Netherlands News in English
Netherlands news in English — Dutch national headlines covering politics, housing, immigration, the economy, transport and daily life, translated and updated throughout the day for the international community.
Motorcycle sales rise significantly again: 'It's a practical means of transport'
New motorcycle sales in the Netherlands increased significantly in the first half of the year, with 14,062 units sold. This represents a growth of over 15 percent compared to the same period in the pr...
Zijlstraat, Cronjé and Kleverpark shopping areas partly excluded from higher parking rates: 'Benefits local economy'
The Haarlem city council has decided to exempt parking areas and garages in the Zijlstraat, Cronjé, and Kleverpark shopping districts from planned rate increases. The current 'stop and shop' rate of ...
Government did not want to buy Solvinity itself, company claims
Solvinity, the manager of the DigiD platform, approached the Dutch government with an offer to be acquired, but the government declined the proposal. Lawyers representing the company disclosed this in...
Volt EU: decide on European Security Council at NATO summit
Dutch Member of the European Parliament Reinier van Lanschot and a coalition of European colleagues are urging attendees of the upcoming NATO summit to establish a European Security Council. This prop...
Halving of subsidy threatens future of Greenport Duin- en Bollenstreek: 'Only in the Bollenstreek are we just scraping by'
The Greenport Duin- en Bollenstreek foundation is facing a significant budget cut, with subsidies nearly halving for 2026 and 2027. Consequently, the organization has warned that activities such as th...
Minister Sjoerdsma to China to strengthen trade relations
Dutch Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma is traveling to China for a three-day trade mission accompanied by seventeen companies from the Netherlands. This visit occurs five years after Beijing placed Sjoerdsma...
Royal family to celebrate King's Day in Lelystad next year
King Willem-Alexander and his family will celebrate King's Day in Lelystad next year. This annual national holiday commemorates the King's birthday.
Historical guided tour of Oud-Velsen
A guided historical tour of the village of Oud-Velsen, located along the North Sea Canal, will take place on July 12. The event is scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM.
Wibra saw turnover and store count grow significantly last year
Budget retailer Wibra experienced a record year in 2025, opening 63 new stores to reach a total of 360 locations. The company reported that its revenue grew by over 25 percent, amounting to 362 millio...
Vaccination pace depended on strategy simplicity, says former RIVM official
Former RIVM program director Jaap van Delden testified before a parliamentary inquiry committee that the simplicity of the vaccination strategy was crucial to maintaining speed during the COVID-19 pan...
Animal rights activists call new wolf regulations hot air
Animal rights activists are threatening legal action against new government regulations that make it easier for provinces to authorize shooting wolves in the event of human attacks. State Secretary Si...
Former RIVM director felt 'enormous pressure' regarding vaccination rates
Former RIVM vaccination director Jaap van Delden testified before a parliamentary committee that he felt significant pressure regarding the Netherlands' vaccination rates compared to other countries. ...
Provinces allowed to intervene faster with wolves: human safety comes first
Provinces in the Netherlands welcome new regulations that allow for faster intervention in response to wolf-related incidents. Officials emphasize that human safety remains the top priority, particula...
Why does Hudson's Bay still stand on 'our' old V&D building? The letters are annoying
Residents of Haarlem are expressing frustration that the Hudson's Bay signage remains on the former V&D building. The persistence of these letters continues to irritate the local community.
Roadworks in Haarlem: keep this in mind this week (July 6 - July 13)
Multiple road construction projects are taking place in Haarlem from July 6 to July 13. Various locations, including Gedempte Oude Gracht and Oostvest, will experience partial closures during this per...
Dutch crypto entrepreneur (35) who was a victim of gang rape in Pakistan escaped after car crash
A 35-year-old Dutch crypto entrepreneur who traveled to Pakistan for business was kidnapped and gang-raped. She managed to escape after the vehicle carrying her and one of her attackers was involved i...
Motorist seriously injured after colliding with overpass near Lijnden
A driver died this morning after their vehicle crashed into a viaduct pillar on the N232 road near Lijnden. Emergency services, including a trauma team, responded to the scene, but the individual coul...
Car crashes at N232 overpass near Lijnden: one person seriously injured, road closed
A serious car accident occurred on Monday morning when a vehicle crashed into a pillar at the N232 viaduct near Lijnden, leaving one person severely injured. Authorities have completely closed the N23...
RIVM vaccination director: no plan B prepared for vaccinations
Jaap van Delden, the former RIVM vaccination program director, testified that no contingency plan existed for administering COVID-19 vaccinations when it became clear that general practitioners could ...
VVD council member Dennis Kornet wants Haarlem to stop being the capital of paternalism: 'Snack bar ban? My heart bleeds'
VVD council member Dennis Kornet has called for an end to restrictive policies in Haarlem, such as bans on snack bars. He argues that the city should prioritize entrepreneurial freedom to restore its ...
Diesel is flowing from the pump for less than 2 euros per liter again here and there
The price of diesel has fallen below 2 euros per liter at some locations in the Netherlands. This follows a significant price increase that occurred after the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East.
![Fewer intercity trains around Leiden and no sprinters between Haarlem and Leiden due to switch failure [update]](https://prod-img.leidschdagblad.nl/public/incoming/uyb9ik-sein-wissel-storing-ns-anp.jpg/alternates/BASE_SIXTEEN_NINE/sein-wissel-storing-ns-anp.jpg)
Fewer intercity trains around Leiden and no sprinters between Haarlem and Leiden due to switch failure [update]
A switch failure is disrupting train services on Monday morning, resulting in fewer intercity trains between Leiden, The Hague, and Amsterdam. Additionally, sprinter services between Haarlem and Leide...
COVID inquiry with top official: 'De Jonge was simply very ambitious'
The Dutch parliamentary inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic continues this week, focusing on vaccination campaigns and the implementation of COVID access passes. High-ranking health officials testified...
Watch: Corona hearing with former RIVM director on vaccinations
A former RIVM director and a senior official from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport are testifying this week regarding COVID-19 vaccination campaigns and the use of digital health passes. Thes...
Sales of new owner-occupied homes fall sharply
The sale of new owner-occupied homes in the Netherlands has declined for the third consecutive quarter. During the first three months of this year, only 5,126 new properties were sold.
Royce de Vries 5 years after attack on his father: 'It hurts that he missed so much'
Five years after the assassination attempt on his father, Peter R. de Vries, Royce de Vries shared a message on Instagram reflecting on the significant moments his father has missed. He expressed the ...
Mart Smeets struggled with a question: what feeling should he have when watching the Dutch national team?
Mart Smeets reflects on his complex feelings toward the Dutch national football team following a disappointing performance against Uzbekistan. The article describes the conclusion of the team's activi...
Museum of the Mind opens pop-up location at Grote Markt in Haarlem
Museum van de Geest is opening a pop-up location at the Vleeshal on the Grote Markt in Haarlem. Starting October 2, the venue will host an exhibition titled 'Outsider Art - 150 years of outsider art i...
Number of new-build homes sold drops sharply
New-build home sales in the Netherlands declined by 19 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period the previous year. This data was released by the national statistics office CBS ...
Reboot of KRO-NCRV show Ook dat nog! cancelled after just one season
The Dutch consumer program 'Ook dat nog!', a reboot aired by KRO-NCRV, has been canceled after only one season. Broadcaster KRO-NCRV confirmed the decision following reports that the satirical show wo...