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.
Outage on Albert Heijn, Etos and Gall & Gall websites and apps
Major Dutch retailers Albert Heijn, Etos, and Gall & Gall are facing widespread outages across their websites and mobile applications. The parent company, Ahold Delhaize, has not yet determined the ca...
Ruben runs half marathon for long COVID research: "I see for myself how devastating it is"
Ruben Treurniet is running the Amsterdam half marathon this Sunday to raise funds for long COVID research, inspired by his brother Lex's struggle with the debilitating condition. The campaign has alre...
Record year for barn owls takes an unexpected turn: rescue mission in farm barn
Barn owls in Haarlemmermeer are having a record-breaking breeding year due to an exceptional abundance of mice. Experts Bert-Jan Bol and Roel Draijer, who have monitored the area for over 35 years, ha...
Is running a (half) marathon really a good idea? 'Proper preparation takes months'
Thousands of runners are preparing for the 51st annual Amsterdam Marathon, an event that spans over 42 kilometers. While the training process takes months of dedication, experts and participants conti...
New noise zones around Schiphol block 24,000 new homes, so the cabinet chooses to let more residents suffer severe nuisance
The Dutch government plans to adjust noise and safety zones around Schiphol Airport to allow the construction of 24,000 new homes in Amsterdam. This decision is expected to increase the number of peop...
Now I dare to dream again about having a dog or maybe even children
A Brazilian immigrant describes overcoming a lifetime of childhood trauma, abuse, and subsequent mental health struggles after moving to the Netherlands. Following an intensive trauma treatment and th...
AI checkers assess texts for humanity: 'Good for the discussion'
The rise of AI-generated content has prompted a growing debate over authenticity, leading to the increased use of detection software like Pangram. While these tools help identify AI-written texts, exp...
Last day for Ome Piet ferry as hopes for a successor fade
Skippers Martin Brekelmans and Erik Hoogenboom have ended their sixteen-year tenure operating the Ome Piet ferry between Badhoevedorp and the Amsterdamse Bos. Despite the route's popularity, the duo h...
After three years of misery, Perr Schuurs has a first against old love Ajax: 'I came home sad every day'
NEC defender Perr Schuurs has made a successful return to the pitch after a difficult two-and-a-half-year struggle with a severe knee injury. Playing seventy minutes against his former club, Ajax, mar...
Energy agency urges countries to consider releasing extra diesel
The International Energy Agency has requested that member nations accelerate the release of strategic diesel reserves to address global supply shortages caused by regional conflicts and refinery damag...
Mijntje: I hope an employer looks beyond the years I didn't work for pay
Mijntje is a middle-aged woman seeking to re-enter the workforce after years of unpaid caregiving for her family. She is sharing her experience with Anne-Marije Buckens, a professional consultant who ...
Minotaur wins audience award at Parool Film Fest
The film Minotaur has won the audience award at the tenth edition of the Parool Film Fest in Amsterdam, which saw record visitor numbers this year. The movie, directed by Zvjagintsev, offers a harsh c...
Huub Stapel preferred taking to the air over the cold sea
Presenter Huub Stapel explores Dutch landscapes and traditions across four seasons in the new Omroep Max series Een jaar in vogelvlucht. The premiere featured aerial drone footage of the country, high...
Old biscuit factory in Haarlem becomes haunted hotel for Halloween
The former De Volharding factory in Haarlem-Noord is being transformed into the Haunted Transue Hotel from October 28 to 31. Architect Adam Transue designed the attraction using recycled materials to ...
Fierce waves and strong winds: you couldn't make kitesurf talent Alex (13) any happier
Thirteen-year-old Amsterdam resident Alex Bovenkerk is making waves as a talented young kitesurfer after only two years in the sport. Under the guidance of professional coach Gijs Wassenaar, Alex is t...
First boos at the Arena: Ajax cannot (yet) keep up with Feyenoord and PSV
Ajax has started the season poorly, falling behind rivals Feyenoord and PSV after a 1-1 draw with NEC. Trainer Míchel Sánchez acknowledged the team's struggles, stating that they must improve immedi...
Watch out for the Spanish! This walk takes you back centuries in Haarlem
Haarlem will host a StoryTrail theater walk on October 18, where storyteller Franciscus will bring local legends and history to life for participants. The tour features tales of historical figures lik...
Experts doubt effectiveness of new freelance law: 'Much remains a grey area'
The Dutch government plans to implement the Self-Employed Persons Act by 2028 to clarify the distinction between independent contractors and employees. Experts remain skeptical, however, arguing that ...
Chameleon Klaver: how the GroenLinks leader keeps reinventing himself
Jesse Klaver has maintained his position as the undisputed leader of the PRO party by consistently reinventing his political image over the past twelve years. Despite various challenges, his party cur...
Police make potential drug discovery after accident on A9 near Badhoevedorp
A 24-year-old man was arrested following a single-vehicle accident on the A9 near Badhoevedorp after testing positive for cannabis use. Police also discovered two bags containing suspected hard drugs ...
Looking for a friendly chat? Step into the yellow square at the station on Wednesday
To promote social connection, the Week of the Chat initiative is launching in Haarlem on October 14, featuring a designated yellow zone at the train station where people can meet for casual conversati...
Investigation into dragon's blood in the gold buttons of the Palmwood Wreck?
Experts in Amsterdam are investigating 21-karat gold buttons recovered from the seventeenth-century Palmhoutwrak shipwreck to determine if they contain rare dragon blood resin. This research aims to r...
The Greenhouse | Don't be scared by 'complicated' new grid tariffs
The Netherlands will introduce a new electricity grid tariff system by 2029 that charges consumers based on their actual usage and timing rather than a flat fee. This reform aims to incentivize lower ...
Ajax wins only 1 of 5 home games. That is not enough for a serious title contender
Ajax is currently underperforming in home matches, having won only one of their first five games at the Johan Cruijff Arena this season. The team is struggling with squad integration due to late arriv...
German nitrogen rules much more lenient than ours, but we cannot adopt them
Germany uses a much higher nitrogen threshold for construction permits compared to the strict 0.005 mole limit enforced in the Netherlands. Although this appears to offer a solution to the Dutch nitro...
Frustration reigns at Ajax after 1-1 draw against NEC: I don't know if we are title contenders
Ajax played to a disappointing 1-1 draw against NEC at the Johan Cruijff Arena, marking their fourth home match this season without a win. Both players and staff expressed frustration over the result,...
Ajax hardcore fans celebrate 50th anniversary with fireworks in Johan Cruyff Arena
The F-side, the hardcore fan group of Ajax, celebrated their 50th anniversary with fireworks and a large banner at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam. During the event, former captain Dusan Tadic wa...
Civil servants are busy with storytellers and sounding boards, yet we still have too few of them
The Dutch cabinet is planning significant budget cuts for the civil service, a move supported by some officials who criticize current administrative inefficiencies. However, analysts suggest these sav...
Is higher interest on student debt fair? 'Unlucky generation experiences injustice'
Students who studied between 2015 and 2023 are facing higher interest rates on their student loans due to automatic adjustments linked to government bond yields. This generation, which missed out on b...
Judge rejects request for investigation into Philips in sleep apnea affair
The Dutch Enterprise Chamber has dismissed a request for an inquiry into Philips concerning the company's communication about a major sleep apnea device recall in 2021. The court ruled that there were...