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.
Musical Christmas program Scrooge Live to be filmed in Drenthe this year
The musical television special Scrooge Live, which highlights the issue of child poverty in the Netherlands, will be filmed in Drenthe this year. The event is scheduled to air on NPO 1 on December 20 ...
No explosives, just clothing found in abandoned suitcases at Haarlem station
Haarlem station was evacuated Tuesday morning after two abandoned suitcases raised suspicions of explosives, leading to a temporary halt in train traffic. Authorities later discovered only clothing in...
Anonymous fireworks drop-off at Haarlem ice rink
Residents in Haarlem-Noord can anonymously hand in illegal or surplus fireworks at a local collection point today. This initiative supports the national fireworks ban that has been in effect since Aug...
Fuel leaked into water possibly by navy vessel at NDSM wharf
Fuel has leaked into the water at the NDSM wharf in Amsterdam, prompting an investigation by local police and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee. The spill is suspected to originate from the docked na...
More new passenger cars sold, electric vehicle sales reach record high
New car registrations in the Netherlands have seen a narrowing decline, with signs of market recovery toward the end of the year. Fully electric vehicles have reached a record 52.8 percent market shar...
Amsterdam scraps neighborhood budgets: residents can no longer vote on local funding
The City of Amsterdam is ending its neighborhood budget program, which allowed residents to vote on local improvement projects, due to limited resources and difficulties in reaching a broader demograp...
Spectacular transport across the IJ: VOC reconstruction Batavia leaves Amsterdam in steel support structure
The VOC ship reconstruction Batavia was transported to Amsterdam in September to undergo critical repairs for rot at a shipyard. It has been fitted with a steel support structure to ensure it can be s...
Dutch newspapers put photo of deceased Paulien Cornelisse on front page
Dutch newspapers are mourning the death of writer and columnist Paulien Cornelisse, dedicating front-page coverage to her memory and unique contributions to language. The beloved humorist, who had bee...
Batavia returns to Lelystad after two weeks
The historic VOC ship Batavia has left Amsterdam following a two-week restoration project to address severe wood rot on its hull. The vessel is now being towed back to Lelystad, where it will be perma...
Retail sales rise in August, largest growth in a year
Dutch retailers reported their highest revenue growth in a year during August 2026, with overall sales volume rising by 2.7 percent. The growth was led by the non-food sector and strong online sales, ...
Paulien Cornelisse shows that the sick don't have to end up as discarded ballast
The Dutch writer and comedian Paulien Cornelisse has passed away at the age of 50, leading to nationwide tributes and changes to television programming. Despite battling cancer, she continued her work...
ABN AMRO also expects the housing market to cool down next year
ABN AMRO expects the Dutch housing market to cool next year as mortgage interest rates remain high, leading to a downward revision in price and transaction growth forecasts. While rural provinces are ...
New self-employment law aims to provide clarity and prevent false self-employment
The Dutch government has introduced a new bill to provide legal clarity for the country's 1.2 million self-employed workers and their clients. The proposal establishes two specific tests regarding ent...
Municipality critical of provincial plan putting 10,000 homes at risk
The Amsterdam city council is in conflict with the province of North Holland over new spatial plans that protect industrial land at the expense of potential housing. This policy threatens the realizat...
Employees see slight gain as wages rise faster than prices
Dutch employees are experiencing a modest increase in purchasing power as wages continue to rise faster than inflation for the twelfth consecutive quarter. While growth has stabilized at approximately...
Fewer students are borrowing money, but loan amounts continue to rise
The number of students taking out loans in the Netherlands has decreased, but the average borrowed amount has risen significantly. Although most students report managing their finances well, out-of-ho...
Surgery possible on clitoris after 40 years of being available for penis: ‘We don’t understand why it took so long’
A new surgical procedure now allows for the reconstruction of the clitoris in women who have undergone surgery for vulvar cancer, enabling them to retain sexual function. Medical experts have criticiz...
Minister wants mandatory register for real estate agents to prevent misconduct
The Dutch government is proposing a mandatory professional register for real estate agents to improve transparency and address widespread misconduct in the housing market. The new regulations will enf...
Opinion: E-scooters in Amsterdam? These unstable boards are just asking for trouble here
The introduction of e-scooters in Amsterdam is facing criticism due to the city's uneven pavement and safety concerns regarding their use on busy cycle paths. Critics suggest that the devices are inhe...
Australian Koko (31) bought an Amsterdam apartment on her own after about 40 viewings: ‘I was looking for a special home’
After eight years of renting and attending roughly 40 property viewings, 31-year-old Australian expatriate Koko van de Laak has purchased her own apartment in Amsterdam. She eventually found a unique ...
Amsterdam housing market continues to cool down
The housing market in Amsterdam is cooling faster than the rest of the Netherlands, with price growth significantly lower than the national average. Experts attribute this trend to high interest rates...
Amsterdam museums attract fewer visitors: Tourists stay for shorter periods and spend less money
Museums in Amsterdam saw a 5.2 percent decline in visitors during the first half of this year. Industry experts suggest this trend is driven by tourists staying for shorter periods and spending less m...
Joint frigate contract with Belgium at risk due to delays and high costs of controversial shipbuilder
The joint Dutch-Belgian project to build six frigates is at risk due to significant construction delays and rising costs from the shipbuilder Damen. Belgium is now considering alternative internationa...
Anouk would understand a potential Borsato comeback: 'He was simply acquitted'
Anouk recently expressed that she would support a career comeback for Marco Borsato following his acquittal, though she remains critical of his past behavior toward a teenager. She also commented on t...
Former master brewer Franck Everts on four remarkable Heineken turning points: from Witpils to a green 0.0
Heineken appears to be on a path of recovery ahead of the arrival of a new CEO. Former tap master Franck Evers discussed several notable product changes at the brewery, including the decision to maint...
Home in Haarlem possibly shot at
Police in Haarlem are investigating a potential shooting that occurred on Solostraat around 8:20 p.m. No injuries were reported, and the area remains cordoned off while authorities collect evidence.
Paulien Cornelisse held up a mirror to the Dutch people's use of 'zeg maar'
Paulien Cornelisse, a celebrated Dutch author and comedian known for her astute observations of language and social conventions, has passed away. Despite battling cancer since 2024, she remained activ...
Princess Laurentien reads with Rutger & Thomas: 'They can make a difference'
Princess Laurentien joined YouTubers Rutger Vink and Thomas van Grinsven at a primary school to emphasize the importance of early literacy and reading for pleasure. The group introduced new books to s...
Ajax women qualify for European Cup main tournament despite defeat
Despite a 1-0 away defeat against WFC Aktobe in Kazakhstan, the Ajax women's football team has qualified for the UEFA Women's Champions League group stage thanks to a previous 8-0 home victory. The Am...
What are your memories of Paulien Cornelisse? Share them with Het Parool
Author and comedian Paulien Cornelisse has died at the age of 56 in an Amsterdam hospital following a battle with cancer. Het Parool is now inviting members of the public to submit their personal memo...