Netherlands News in English
Dutch national news translated to English. Politics, economy, housing, immigration, and more for expats and internationals.
Ministers see no need for 15 percent pay rise: 'I definitely earn enough'
Ministers in the outgoing Schoof cabinet have rejected a proposal to increase their salaries by 15 percent, stating that their current compensation is already sufficient. Although an advisory report s...
After 30 years of marriage, Cor (77) dove into dating 15 years ago: ‘A revelation’
After a thirty-year marriage, 77-year-old Cor turned to online dating fifteen years ago to find a new partner. He has since become a frequent user and a pioneer for his generation, as research shows m...
Major police operation at holiday park in Vijfhuizen: three arrests
Police arrested three suspects and seized drugs, cash, and ammunition during a raid on five homes at a holiday park in Vijfhuizen on February 8. The operation was part of a long-term investigation int...
Suddenly, ‘no-frills’ discounter Aldi has the wind in its sails: how is that possible?
Aldi is experiencing a significant business recovery after several years of financial setbacks and declining performance. The discount supermarket's turnaround is largely attributed to its consistent ...
Schiphol expects more travelers, pre-pandemic numbers in sight
Schiphol Airport expects passenger numbers to continue growing this year, nearing levels seen before the pandemic. The airport projects that between 68 million and 72 million travelers will pass throu...
Advice to new cabinet: Raise politicians' pay by up to 18 percent
A new advisory report recommends increasing the salaries of Dutch politicians by up to 18 percent over the next three years. Under the proposal, ministers would receive a 15 percent raise, while alder...
No-frills formation: suddenly there’s a 27 billion gap and Bontenbal strikes up that Willeke Alberti song
Informateur Rianne Letschert facilitated the formation of a minority government between the D66, VVD, and CDA parties despite a sudden €27 billion budget deficit. The process required multiple inter...
Alderman postpones final decision on cruise ships: Bridges come first
Amsterdam Alderman Hester van Buren has postponed a final decision on banning sea cruises from the city, prioritizing the construction of bridges over the IJ over the current location of the Passenger...
Dream trip to Cape Verde turns into medical hell: ‘I was in a ward where everyone was vomiting’
Henk de Regt’s ten-day all-inclusive vacation on the Cape Verdean island of Boa Vista turned into a medical ordeal when he fell severely ill. He described a traumatic experience on a hospital ward f...
Relief in Zandvoort: iconic clock restored and ticking again
The iconic station clock on Sophiaweg in Zandvoort has been replaced and is functioning again after a public poll showed that 80% of residents wanted to save the landmark from removal. The municipalit...
Grand’Italia, which brought Italian cuisine to the Netherlands, could soon be in French hands
The pasta sauce brand Grand’Italia may soon be acquired by the French company Pimente Investissement, a subsidiary of the investor CVC. Current owner GBfoods Europe confirmed it is in advanced negot...
Big five of virus infections sweeping through the Netherlands: ‘Without caution, it's a recipe for trouble’
The Netherlands is facing a significant surge in viral infections, including a major flu wave that is currently straining hospital resources. Virologists warn that a decline in public vigilance is exa...
Everyone turning 60 to receive shingles vaccine invitation from next year
Starting next year, individuals in the Netherlands turning 60 will receive an invitation for a shingles vaccination. Outgoing State Secretary Judith Tielen limited the program to this specific age gro...
Criticism of fat bike ban plans: Certain group of young people being sidelined
Amsterdam city council members from the GroenLinks and PvdA parties have criticized a proposed ban on fatbikes in crowded areas like the Vondelpark, citing concerns over the potential stigmatization o...
A coffee with Chris de Ploeg (De Vonk): 'Amsterdam is becoming unaffordable for more and more people'
Chris de Ploeg, the lead candidate for the political party De Vonk, outlined his party's platform for the Amsterdam municipal elections, focusing on making the city more affordable for low-income resi...
Breakthrough in fight against flu virus: new nasal spray prevents illness
Scientists in Leiden have developed a breakthrough nasal spray that aims to prevent individuals from contracting the flu virus. This invention could significantly transform the fight against influenza...
Politics on the Amstel: Campaign derails during AT5 recordings and Halsema makes podcast debut
In the latest episode of the "Politiek aan de Amstel" podcast, journalists from AT5, Het Parool, and De Telegraaf discuss the effectiveness of boycotting the Forum voor Democratie party and the closur...
After a century, Gudde family quits herring trade: 'Rejected six times for a larger stall'
After four generations and nearly a century in the trade, the Gudde family is closing their Amsterdam herring stall as 69-year-old Lucien Gudde retires. The business will not be passed down to his son...
Power grid in three provinces reaching capacity, connection freeze looms
Grid operator TenneT announced on Thursday that the high-voltage power grid in the Dutch provinces of Utrecht, Gelderland, and Flevoland has reached its capacity limits. Consequently, the operator war...
Raymond (52) was addicted to chemsex for years: ‘Going until Monday morning and then back to work’
Raymond Brugman, 52, has shared his experience of overcoming a severe addiction to "chemsex," which involved using hard drugs to engage in sexual activity for days at a time. After being clean for six...
Snoop Dogg to perform at the Melkweg in two weeks
American rapper Snoop Dogg will perform an intimate concert at the Melkweg in Amsterdam on February 26th, returning to the 1,250-capacity venue for the first time in 14 years. The artist is currently ...
No more raspberries and blueberries at Albert Heijn: ‘Extreme weather will hit all of Europe’
Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn is experiencing a shortage of fresh raspberries and blueberries due to extreme weather conditions in Spain and Morocco. The retailer has placed signs in stores inf...
A walk past 10 iconic Ajax locations in Amsterdam
This article outlines a walking tour of iconic locations in Amsterdam that have played a central role in the history of the football club AFC Ajax. It highlights significant sites such as Café Oost-I...
Laboratories find much more asbestos in toys, including in 'magic' play sand
Dutch laboratories have detected asbestos in at least 25 samples of play sand, including popular "magic" sand products. Despite these findings, no official safety recalls have been issued yet to remov...
Hendrik Groen steps out of anonymity and writes Book Week gift
Author Peter de Smet, known by the pseudonym Hendrik Groen, has stepped out of anonymity to write the gift book *Piaggio* for the 91st Boekenweek, taking place from March 11 to 22. Journalist Doortje ...
Heineken in a bind: beer prices rise but consumers refuse to pay more
Heineken is facing a crisis as rising beer prices meet strong resistance from both supermarkets and consumers, particularly in the European market. The brewer is struggling with declining performance ...
Name of new gymnastics hall announced: Turnhuis Haarlem
The new gymnastics hall in Haarlem-Noord has been officially named "Turnhuis Haarlem" following a public vote where the name received nearly 40 percent of the ballots. The facility is scheduled for co...
De Jong out in Rotterdam despite strong performance
Dutch tennis player Jesper de Jong was eliminated in the first round of the ATP tournament in Rotterdam after a narrow defeat to fifth-seeded Karen Khachanov. Despite winning the opening set and putti...
Officials: Ending sea cruises could jeopardize funding for bridge over the IJ
Amsterdam officials have warned that banning sea cruises by 2035 and canceling a new terminal could jeopardize state funding for major projects, including bridges over the IJ and new housing developme...
New gymnastics hall named Turnhuis Haarlem
The new gymnastics hall in Haarlem-Noord has been officially named "Turnhuis Haarlem" following a public voting process among residents and athletes. Revealed by Sports Councilor Eva de Raadt and gymn...