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.
Minister Van Weel dares to flip off 'Bolle Jos': 'We are going to get him'
Justice Minister David van Weel has vowed to capture fugitive criminal Jos Leijdekkers following a deadly mass shooting in the village of Overasselt. While 32 suspects have been brought to court, offi...
Máxima producer working on feature film about Princess Beatrix
Production company Millstreet Films is developing a new feature film documenting the life and reign of Princess Beatrix. The movie will examine her influential role in modernizing the Dutch monarchy d...
Can a renewed Ajax compete with league champions PSV? Wim Jonk looks ahead
Ajax and PSV are set to face off at the Johan Cruijff Arena in an anticipated match that highlights Ajax's recent squad overhaul. While former player Wim Jonk remains cautious about the team's develop...
Port workers strike over government plans, longer wait times expected
Hundreds of harbor workers are participating in a strike in Rotterdam to protest government policies, leading to anticipated delays for both road and water transport. The action is part of a wider wav...
Light walk winds through illuminated Haarlem
The Soellaart Light Walk returns to Haarlem on November 20, offering participants a choice between 6-kilometer and 10-kilometer routes through the illuminated city center. The event features live ente...
Xillan Macrooy wins 2026 Hebban Debut Prize: 'A dream beyond a dream'
Author and singer-songwriter Xillan Macrooy has won the 2026 Hebban Debut Prize for his novel Mensen als zonnen en mensen als manen. The jury commended the book as a rich and unique debut, while Macro...
Gerard Reve's Frisian house is for sale: 'Not a move-in ready home'
The former Friesland home of Dutch author Gerard Reve, Huize het Gras, is currently listed for sale for 185,000 euros. The property requires significant restoration but has retained much of its origin...
Inspectorate threatens McDonald's with multi-million euro fine over disposable cups
The Dutch Inspectorate has ordered McDonald's to stop using disposable cups for dine-in customers by January 2027 or face weekly fines of 625,000 euros. The company has agreed to switch back to reusab...
Polarsteps photos and locations exposed: journalists accessed data of 23 million users
The Amsterdam-based travel app Polarsteps suffered a data breach exposing the personal information and GPS locations of 23 million users. Cybersecurity researchers and the platform Follow the Money un...
Videoland to release series about Roxy Dekker's journey to ArenA concert
Videoland is set to release a new series documenting singer Roxy Dekker’s preparations for her historic upcoming solo concert at the Amsterdam ArenA. The show will offer an exclusive behind-the-scen...
Vintage fans take note: Summe opens its doors in Haarlem
The second-hand clothing store Summe has opened a new 165-square-meter location at Grote Houtstraat 143 in Haarlem. The shop offers a curated selection of pre-loved apparel and accessories, aiming to ...
Brazilian animal products barred from EU due to antibiotic regulations
The European Union has banned various Brazilian animal products due to strict new regulations on the use of antibiotics and antimicrobials in livestock to combat drug resistance. Brazil, a major expor...
Ajax talent Aaron Bouwman: I am not confused by a comparison with Virgil van Dijk
Young Ajax talent Aaron Bouwman remains focused on his performance despite comparisons to Virgil van Dijk. He aims to continue his unbeaten streak in the first team as he faces competition from Thilo ...
Cars and trucks emit less CO2 for the first time since the pandemic
CO2 emissions from road traffic in the Netherlands dropped by 1.6 percent in 2025, marking the first decline since the pandemic years. While heavy transport remains a challenge, increased electrificat...
Rents rise sharply again, but less than in the past two years
Rental prices in the Netherlands rose by 4.9 percent in 2025, a growth rate that is lower than the increases recorded in the preceding two years. The surge is largely driven by rent adjustments follow...
Shortage of vocational students? Fewer pupils choosing practical education in Haarlem
The number of vocational students in Haarlem has decreased from 47 percent to 39 percent over the past decade, despite a high demand for practical labor. This decline contrasts with an increase in hig...
Six months into his term, Rob Jetten is abused for his homosexuality in every post on X
Prime Minister Rob Jetten has been the target of frequent homophobic abuse on X during his first six months in office. Research indicates that one in twenty responses to his posts contains hate speech...
LTO: generic livestock reduction in PBL nitrogen report is non-negotiable
Agricultural organization LTO has rejected the PBL's suggestion that forced livestock reductions are necessary to meet nitrogen targets, calling instead for flexible alternatives. Meanwhile, nature co...
Roxy Dekker to perform at ArenA next year, Louis van Gaal stars in announcement
Singer Roxy Dekker has announced she will perform at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam on April 24, 2027. The news was shared via a humorous video featuring Louis van Gaal, with ticket sales for th...
Accountants: Jetten's nitrogen plan helps nature, but many farmers won't be able to pay the bill
The Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency warns that while the government's nitrogen reduction plan will significantly aid nature recovery, the high costs of compliance could force many farmers ...
Amsterdam Museum renovation begins: "Beauty of the monument will be preserved"
The Amsterdam Museum has begun a 125 million euro renovation of its historic Burgerweeshuis location to restore its monumental features and add new facilities. The project aims for completion by 2030,...
Martijn Krabbé feels much more energetic: 'I no longer take certain medications'
Martijn Krabbé reports feeling more energetic after discontinuing medications that affected his appearance, while continuing his television career. The presenter, who was diagnosed with incurable lun...
When your child leaves home: 'Accept that you are no longer the most important person in their life'
As tens of thousands of young adults in the Netherlands move out of their family homes this month, experts advise parents to transition from a role of control to one of availability. Parents are encou...
Restoration of fire-hit Vennep restaurant takes much longer than expected
Restaurant Orries in Nieuw-Vennep will remain closed for at least three months due to extensive smoke damage from a recent kitchen fire. Owner Brian Hendriks, who initially hoped for a quick recovery,...
Other inspectors step in to prevent construction halts at 1,300 projects
Approximately 1,300 construction projects in the Netherlands face potential delays following the suspension of several quality inspectors. Industry associations are working to redistribute these proje...
A wrong number, a reprimanded minister and too little coffee: how the Prinsjesdag deal failed
The Dutch minority cabinet attempted to secure opposition support for the Prinsjesdag budget but ultimately failed. This report details three critical errors that led to the collapse of the negotiatio...
James Blunt to perform at Ziggo Dome next year
James Blunt is set to return to the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam for a concert next year. The performance follows the release of his new twelve-track album, which explores themes like the pressures of mode...
Court of Audit warns: drought mitigation measures facing significant delays
The Dutch Court of Audit has reported that government projects intended to mitigate drought-related damage are facing significant delays and cost overruns. These setbacks, attributed to poor planning ...
Drivers sue Uber over AI-driven payment system
Stichting WIE International has filed a lawsuit in Amsterdam against Uber, alleging that its AI-driven payment system violates privacy laws and creates unfair, non-transparent pay discrepancies for dr...
Average gas consumption for Haarlem residents remains stable, but these homes used more
Average gas consumption in Haarlem has stabilized, though semi-detached households have seen a recent increase in their usage. While many residents have adopted energy-efficient measures like heat pum...