Netherlands News in English
Dutch national news translated to English. Politics, economy, housing, immigration, and more for expats and internationals.
Calls for lower speed limits after increase in road deaths
Following an increase in traffic fatalities, Veilig Verkeer Nederland (VVN) is advocating for lower speed limits to improve road safety. The organization highlights speed as a major risk factor and a ...
More Amsterdam canteens offering healthier and more sustainable food
Canteens in hospitals, schools, and offices across Amsterdam are increasingly offering healthier and more sustainable food options. This transition affects tens of thousands of residents who eat in th...
RCH-Pinguins drops down a level to focus on youth: 'Ensuring the decline does not continue'
The Heemstede-based baseball and softball club RCH-Pinguins has voluntarily moved to a lower league to focus on its youth development program. Chairman Fokke Dijkstra stated that the club's primary go...
On this day in 1980, Ajax played for a spot in the European Cup final but were defeated by a surprise opponent
On April 9, 1980, Ajax faced Nottingham Forest in the first leg of the Europa Cup 1 semi-finals at the City Ground. Despite competing for a place in the final, the Amsterdam-based club was ultimately ...
Taking a Biro on the ferry? Forget it: Amsterdam issues fines and here is how much they cost
Amsterdam has begun issuing fines to drivers of Biro mini-cars who attempt to use the ferry across the IJ, where they are now prohibited. Authorities are actively enforcing the ban to ensure complianc...
Political satire eerily relevant: 'How do we make sure everything completely explodes?'
Joeri Heegstra and Max Wind's satirical play 'Operation Hellfire' has gained unexpected relevance since it was written two years ago. The production explores a hypothetical scenario where the United S...
Major traffic disruption in Amsterdam North until Monday April 27
Significant traffic disruptions are expected in Amsterdam-Noord from April 12 until April 27 due to construction. The entry and exit ramps of the A10 North highway serving Amsterdam-Noord, Amsterdam-C...
Ton (56) brutally beaten in Snapchat 'jumping' trend: 'Like being attacked by a pack of hyenas'
Ton Witkamp, 56, was severely assaulted by a group of youths in Haarlem on Easter Monday. Police are investigating whether the attack is linked to "jumpen," a violent Snapchat trend where random victi...
Consumers spent slightly less in February, particularly on goods
Dutch households spent 0.5% less on goods and services in February compared to the same month last year. According to statistics bureau CBS, the decline was most notable in the consumption of goods.
Extra council meeting in Bloemendaal due to dissatisfaction with coalition formation
The municipality of Bloemendaal will hold an extra council meeting to discuss the progress of coalition formation following a report by scout David Moolenburgh. The meeting was requested by the party ...
Street in IJmuiden cordoned off due to confused man on roof of housing block
A street in IJmuiden was temporarily closed on Thursday morning after a confused man climbed onto the roof of an apartment block. Police cordoned off Alexander Bellstraat to manage the situation safel...
Lead researcher Lotje Cohen: 'Amsterdam gained 200,000 inhabitants'
Lead researcher Lotje Cohen reports that Amsterdam has grown by 200,000 inhabitants. She emphasizes that the city is changing rapidly as its population increases.
Students with ‘golden hands’ compete: ‘Parents can proudly say their child took part in national vocational competitions’
Students from practical colleges across the Netherlands gathered at Praktijkcollege de Schakel in Haarlem for the national finals of the PROfessionals competition. Participants competed in categories ...
Amsteldorp residents lose trust in Ymere after overly optimistic LinkedIn post about renovation
Residents of the Amsteldorp neighborhood in Amsterdam have expressed profound distrust toward housing corporation Ymere over its renovation and demolition plans for 480 social housing units. The local...
Construction fences to remain on the Kruisbrug for a while longer
Construction fences have shielded the monumental fencing of the Kruisbrug for over a year, impacting the primary entrance route from the train station to the city center. The reasons for the prolonged...
Rijksmuseum seals birdhouses: 'Because of flashy project'
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has faced criticism from local residents for taping birdhouses shut and netting trees to prevent birds from nesting during the construction of a new sculpture garden. The ...
Farmer Tom: ‘Throwing away oleanders full of aphids? That’s quite drastic’
Boer Tom provides advice to readers from Purmerend who are struggling with black lice on their oleander plants. While a garden center recommended discarding the infested plants, Boer Tom suggests that...
More traffic fatalities in 2025, especially among cyclists
Last year, traffic fatalities in the Netherlands rose to 759, an increase of 84 deaths compared to the previous year. According to the CBS, cyclists remain the largest group of victims, followed by ca...
Arjen Lubach to host Dutch version of comedy show Taskmaster
Arjen Lubach has been announced as the host of the Dutch version of the comedy series Taskmaster, which will air on RTL 4. The comedian revealed the news during his program, LUBACH, featuring the crea...
Gap between first-time buyers and movers widens in sensitive housing market
The gap between first-time buyers and repeat buyers in the housing market is widening, with starters paying higher prices for less desirable properties. Recent data from a record-breaking week highlig...
New measures against Keukenhof traffic nuisance aim to spare Lisserbroek
The recent opening of the Keukenhof has led to increased traffic congestion in the Haarlemmermeer region, particularly affecting the village of Lisserbroek. In response to complaints from local reside...
Slight increase in fatal traffic accidents in the city
The number of fatal traffic accidents in the Amsterdam-Amstelland region rose slightly last year, with 30 deaths recorded compared to 28 the previous year. Nationwide, the Netherlands saw a total of 7...
Over 10 percent of parking fines issued by scan cars are unjustified
A study by the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) reveals that scan cars generate approximately 500,000 incorrect parking fines annually. Vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, are d...
Young people see 'pay later' as a payment method rather than debt
Budget organization Nibud warns that young people increasingly view 'Buy Now, Pay Later' services as a standard payment method rather than a financial debt. This trend has normalized borrowing and pos...
Half a million wrongful traffic fines annually: ‘AI software in scan cars makes mistakes’
Dutch municipalities issue approximately 500,000 unjustified parking fines annually due to errors in the AI software used by scanning cars. The Dutch Data Protection Authority reports that people load...
Rutte backs Trump in criticism of European allies over Iran
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte supported US President Donald Trump's criticism of European allies for not providing promised assistance regarding Iran. While acknowledging these failures, Rutte als...
Yvonne Coldeweijer to hear today if she gets 650,000 euros from Talpa
Juice vlogger Yvonne Coldeweijer is awaiting a court decision today on whether media company Talpa must pay her approximately 650,000 euros. The legal dispute follows the termination of a contract for...
More trees and jobs in Haarlem, fewer festival bigwigs. Countless wish lists on the table at PRO, D66 and CDA
Local organizations in Haarlem have presented policy wishlists to political parties PRO, D66, and CDA during coalition negotiations. Key proposals include planting 500 trees, canceling a planned skate...
IJmuiden Sea and Port Museum no longer completely free with card after losing accredited status
Starting May 1, visitors to the Sea and Harbor Museum in IJmuiden with a Museum Card will be required to pay half of the regular entrance fee. This change follows the museum's loss of its 'recognized ...
Adopt one of 480 organ pipes in the Village Church: Fundraiser launched for €100,000 renovation
The Dorpskerk in Heemskerk has launched a fundraising campaign to raise 100,000 euros for the renovation of its Knipscheer organ. Members of the public are being invited to support the project by adop...