Netherlands News in English
Dutch national news translated to English. Politics, economy, housing, immigration, and more for expats and internationals.
Jetten: energy support must not hinder government investments
Prime Minister Rob Jetten stated that the Dutch cabinet should not postpone planned investments in security and innovation despite economic uncertainties caused by the conflict in the Middle East. He ...
Guilty but no punishment: Brothers cleared as judge rules self-defense proven
A judge in Alkmaar has dismissed all charges against two brothers from Heemskerk who were involved in a public violence incident three years ago. Although the acts were proven, the court ruled that th...
Police granted extra powers to search social media
The Dutch cabinet has approved a bill granting police expanded powers to monitor public social media and online platforms to prevent public order disturbances. This measure aims to allow law enforceme...
New arrest for preparing explosion at Heemstede synagogue
Police have arrested three men suspected of involvement in an explosion at a synagogue in Rotterdam and the planning of an attack on a synagogue in Heemstede. The Public Prosecution Service has not ye...
Sean Steur (18) scores first Eredivisie goal in De Klassieker; a season of significant North Holland goals
Eighteen-year-old Sean Steur scored his first Eredivisie goal for Ajax against Feyenoord last Sunday during De Klassieker. The milestone is highlighted as one of several significant goals in North Hol...
Students from all over the world head to Haarlem for Model United Nations
This weekend, the Stedelijk Gymnasium in Haarlem is hosting the Haarlem Model United Nations. The event brings together students from all over the world to participate in the international diplomatic ...
Politics on the Amstel: Does Progressive Netherlands really want to form a coalition in Amsterdam without D66?
Zita Pels, leader of the Progressief Nederland party in Amsterdam, is exploring a potential coalition with the VVD and Partij voor de Dieren, which would exclude D66 from the city executive. Local jou...
Fecal bacteria in drinking water in East, boil-water advisory for 120 addresses
Waternet has issued a boil water advisory for 120 addresses in Amsterdam East after E. coli bacteria were discovered during maintenance work on Blasiusstraat and Camperstraat. Residents are advised to...
Vijlbrief: WIA setback shows benefit system must be simplified
Dutch Minister of Social Affairs Hans Vijlbrief states that rising costs in disability benefits (WIA) highlight the urgent need to simplify the social security system. He intends to prioritize discuss...
Asylum reception and disability benefits billions more expensive than expected in coming years
The Dutch government is allocating billions of euros more than expected for asylum reception and disability benefits in the coming years. Officials caution that the national budget may become even tig...
Uitgeest station waiting room targeted by vandals again
The waiting room at Uitgeest station has been targeted by vandals multiple times recently, with windows smashed just one week after the door was broken. Safety glass is currently being held in place w...
Spring Memorandum: healthcare premiums fall, but taxes rise
The Dutch government's Spring Memorandum indicates that while healthcare premiums are expected to decrease, taxes will be raised to cover deficits in social security. Consequently, citizens are unlike...
Explosive rise in energy bills looms in 2027 due to new tariff rules
Dutch households and businesses face a potential annual increase in energy bills of 150 to over 200 euros due to new tariff regulations. These changes result from a new method for passing on power gri...
640 million euros paid out in earthquake zone last year
The Institute for Mining Damage Groningen (IMG) paid out nearly 640 million euros in compensation to the earthquake zone over the past year. This figure represents a slight decrease from the previous ...
Why the lights are going out at many Haarlem restaurants on Saturday night
On Saturday night, March 28, 2026, numerous restaurants and locations in Haarlem will turn off their lights for one hour as part of a planned event. This is not a power outage, and electricity will be...
Football coach Ted Verdonkschot is doing well: ‘It’s as if they’ve turned on an oxygen tap’
Football trainer Ted Verdonkschot is making a steady recovery less than two months after suffering a heart attack. The 62-year-old Haarlem native has already returned to football activities within the...
Grid costs could double to 1,200 euros per year: pay attention to when you charge
Electricity grid costs in the Netherlands are projected to double, potentially reaching 1,200 euros per year for households. To prevent grid overload, energy providers plan to increase rates during pe...
Treasury cannot really handle the blow of war in Iran
The Dutch government's spring memorandum reveals that the national treasury lacks a financial buffer to withstand potential economic shocks caused by a conflict in Iran by 2027. This lack of reserves ...
Wienen: Haarlem cafes allowed to extend opening hours during World Cup in America
Mayor Wienen has announced that cafes in Haarlem will be permitted to extend their opening hours to broadcast World Cup matches held in America this summer. The mayor clarified that current regulation...
Youth Protection files police report after shared client file screenshots
The Amsterdam branch of Youth Protection has filed a police report against an employee for sharing screenshots of a client's confidential file on social media. The employee's contract was terminated f...
Judiciary: Ban on face coverings at protests too invasive
The Dutch Council for the Judiciary has expressed strong criticism of a legislative proposal to ban face-covering clothing during protests. The council argues that criminalizing such attire conflicts ...
Suzan & Freek and De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig at first paid edition of Appelpop
The Appelpop festival has announced its lineup for September 11 and 12, featuring performers such as Suzan & Freek, BLØF, and De Jeugd Van Tegenwoordig. This upcoming edition marks a significant chan...
Cabinet sleepwalking through energy crisis
The Dutch cabinet is facing criticism for its perceived inaction regarding rising fuel prices that are negatively impacting motorists in the Netherlands. Critics argue that the government incorrectly ...
Place fences instead of signs in Korte Houtstraat to enforce cycling ban
A new proposal suggests installing physical fences instead of signs to enforce the bicycle ban in the Korte Houtstraat in Haarlem. The public is invited to share their opinions on this measure as part...
'No-cycling signs don’t work. That’s why we want gates at the end of Korte Houtstraat'
Residents of Korte Houtstraat are requesting physical barriers to enforce a cycling ban that is currently being ignored, creating dangerous conditions in the narrow street. They argue that existing pr...
Badhoevedorp to implement temporary measure to combat parking nuisance, but which one? 'I'm against wrecks in my street, but also against paid parking'
The municipality of Haarlemmermeer is proposing temporary parking measures for northern Badhoevedorp to address local nuisance while a broader policy is developed. Residents will vote on whether to im...
Police seize docked dog: serious jaw injuries to another dog after biting incident
Police in Amsterdam confiscated a pitbull after it severely injured another dog's jaw during an incident at Van Oldenbarneveldplein. The pitbull, which had illegal cropped ears and was wearing a shock...
Higher flower and plant prices offset falling sales at FloraHolland: 'Continuing to resist proposed tulip tax'
Royal FloraHolland is actively opposing a proposed VAT increase on flowers and plants, warning that this "tulip tax" could lead to significant revenue losses and job cuts. While higher prices currentl...
Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen to host European Hockey Championships for men and women
The Netherlands has been chosen to host the 2029 European Hockey Championships for both men and women at the Wagener Stadion in Amstelveen. The venue is scheduled to undergo significant renovations, i...
Should another artwork be added to the Velsen council chamber? New council members now have their say
The Velsen municipal council is tasked with deciding whether to commission a new artwork for its council chamber following a renovation in the summer of 2024. After a tapestry was removed, the incomin...