Netherlands News in English
Dutch national news translated to English. Politics, economy, housing, immigration, and more for expats and internationals.
Body found in the Amstel, police investigating
A body was discovered in the Amstel river near the Halvemaansbrug in Amsterdam early Monday evening. Police and forensic teams are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the death and w...
Study: children playing outdoors more often, major differences by location
Recent research by Jantje Beton and Spelen & Bewegen indicates that children are spending slightly more time playing outdoors, with a current average of 7.6 hours per week. Although this shows a minor...
Could a new crisis loom, as a top US banker warns? ‘The odds are rising’
A top US banker has warned that the current market optimism could lead to a financial crisis similar to the 2008 crash. Dutch economists are evaluating these risks to determine if the Netherlands shou...
Scooter rider seriously injured after collision with two trams at Koningsplein
A scooter driver was critically injured and required resuscitation after being trapped between two trams at Koningsplein in central Amsterdam on Monday afternoon. The victim was transported to the hos...
Half of high school students afraid to use the toilet: 'Too dirty and unsafe to poop'
Approximately half of secondary school students avoid using school toilets because they are considered dirty and unsafe. This behavior frequently leads to health problems such as stomach pain as stude...
No fire in house, but comfort bear for toddler
Emergency services responded to a report of a possible house fire in Velsen-Noord on Thursday afternoon, which proved to be a false alarm. While no fire was found, responders gave a comfort bear to a ...
Zandvoort Catholic church considers legal action over noise from neighboring theater
The parish board of St. Agatha Church in Zandvoort is considering legal action against the municipality due to concerns about noise pollution from the adjacent Theater De Krocht. The two buildings sha...
The ordeal I wouldn't have wanted to miss
Two friends embarked on a 253-kilometer cycling journey to Gulpen, only to find their destination hotel had gone bankrupt. On the return trip, one of the cyclists decided to take a train from Dordrech...
Yad Vashem posthumously honors heroic Haarlem family; Jewish relatives survived the war
The Ligtenstein family from Haarlem has been posthumously honored with the Yad Vashem 'Righteous Among the Nations' recognition for helping Jewish relatives survive World War II. The award was present...
D66 Haarlem demands answers over paving stones after lead candidate Steven Jonker takes a tumble
Three D66 council members in Haarlem have submitted formal questions to Alderman Robbert Berkhout regarding the maintenance of city sidewalks. The inquiry was prompted by an incident where party leade...
Tubes and cameras for traffic count on Laan der Nederlanden. Beverwijk investigates road redesign
The municipality of Beverwijk is conducting a traffic count on the Laan der Nederlanden from March 2 to March 15 using cameras and sensors. The data collected will be used to redesign intersections to...
Klaver on Jetten's Gaza stance: Schoof could have said that too
During a parliamentary debate on the government's policy statement, Jesse Klaver criticized Rob Jetten's stance on the Gaza Strip, claiming it mirrored Prime Minister Dick Schoof's position. Klaver no...
Tip: Sip, stomp, and swing in North during the Amsterdam Wine Festival
The Amsterdam Wine Festival is being held in Amsterdam Noord, featuring hundreds of wines from the Southern Hemisphere. The event allows visitors to celebrate the harvest season and enjoy a festive at...
Odido hackers also stole citizen service numbers after all
Hackers involved in a cyberattack on telecom provider Odido successfully stole citizen service numbers (BSNs) belonging to some business customers. This contradicts previous statements from the compan...
Neighbors shocked after fatal crime against 81-year-old man: "Terrible, you wouldn't wish this on anyone"
Police are investigating the death of an 81-year-old man who was killed in his home in Amsterdam's Transvaalbuurt neighborhood. Local residents and acquaintances have expressed shock over the incident...
Jetten won't say if Sjoerdsma can join trade mission to China
Minister Rob Jetten has not confirmed whether Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma can participate in trade missions to China due to Sjoerdsma's presence on a Chinese sanctions list. Jetten stated that Sjo...
Cabinet will no longer provide promised extra money for Ukraine
The Dutch government will not provide an additional 2 billion euros in aid to Ukraine this year, despite a previously passed motion in the House of Representatives. Prime Minister Rob Jetten announced...
Theater maker Jantien Fick: ‘In the city, people increasingly struggle with the behavior of others’
Acting PM Jetten on PVV no-confidence motion: ‘Since it’s the first, I’ll frame it’
Prime Minister Rob Jetten faced his first motion of no confidence from the PVV during a parliamentary debate on the new cabinet's government statement. Despite tensions surrounding the administration'...
Parents surprised by voting passes for 16- and 17-year-olds, but it's not a mistake
Parents in Amsterdam were surprised to receive voting passes for their 16 and 17-year-old children, but city officials clarified that this is not a mistake. Following a 2021 council decision, minors a...
Prosecutors seek prison sentence for vandalizing graves and urns in The Hague
The Public Prosecution Service has demanded a 16-month prison sentence for a 33-year-old man accused of damaging 32 graves and urns at Westduin cemetery in The Hague. During his court appearance, the ...
Separate bike bridge next to Amsterdamsebrug one step closer: ‘It’s already very crowded’
Amsterdam to get dedicated bicycle bridge to Zeeburgereiland
Amsterdam is planning to construct a dedicated bicycle bridge next to the existing Amsterdamsebrug to facilitate travel to Zeeburgereiland. The new bridge is intended to alleviate congestion, as curre...
Civil servants to strike, DUO and Tax Administration less accessible
National civil servants across the Netherlands are staging a 24-hour strike this Tuesday to protest the lack of a pay raise this year. The industrial action is expected to make services such as DUO an...
Dancer from Vennep pursues dream on TV show Project Dans: Sophie, you can do this!
Sophie van der Heide, a 26-year-old dance teacher from Nieuw-Vennep, has been selected as one of twelve contestants for the new season of the television show Project Dans on NPO 1. After a rigorous pr...
Controversial plan proceeds: free abortion care for millions of women in Europe
The European Commission will provide funding to support women from EU countries where abortion is illegal by subsidizing care in other member states. Countries like the Netherlands will be able to acc...
No longer able to smell. How bad is it? Jan van der Meer from Haarlem loses his joy of life
Jan van der Meer, a 67-year-old resident of Haarlem, discovered he has a smell and taste disorder after noticing a change in the scent of his coffee. The condition has significantly impacted his quali...
Video | Host Rijk Hofman in promo for new season of Temptation Island: 'Looking forward to it!'
Two men steal car and end up in dangerous police chase in Zwanenburg
Two men, aged 37 and 45, were arrested in Badhoevedorp on Wednesday following a dangerous police pursuit. The suspects, who have no fixed place of residence, had stolen a vehicle earlier that day in Z...
Three years in prison for rape in bushes near Tolhuistuin
Rachid M., 46, has been sentenced to three years in prison for the violent rape and assault of a woman near the Tolhuistuin in Amsterdam-Noord. The victim was followed from the city center and attacke...