Netherlands News in English
Dutch national news translated to English. Politics, economy, housing, immigration, and more for expats and internationals.
Cabinet grilled in Senate: will the plug be pulled on the state pension plan today?
D66 Senate floor leader Paul van Meenen expressed readiness to immediately scrap the planned increase in the state pension age during a debate on the government's policy statement. This signal from th...
Street robbery on Twickel: victim robbed by woman in red jacket and checkered skirt
A street robbery took place on Twickel in Haarlem on Saturday, April 4, where a victim was pushed and robbed by a woman wearing a red jacket and a plaid skirt. After the incident, the female suspect f...
From betting ten euros on AZ to losing 500 euros in Kazakhstan. North Holland sees rising number of gambling addicts: 'I’m no longer surprised by a debt of 50,000 euros'
Addiction clinics in North Holland are reporting a significant increase in the number of gambling addicts, often involving individuals with stable careers and homes. Psychologist Niels Bregman notes t...
Inspection: Only a quarter of festivals use reusable cups
A report by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) reveals that fewer than 25% of festivals are using reusable cups and packaging despite a ban on disposable plastics. The agency chara...
From water pumps to mash: Mike (30) switches careers to start home-based takeaway. ‘The whole house smelled of mash every day’
30-year-old Mike Slot from Castricum has launched a home-based delivery service called Oma’s Stamppotkeuken to provide healthy meal options. The business focuses on traditional Dutch stamppot dishes...
Ter Apel application center overcrowded again all weekend
The asylum seeker reception center in Ter Apel exceeded its maximum capacity of 2,000 people, with 2,211 individuals staying overnight on Monday. This overcrowding reflects a recurring issue at the fa...
American investor makes billion-dollar bid for record label behind Taylor Swift
American billionaire Bill Ackman's investment firm, Pershing Square Holdings, has launched a multi-billion dollar takeover bid for Universal Music Group. The record label represents major global artis...
Linda went for a few plants and came home with 2,347 euros worth of stuff
38-year-old Linda, who struggles with emotional overspending, recently spent €2,347 at a garden center despite seeking financial guidance. She justified the large purchase as a reward for herself af...
Serious accident between car and fatbike in Haarlem, victim seriously injured
A serious collision occurred between a car and a fatbike at the intersection of Schoonzichtlaan and Zijlweg in Haarlem on Tuesday morning. The rider of the fatbike sustained serious injuries and was r...
In an Easter weekend full of sports, Mart Smeets sees a team of ‘troubled minds’: ‘Unwatchable’
Mart Smeets reflects on his childhood memories of attending a football tournament held near the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam. He discusses how sports and the Easter holiday became intertwined for him ...
Roadworks in Haarlem: keep this in mind this week (March 7 - April 13)
Haarlem will experience various roadworks and partial closures in several areas, including Van Marumstraat and Parklaan, from March 7 to April 13. These projects affect both the city center and surrou...
Why thousands of Dutch people are buying electric cars now: ‘I’ve finally been swayed’
The Netherlands is seeing a significant surge in electric vehicle sales, with second-hand EV purchases rising nearly 50% in March compared to February. This trend is largely driven by consumers seekin...
Presenter Mandy Woelkens expecting second child
Presenter and journalist Mandy Woelkens has announced on Instagram that she is expecting her second child. The Dutch media personality did not disclose any information regarding a partner in her annou...
GL-PvdA and JA21 want tougher sentences for femicide
Dutch political parties GroenLinks-PvdA and JA21 are drafting legislation to increase the maximum sentence for femicide from 25 years to 30 years or life imprisonment. The proposal aims to ensure hars...
Major damage after ATM bombing at five-star hotel in Amsterdam
An ATM bombing occurred on Tuesday morning at the Pestana Amsterdam Riverside hotel in Amsterdam-Zuid, causing significant damage to the building. The perpetrators targeted an ATM located inside the f...
Major fire in De Pijp home, extensive damage
A significant fire broke out this morning in an older residential building on Eerste Van der Helststraat in Amsterdam's De Pijp district. The blaze spread rapidly due to the wooden structure, causing ...
ING not yet halting Russian operations: sale falls through
Dutch bank ING has cancelled the sale of its Russian business operations, which was originally intended to facilitate its exit from the country. Despite previously announcing it would stop taking on n...
Small plane crashes next to A58 near Ritthem
A small sports plane crashed next to the A58 highway near the village of Ritthem on Tuesday morning. Local safety authorities confirmed the incident occurred in the province of Zeeland.
A10 South closed and no trains to and from Amsterdam Zuid station from April 10 to 13
The A10 Zuid highway will be closed and train services to and from Amsterdam Zuid station will be suspended from Friday evening, April 10, until Monday morning, April 13. These closures are expected t...
Jake Paul denies Jutta Leerdam breakup: 'Dutch media are lying'
American influencer Jake Paul has denied reports from Dutch media claiming that he and speed skater Jutta Leerdam have ended their relationship. Paul stated on social media that the rumors are false a...
Burglary at second-hand shop in Haarlem
Police are searching for two young suspects following a burglary at a second-hand shop on Generaal Cronjestraat in Haarlem early Tuesday morning. The suspects smashed a store window around 4:20 AM and...
38 children in ER every year for swallowing batteries
Research from the Amsterdam UMC reveals that at least 38 children are admitted to emergency rooms annually in the Netherlands after swallowing batteries. Experts warn that these incidents can lead to ...
Burglary at Used Products store in Haarlem
A burglary occurred at the Used Products store on Generaal Cronjestraat in Haarlem on Tuesday morning. The incident took place at the retail location during the early hours of the day.
Woman fined 320 euros for bringing coral and feathers on plane: ‘How?!’ she fumes in court
A woman was fined 320 euros after appearing in court for bringing coral and feathers home as souvenirs on a flight. The case highlights the strict legal consequences for transporting protected natural...
Podcast The Foundling: Masa and Eva found a baby: "It was a very sad cry"
The new podcast 'De Vondeling' follows 22-year-old Lieve as she searches for her biological parents after being abandoned as a newborn in Amsterdam's De Pijp neighborhood in 2003. Accompanied by maker...
ATM blast at Amsteldijk hotel, bomb squad on site
An ATM bombing occurred at a hotel on the Amsteldijk in Amsterdam South around 5:00 AM. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service (EOD) and forensic investigators are currently examining the scene, whic...
Kim Lammers has a message for the snoring and blundering KNGU: at least pick up the phone
Dutch field hockey star Kim Lammers has criticized the Royal Dutch Gymnastics Union (KNGU) for poor communication and organizational failures. She emphasized that while elite sports success relies on ...
Camping even more popular due to global unrest: High season already heavily booked
Camping is becoming increasingly popular in the Netherlands, leading to a rise in caravan sales and campsites being fully booked well in advance of the high season. Industry experts attribute this tre...
Herman Koch's The Dinner available for free in November to promote reading
Herman Koch's bestseller 'The Dinner' will be distributed for free throughout the month of November to promote reading. The initiative is part of the national 'Heel Nederland Leest' campaign organized...
How a US customs declaration leads to frustration and confusion for Maria
Maria is facing frustration after being required to pay nearly 15 euros in import duties for a pair of socks sent as a gift from a friend in the United States. The high cost of these fees has turned a...