Netherlands News in English
Latest netherlands headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Hello new friends! This is what you can do in Haarlem during the Week Against Loneliness
The Week Against Loneliness takes place across the Netherlands from September 24 to September 30, encouraging people to foster social connections through small, meaningful interactions. Residents in H...
Three more journalists report being harassed during far-right demonstration
Three additional journalists have reported being physically assaulted and harassed during a recent far-right demonstration in the Netherlands. The incidents included being targeted with fireworks, pus...
48 reports of demolition and tree felling in Haarlem last week
The municipality of Haarlem processed 48 permit applications last week, covering residential construction projects, event planning, and numerous requests for tree removal. The filings include routine ...
Sixty parties interested in relaunch of Batavus and Babboe bicycle manufacturer
Sixty parties have submitted bids to purchase bicycle manufacturer Accell, which filed for bankruptcy in August due to mounting financial struggles and inventory issues. Meanwhile, creditors have file...
Kilometer-long police chase ends at Prins Bernhardplein: driver arrested
A high-speed police chase starting in the Zaanstreek region concluded in Amsterdam when the driver crashed into several parked cars at Prins Bernhardplein. The suspect was arrested without any reporte...
Amsterdam Blue at the City Archives: from botched attempts to masterpieces
The Stadsarchief in Amsterdam is hosting an exhibition dedicated to 'Amsterdams Blauw' pottery, which was produced on the Overtoom. The exhibition, running from October 10 to November 1, showcases var...
Body found in the water at Postjeskade
A body was discovered in the water at Postjeskade in Amsterdam on the morning of the incident. Local police have initiated an investigation to determine the victim's identity and the circumstances sur...
Dazzling bike ride past new Amsterdam monuments
Between 2021 and 2025, Amsterdam added 88 new monuments to its cityscape. A recent cycling tour highlights 12 of these unique and significant buildings.
Advisory body SER wants better employment support for newcomers
The Social and Economic Council (SER) is urging for improved employment support for newcomers in the Netherlands to help them integrate and fill labor shortages. The council suggests that municipaliti...
CBS: Dutch people have slightly more to spend
Statistics Netherlands reports that household disposable income rose by 0.7 percent in the second quarter of the year, driven by wage growth and higher benefit payments. Conversely, total mortgage deb...
Dutch economy grows faster than expected as household spending increases
The Dutch economy grew faster in the first quarter than initially estimated, with growth reaching 0.4 percent for the quarter and 1.6 percent on an annual basis. This increase is mainly attributed to ...
Budget deficit in first half of year largest since 2021 pandemic year
The Netherlands recorded a 5 billion euro budget deficit in the first half of 2025, the largest since 2021, due to increased social spending and higher government costs. Despite this, the total govern...
French cuisine is delicious! 9 French restaurants in Haarlem
Haarlem features a wide selection of French restaurants, ranging from traditional bistros to modern establishments with Michelin-recognized quality. These dining spots, scattered across the city, offe...
Huge interest in 'crispy white' giant water lily flower at the Hortus
Hundreds of visitors flocked to the Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam to witness the evening blooming of a rare giant water lily. Staff at the botanical garden manually pollinate the hybrid plant, which i...
From Kivik sofa to Kallax shelf: Ikea cuts prices on bestsellers and introduces new small stores
Ikea is investing 40 million euros in the Netherlands to lower prices on popular products and improve accessibility. The retailer is also launching smaller, supermarket-sized stores to better reach co...
Shortening unemployment benefits has little effect on employment growth
Recent research from the CPB indicates that shortening the duration or lowering the amount of unemployment benefits has only a minimal effect on structural employment growth. Although the Dutch govern...
CPB: Shortening unemployment benefit duration creates 8,000 extra jobs, effect is limited
The Dutch Centraal Planbureau (CPB) estimates that reducing unemployment benefit duration from 24 to 12 months will lead to 8,000 extra jobs, though it describes the effect as limited. The plan faces ...
SER wants better guidance for Ukrainians into jobs matching their qualifications: 'We are missing opportunities'
The Social and Economic Council (SER) suggests that municipalities should take formal responsibility for integrating Ukrainian refugees into the Dutch labor market by providing language training and c...
Canadian company abandons bid to acquire Arcadis and withdraws offer
Canadian firm WSP Global has terminated its attempt to acquire the Dutch engineering and consultancy company Arcadis after being rejected twice. The suitor withdrew its offer because it could not enga...
Amsterdam wants to pilot medication for crack users: "Government must grant permission"
Mayors of the four largest Dutch cities have requested government approval to use dexamphetamine as a medical treatment for crack cocaine addiction. Researchers aim to launch a pilot program in Amster...
In a cell with your neighbors: The resistance of Rapenburg
The Amsterdam-based program De Straten van Amsterdam recently profiled the Rapenburg neighborhood, highlighting its rich history and the lives of several long-term residents. Featured stories included...
National exercise challenge gets Haarlem residents moving: "The oldest is 96!"
Haarlem residents recently gathered at the Wilsonsplein playground to celebrate a nationwide exercise day, reflecting a regular community-led initiative held twice a week. The event drew sixty partici...
ASML is not currently selling any chip machines in Europe
ASML reports that it is not selling any chip-making machines in Europe due to a lack of local investment and new fabrication facilities. The company, which is vital to the global semiconductor supply ...
Sound barrier on A10 West catches fire again
A sound barrier on the A10 near Amsterdam-West caught fire this afternoon for the third time this year. Emergency services successfully extinguished the flames, and repairs are scheduled to begin afte...
Ben Saunders' family not present at funeral: 'Hardest decision'
The family of the late singer Ben Saunders has decided not to attend his funeral, describing it as the hardest decision they have ever had to make. Saunders, who won the first season of The Voice of H...
Chatting with a stranger: Margriet organizes Start the Conversation meetings at the Haarlem library
Magazine Margriet is hosting 'Start the Conversation' meetings in libraries across the Netherlands to help people overcome loneliness and social anxiety. A local session is scheduled for November 13, ...
Mensje van Keulen and Japke-d. Bouma to write for Book Week 2027
Authors Mensje van Keulen and Japke-d. Bouma have been selected to write the featured works for the 2027 Boekenweek in the Netherlands. The event, which follows the theme Kijk ons nou, is scheduled to...
Public Prosecution Service demands 12-year prison sentence for former civil servant Jim B. for selling data from municipal systems
The Public Prosecution Service has requested a 12-year prison sentence for former Amsterdam civil servant Jim B. for selling sensitive municipal data to criminals. Prosecutors linked the leaked inform...
Health Council advises against structural 13-week ultrasound
The Health Council of the Netherlands has advised against permanently implementing the 13-week prenatal ultrasound due to high rates of false positives and missed diagnoses. Although the screening wil...
Labor Inspectorate arrests two ex-convicts for benefit fraud
Two former convicts have been arrested by the Netherlands Labor Inspectorate for allegedly defrauding the UWV of 160,000 euros. The suspects reportedly used forged prison discharge documents to illici...