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.
Defense personnel receive significant 6.5 percent pay raise
Military and civilian personnel at the Dutch Ministry of Defence will receive a 6.5 percent salary increase starting September 1, with an additional 2 percent raise planned for 2028. This measure is i...
Relatives commemorate MH17 disaster at memorial: Many people are still working on this case every day
On the twelfth anniversary of the MH17 tragedy, relatives gathered at the memorial in Vijfhuizen to honor the 298 victims. The commemoration included a reading of the names, a moment of silence, and a...
Mayor closes home after drug discovery
Mayor Jos Wienen of Haarlem has ordered the six-month closure of a residence on Pieter van Musschenbroekstraat following the discovery of large quantities of hard drugs and drug-trafficking materials ...
Holidaymakers pay more at the pump after new price hike
Fuel prices for gasoline and diesel have increased again just before the final major summer holiday travel wave. Travelers using caravans or campers will face higher costs, especially when refueling a...
Two men arrested after threatening people with fake firearm in Vondelpark
Two men, aged 38 and 41, were arrested in Amsterdam's Vondelpark after threatening a person with a realistic-looking fake firearm. Police recovered the weapon from nearby bushes with the help of a pol...
Mortgage rates rise sharply due to developments in Iran and Ukraine
Mortgage interest rates in the Netherlands have increased significantly this week due to ongoing geopolitical tensions in Iran and Ukraine. Nearly all lenders have raised their rates, with several ins...
Failure of soy agreement threatens Amazon area the size of a third of the Netherlands
The collapse of a soy agreement earlier this year could lead to 1.4 million hectares of additional deforestation in the Amazon. The World Wide Fund for Nature warns that this loss, equivalent to one-t...
EU allows industry more emissions but maintains climate goals
Starting in 2031, the European Union will allow the industry more leeway for carbon emissions and lower costs in exchange for commitments to green production. Brussels aims to balance industrial compe...
Viaplay back in the black, but international ambitions are over
Streaming service Viaplay has reported its first profit in over two years as it recovers from a major financial crisis. As part of its strategy to curb international expansion, the company has also so...
Aerospace and defense have a mountain of orders but too few parts
The aviation and defense sectors are experiencing a significant increase in demand for new equipment. However, manufacturers are struggling to meet this record-high order volume due to ongoing shortag...
'Transit country' Belgium wants to charge for its roads, what will the Netherlands do?
The Belgian government has announced a mandatory vignette for road use starting next year. The article questions whether the Netherlands should follow this example, noting that Belgium acts as a trans...
Rapper JoeyAK shows he is out of prison on conditional release with stack of cash
Dutch rapper JoeyAK, also known as Joël H., has been released from prison under strict conditions, including the use of an ankle monitor and a restricted access order for the Amsterdam Zuidoost area....
No trains to and from Haarlem due to a collision
Train traffic to and from Haarlem station was suspended this morning following an incident involving a person, with services expected to remain disrupted until 11:15 AM. Emergency services, including ...
ASML gives 44,500 employees a share package worth 20,000 euros
ASML has announced a retention plan offering employees a stock package worth 20,000 euros, provided they remain with the company until January 1, 2030. This initiative aims to maintain staff retention...
Dutch director working on new TV series based on The Odyssey
Dutch director Roel Reiné is set to direct a new television series titled Odysseus, which is based on the epic poem The Odyssey. This project is currently in development following the latest industry...
Second car fire in two weeks on Brouwersvaart Haarlem
A car was destroyed by fire at the Brouwersvaart in Haarlem early this morning, marking the second such incident at the same location within two weeks. Police are investigating a possible connection b...
Dutch Consumers' Association threatens action over 'fake discounts' at Amazon and bol
The Dutch Consumers' Association (Consumentenbond) has accused Amazon and bol of using misleading 'fake discounts' on their platforms. The organization is threatening legal action against both retaile...
Netflix viewers increasingly choosing non-English series, including those from the Netherlands
Dutch films and series are increasingly reaching a global audience on Netflix, with titles like Amsterdam Empire and iHostage ranking as the most popular Dutch content this year. This trend coincides ...
Michael Jackson musical to premiere in the Netherlands next year
A musical based on the life and work of Michael Jackson is scheduled to premiere in the Netherlands in 2027. The production has previously been performed in cities including London, Hamburg, and on Br...
Nostalgia! Watch these childhood favorites from your youth on the big screen in Haarlem again
Beloved Dutch children's classics are returning to the big screen in Haarlem this summer. Residents can revisit nostalgic films from their youth at local cinema screenings throughout the summer holida...
No zero-emission zone for passenger cars after all; here is what the city can do: "Give privileges to electric drivers"
The municipality of Amsterdam has abandoned plans to introduce an emission-free zone for passenger cars by 2030 due to a lack of national legislation. Economist Walther Ploos van Amstel suggests that ...
European companies at risk due to password software with Russian ties
European companies with critical infrastructure have been using password management software called Passwork, which is actually based in Russia. Cybersecurity experts warn that this poses a significan...
Water shortage forces builders into action: new homes to feature 4,500-liter rainwater storage under floors
Due to ongoing water shortages in the Netherlands, some builders and homebuyers are implementing new systems to use 4500 liters of stored rainwater under floors for daily tasks like flushing toilets. ...
FNV announces new actions, including 24-hour rail strike
The trade union FNV has announced a series of protest actions throughout the first two weeks of September, affecting the government, ports, and hospitals. Additionally, the union plans to organize a 2...
Has Ajax suddenly changed its financial course and started splashing cash again? Not necessarily, experts say
Despite recent high-profile signings by Ajax, experts argue that the club is not necessarily abandoning its financial recovery strategy. The investments in new players are being viewed as calculated d...
Weekend tips: things to do in Haarlem (July 17-19)
A list of recommended activities and events for the weekend of July 17-19 has been compiled for residents and visitors in Haarlem. The guide aims to help people find entertainment and leisure opportun...
Writer Mina Etemad and Southeast royalty Jeffrey Spalburg discuss life's big questions in De Zwoele Stad
The talkshow De Zwoele Stad, hosted in Amsterdam-Zuidoost, features comedian Jeffrey Spalburg and writer Mina Etemad discussing topics such as identity, diaspora, and their personal histories. Through...
Neighbors heard police end kidnapping: "Could not hear soccer match over sirens"
Police successfully rescued a kidnap victim in Amsterdam after a high-speed chase that began in Nieuw-West and ended in Amsterdam-Oost. Two suspects from Rotterdam have been arrested following the ope...
No deal on new public transport collective agreement, unions consider strike
Negotiations for a new collective labor agreement for thirteen thousand public transport employees have stalled after four months of discussions. Unions FNV and CNV are now planning to organize strike...
Wages remain high due to rising prices and tight labor market
Average wage growth in the Netherlands remained high during the first half of the year, driven by high inflation and a tight labor market. These economic conditions have prompted trade unions to deman...