Netherlands News in English
Dutch national news translated to English. Politics, economy, housing, immigration, and more for expats and internationals.

Art theft suspect asks court to approve plea deal
A 37-year-old suspect involved in the theft of Romanian art treasures from the Drents Museum has asked a court in Assen to approve procedural agreements made with the Public Prosecution Service. The r...

Van den Brink does ‘everything necessary’ for asylum law support
Asylum Minister Bart van den Brink is actively seeking support in the Dutch Senate for two strict asylum laws following uncertainty caused by the PVV's opposition to a specific amendment. The minister...

Stolen helmet back on display in Romanian museum next week
Romanian art treasures stolen from the Drents Museum in early 2025 are returning to public display in Bucharest. The golden helmet of Cotofenesti and two Dacian bracelets will be presented at the Nati...
Cabinet: no more animal transport on sweltering days, only allowed up to 30 degrees
The Dutch cabinet has announced a ban on the transport of livestock, including pigs, chickens, and cows, when temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius. State Secretary Silvio Erkens stated the measure i...

Marian Mudder saw cheating as a way to survive in 'explosive' relationship
Actress and therapist Marian Mudder revealed in an interview with LINDA. that she previously cheated as a coping mechanism during a toxic and explosive relationship. Reflecting on her past, she stated...

Residents in Schalkwijk make their neighborhood greener
Residents in the Schalkwijk district of Haarlem are collaborating with the local municipality to transform neglected grass areas into vibrant green spaces filled with native plants. Funded by the Regi...

Amsterdam house prices fall faster than national average, but overbidding remains the norm
House prices in Amsterdam fell by 5.8% in the first quarter of 2026, a sharper decline than the 2.7% drop seen nationally across the Netherlands. This trend is driven by an increase in supply as inves...

Jutta Leerdam makes Forbes 30 Under 30 list: 'So unreal'
Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam has been included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list within the Sports & Games category. The prestigious list by the American business magazine recognizes her as one of th...

Nature permit still required for Rotterdam and Eindhoven airports
A Dutch court has ruled that Rotterdam and Eindhoven airports must obtain nature permits, overturning a previous government decision that deemed them unnecessary. The ruling follows legal challenges f...

How a prophetic photo became street art thanks to Kamp Seedorf
Artist collective Kamp Seedorf has transformed an iconic 1980s photograph of Frank Rijkaard and Patrick Kluivert into street art. The original image was captured by photographer Pim Ras and highlights...

Singer-songwriter Melle: Staying true to myself, only then comes the question of whether others like it
Singer-songwriter Melle Boddaert, an alumnus of the InHolland conservatory in Haarlem, has established his music career by winning regional awards and participating in the Popronde tour. Following the...

Haarlem talent in semi-finals of Princess Christina Competition: ‘Exciting, and nice to play for an audience’
Young musicians Hanna Zhang and Abel Honée from Haarlem have reached the semi-finals of the Prinses Christina Concours. The two teenage talents are scheduled to perform this Saturday in Leiden for a ...

Injury woes the most constant factor in AZ's impressive season, according to Danielle Kliwon
AZ remains the only Dutch club still competing in three different tournaments this season despite a persistent series of injuries. The team's performance has been noted as particularly impressive comp...

Gisèle Pelicot receives Four Freedoms Award in Middelburg
French rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot received the Four Freedoms Award for 'Freedom from Fear' during a ceremony in Middelburg. Pelicot, who gained international recognition for making her trial agains...

Babboe cargo bikes return, relaunch starting in Germany among other countries
Parent company Accell has announced that Babboe cargo bikes will return to the market following a major safety recall. The relaunch comes after the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NV...

Come on, chickens! by Hilde Peters named Picture Book of the Year 2027
Hilde Peters' picture book 'Kom maar, kipjes!' has been selected as the Picture Book of the Year for 2027. The book succeeds 'Kleine Aap' and will be the featured title during the National Reading Day...

Rijkswaterstaat urges drivers not to take shortcuts during A2 roadworks
Rijkswaterstaat is urging drivers to follow official detour routes and avoid using navigation apps for shortcuts during upcoming maintenance on the A2 highway. Previous closures between the Everdingen...

Man with assistance dog ends up in ditch in Haarlem
A man with a service dog fell into a ditch in Haarlem on Thursday morning. He sustained injuries during the incident and was subsequently transported to the hospital.

Scammers exploit parcel delivery service DPD
Scammers are increasingly using the name of parcel delivery service DPD to steal money through fraudulent emails and text messages. These phishing messages falsely claim a package is ready for deliver...

Dozens of designer drug websites taken offline over safety concerns
The Dutch health and food safety authorities (IGJ and NVWA) have taken dozens of websites selling designer drugs offline. Officials warned that using these substances can be life-threatening and pose ...

Dawn Brothers: ten years of organic rock
The Rotterdam-based band Dawn Brothers is celebrating their tenth anniversary with the release of a new live album titled 'Under the cover of the midnight hour'. The record marks a significant milesto...
Low incomes hardest hit by expensive oil
Rising oil prices due to conflict in the Middle East are increasing inflation and reducing purchasing power, particularly for low-income households with cars. The Netherlands Bureau for Economic Polic...

Coalition wants to compensate companies for electricity costs
Dutch coalition parties D66, CDA, and VVD have proposed moving forward funds originally allocated for 2028 to help companies manage current electricity costs. This initiative was announced during a pa...

Parents support phone bans but fail at their own screen time: ‘They lack self-reflection’
While many parents support smartphone bans for children, they often struggle to manage their own excessive screen time and digital distractions. The article highlights how parents frequently prioritiz...

Iran war hits our wallets: purchasing power growth could completely evaporate
A scenario study by the CPB indicates that the conflict involving Iran could lead to higher energy prices and inflation for Dutch households. This rise in costs might completely offset the expected gr...

Lawyers: Suspect Z. was not in Drents Museum during robbery
Lawyers for alleged art thief Bernhard Z. argued on Thursday that the evidence against him is less overwhelming than the prosecution claims. They asserted that the 35-year-old suspect was not present ...

State Secretary wants fire safety inspections for stables
State Secretary Silvio Erkens has announced plans to introduce mandatory fire safety and electrical inspections for agricultural stables as soon as possible. These measures aim to reduce the risk of s...

Federation: Patients wait too long for information on healthcare data breaches
Patiëntenfederatie Nederland has expressed concern that patients remain uninformed about whether their personal data was stolen during a recent breach at software provider ChipSoft. More than a week ...

Military camp, vintage cars and wartime food at Fort Veldhuis; main attraction is a working aircraft engine
Fort Veldhuis will host a military and vintage vehicle event on Sunday, May 3, featuring a military camp, old tractors, and classic cars. Visitors can sample wartime food and witness the main attracti...

House prices now falling significantly, by up to 6 percent: check your neighborhood here
House prices in the Netherlands fell by up to 6 percent during the first quarter of the year. Real estate agents attribute this decline to rising mortgage interest rates and global uncertainty caused ...