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.
Hamer wants better oversight of investigations into transgressive behavior
Mariëtte Hamer, the Dutch government commissioner for sexual misconduct, is calling for the creation of a new organization to oversee investigations into inappropriate behavior. She argues that curre...
Arno Dijkstra hat-trick leads HBC past Flevo Boys in first step toward promotion to the Third Division
Arno Dijkstra scored a hattrick to lead HBC to a 3-1 home victory over Flevo Boys in the first step of their promotion playoffs to the third division. The win provides a strong start for coach Jasper ...
Lisa Kraak new director of Cultuurhuis Heemskerk
Lisa Kraak has been appointed as the new director of Cultuurhuis Heemskerk, effective June 1st. She succeeds Mirjam du Cloo, who is stepping down after ten years to become the director of Hart Haarlem...
Bits of Freedom files complaint with regulator over period-tracking app
The privacy organization Bits of Freedom has filed a formal complaint with the Dutch Data Protection Authority against the period tracking app Flo. The group alleges that the app violates user privacy...
TikTok shopping coming soon, but Consumentenbond is critical
TikTok is launching TikTok Shop in the Netherlands on June 15, allowing users to purchase products directly through the app's videos. The Dutch Consumer Association (Consumentenbond) has expressed con...
Free documentary on contract labor
De Balie in Amsterdam is hosting a free documentary screening on Friday, June 5, focusing on the history of indentured labor during the colonial era. The event aims to raise awareness about this relat...
Eight in ten patients experience side effects from radiation therapy
A survey of over 3,800 patients reveals that more than 80% of individuals receiving radiation therapy experience side effects, with fatigue being the most common complaint. While over half of the part...
June microchipping month: get your cat microchipped and registered for free
During the month of June, cat owners in Amsterdam can have their pets chipped and registered for free. This initiative aims to reduce the number of lost animals and ensure they can be returned to thei...
Fire service, municipalities and VNG call on government to revise building regulations
Dutch municipalities, provinces, and the fire department are calling on the national government to modernize building regulations to keep pace with social and technological changes. A study by TNO rev...
Why does my name Haroon sound so strange?
Haroon Ali recounts an experience at a yoga studio where a receptionist struggled to understand and find his name in the system despite clear articulation. The anecdote illustrates the frequent fricti...
Researchers surprised: children's motor skills haven't declined despite increased screen time
A study by the Dutch Education Inspectorate shows that despite a significant increase in screen time over the last seven years, physical movement skills among eighth-grade students have remained stabl...
SBMG comeback sparks joy in Kraaiennest: "The neighborhood has been waiting for this"
The Amsterdam-based hip-hop duo SBMG, consisting of rappers Chivv and Henkie T, has announced a reunion concert at the Ziggo Dome on December 5th. Fans in their home neighborhood of Kraaiennest expres...
Help, my teen is going on a drinking holiday in Albufeira: do you pack condoms and SPF 50 in the suitcase?
Following the completion of school exams, many Dutch teenagers are heading to popular party destinations like Albufeira and Mallorca. Pedagogue Marina van der Wal provides tips for concerned parents o...
New phase, old concerns at well-attended 't Groot Clooster meeting: 'Plans are not set in stone'
Residents of Heemstede attended a well-attended walk-in evening at the town hall on Tuesday to discuss development plans for 't Groot Clooster. The event allowed community members to share their ideas...
Marianne takes her mother by bike to Side Canal B: 'She sometimes thinks she's taking up my time, but I'm so glad I still have her'
Marianne takes her mother on bicycle trips to Zijkanaal B to enjoy the scenic views of the water and nature together. Despite her mother's concerns about being a burden, Marianne cherishes the time th...
North Holland traffic: delays on the A7, N242 and N244 during Thursday morning rush hour, May 28
On Thursday, May 28, the morning rush hour in North Holland experienced several traffic bottlenecks on the A7, A9, N242, and N244. Heavy traffic volume led to stationary vehicles and several minutes o...
Dutch economy grows faster, but finding work gets harder
The Dutch economy grew by 1.8% last year, an increase from the 1.1% growth seen in 2024. Although all provinces recorded economic expansion, Friesland saw the highest growth rate while Limburg experie...
Pieterpad gets 500 km wheelchair-friendly version
A new 500-kilometer wheelchair-friendly variant of the Pieterpad hiking trail has been launched, making the famous route accessible to mobility scooters, walkers, and strollers. Starting Thursday, the...
More people addicted to online gambling and designer drugs
Data from the National Alcohol and Drugs Information System (LADIS) shows a growing number of people in the Netherlands are seeking help for addictions to online gambling and designer drugs. These fin...
Taxi driver Roos now only drives women: "Extra sense of safety"
Roos, a 44-year-old taxi driver, has transitioned to an exclusive service for women in Amsterdam to provide a greater sense of safety for female passengers, especially at night. This decision follows ...
Sheep wool as ground cover? Farmer Tom: ‘You can use this in many ways for your garden’
Farmer Tom discusses the various benefits of using sheep wool as soil protection in gardens, responding to a reader's inquiry about its effectiveness. This practice provides a sustainable use for surp...
Always entitled to a new device under warranty? Reader asks Ombudsman for clarification
A customer is seeking legal clarification after retailer Bol.com provided a refund instead of a replacement for a defective Philips hair removal device. The 269 euro device broke within two months of ...
Ban on US takeover of DigiD fits tougher stance against Big Tech
The Dutch government has blocked the American acquisition of the company behind DigiD to maintain national control over its crucial digital infrastructure. Experts support the decision as a move towar...
'Traps' cleaning harbor water. Port of Amsterdam trials waste collection system: 'The power is in simplicity'
The Port of Amsterdam is testing a new debris capture system designed to remove floating waste like plastic and cans from the water. This pilot program aims to improve water quality in the Amsterdam h...
Residents want blue zone on Rijksstraatweg. Council says no: 'parking pressure within limits'
Residents and businesses on the Rijksstraatweg in Heemskerk submitted a request for the implementation of a blue zone to address local parking issues. The municipal executive rejected the proposal, st...
Deeper cuts at Spaarne Werkt: Snuffelmug, youth work and giant Cruquius building at risk
Participation company Spaarne Werkt is undergoing significant budget cuts affecting the Snuffelmug thrift store and youth programs to restore its financial stability. The municipalities of Haarlem, He...
Four people taken to hospital after house fire in Hellevoetsluis
Four people were transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation after a house fire broke out in Hellevoetsluis on Wednesday evening. Emergency services from the Rotterdam-Rijnmond safety region resp...
Education Council: school tests should focus more on learning
The Dutch Education Council advises that tests in primary and secondary education should focus more on the learning process rather than being used for admissions, transitions, or diplomas. This recomm...
Groningen mayor wants asylum reception on state-owned sites
Mayor Roelien Kamminga of Groningen is urging the Dutch government to use its own properties for temporary asylum seeker housing. This measure is intended to prevent people from sleeping outdoors at t...
Asylum seekers from across the country dine with Amsterdammers at long tables: "Gives hope"
Around 1,500 people, including asylum seekers and local residents, gathered for a massive community dinner at the Oosterdok in Amsterdam. The event, featuring a 900-meter-long table, aimed to promote ...