Netherlands News in English
Netherlands news in English — Dutch national headlines covering politics, housing, immigration, the economy, transport and daily life, translated and updated throughout the day for the international community.
Stefan de Walle steps down as Sinterklaas in Sinterklaasjournaal after fifteen years
Actor Stefan de Walle is stepping down from his role as Sinterklaas in the popular Dutch program Het Sinterklaasjournaal after fifteen years. A successor will be revealed during the program on Novembe...
Operation Fur: Council backs alderman in fight against slumlords, but criticizes results
Amsterdam alderman Zita Pels has committed to auditing 20,000 homes to tackle housing exploitation, though council members are skeptical about the plan's feasibility due to budget cuts and past enforc...
Operation Fur: Council backs alderman in fight against slumlords, but criticizes results
Amsterdam Alderman Zita Pels has launched an ambitious initiative to inspect 20,000 rental properties, aiming to curb high costs and slumlord behavior. While the city council supports the goal, member...
Man in yellow top sought for shooting in Lijnden
Police are seeking a suspect following a robbery and shooting that occurred in Lijnden on July 28. Authorities released footage of the man, described as being around 25 years old, who fled the scene i...
'Secret' draft budget revealed: different Box 3 plan, baby bonus, and cheaper flowers after all
A leaked draft budget from Finance Minister Eelco Heinen revealed plans to secure opposition support through tax concessions, a baby bonus, and lower VAT for flowers. The proposal was ultimately rejec...
'Dating app for books' a big success: 50,000 swipes in first weekend
Hebban has launched a dating-app-style feature for book recommendations that generated 50,000 swipes in its first weekend. This initiative is part of a wider effort by the CPNB to improve declining li...
US interest rates almost certain to rise, and we will feel it immediately in the Netherlands
The U.S. Federal Reserve faces pressure regarding a potential interest rate hike, with concerns over political backlash and financial market stability. Any decision made by the central bank is expecte...
How a railway strike led to the Hunger Winter
On September 17, 1944, approximately 30,000 Dutch railway employees went on strike and went into hiding to resist the German occupation. This action triggered a chain reaction that eventually led to t...
New books with 'revelations' about Princess Diana stolen in the Netherlands
Four copies of a new book about Princess Diana authored by her brother, Charles Spencer, were stolen from a truck in the Netherlands during a driver's rest stop. Publishers have implemented strict mea...
Suspension for nitrous oxide and victim of violent robbery: Ajax signing Bissouma has a turbulent past
Ajax has signed experienced midfielder Yves Bissouma, who arrives with a record of 202 Premier League appearances. His transfer follows a turbulent career marked by disciplinary suspensions, legal iss...
Special unit called to incident in Rivierenbuurt, shots possibly heard
Police and the Special Intervention Service (DSI) were deployed to the Trompenburgstraat in Amsterdam's Rivierenbuurt following reports of loud noises and possible gunfire. While witnesses suggested t...
Living more comfortably by making monumental homes sustainable
Residents in Haarlem have successfully transformed their 1922 monumental home into a sustainable, gas-free residence using biobased insulation and a ground-source heat pump. The six-month renovation p...
Unveiling of 5 murals in Oost and Delftwijk
Five new murals featuring themes suggested by residents are being installed across the Haarlem districts of Oost and Delftwijk. Funded by the city council and supported by Elan Wonen, the artworks wil...
Nijkerk company loses case: ban on Israeli products remains
A Dutch court has upheld a ban on the import and sale of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements, rejecting a challenge from the Nijkerk-based Israel Products Center. The court determined that t...
From disputes with realtors to millions of visitors: how Funda became indispensable in the housing market
Funda is implementing controversial and expensive new presentation packages despite criticism from real estate agents. The housing platform maintains its dominant position in the Dutch market, leaving...
Read here the questions readers had about the Budget Memorandum, such as: Will I be punished if I don't drive an electric car?
Dutch journalists held a live Q&A session to address public inquiries regarding the 2026 Budget Memorandum. Topics ranged from economic policy and healthcare premiums to future changes in disability b...
LIVE Q&A: How difficult is it for The Hague to focus on what unites the parties?
Journalists from the AD hosted a live Q&A session on September 16, 2026, to explain the implications of the annual Dutch government budget proposal. The discussion covered a variety of public concerns...
Country music is hard to sell in the Netherlands, but Ella Langley is lending a hand
Country singer Ella Langley is finding success in the Netherlands with her hit single Choosin' Texas, helping to revitalize the genre's popularity in the region. Music experts attribute her appeal to ...
Inspectorate to reduce taxi inspections next year due to budget cuts
The Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) will reduce oversight in several areas, including the taxi industry, due to budget cuts and rising operational costs. The agency is shiftin...
Weekend tips: things to do in Amsterdam from September 18 to 20
From September 18 to 20, Amsterdam hosts a variety of events including the final TAPT Festival, classical music performances at Amstelveld, and the Dam tot Damloop running race. Residents can also enj...
Mayors in letter to cabinet: medicine for crack addicts is needed
The mayors of four major Dutch cities have appealed to the national cabinet for funding and permission to research medical treatments for crack addiction. They argue that rising numbers of homeless an...
Mayors in letter to cabinet: medicine for crack addicts is needed
The mayors of four major Dutch cities have sent a joint letter to the cabinet requesting urgent support to tackle the escalating crisis of homelessness and crack addiction. They are seeking authorizat...
Dutch petrol price hits record high after drone attack in Saudi Arabia
Petrol prices in the Netherlands have hit a record high of 2.726 euros per liter due to a drone attack on a critical Saudi Arabian oil pipeline. The resulting supply chain disruption, coupled with bro...
EU wants social media ban for children under thirteen
The European Union has introduced the Kids Act to regulate social media access for minors, proposing a total ban for children under thirteen. Adolescents aged thirteen to fifteen would require parenta...
Opposition critical, unions angry: how will the cabinet secure a majority for the budget?
The Dutch minority government, led by Prime Minister Rob Jetten, is facing significant difficulty gaining opposition support for its budget during the General Political Deliberations. Political partie...
COA wants to extend asylum seeker boat in Westelijk Havengebied again, alderman hesitant
The COA has requested a fifth extension for the MS Galaxy asylum seeker ship in Amsterdam, which was originally intended as a temporary emergency shelter. Alderman Zita Pels is evaluating the request ...
COA wants to extend asylum seeker boat in Western Docklands, alderman doubtful
The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers has requested an extension for the emergency shelter ship MS Galaxy in Amsterdam. City officials remain hesitant to grant this fifth extension du...
Ajax signs midfielder Yves Bissouma: ‘He knows what it takes at the highest level’
Ajax has signed experienced Malian midfielder Yves Bissouma on a contract running through the end of the season. The 30-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur player joins the club to provide versatility a...
Man in Haarlem seriously injured, Castricum man arrested
A man was seriously injured during an assault on Ierlandstraat in Haarlem on yesterday evening. Police have arrested a 32-year-old man from Castricum in connection with the incident, which is believed...
Hofman, Versteegh and Van Groningen nominated for Televizier-Ring Presenter
Tim Hofman, Jan Versteegh, and Hélène van Groningen have been named as the nominees for this year's Televizier-Ring Presenter award. The winners will be announced at the 61st Gouden Televizier-Ring ...