Netherlands News in English
Dutch national news translated to English. Politics, economy, housing, immigration, and more for expats and internationals.
Line 25 tram derails in Amsterdam-East, multiple lines diverted
A line 25 tram derailed near Muiderpoortstation in Amsterdam-East around noon, causing no injuries but leading to significant transport disruptions. Tram lines 7, 14, 19, and 25 are currently diverted...
Assen art heist suspect made no deal and denies presence at robbery
Bernhard Z., a 35-year-old lead suspect in the Drents Museum art heist, has denied involvement in the robbery and refused to strike a deal with the Public Prosecutor. He maintains that he was not amon...
Construction of Port of IJmuiden business park to start in August, residents consulted on relocation of historic stairs
Construction of the IJmuider Delta business park, featuring 31 business units in the IJmuiden port area, is scheduled to begin in mid-August. Local residents are being consulted regarding the relocati...
Not all suspects in Assen art heist reached deal with prosecution
Bernard Z., a 35-year-old suspect in the January 2023 art heist at the Drents Museum in Assen, has not reached a plea deal with prosecutors. He is scheduled to stand trial next week for his alleged in...
Sonja (66) from Hoofddorp lives with Parkinson's: 'Parkinson's can ride in the back seat, but the disease must not get behind the wheel'
In honor of World Parkinson's Day, Spaarne Gasthuis released a video featuring patients like 66-year-old Sonja Snijder from Hoofddorp sharing their experiences with the disease. Snijder describes the ...
New Mariënheuvel residential care center nearly ready for opening in Heemstede
The new Mariënheuvel residential care center in Heemstede is nearing completion and is almost ready to open its doors. Although minor finishing touches are still being finalized, the facility on the ...
150 years of IJmuiden in photos and postcards: What happened to Bonanzastraatje and the Zeeweg Hospital?
The Historical Circle Velsen is publishing a special magazine edition featuring historic photos and postcards to commemorate the 150th anniversary of IJmuiden. The collection highlights the area's his...
Surgeon Thomas (53) refuses to operate while tired: ‘It feels like a disgrace to back out’
Thomas, a 53-year-old surgeon, expressed concerns about the potential for surgical errors caused by exhaustion from working excessive and irresponsible hours. He discussed the physical and mental toll...
Weight loss drugs force food industry toward smaller portions and high protein
The rise of weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy is influencing consumer shopping habits by significantly reducing appetite. In response, the food industry in the Netherlands is beginning t...
Haarlem citizens to have say on PRO, D66 and CDA coalition agreement: ‘We will create new stories together’
Residents and organizations in Haarlem are being invited to provide input on the new coalition agreement between the PRO, D66, and CDA parties. This initiative, announced by party leaders Jasper Drost...
Explosion at restaurant in Geuzenveld
An explosion occurred at a restaurant on Burgemeester de Vlugtlaan in Amsterdam's Slotermeer neighborhood around 1:00 AM. The blast caused damage to the building and a small fire, but no injuries were...
Robert Vinkenborg reconstructs war history of friend from Hoorn: Hidden past, hidden love
Robert Vinkenborg's new book explores the wartime history of a 19-year-old boy in Amsterdam who fell in love with a Jewish woman in hiding during WWII. The narrative, based on personal letters, follow...
Crisis or not, garden centers are thriving: ‘The start is like Skirt Day—as if everyone agreed to get to work’
Despite high inflation, garden centers and hardware stores in the Netherlands are seeing a surge in customers as the first signs of spring appear. The industry remains resilient, with millions of cons...
Minister Vijlbrief warns: State pension plan is gone for now, but the problem remains
Minister Hans Vijlbrief has invited labor unions to discuss the future of the Dutch social security system after the government's controversial AOW plan was put on hold. He warned that interventions r...
How to be the first to read indebuurt Haarlem articles
The local news platform indebuurt Haarlem is encouraging readers to enable push notifications on its mobile app to receive the latest updates immediately. The site provides instructions on how to conf...
Large majority wants municipality to rescue bankrupt TommyTomato: 'Otherwise parents will fall back on chocolate spread sandwiches'
A majority of survey respondents are calling for government intervention to save TommyTomato, a provider of healthy school lunches that recently went bankrupt. Supporters argue the service is essentia...
Five reasons why Telstar stays in the Eredivisie (and one why the White Lions might still be relegated)
Telstar has five matches remaining to secure its position in the Eredivisie for the first time since the 1977-1978 season. The article outlines five reasons why the Velsen-based team is likely to avoi...
Kostverloren garden association welcomes nature but must make way for encroaching city
Tuinvereniging Kostverloren, located along the Amstel river near Amsterdam, promotes biodiversity through pesticide-free gardening and the cultivation of native plant species. While the area serves as...
Proud garden owners showcase their green paradises during Open Gardens evening: ‘Also an incentive to get things done’
Garden owners in Akersloot and Uitgeest opened their private gardens to the public on Friday evening for the "Open Tuinen-avond" event. Local gardening enthusiasts visited the various displays to shar...
Roxane van Iperen concerned about Big Tech: The business model of major tech platforms is not intended to improve our lives
Author Roxane van Iperen has written the essay 'Ik zie wat ik geloof' for the Month of Philosophy, focusing on the influence of Big Tech on society. She argues that the business models of major tech p...
Ombudsman critical of plan to cut welfare benefits
Dutch National Ombudsman Reinier van Zutphen has criticized the cabinet's proposal to reduce spending on social assistance benefits. Van Zutphen expressed his concerns in a formal letter to Minister T...
Former Ajax player Perr Schuurs opens up about dark thoughts during nightmare recovery: 'I hoped I wouldn't wake up anymore'
Former Ajax defender Perr Schuurs has opened up about the severe mental health struggles and dark thoughts he experienced during a grueling two-and-a-half-year rehabilitation from a serious injury. Th...
High diesel prices hit major sectors: 'Additional costs of 800,000 to 900,000 euros'
High diesel prices are causing significant financial concern for companies in the transport, logistics, construction, and agricultural sectors. These businesses fear that the rising costs, which can r...
Mystery: why is there a giant statue of a leg here in East?
A giant statue of a leg located on Polderweg in Amsterdam-Oost has sparked curiosity among local residents and commuters. The massive artwork is a visible landmark for those traveling near Muiderpoort...
Ton Witkamp not angry after assault by group of youths: "I want to have a conversation"
Ton Witkamp was assaulted by a group of approximately fifteen youths in Haarlem on Easter Monday after he confronted one of them for touching his car mirror. Despite suffering injuries including a con...
Waiting? Working! Twelve permit holders from across the country get help finding work in West-Friesland
Twelve status holders with healthcare backgrounds from asylum centers across the Netherlands are participating in a pilot program to find employment in West-Friesland. The initiative provides language...
World's largest gasoline port has more gasoline than the Netherlands needs despite oil crisis
Amsterdam remains the world's largest gasoline port and currently holds more fuel than the Netherlands requires, despite the ongoing global oil crisis. While gasoline supplies remain stable and contin...
Length rules must apply to all vessels, including maritime heritage
This weekly proposition invites public feedback on whether maritime length regulations should apply to all vessels, including historical 'sailing heritage' ships. The debate focuses on whether these t...
Future for Kwantum and Leen Bakker: new CEO Linda Keijzer does not want to close any more stores
Linda Keijzer, the new CEO of Leen Bakker and Kwantum, announced that no more store locations will be closed in the short term. The companies' new owner intends to invest in both retail chains for the...
LIVE Eredivisie | FC Utrecht in race for play-off spot against relegation candidate Telstar
FC Utrecht faces Telstar at the Galgenwaard stadium today as they continue their bid for a European football play-off spot. Despite a recent loss to PSV, manager Ron Jans' team remains in contention a...