Netherlands News in English
Dutch national news translated to English. Politics, economy, housing, immigration, and more for expats and internationals.
A coffee with Daniël van Duijn (LEF): We want a rave island near Pampus
Daniël van Duijn, leader of the LEF party, is campaigning for the Amsterdam municipal elections with a platform focused on youth interests and unconventional urban projects. His key proposals include...
Honoring Haarlem's top athletes
On February 16, 2026, the city of Haarlem honored its top athletes at a sports gala where rower Roos de Jong and karateka Sebastiaan van Teeffelen were named sportswoman and sportsman of the year. The...
Speeding on IJmuiderstraatweg, cut-through traffic on Velserduinplein, confusing intersection at Orionweg: road safety in Velsen has a long way to go
A recent serious car accident in Velserbroek has drawn attention to broader traffic safety concerns throughout the municipality of Velsen. Residents and local reports highlight several hazardous locat...
First test for Jetten: the CV of his own candidate Nathalie van Berkel
Nathalie van Berkel, the nominee for State Secretary for Finance in the Netherlands, is facing scrutiny after it was revealed she misrepresented her educational background by suggesting she completed ...
Mr. Naafs visited the pond liner party and now fears an STI: Doctor Rutger is baffled
Mr. Naafs sought medical advice from Doctor Rutger after attending a "pond liner party," fearing he had contracted a sexually transmitted infection. However, the doctor found that the patient's primar...
Housing market, waste and safety play major role for municipal election panel members
A survey of over 2,100 Amsterdam residents reveals that the housing shortage, waste management, and public safety are the primary concerns for voters ahead of the upcoming municipal elections. While 9...
Welding robot becomes new colleague at regional shipyards: ‘Skilled workers for difficult jobs’
Neptune Marine in Hardinxveld-Giessendam is introducing advanced welding robots to address a critical shortage of skilled labor in the Dutch shipbuilding industry. These smart machines are designed to...
This macabre Haarlem masterpiece hung in Jeffrey Epstein's home: "He didn't understand the message"
Recently released documents reveal that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein commissioned a large-scale replica of Cornelis van Haarlem’s 1591 masterpiece, "Massacre of the Innocents," to hang abo...
Boekhandel De Duif in North also offers meetups for knitting enthusiasts
Bibi Scholten van Aschat opened De Duif, a community-focused bookstore in Amsterdam-Noord, which has become a local hub since its launch in December. Funded partly through crowdfunding, the shop offer...
He received a 10 from Mara Grimm, but where does Choux chef Merijn van Berlo like to eat?
Merijn van Berlo, the acclaimed chef of Amsterdam restaurant Choux, has shared his personal list of favorite dining spots and specific dishes across the city. His recommendations range from casual sta...
Danh Vo is a collector, scavenger and tinkerer – the Stedelijk now displays his montages of historical fragments
The Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam is hosting an exhibition by Vietnamese-Danish artist Danh Vo, titled πνεῦμα (Ἔλισσα), which features assemblages of historical and personal artifacts. T...
A coffee with Patrick van Bronswijk (The Voice of Amsterdam): I'm really not doing it for fun
Patrick van Bronswijk, the lead candidate for the new party "De Stem van Amsterdam," is running in the city's municipal elections to address urgent concerns regarding safety, waste management, and exc...
Search for creator of thrift store paintings: "Incredibly beautiful"
Art enthusiast Erwin Kanik is seeking the identity of a mysterious painter signed "De Boer" after discovering thirty colorful artworks at a thrift store in Heemstede. He has appealed to the public via...
Pauline was back on the street after three weeks: 'I supposedly didn't pass onboarding'
Pauline, a 56-year-old employee, was dismissed from her new job after only three weeks despite initially passing the application process and assignments with high marks. Her employer claimed she faile...
Did you see those VVD billboards along the highway? That’s exactly where this cabinet’s Achilles’ heel lies
The VVD is prioritizing a distinct party identity through high-profile billboard campaigns to avoid the pitfalls of the previous Rutte IV administration. This focus on individual party recognition pos...
‘Hi!’ At the Munich Security Conference, NATO chief Rutte is now an absolute heavyweight on his birthday
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has established himself as a political heavyweight at the Munich Security Conference, where he maintains his characteristic friendly and calm demeanor despite high ge...
'Sinatra' returns to Concertgebouw after nearly 50 years: "You can't tell the difference"
Frank Sinatra impersonator "Frank in Person" will perform with nearly 100 student musicians at Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw on February 28, marking nearly 50 years since the original artist appeared at...
Coffee with Kok Chan (NLPlan): "I see no Asian council members to represent the community"
Kok Chan, leader of the NLPlan party, is campaigning for the Amsterdam city council to address a lack of representation for the Chinese and Asian communities. His primary platform is a "youth master p...
Zandvoort once again the setting for Ticking Clock challenge: registration opens today
Circuit Zandvoort will host the "Tikkende Klok-challenge" on September 6, a fundraising event where participants run or walk laps to support research into the hereditary heart muscle disease PLN. Regi...
Car drives off bridge into water, driver hospitalized
A driver was hospitalized after crashing through a bridge railing on the N200 near Halfweg and landing in the water around 4:00 AM. The driver managed to escape the vehicle and swim to shore, where a ...
Macarons from these two shops are equally delicious: ‘Nice and chewy and the flavor matches the colors’
In a blind taste test of eight supermarket brands, three pastry chefs identified two retailers that offer high-quality macarons with a desirable chewy texture and accurate flavors. The review, conduct...
No injuries in major fire involving five cars next to Uithoorn apartment building
Five parked cars were destroyed in a fire near an apartment building in Uithoorn early Sunday morning. No injuries were reported, and emergency services confirmed that residents were not in danger dur...
At Franzen, Mara Grimm deeply regrets not ordering the côte de boeuf (8)
Chef Jesse Franzen has opened a new "casual chic" restaurant called Franzen in Amsterdam’s Oud-Zuid neighborhood, specializing in classic French cuisine and high-quality grilled meats. Reviewer Mara...
First Dates bartender Jeremy Zijlstra’s (46) Amsterdam: ‘There is always something new to discover’
Jeremy Zijlstra, a 46-year-old bartender known for the television show *First Dates*, shares his favorite locations and personal history across various neighborhoods in his hometown of Amsterdam. He h...
Cabinet plan consequences: Unemployed to receive up to 900 euros less per month
Calculations by labor unions FNV and CNV indicate that unemployed individuals in the Netherlands could receive up to 900 euros per month less under the new cabinet's proposed plans. This significant r...
Actor Bas Hoeflaak: ‘I suffer from restless legs’
Dutch actor Bas Hoeflaak discussed his personal life and health in a recent interview with Mezza magazine, revealing that he suffers from restless legs. He shared his routines for relaxation and maint...
This trash can – designed for deposit hunters – aims to keep the streets clean
The Amsterdam municipality is testing a new waste bin design featuring magnetic, self-closing doors to allow "deposit hunters" to easily search for recyclable bottles without damaging the containers. ...
Schoof happy to step out of spotlight after year and a half: 'I won't miss the massive attention'
After his final cabinet meeting, outgoing Prime Minister Dick Schoof reflected on his 1.5-year term, stating he is proud of his tenure but glad to leave the intense public spotlight. Schoof advised hi...
Three skiers killed in avalanche at French resort Val-d’Isère
Three skiers were killed on Friday following an avalanche in the French resort of Val-d’Isère. Local rescue services have issued warnings of high avalanche risks as the spring holiday season begins...
The two faces of Lidewij de Vos
Ahead of the upcoming municipal elections and the installation of a new Dutch cabinet, Forum voor Democratie party leader Lidewij de Vos has denounced the scrutiny of her party's local candidates as "...