compared to the previous year.
Man struck in neck with glass shards during Amsterdam night out: three years in prison
A 31-year-old man has been sentenced to three years in prison, with one year suspended, for attempted manslaughter after striking a victim in the neck with a glass shard at Amsterdam's Leidseplein in ...
COA: Estimate of reception spots provides clarity
The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) stated that the newly published estimates for the number of reception places needed by provinces and municipalities provide clarity and dir...
Asylum Minister: 11,400 more reception places needed in South Holland
Asylum Minister Bart van den Brink announced that South Holland must provide 11,400 additional reception places for asylum seekers to address a regional shortage. Nationwide, the Netherlands faces a t...
Jetten files weekly police reports for homophobic hate and threats
Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Rob Jetten revealed during a weekly press conference that he files police reports for homophobic hate speech every week. Jetten stated that he receives daily threats specif...
She is unbeatable, yet Esther Kiel (29) is retiring: 'Natural ice is fantastic, but you don't want to train all year for just those few races'
Speed skater Esther Kiel has announced her retirement from the sport at the age of 29, despite her recent string of victories on natural ice in Sweden. Kiel, who is from Overveen, explained that the i...
Voting aid for undecided Velsen youth, but questions are too general. Asylum shelter for LGBTQ+ people?
The municipality of Velsen has introduced a specialized voting aid designed to help young undecided voters prepare for the upcoming elections. However, the effectiveness of the tool has been questione...
Singer PinkPantheress to perform at AFAS Live on June 1
British singer-songwriter and producer PinkPantheress will perform a concert at AFAS Live in Amsterdam on June 1. The performance is part of her upcoming tour titled 'An Evening With... PinkPantheress...
After-school activity provider shuts down already, and critics are not surprised: ‘They had never done anything like this before’
Jetten wants ministers to think carefully before posting
Prime Minister Rob Jetten has advised cabinet ministers to be more cautious with their social media activity. The statement comes after an Instagram post by Minister Hans Vijlbrief sparked public cont...
Amsterdam's Ella van der Woude to score Charlie Kaufman film
NU.nl offers behind-the-scenes look at politics in The Hague with new podcast
Dutch news site NU.nl has launched a new weekly podcast titled De Wandelgangen, which provides a behind-the-scenes look at politics in The Hague. Political reporters Edo van der Goot, Sanne Oving, and...
Irene Schouten's pilates empire is growing fast: already the sixth location in six months. 'I hope it becomes a nationwide concept'
Former Olympic speed skating champion Irene Schouten is rapidly expanding her pilates chain, RFRMR, with the opening of its sixth location in Heemskerk. Alongside partner Suus Bakker, Schouten aims to...
Vijlbrief retracts remark, will scale back state pension plan
Minister of Social Affairs Hans Vijlbrief announced he will weaken the coalition's proposal to accelerate the increase of the state pension age, retracting an earlier denial. Vijlbrief admitted follow...
Toy from Haarlem wins international Toy Award
The Haarlem-based toy brand Waytoplay Toys has won the Toy Award 2026 in the Sustainability category at the international Spielwarenmesse in Nuremberg. This recognition highlights the brand's commitme...
Former PVV buddies Gidi and Geert now fight it out on stage
Former PVV colleagues Gidi Markuszower and Geert Wilders engaged in a political confrontation during a recent event. Rob Jetten also made his debut in a leadership role, where he remained calm during ...
Actress Annet Malherbe doesn't want an allotment, but it’s the ideal setting for her new MAX series
Actress Annet Malherbe stars in the new Omroep MAX television series 'Rust en Vreugd', which explores the dynamics of an allotment garden complex. Although the actress has no desire to own an allotmen...
Politics on the Amstel: Halsema shocks with controversial plan and Ramadan could influence elections
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema's controversial proposal to repatriate addicted homeless individuals has sparked debate among local political commentators. The discussion also addresses the potential in...
Prison and community service for radicalized TikTok youth
A juvenile court in Rotterdam sentenced five teenagers for ISIS membership and inciting terrorist acts through the social media platform TikTok. The defendants received varying sentences, including ju...
UK temporarily withdraws diplomatic staff from Iran
The United Kingdom is temporarily withdrawing its diplomatic staff from Iran due to regional security risks and safety concerns. Consular assistance will be provided remotely while the UK maintains a ...
Sylvia and Chantal from Heemstede rescue waterbirds from death
Residents Sylvia and Chantal have launched a crowdfunding campaign to install duck ladders in Heemstede to help young waterfowl escape steep ditches. The initiative aims to prevent chicks from drownin...
Man detained again on suspicion of three offenses in Malieveld riots
A 26-year-old man from Amerongen has been rearrested for his suspected involvement in three violent incidents during riots in The Hague last September. He is accused of setting a police car on fire wi...
Bike path on Plantage Middenlaan blocked off with traffic signs for over four years: 'Shabby'
A bike path on Amsterdam's Plantage Middenlaan has remained closed for over four years, leading to frustration among local residents and cyclists. The path, originally blocked due to museum constructi...
Van Weel backs Odido: never pay criminals
Dutch Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel expressed support for telecom provider Odido's decision to refuse ransom payments to hackers. He emphasized that criminal activity should not be r...
Man (31) sentenced to 36 months for hitting another man with glass shards at Leidseplein
Parties push for alternative state pension plan after Vijlbrief statement
Dutch political parties SGP and Groep Markuszower are urging the cabinet to revise plans that would accelerate the increase of the state pension age starting in 2033. Supported by the governing partie...
'Lick more and more often,' says Amsterdam artist Frank Bloem (47): 'Then everything will be fine'
Court sentences 81-year-old to 18 years for Kinderdijk murder
The appeals court in The Hague has sentenced 81-year-old Cor de J. to 18 years in prison for the 2022 murder of a 74-year-old man in Kinderdijk. The victim died several days after being shot in the he...
Football coach Leo Steegman dies; ‘He loved discipline, but was also a warm person’
Former football coach Leo Steegman has passed away at the age of 82. He was best known for his three coaching tenures at FC Volendam during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s.
The parents of twins Lotte and Tim Houben (17) initially wanted to keep the two apart: ‘At first I wasn’t allowed to play basketball because Tim was already doing it’
Seventeen-year-old twins Lotte and Tim Houben from Haarlem discuss their close bond and the experience of growing up together. Their parents initially encouraged them to pursue separate interests, suc...