Netherlands News in English

Fine dropped after complaint over Amsterdamned II, but discrimination icon remains

Compelling election story: how a homeless man once ended up in the Amsterdam city council

In 1921, a homeless man from Rembrandtplein was unexpectedly elected to the Amsterdam city council. The article highlights this historical event as a unique example of the city's unconventional politi...

Does the arrival of an asylum center at De Elta sports park influence the voting behavior of Santpoort residents? 'We have a responsibility and we must share it'

Residents of Santpoort-Zuid are considering whether the planned establishment of an asylum seeker center at Sportpark De Elta influences their choices in the current elections. Voters at 't Brederode ...

Lars and his group see them flying in IJmuiden aan Zee: ‘Hey, that’s a lifer for me, I can cross it off my list’

Nature guide Lars led a bird-watching excursion in IJmuiden aan Zee, helping participants identify species like the dunnock. The group utilized telescopes and binoculars to spot birds, with some membe...

LIVE 2026 Municipal Elections | Wim's living room is the smallest polling station in the Netherlands, 20 voters have visited so far

Wim Westhoff has turned his living room into the smallest polling station in the Netherlands for the 2026 municipal elections. Twenty voters have already visited the unique site, where they are offere...

Political podcast: JA21 leader assaulted and who won the big AT5 final debate?

This political podcast episode discusses the assault of JA21 faction leader Kevin Kreuger following the final AT5 election debate held at De Meervaart theater. Journalists from AT5, Het Parool, and De...

Armed soldiers and military vehicles in Heemskerk: Exercise in empty buildings at Tolhek

The Infantry Battalion Guarding Security of the National Reserve Corps will conduct a military exercise this Friday and Saturday at Tolhek in Heemskerk. The training focuses on urban area operations a...

Third-division DIOS wingback also flies for Sint Maarten: 'With my club I never go abroad for matches'

Tyrel Gumbs, a 25-year-old wingback for the Dutch club DIOS, has been called up to represent the Sint Maarten national football team. He will travel to the Dominican Republic to compete in matches aga...

Jacob de Greeuw celebrates 25 years of ‘Pergola’ with Johan: ‘Why not also cry to music?’

Jacob de Greeuw is celebrating the 25th anniversary of 'Pergola', a landmark album by his band Johan that was written in Hoorn during a period of personal depression. The record is widely regarded as ...

Placebo to play Ziggo Dome in October and release new album

British rock band Placebo will perform at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam on October 27 as part of their anniversary tour. The announcement coincides with the news that the band is also releasing a new al...

Minors arrested for filmed assault in Enkhuizen

Three minors from Enkhuizen were arrested on Wednesday for an assault that took place in early March. The victim was forced to fight and was beaten by several people, an incident which was filmed and ...

Halsema 'very surprised' by street coaches' actions during assault of Kevin Kreuger (Ja21)

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema expressed concern after street coaches reportedly forced Ja21 politician Kevin Kreuger to delete footage of his assault on Osdorpplein. Kreuger was attacked by a group of...

Heat Fund receives more applications for making homes more energy-efficient

The Dutch National Heat Fund has reported a significant increase in applications from homeowners seeking financing for energy-efficiency improvements. This surge indicates a growing trend among proper...

Wienen calls not voting a ‘luxury problem’: ‘Incomprehensible. Then you can’t complain about what goes wrong in the city’

Haarlem Mayor Jos Wienen cast his vote on Wednesday at the Hart cultural center, where he was welcomed by hornist Misha Smock. Wienen criticized those who choose not to vote, calling it a luxury probl...

Sophie Poldermans delivers Layman's Sermon at Haarlem Remonstrants

Author Sophie Poldermans will deliver a "Layman's Sermon" at the Remonstrant community in Haarlem on April 12. Poldermans, an expert in international criminal law and human rights, is recognized for h...

How does Mayor Dales plan to get young people to the polls? ‘Sometimes I suggest ideas to my daughters, but they call me a boomer’

Mayor Frank Dales of Velsen cast his vote on Wednesday morning at the local town hall, an event documented by local media. He discussed the difficulties of engaging young people in the electoral proce...

69 demolition and tree felling notifications in Haarlem last week

The municipality of Haarlem processed 69 permit applications last week related to demolition and tree felling. Of these requests, 68 were for projects within Haarlem and one was for Spaarndam, informi...

Amsterdam police release footage of group of youths pelting officers on New Year's Eve

Waiting patiently to vote at Haarlem station: 'I consider it a privilege'

Residents in Haarlem gathered early Wednesday morning at the local train station to cast their votes as polls opened for the municipal elections. Mayor Jos Wienen also cast his ballot at the Hart Haar...

New residential care facility Het Overboshuis opens in Hoofddorp: ‘Immediate positive feeling, and my father's parrot can live here too’

Alderman Charlotte van der Meij has officially opened Het Overboshuis, a new small-scale residential care facility for people with dementia in Hoofddorp. The home provides space for 22 residents and i...

Supermarkets won't be sky-high tomorrow due to Iran war, nor the day after

Despite rising oil prices affecting transportation and packaging costs, supermarkets are not expected to introduce an immediate 'Iran surcharge' on food products. Consumers will likely not see a sudde...

What do entrepreneurs in Velsen hope for from a new city council? ‘Some wonder if they can even stay in Velsen’

Entrepreneurs in Velsen are reflecting on the local business climate and their expectations for the incoming municipal council following recent elections. A survey reveals significant concerns among b...

LIVE 2026 Municipal Elections | Candidate makes striking plea: ‘Don’t vote for me, don’t do it’

Boukje Stoker-Langeraap, a candidate for the local party Heerenveen Lokaal in the 2026 municipal elections, has issued an unusual request on social media asking voters not to cast ballots for her. Thi...

Burglars caught red-handed at Beverwijk Bazaar

Two individuals were caught red-handed while attempting to break into the Beverwijkse Bazaar on Tuesday evening. The suspects were apprehended at the scene during the failed burglary attempt.

Attempted burglary at fire station in Spaarndam

An attempted burglary occurred today at the fire station on Ringweg in Spaarndam. The intruders fled empty-handed after the building's alarm was triggered, according to a spokesperson for the safety r...

Simon Pennings nominated as Agricultural Entrepreneur 2026, first bulb grower in 23 years

Flower bulb grower Simon Pennings from Noordwijkerhout has been nominated for the Agricultural Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 award. He is the first bulb grower to receive a nomination in 23 years and ...

More venues for theater, film, dance and other cultural activities in North

The city is investing 19 million euros in arts and culture in Amsterdam-Noord to support more venues for theater, film, and dance. This investment aims to meet the increasing demand for cultural facil...

Petrol is already expensive, but new climate rules threaten further price explosion

New European climate regulations are expected to cause a sharp increase in fuel and energy prices for consumers. Petrol prices could rise by 24% and diesel by 16%, impacting both motorists and househo...

LIVE 2026 Municipal Elections | Dushi dies unexpectedly, but you can still vote for her today

Marian Eisden, a candidate for GroenLinks-PvdA in Gouda known as Dushi, has passed away unexpectedly at age 59. Despite her death, she remains on the ballot for the 2026 municipal elections, and suppo...

Expats in the region are also heading to the polls. What determines their vote? ‘I pay close attention to tax policy and living comfort’

Expats in the Netherlands are preparing to vote in upcoming municipal elections, focusing on issues like tax policy and housing comfort. Many participants emphasize that voting is a civic responsibili...