Netherlands News in English
Latest netherlands headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Read yourself, be read to, or just look at pictures? 7 Haarlem bookstores with children's books
The Kinderboekenweek 2026 will run from September 30 to October 11 with the theme of performance and self-expression. Seven bookstores across Haarlem are participating by offering diverse reading coll...
PFAS hardly breaks down, so how can the amount in your blood decrease?
Recent research indicates that seven out of ten adults have blood PFAS levels exceeding recommended health limits. While these figures are lower than those recorded in previous studies, the persistenc...

Video | First footage of historical film Spinoza in 17th-century Amsterdam
The first footage of the historical film Spinoza has been released, showcasing 17th-century Amsterdam. The movie, which is the final work of the late director Rudolf van den Berg, is scheduled to prem...
Sales of controversial Meta glasses under pressure: clubs demand ban in the Netherlands and threaten lawsuit
Advocacy groups are demanding that Meta stop selling its smart glasses in the Netherlands due to privacy violations and unauthorized filming. They have threatened a lawsuit in Amsterdam if the company...

Households may receive higher compensation from Energy Emergency Fund
The Dutch government is delaying the opening of the Energy Emergency Fund to January 2024 to incorporate higher energy tariffs into the compensation calculations. This adjustment ensures that low-inco...
Households can apply for help with high energy bills after New Year's
Low-income households in the Netherlands can apply for financial aid from the National Energy Emergency Fund starting January 4 to manage high energy bills. The government has pledged 194 million euro...

Sander Lantinga to audition as new voice of Bert in Sesame Street
Radio DJ Sander Lantinga has been invited to audition for the role of Bert in Sesame Street following the retirement of long-time voice actor Paul Haenen. The production team is seeking actors who can...
Meatballs and steak hard to resist: 95 percent of the Dutch still eat meat
Recent data from the 2026 National Meat Survey shows that 95 percent of people in the Netherlands still consume meat, primarily because they enjoy the taste. Despite growing concerns over rising price...

Haarlem invests in a complete city
The Haarlem municipal executive has presented its 2027-2031 program budget, focusing on area-specific development and continued investment in local infrastructure. The plan aims to balance urban growt...

Judge allows three Peter Gillis holiday parks to be auctioned
A judge has authorized the forced auction of three holiday parks owned by Peter Gillis due to his failure to repay a loan of over 20 million euros. The court rejected arguments from the reality star t...
Amsterdam wants to phase out US big tech software, but how do you approach that?
The Amsterdam municipal government is launching a plan to gradually replace software from major American tech firms due to concerns over digital dependency and security. With Dutch municipalities curr...

Halsema wrote letter to rapper Ye: 'Please leave Amsterdam'
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema sent a letter to rapper Ye during his stay in the city, asking him to leave following his controversial performances in Arnhem. Although authorities and the courts allowe...

Haarlem station reopened after suitcases found, three people arrested
Haarlem Station was evacuated for over two hours this morning after two unattended suitcases were discovered, halting all train traffic. Authorities confirmed the luggage was harmless and arrested thr...
Direct ICE train from Amsterdam to Hamburg for 33 euros: possible starting Friday
NS International is launching direct ICE train connections from Amsterdam to Hamburg starting this Friday, with one-way tickets starting at 33 euros. The service is part of an effort to provide sustai...
TikTok queue at Fabel Friet affects house prices: average loss of 41,000 euros
A study by TU Delft researcher Rosa van der Drift indicates that homes within 500 meters of the popular Amsterdam snack bar Fabel Friet have lost an average of 41,000 euros in value since 2022. Local ...
Province closes N202 near Spaarndam for three nights for roadworks
The province of North Holland will close the N202 near Spaarndam for three nights starting September 30 for asphalt maintenance. During these closures, traffic will be diverted via major highways and ...
Multiple stations evacuated due to suspicious objects: No train traffic to and from Haarlem
Several train stations in the Netherlands were partially evacuated on Tuesday morning due to reports of suspicious objects. Specifically, station Haarlem was closed and train services were halted whil...

Markerwaarddijk may be closed to heavy traffic for years
Heavy trucks will be prohibited from using the Markerwaarddijk starting October 21 due to significant wear and structural damage to the bridges at the Houtribsluizen. Rijkswaterstaat expects the restr...

Only one Dutchman refused to surrender New Amsterdam to the English (but he lost)
In 1664, four English warships arrived at the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam to demand its surrender. Although at least one individual advocated for resistance, the Dutch authorities ultimately yielded...
Smart, vulnerable and leading a double life: meet Pepijn (24), the arrested whizzkid of 'ShinyHunters'
Pepijn van der S., a 24-year-old hacker from Almere known by the alias Umbreon, has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the international hacking collective ShinyHunters. Authorities suspect ...

Johan Derksen on Estavana Polman's departure from VI: 'She is the victim'
Johan Derksen has commented on the departure of Estavana Polman from the television program Vandaag Inside, expressing regret over how the situation was handled. While Polman struggled to contribute t...
Red Cross sounds alarm as people skip meals due to lack of money
The Dutch Red Cross has issued an urgent warning as rising living costs force thousands to skip meals to afford fixed expenses. The organization is providing grocery cards to support those in need, th...

Netherlands and five other countries want deep cuts to EU budget
The Netherlands and five other EU nations are calling for a significant reduction in the European Union's seven-year budget proposal. These countries want to reallocate funds away from agriculture and...
Dutch people less likely to disapprove of violence against women: ‘Shocking’
Recent data from the World Values Survey 2026 shows that opposition to domestic violence against women is declining among the Dutch population, particularly among younger people. Researchers attribute...
Even street-art optimist Frankey lost hope in New York with Trump
Dutch street artist Frankey, known for his witty urban installations, is the subject of a new documentary that highlights his creative process and recent projects in New York. While his attempts to br...
Engineering firm Arcadis to cut approximately 1,000 jobs
Engineering firm Arcadis is planning to eliminate around 1,000 jobs as part of a major restructuring effort. The company also announced it will divest most of its architecture business and exit the Ch...

Record number of homes made sustainable with subsidies, insulation especially popular
Over 850,000 homes in the Netherlands were upgraded using government subsidies between 2021 and 2025, with insulation being the most popular choice. While record numbers were reached in 2025, data sho...

Companies can often pivot: high import levels do not necessarily create dependency
New research from the CPB suggests that Dutch companies are generally less dependent on single-country imports than feared, as alternatives are available for most products. While switching suppliers d...

Young suspect in attempted attack on Heemstede synagogue appears in court
An 18-year-old Amsterdam resident has appeared in court for his alleged involvement in a planned attack on a synagogue in Heemstede. The suspect is accused of providing explosives and materials to two...
Municipalities spend 185 million a year on tech giant Microsoft: 'Amount shows the extent of dependency'
Dutch municipalities spent roughly 185 million euros on Microsoft products in 2025, highlighting a deep dependency on American tech companies. Experts and officials are concerned that this reliance co...