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.
Greenpeace allowed to challenge multi-million dollar US fine in the Netherlands
The Amsterdam District Court has ruled that it is competent to hear a legal challenge by Greenpeace against a US court order to pay nearly 300 million euros in damages to Energy Transfer. This decisio...
Lonneke from Hillegom outraged by large-scale mowing of colorful flower strips in Heemstede: 'I couldn't believe it'
Lonneke Poels from Hillegom expressed outrage after the municipality of Heemstede mowed down vibrant wildflower strips along the Leidsevaart while they were in full bloom. She criticized the timing of...
Penalty payments for long-waiting benefit scandal parents temporarily suspended
Victims of the Dutch childcare benefits scandal seeking compensation currently face average wait times of over two years for a decision. Despite these significant delays, the Benefits Service will tem...
National snack bar association ProFri outraged by Haarlem fast-food ban in new district: 'Local arbitrariness'
The national snack bar association ProFri has expressed outrage over the city of Haarlem's plan to prohibit fast food outlets in the new Hart voor Oostpoort neighborhood. Director Sven Flapper labeled...
Plug pulled on electric car-sharing trial in Heemskerk: ‘A mystery why it works in Castricum and not here’
A four-month trial featuring two electric shared cars in Heemskerk has been cancelled due to low public interest. The organization EcoHeemskerk expressed disappointment over the lack of participation ...
Households in Zaanstad must apply for electricity connections in time
Households and small businesses in Zaanstad must apply for upgraded electricity connections before July 1, 2026, to avoid being placed on a waiting list. This measure comes as a result of increasing g...
Live blog reactions to coalition agreement: Good steps, but the handbrake stays on
PRO Amsterdam and D66 have presented a new four-year coalition agreement for Amsterdam that features civil service cuts, the cancellation of a planned erotic center, and a freeze on property tax incre...
Bollywood classics to be screened at Kinepolis this summer
The Bollywood Film Festival 2026 will screen various classic films in Kinepolis and Vue cinemas across the Netherlands from July 3 to 5. The festival officially begins with an exclusive red-carpet ope...
Son of columnist Yesim Candan attacked with chain lock after football column in Het Parool
The son of columnist Yesim Candan was attacked and injured with a chain lock in Amsterdam on Tuesday evening. Candan believes the assault is linked to a critical column she recently wrote about the mu...
Many highs and lows, but Hillegom community officer René Nieuwenhuizen had the best job in the world: 'My mouth was my strongest weapon'
René Nieuwenhuizen reflects on his career as a community police officer in Hillegom, describing it as the most beautiful profession despite facing trauma and burnout. He highlights communication as h...
How Amsterdam elected a drunk homeless man as city councilor
Cornelis de Gelder, a homeless man known as Hadjememaar, was elected to the Amsterdam city council after receiving more than 13,000 votes. Despite his struggles with alcoholism and homelessness, his c...
Marilyn Monroe celebrates 100th birthday at the top of a Haarlem church tower
The MM100-Festival has launched in Haarlem to celebrate what would have been Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday. The festivities began with a carillon concert from the Sint Bavokerk tower featuring a Mon...
Velsen installs temporary lighting along dark Kanaaldijk and sends bill to Rijkswaterstaat
The municipality of Velsen is installing temporary lighting along the Kanaaldijk because Rijkswaterstaat has failed to repair defective streetlights. Velsen plans to charge the national infrastructure...
'Zoet, Zout, Zuur' singer Robert van Hemert to perform at AFAS Live next year
Singer Robert van Hemert has announced a solo performance at AFAS Live in Amsterdam, scheduled for April 23, 2027. The 33-year-old artist expressed his commitment to making the show an unforgettable e...
These will be Amsterdam’s aldermen for the next four years: five new faces
The new governing coalition in Amsterdam, consisting of PRO Amsterdam and D66, has announced its nine proposed aldermen for the upcoming four-year term. The new executive board features five new faces...
Tax authority does not have to pay penalty payments to benefit parents for now
The Dutch Council of State has ruled that the government is temporarily exempt from paying penalty payments to victims of the childcare benefit scandal who are facing delays in compensation decisions....
Global economic growth slows this year and remains under pressure
The OECD reported on Wednesday that global economic growth is facing increasing pressure due to the conflict in the Middle East. This downward trend suggests that worldwide economic expansion will be ...
Minister on protests: 'We're not going to say: we don't like this protest, so end it'
The Dutch cabinet has concluded its review on how to handle demonstrations that escalate, with Justice Minister David van Weel emphasizing that no simple solution exists. He stated that the government...
75 municipal reports on demolition, tree felling and hospitality in Haarlem last week
The municipality of Haarlem processed 75 permit applications last week concerning demolition projects, tree felling, and catering establishments. Residents are encouraged to review the official notice...
Better support for Amsterdam prisoners returning to society
Amsterdam is providing guidance to inmates during their detention to increase the likelihood of a successful return to society. This initiative aims to support prisoners before their release to ensure...
Fake payment reminder via SMS from the Tax Authorities
The Dutch Tax Authority is warning the public about fake payment reminders sent via SMS by scammers. Fraudsters are exploiting the current period when many citizens are receiving tax refunds or making...
Housing construction no longer taboo in Provincially Protected Landscapes: ‘Building allowed in the pink areas of North Holland’
Deputy Esther Rommel announced that housing construction is no longer prohibited in North Holland's Provincially Protected Landscapes. These designated areas, previously off-limits for development, ar...
From farmer's son to head greenkeeper of Spaarnwoude Golf Course: Engel IJff retires after 48 years
Engel IJff has retired after 48 years as the head greenkeeper at Golfbaan Spaarnwoude in Velsen-Zuid. Despite officially starting his retirement a week ago, the 67-year-old remains a daily presence at...
Residents can stay in containers at Puikman in Castricum for three months longer
Residents of temporary container homes in Castricum have received a three-month lease extension, allowing them to stay at the Puikman location until September 30, 2026. The municipal council was infor...
Ban on face coverings at demonstrations uncertain after criticism
The Dutch cabinet is exploring alternatives to a proposed ban on face coverings at demonstrations following significant criticism of the plan. Ministers Pieter Heerma and David van Weel informed the H...
Arib: House of Representatives was not prepared for a pandemic
Former House Speaker Khadija Arib testified before a parliamentary inquiry committee that the Dutch House of Representatives was unprepared for a pandemic at the start of 2020. Her statements were mad...
Erben Wennemars recently suffered a stroke: 'We were terribly shocked'
Former Dutch speed skater Erben Wennemars recently suffered a stroke, as reported by his wife Renate in a column for de Stentor. The incident occurred suddenly and resulted in a speech impairment, cau...
45-euro waste discount: Is it too little? Beverwijk politicians wonder, but approve anyway
Politicians in Beverwijk have approved a plan to offer residents a maximum annual discount of 45 euros on waste disposal taxes as an incentive for recycling. Although some council members expressed co...
Good news for holidaymakers: the kerosene shortage is off the table for now
A looming kerosene shortage has been averted, ensuring that travelers can fly and drive without fuel supply issues this summer. The aviation and fuel sectors successfully implemented strategies to ove...
Significant increase in traffic violations this year
The Central Judicial Collection Agency (CJIB) reported a 13% increase in traffic violations in the Netherlands during the first four months of the year. Between January and April, nearly 2.6 million o...