Netherlands News in English
Dutch national news translated to English. Politics, economy, housing, immigration, and more for expats and internationals.
King and Jetten sign resignation of Schoof cabinet
King Willem-Alexander signed royal decrees on Monday to officially grant dismissal to the members of the Schoof cabinet. Prime Minister Rob Jetten also signed the documents to confirm ministerial resp...
Viewing figures public again from April 6, including online viewing
Starting April 6, the National Media Research Foundation (NMO) will resume making viewing figures public, while also incorporating online viewing data for the first time. This updated methodology will...
To those claiming this shouldn't happen: dream on. This was world-class sport at its best
The Dutch Olympic team experienced a significant surge in morale following successful performances on the third day of the games. This shift to celebration follows a disappointing start during the fir...
Wormerland considers merger with Purmerend or Zaanstad
The Wormerland executive board has advised the municipal council to consider a merger with either Purmerend or Zaanstad. This recommendation is driven by the financial vulnerability the municipality f...
Haarlem takes steps towards natural gas-free living
Haarlem has established the Heat Program 2026–2030 as part of its phased plan to transition to natural gas-free living. Preparations in the first designated neighborhoods are scheduled to begin duri...
Jetten arrives at Huis ten Bosch Palace for swearing-in
Rob Jetten has arrived at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague to be officially sworn in as the first D66 Prime Minister by King Willem-Alexander. He is accompanied by the members of his new cabinet, wh...
First train enforcement officers train with batons: 'Someone threatened to pull a knife and stab me'
Dutch railway enforcement officers have begun training with batons as part of a pilot program to address rising aggression against train staff. The initiative follows reports that NS employees face vi...
Jetten Cabinet takes office today: new team sworn in, Schoof departs
The Jetten cabinet officially takes office today in the Netherlands, 117 days after the national elections. The new ministers are being sworn in this morning, followed by the traditional group photogr...
Extra election mail helps PostNL through the year
PostNL reported a temporary return to profitability due to an increase in business mail volume related to recent elections and pension updates. Despite this short-term financial boost, the company war...
Finnish artist Teppo Korte exhibits colorful works at KEK: ‘I get my inspiration from nature’
Finnish artist Teppo Korte is currently exhibiting his colorful, nature-inspired artworks at KEK in Haarlem. His pieces often address environmental themes, such as a work depicting a swimmer surrounde...
Risk of AED theft lower than heart attack risk, but it happens and costs lives: 'A stolen device is useless'
While the theft of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) is rare in the Netherlands, such incidents can be life-threatening and often require community crowdfunding for replacements. The national g...
Studio 100 announces new SingAlong with symphony orchestra
Studio 100 has announced a new concert series titled "Studio 100 SingAlong in Symphony," which is scheduled to take place this autumn in Flanders and the Netherlands. The event will feature artists fr...
Housing construction at Blekersveld: enough to drive you crazy. Why can’t Bloemendaal politicians make a decision?
Politicians in Bloemendaal are struggling to finalize housing construction plans for the Blekersveld area near the Westelijke Randweg. The frequent changes to the project's design have caused frustrat...
NS baton trial in Rotterdam, The Hague, Zwolle and Den Bosch
Dutch Railways (NS) will begin a one-year trial at the end of April, equipping up to 75 safety officers with short batons. The pilot program will involve personnel stationed in Rotterdam, The Hague, Z...
She conquered Instagram with dry humor: Now tattoo artist Tamar Tieleman (42) has her own studio in Zaandam
Tattoo artist Tamar Tieleman has opened a home studio in Zaandam following her success on Instagram, where she shares quirky designs and humorous videos. Known for her dry Twente accent, the 42-year-o...
Loes pays for Friday afternoon drinks after free window repair
Loes Sonnenberg encountered issues with a malfunctioning tilt-and-turn window and was unable to fix it because she had lost the necessary key. After receiving a free repair, she donated money to contr...
Benzene remediation along Broekpolder to begin July 1. Further investigation around Aagtenpark still needed
The remediation of benzene-contaminated groundwater in the Broekpolder district is scheduled to begin on July 1. The permit application for the project remains available for public inspection until Ma...
Municipal elections on March 18: what the Party for the Animals wants in Haarlem
Haarlem residents will vote in the municipal elections on March 18 to elect a new city council. This report highlights the specific plans and political platform of the Party for the Animals.
Plans for one-way traffic on Utrechtsestraat, but not everyone is convinced
The Amsterdam municipality is considering making the Utrechtsestraat a one-way street to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion. While some residents support the initiative, the local neighborho...
Explosion and major fire in Amsterdam South, one person taken to hospital
A powerful explosion and subsequent fire destroyed a curtain shop on Maasstraat in Amsterdam-Zuid early Monday morning, resulting in one person being hospitalized. The blast caused significant damage ...
Toos & Henk - February 23
Cartoonist Paul Kusters illustrates his unique perspective on current affairs in the daily comic strip 'Toos & Henk.' The series is published every day from Monday to Saturday.
House prices rise to record levels due to persistent shortage
Dutch house prices reached a record high in January due to a persistent shortage of available properties and a lack of new housing construction. Rising household incomes have also contributed to the o...
Few Zandvoort residents enthusiastic about housing at the circuit: 'I even named my dog after a driver'
Residents of Zandvoort are expressing significant opposition to proposals for building housing on the local racing circuit. Many locals consider the sound of race cars to be an essential part of the s...
Neighborhood council dissatisfied with Zee- and Duinwijk improvement plan, alderman disputes criticism
The Zee- en Duinwijk neighborhood platform has expressed dissatisfaction with a proposed improvement plan, stating that the measures lack concreteness and community involvement. In a letter to the mun...
Kim Lammers: ‘At the Olympics, you need thick skin not to falter’
Former athlete Kim Lammers reflects on the mental toughness and resilience required in elite sports, noting that competition can often be harsh or unfair. Her remarks were made in the context of obser...
From oath to first cabinet meeting: the Jetten cabinet's first day minute by minute
The Jetten cabinet is officially beginning its term 118 days after the general election, starting with a swearing-in ceremony at Paleis Huis ten Bosch. The day's schedule includes the official group p...
Number of Ukrainian refugees in Haarlem nearly doubles in almost three and a half years
The municipality of Haarlem currently provides shelter to 1,396 Ukrainian refugees as the conflict continues following the Russian invasion. This figure represents a significant increase, with the num...
Person taken to hospital after fire in Amsterdam's Rivierenbuurt
A fire broke out in a shop in the Rivierenbuurt neighborhood of Amsterdam following an explosion, resulting in significant damage. One person from a nearby residence was hospitalized for smoke inhalat...
Bol.com and MediaMarkt pull popular headphones from sale over high levels of ‘substances of concern’
Major retailers including Bol.com and MediaMarkt have immediately removed several popular headphones and headsets from sale due to high concentrations of concerning substances. An investigation into o...
