Netherlands News in English
Dutch national news translated to English. Politics, economy, housing, immigration, and more for expats and internationals.
Payment details and addresses not leaked in Booking.com hack
Booking.com has confirmed that a recent security breach exposed customer contact information, including email addresses and phone numbers, as well as certain booking data. The company stated that no f...
King's Day is coming: these are the new rules in Amsterdam
Mayor Halsema has introduced new regulations for King's Day in Amsterdam to manage overcrowding and illegal alcohol sales, including reinstating passenger limits on boats. Festivals on the city's outs...
Alleged arsonist at Castricum clinic falls through the cracks
A 30-year-old woman from IJmuiden is in custody for allegedly setting fire to her mattress at a healthcare facility in Castricum last August. The incident endangered both staff and fellow residents, a...
Long lines at Schiphol arrivals due to new digital border control
Long queues formed at Schiphol Airport on Monday for arriving passengers due to delays with the new European electronic entry system. The Royal Military Police reported that registering travelers in t...
First edition of VLOED festival in Zandvoort with free program
The first edition of the VLOED festival will take place in Zandvoort from May 14 to May 16, featuring a free program of art, music, and dance. The event opens daily with a performance by neo-fanfare 9...
Children can sign up for the children's council again: 'You learn new things'
The city of Amsterdam is recruiting new members for its children's council, which represents the voices of youth from every district in groups 7 and 8. Council members discuss topics such as outdoor p...
Relatives demand maximum sentence for matricide
Relatives of a 52-year-old woman murdered in Landsmeer have requested the maximum sentence for her son, Timothy B., during a trial at the Amsterdam District Court. The 33-year-old defendant is accused...
Less than half of the Dutch have an emergency kit at home
Currently, only 44 percent of Dutch households have an emergency kit at home. Justice and Security Minister David van Weel emphasized that more work is needed to improve preparedness among the populat...
US warns ships of imminent blockade
The United States military has issued a warning to seafarers regarding an upcoming maritime blockade in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Starting at 16:00 Dutch time, the blockade will apply to s...
Cyber expert: data breaches are never completely preventable
Cyber expert Gina Doekhie warns that data breaches, such as those recently impacting companies like Booking.com and Odido, cannot be entirely prevented. She explains that even with strong security, th...
Four people taken off ship in IJmuiden
Four stowaways were removed from a ship at the IJmuiden lock complex on Sunday afternoon. Authorities intervened to take the individuals off the vessel as it was positioned within the locks.
Cabinet considers lower road tax due to fuel prices
The Dutch cabinet is considering a temporary reduction in road tax to help motorists cope with high fuel prices during the current energy crisis. This proposal is one of several measures being discuss...
Cheers! This is how much a beer costs in Amsterdam on King's Day
On April 27th, Amsterdam expects between 700,000 and 900,000 visitors for King's Day celebrations. The article provides guidance on where attendees can find and purchase beer during the city's festivi...
Restored version of war film ‘The Girl with the Red Hair’ at Filmkoepel, preview exactly 81 years after execution of Hannie Schaft
A restored version of the war film 'The Girl with the Red Hair' will premiere at the Filmkoepel on April 17. The screening marks exactly 81 years since the execution of Dutch resistance fighter Hannie...
Flower parade in Haarlem on April 18 and 19
The Bloemencorso flower parade will take place in Haarlem on April 18 and 19, 2026, featuring illuminated floats and city-center displays. Several major roads and bus routes will be closed or diverted...
Amsterdam switches to a new way of collecting bulky waste (but it will take a while)
Amsterdam is transitioning to a new system where bulky waste is collected by appointment instead of on fixed days. This change will be implemented gradually over the coming years, and residents will r...
Sonja Barend's funeral to be held in private
The funeral of Dutch television icon Sonja Barend will be held in a private ceremony, following her death on Sunday at the age of 86. Broadcaster BNNVARA stated that the specific date and location of ...
House of Representatives to close due to staff strike, Senate remains in session
The Dutch House of Representatives is forced to clear its agenda on Tuesday due to striking civil servants, while the Senate will continue its scheduled debate on asylum laws. This unprecedented closu...
Homeowners face €6 billion shortfall for foundation repairs, watchdog sees growing problem
The Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) warns that nearly 500,000 homes in the Netherlands are at high risk of foundation issues, with 220,000 requiring immediate repair. Homeowners face a...
Yummy Corner brings warmth to Hoofddorp industrial estate: ‘It felt right immediately when I walked in’
Farah Aboulhadi and her 17-year-old daughter Amira have opened a new lunchroom called The Yummy Corner on an industrial estate in Hoofddorp. The duo aims to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere for...
Prosecution does not doubt truthfulness of Weski's 'initial reactions'
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) stated it does not doubt the truthfulness of statements made by former lawyer Inez Weski immediately following her April 2023 arrest. During her trial, prosec...
Guided tour of the Atlantic Wall bunkers in Wijk aan Zee
The association Rondje Wijk aan Zee will host its first guided tour of the season on April 26, featuring World War II bunkers along the Atlantic Wall. These defensive structures are part of a historic...
Council of Churches calls on Senate for humanity
The Dutch Council of Churches has called on the Senate to prioritize humanity during upcoming debates and votes on new asylum legislation. Representative Derk Stegeman expressed concern over the poten...
Yeşilgöz does not envision participation in Hormuz blockade
Dutch Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz has stated that the Netherlands is unlikely to participate in a U.S.-led blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. She argued that following President Donald Trump's pl...
Incapacitated workers sometimes wait over a year for UWV assessment
Waiting times for disability assessments by the Dutch employee insurance agency (UWV) have increased, with delays exceeding one year in some regions. A spokesperson for the agency confirmed that the c...
AFM urges consumers to build financial buffers against geopolitical uncertainty
The Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) has advised consumers and financial sector companies to build financial buffers to protect against economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensi...
Haarlem tower clock running five minutes slow in July 1896 delayed delivery of Opregte Haarlemsche Courant
In July 1896, the delivery of the Opregte Haarlemsche Courant was delayed because the central tower clock in Haarlem was running five minutes behind schedule. This incident highlighted the significant...
Roadworks in Haarlem: what to keep in mind this week (April 13 - April 20)
Haarlem is experiencing various roadworks and partial street closures from April 13 to April 20, affecting areas such as Kinderhuissingel and Parklaan. Motorists should expect disruptions in the city ...
Private funeral for Sonja Barend
The funeral of Dutch television icon Sonja Barend, who passed away on Saturday, will take place in a private ceremony. Broadcaster BNNVARA reported that the date and location of the service will not b...
'Dunes Tell War Stories' cycling tour in Zuid-Kennemerland National Park
National Park Zuid-Kennemerland is hosting a guided bicycle excursion this Wednesday focused on the history of the Atlantic Wall. Participants will explore various World War II remains, including bunk...