Netherlands News in English

Alderman pushes through Brasapark sports field plan despite local opposition

Amsterdam Alderman Sofyan Mbarki has confirmed the development of new sports fields in Brasapark to address a lack of athletic facilities in the Zuidoost district. Despite local opposition over potent...

Gambling company receives record €25 million fine in the Netherlands

The Netherlands Gambling Authority (Ksa) has imposed a record-breaking fine of nearly 25 million euros on the operator of the gambling website Kaasino for offering illegal services. This penalty repre...

March 18, 2026 elections: who can you vote for?

Voters can head to the polls on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, for the upcoming elections. Candidate lists are now available for review to help citizens decide on their choice.

New development Nieuw-Vennep West: 4,580 homes, schools, sports and green spaces on the way

The municipality of Haarlemmermeer, the Dutch government, and regional partners have finalized plans to build 4,580 homes in Nieuw-Vennep West. The development project, which includes schools and spor...

Slachtoffer verkrachting 1994: jij zou mij niet klein krijgen

A victim of a 1994 violent rape in Nijmegen addressed the suspect, 60-year-old Angelo L., during a court hearing in Arnhem on Tuesday. The suspect, who is from Heerlen, claimed in court that he has no...

More senior housing under construction, but not nearly enough to solve shortage

Amsterdam built 480 elderly homes last year, nearly reaching its annual target of 500, though local officials estimate that 1,239 homes are actually required annually to resolve the shortage. The init...

Rapper Ye adds second GelreDome concert weeks after ticket rush

Rapper Ye has announced a second concert at the GelreDome on June 8, following the rapid sell-out of his first show scheduled for June 6. Concert organizer J. Noah Live confirmed the additional date d...

Health Council: COVID vaccine age limit can be raised from 60 to 70

The Health Council of the Netherlands recommends increasing the age limit for the annual COVID-19 booster vaccination from 60 to 70 years. People in their 60s will no longer be automatically eligible ...

Is there a future for Circus Hakim now that new development leaves no room for the theater? 'I want to keep telling the story'

Circus Hakim, a theater run by Hakim Tra0dia in Haarlem, faces an uncertain future due to large-scale redevelopment plans at its current location. After twelve years at the former Lieven de Keyschool,...

Anneke Terra and Sander Visser blend political colors: 'But Uitgeest remains Uitgeest. The residents make the village'

The political parties PvdA and GroenLinks in Uitgeest have merged following a collaboration initiated nine months ago by Anneke Terra and Sander Visser. The leaders expressed that while the parties ar...

From housing and a new pool to status holders: six election themes in Castricum listed

On March 18, the Netherlands will hold municipal elections. In Castricum, key campaign topics include housing, a new swimming pool, and the accommodation of status holders.

Diederik Slob gives lecture with tips for a more animal-friendly garden in Zuidervermaning Westzaan

Biologist and garden enthusiast Diederik Slob will give a lecture on March 12 at the Zuidervermaning in Westzaan. The presentation, which begins at 8:15 PM, will offer practical tips on making gardens...

Inmate dies after fire in single cell at Dordrecht prison

A prisoner has died following a fire in a single cell at the correctional facility in Dordrecht. The Judicial Institutions Service confirmed the incident after it was initially reported by regional me...

Fake pharmacist from Haarlem arrested for stealing heavy painkillers

A woman from Haarlem was arrested for posing as a pharmacy worker to steal oxycodone from elderly residents by claiming their medication was contaminated. The suspect carried out the scam at least six...

A look inside Velsen's democratic process: ‘They make policy, but how do they know what’s going on?’

Residents of the Velsen municipality visited the town hall in IJmuiden to participate in the "Guest of the Council" program. The initiative aims to provide citizens with insight into how local governm...

Dennis and Laura earned much more, but now they must pay back more than 5,000 euros

Entrepreneurs Dennis and Laura earned significantly more than expected in 2025, resulting in a repayment requirement of over 5,000 euros. Their increased income from lifestyle coaching and constructio...

Registration opens for ten-week pregnancy course from GGD Zaanstreek-Waterland region

GGD Zaanstreek-Waterland has opened registration for a 10-week pregnancy course titled 'Relaxed pregnancy and prepared childbirth' for residents in the Zaanstreek and Edam-Volendam regions. The progra...

Amsterdam tenants report increasingly extreme security deposits of up to €8,600

Role swap at ChristenUnie: Yvonne Buit becomes Provincial Council member and Michel Klein duo-committee member

Michel Klein is stepping down as the leader of the ChristenUnie faction in the North Holland Provincial Council after eleven years. He will swap roles with Yvonne Buit, who currently serves as a duo-c...

Large fire on Willem de Zwijgerlaan in Amsterdam-West extinguished

Large fire on roof of houses on Willem de Zwijgerlaan, many fire engines present

A large fire broke out on the roof of an apartment building on Willem de Zwijgerlaan in Amsterdam on Monday morning. Numerous fire trucks responded to the scene after reports began coming in around 9:...

Michiel Huisman lands detective role in American series

Dutch actor Michiel Huisman has been cast as a detective in the upcoming NBC series 'What the Dead Know.' He will star alongside 'Orange Is the New Black' actress Taylor Schilling in the American prod...

More and more people starting cooking or baking services from their own kitchens

Inspired by social media and television shows like Heel Holland Bakt, an increasing number of people are starting food businesses from their home kitchens. However, authorities warn that 90% of these ...

Uitgeest Tolpad nearly finished, Heemskerk section must wait until 2028

The construction of a safer Tolpad connecting Uitgeest and Heemskerk is nearing completion, with the new bicycle path finished and the footpath expected to be ready within days. While the Uitgeest por...

These are the top amateur football scorers from the Haarlem region

This article provides an overview of the leading goalscorers in amateur football within the Haarlem region. It highlights the top-performing players currently active in local regional competitions.

Top layer benefits most from mega-profits: ‘A trick to earn even more’

Fewer employees in the Netherlands are participating in company share programs, which could have served as a valuable pension supplement. This trend is driven by decreasing incentives, resulting in on...

Toos & Henk - March 10

Cartoonist Paul Kusters shares his unique perspective on current events through his 'Toos & Henk' comic strips. The illustrations are published daily from Monday to Saturday.

60-year-old driver arrested for DUI after collision and attempt to flee in Leiden [update]

A 60-year-old man from Heemstede was arrested in Leiden on Tuesday morning after crashing his car into a lamp post while under the influence. The driver attempted to flee the scene following the colli...

Situation at metro stations during Ajax-Benfica uncontrollable and unsafe according to GVB staff

GVB employees reported that the situation at Amsterdam metro stations during high-risk football matches, such as Ajax against Benfica, was unsafe and uncontrollable due to extreme overcrowding. Intern...

Rembrandt thought marksman Frans Banninck Cocq was a ‘scoundrel’ and a ‘prick’