Netherlands News in English
Dutch national news translated to English. Politics, economy, housing, immigration, and more for expats and internationals.
Experienced administrator with great sadness, Alderman Marjolein Steffens leaves Haarlemmermeer: 'This job is extremely intensive'
Alderman Marjolein Steffens-van de Water is stepping down from her role in the Haarlemmermeer municipality after 26 years in local politics. Following the passing of her husband, she decided to priori...
The Cats for a new generation
The tribute project "Sure he’s a cat: Tribute to The Cats" celebrates the musical legacy of Volendam's most prominent band. It aims to introduce their work to a new generation while providing a nost...
Injured after explosions and fire at home in Schiedam
On Friday evening, a person was injured and hospitalized with burn injuries following explosions and a fire at a residence on Van Marumstraat in Schiedam. Police confirmed the victim was transported t...
Unrest in Middle East disrupts May holiday: Extra flights to other destinations to meet demand
Geopolitical unrest in the Middle East is causing a significant shift in booking patterns for the upcoming May holidays among Dutch travelers. Major travel organizations are responding by scheduling e...
Energy crisis much more severe in the Netherlands than cabinet thinks: looming diesel shortage
The energy crisis in the Netherlands is more severe than the government realizes, with potential shortages of diesel and kerosene looming. While gasoline supplies remain sufficient, experts warn that ...
Former councilor Imane Nadif joins board of 'Progressive Netherlands'
Former Amsterdam city council member and GroenLinks faction leader Imane Nadif has joined the national board of the newly established political party Progressief Nederland. The party, formed from a me...
Former councilor Imane Nadif joins board of Progressive Netherlands
Imane Nadif, the former GroenLinks faction leader in Amsterdam, has joined the national board of the new political party Progressief Nederland. The party is a result of the merger between GroenLinks a...
Assembling the drones that blast Russian aircraft out of the sky: ‘We’re here to make weapons, right?’
Participants at Unmanned Valley are learning to build drones to support Ukraine's defense against the Russian invasion. These locally-assembled drones are sent to the front lines to intercept and dest...
Trash next to waste containers in Kloosterstraat causes major nuisance. 'Imagine living there, she said. Well, I do'
Residents near the corner of Kloosterstraat and Cronjéstraat are frustrated by the persistent accumulation of garbage around waste containers. The litter, which often includes food scraps, frequently...
An evening of training with the volunteer fire department in Castricum: 'It’s more than firefighting and camaraderie, you gain a whole family'
Aspirant firefighter Rik Hogewerf participated in a weekly training session with the voluntary fire brigade in Castricum, which involved simulating a scooter fire and a rescue operation. The session h...
Unemployed professional footballer allowed to evict tenants from his home in North
A Dutch court has ruled that an unemployed professional footballer can evict tenants from his apartment in Amsterdam-Noord so he and his family can move back in. The judge determined that the owner ha...
Evers tobacco shop closes after nearly a century: 'Fireworks ban was the final straw'
Frank Evers is closing his 98-year-old independent tobacco shop in Hillegom on March 28, marking the end of the town's last standalone cigar shop. Evers noted that the fireworks ban provided the final...
Even the biggest Verstappen haters became fans last season, but they are disappearing just as fast this way
Max Verstappen gained widespread popularity in 2025 through his racing comeback and personal milestones, even winning over long-time critics. However, recent developments are reportedly causing him to...
Anne (58) forced to live in mother’s attic: ‘I feel like a failure as a father’
Fifty-eight-year-old Anne de Jong is forced to live in his mother's attic following a divorce due to the ongoing housing crisis in the Netherlands. His situation highlights a growing problem for divor...
Master swindler or benefactor? The Canadian who promised Zandvoort the world
In 1981, Canadian businessman Michael Hordo arrived in Zandvoort with grand plans to transform the coastal town into a major tourist hub, including proposals for a theme park and international golf ch...
After 124 years, tram line 3 makes its final run today
After 124 years of service, Amsterdam's historic tram line 3 is making its final journey today before being discontinued in a major GVB timetable overhaul. The decision to cut the east-west connection...
Ed (79) must pay for dental repair after accident despite having insurance
Ed, a 79-year-old man, was forced to pay for dental repairs out of pocket following an accident despite having dental insurance. His claim was denied due to specific clauses in the insurance policy's ...
Olympic gold will always remain a dream. The unfinished life’s work of top speed skater Melissa Wijfje: ‘At that moment I realized the fire in me no longer burns. It is over’
Dutch speed skater Melissa Wijfje has announced her retirement from professional sports, stating that she no longer possesses the inner drive required to compete. Although winning Olympic gold remaine...
Daantje (24) is the clinical striker, her three sisters Isa (25), Mosa (18) and Febe (18) anchor the defense: thanks to the Molenaar family, Onze Gezellen is unbeatable this season
The Molenaar sisters—Isa, Daantje, Mosa, and Febe—have led the Onze Gezellen women's football team to an undefeated season in the Dutch fourth division. With Daantje as striker and her three siste...
Neurologist and sleep expert Raymond Vogels: Wake up early Sunday as daylight saving begins and go straight into the sun
Neurologist and sleep expert Raymond Vogels advises waking up early and seeking immediate sunlight on Sunday to help the body adjust to the transition to daylight savings time. He notes that while gen...
HAP has lowest number of seats since 1994, party leader reflects on ‘painful’ loss: ‘It’s a kick in the butt’
The local political party Haarlemmermeerse Actieve Politiek (HAP) suffered a significant loss in the recent elections, dropping from six seats to just two. This result marks the party's lowest seat co...
Don Bijl (73) appointed informateur in Beverwijk. Second-place party Vrij! seeks coalition without election winner Samen Lokaal
Former mayor Don Bijl has been appointed as the informateur to lead the coalition formation process in Beverwijk. During the initial debates, the second-largest party, Vrij!, expressed its preference ...
Wijk aan Zee beach to get smoke-free zone in 2027, signs being installed this season
The Beverwijk city council has decided to establish a smoke-free zone on the family beach of Wijk aan Zee starting in the 2027 season. Preparatory signs will be installed this year following consultat...
Is the end near for Heemskerk Festival? Funding shortage threatens to ruin plans. 'A crying shame', but organizers refuse to charge admission
The future of the free Heemskerk Festival is uncertain due to significant budget deficits resulting from the loss of major sponsors and funds. Organizer Peter Zonneveld stated that despite the financi...
Anti-bullying activist Puk quits Liberaal Blauw after three months over allegations of unprofessional and inappropriate behavior; party denies issues
Anti-bullying activist Puk Lieverst has resigned from the Liberaal Blauw political party after only three months, alleging unprofessional and unwanted behavior by a fellow party member. Party leader F...
Aalsmeer Mayor informateur in Castricum: 'He is moving at a fast pace'
Gido Oude Kotte, the Mayor of Aalsmeer, has been appointed as the mediator for coalition talks in Castricum. He began the initial discussions on Friday and aims to complete his recommendations by Thur...
Why cheap meat deals are here to stay: ‘Supermarkets are not charities’
The Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo has resumed meat discounts after a two-year trial led to losses of tens of millions in revenue. The initiative failed because competitors did not follow suit, causing...
Bonaire asks Netherlands for urgent help with rising prices
The Executive Council of Bonaire has requested urgent assistance from the Dutch government to combat rising prices for food and fuel. Increased shipping costs driven by international instability are m...
Lackluster Netherlands secure narrow win over weakened Norway in friendly, all eyes on debutant Kees Smit
The Dutch national football team secured a narrow 2-1 victory against Norway in a friendly match held at the Johan Cruijff ArenA. Despite the win, the team's performance was criticized as lackluster, ...
Mona Keijzer cancels BBB membership
Mona Keijzer has officially resigned her membership from the BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB) after being passed over as a potential party leader. Having already left the party's parliamentary faction, she wi...