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.
New phase, old concerns at well-attended 't Groot Clooster meeting: 'Plans are not set in stone'
Residents of Heemstede attended a well-attended walk-in evening at the town hall on Tuesday to discuss development plans for 't Groot Clooster. The event allowed community members to share their ideas...
Help, my teen is going on a drinking holiday in Albufeira: do you pack condoms and SPF 50 in the suitcase?
Following the completion of school exams, many Dutch teenagers are heading to popular party destinations like Albufeira and Mallorca. Pedagogue Marina van der Wal provides tips for concerned parents o...
SBMG comeback sparks joy in Kraaiennest: "The neighborhood has been waiting for this"
The Amsterdam-based hip-hop duo SBMG, consisting of rappers Chivv and Henkie T, has announced a reunion concert at the Ziggo Dome on December 5th. Fans in their home neighborhood of Kraaiennest expres...
North Holland traffic: delays on the A7, N242 and N244 during Thursday morning rush hour, May 28
On Thursday, May 28, the morning rush hour in North Holland experienced several traffic bottlenecks on the A7, A9, N242, and N244. Heavy traffic volume led to stationary vehicles and several minutes o...
Dutch economy grows faster, but finding work gets harder
The Dutch economy grew by 1.8% last year, an increase from the 1.1% growth seen in 2024. Although all provinces recorded economic expansion, Friesland saw the highest growth rate while Limburg experie...
Pieterpad gets 500 km wheelchair-friendly version
A new 500-kilometer wheelchair-friendly variant of the Pieterpad hiking trail has been launched, making the famous route accessible to mobility scooters, walkers, and strollers. Starting Thursday, the...
More people addicted to online gambling and designer drugs
Data from the National Alcohol and Drugs Information System (LADIS) shows a growing number of people in the Netherlands are seeking help for addictions to online gambling and designer drugs. These fin...
Sheep wool as ground cover? Farmer Tom: ‘You can use this in many ways for your garden’
Farmer Tom discusses the various benefits of using sheep wool as soil protection in gardens, responding to a reader's inquiry about its effectiveness. This practice provides a sustainable use for surp...
Taxi driver Roos now only drives women: "Extra sense of safety"
Roos, a 44-year-old taxi driver, has transitioned to an exclusive service for women in Amsterdam to provide a greater sense of safety for female passengers, especially at night. This decision follows ...
Always entitled to a new device under warranty? Reader asks Ombudsman for clarification
A customer is seeking legal clarification after retailer Bol.com provided a refund instead of a replacement for a defective Philips hair removal device. The 269 euro device broke within two months of ...
Ban on US takeover of DigiD fits tougher stance against Big Tech
The Dutch government has blocked the American acquisition of the company behind DigiD to maintain national control over its crucial digital infrastructure. Experts support the decision as a move towar...
Deeper cuts at Spaarne Werkt: Snuffelmug, youth work and giant Cruquius building at risk
Participation company Spaarne Werkt is undergoing significant budget cuts affecting the Snuffelmug thrift store and youth programs to restore its financial stability. The municipalities of Haarlem, He...
Residents want blue zone on Rijksstraatweg. Council says no: 'parking pressure within limits'
Residents and businesses on the Rijksstraatweg in Heemskerk submitted a request for the implementation of a blue zone to address local parking issues. The municipal executive rejected the proposal, st...
'Traps' cleaning harbor water. Port of Amsterdam trials waste collection system: 'The power is in simplicity'
The Port of Amsterdam is testing a new debris capture system designed to remove floating waste like plastic and cans from the water. This pilot program aims to improve water quality in the Amsterdam h...
Four people taken to hospital after house fire in Hellevoetsluis
Four people were transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation after a house fire broke out in Hellevoetsluis on Wednesday evening. Emergency services from the Rotterdam-Rijnmond safety region resp...
Education Council: school tests should focus more on learning
The Dutch Education Council advises that tests in primary and secondary education should focus more on the learning process rather than being used for admissions, transitions, or diplomas. This recomm...
Groningen mayor wants asylum reception on state-owned sites
Mayor Roelien Kamminga of Groningen is urging the Dutch government to use its own properties for temporary asylum seeker housing. This measure is intended to prevent people from sleeping outdoors at t...
Asylum seekers from across the country dine with Amsterdammers at long tables: "Gives hope"
Around 1,500 people, including asylum seekers and local residents, gathered for a massive community dinner at the Oosterdok in Amsterdam. The event, featuring a 900-meter-long table, aimed to promote ...
77-year-old woman missing from nursing home
A 77-year-old woman with dementia, Mrs. Visser, has gone missing after leaving her nursing home on an electric bicycle. She was last seen on Thursday afternoon at the intersection of Ceintuurbaan and ...
Guus Meeuwis to perform at Rotterdam Ahoy next year
Dutch singer Guus Meeuwis has announced a concert scheduled for April 3 next year at Rotterdam Ahoy. The Brabant artist shared the news via social media regarding the upcoming spring performance.
LAKS calls for new exam system after wave of complaints: petition to abolish 5.5 rule goes to Parliament
The Dutch student interest group LAKS is calling for a reform of the national examination system following years of complaints about the current structure. The organization is submitting a petition to...
Weekend tips: things to do in Amsterdam from May 29 to May 31
This article provides recommendations for activities in Amsterdam during the sunny weekend of May 29 to May 31. It advises visitors to stay hydrated and use sunscreen while exploring various events an...
Martial arts pioneers honored 50 years after first kickboxing gala at Jaap Edenhal
Five martial arts pioneers were honored at Amsterdam's Jaap Edenhal to mark the 50th anniversary of the city's first kickboxing gala. The awards, presented by Alderman Alexander Scholtes, celebrate th...
Pieter Jan Molendijk (69) long denied having cancer, now he is chairman of IPSO Huis Kennemerland
Pieter Jan Molendijk, a former businessman from Overveen, has been appointed as the chairman of IPSO Huis Kennemerland, an organization providing mental support for cancer patients. The organization i...
Heemskerk harness racing fees to rise in 2027: ‘Everything is getting more expensive and we also have to pay for traffic controllers’
The Harddraverijvereniging Heemskerk will increase entrance fees and membership contributions starting in 2027 due to rising operational costs. While sponsors previously helped absorb these expenses, ...
DigiD platform not in American hands, what now? ‘State-owned company is a very good idea’
The Dutch government has blocked the acquisition of IT service provider Solvinity by an American company to protect the security and privacy of the DigiD platform. This decision aims to prevent potent...
No clarity yet in Music On debate, council and Halsema await evaluation
The Amsterdam city council debated the last-minute cancellation of the Music On festival, which was called off due to permit issues and communication failures regarding tent safety. Mayor Femke Halsem...
The play ‘Nightshade’ features relatable scenes from a woman’s life: ‘I wanted to make a piece about a woman who is vulnerable in life’
The play "Nachtschade" stars Mariana Aparicio as a young woman navigating a harsh and unpredictable world with humor and charm. The production focuses on relatable scenes from a woman's life, highligh...
The Best Pastry in the Netherlands comes from Castricum: 'We create what we like and see if it looks good'
Patisserie De Roset in Castricum has won the title of 'Best Pastry in the Netherlands' for its white chocolate and pistachio creation. The professional jury was unanimously impressed by the bakery's c...
For these Muslims, Eid al-Adha is more than food: "It's about sharing with each other"
Muslims in Amsterdam are celebrating Eid al-Adha, emphasizing family unity and the spirit of sharing over the traditional slaughter of animals. In the Nieuw-West district, a large group of families wi...