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.

Failure of soy agreement threatens Amazon area the size of a third of the Netherlands
The collapse of a soy agreement earlier this year could lead to 1.4 million hectares of additional deforestation in the Amazon. The World Wide Fund for Nature warns that this loss, equivalent to one-t...

EU allows industry more emissions but maintains climate goals
Starting in 2031, the European Union will allow the industry more leeway for carbon emissions and lower costs in exchange for commitments to green production. Brussels aims to balance industrial compe...

Viaplay back in the black, but international ambitions are over
Streaming service Viaplay has reported its first profit in over two years as it recovers from a major financial crisis. As part of its strategy to curb international expansion, the company has also so...

Aerospace and defense have a mountain of orders but too few parts
The aviation and defense sectors are experiencing a significant increase in demand for new equipment. However, manufacturers are struggling to meet this record-high order volume due to ongoing shortag...

'Transit country' Belgium wants to charge for its roads, what will the Netherlands do?
The Belgian government has announced a mandatory vignette for road use starting next year. The article questions whether the Netherlands should follow this example, noting that Belgium acts as a trans...

Rapper JoeyAK shows he is out of prison on conditional release with stack of cash
Dutch rapper JoeyAK, also known as Joël H., has been released from prison under strict conditions, including the use of an ankle monitor and a restricted access order for the Amsterdam Zuidoost area....

No trains to and from Haarlem due to a collision
Train traffic to and from Haarlem station was suspended this morning following an incident involving a person, with services expected to remain disrupted until 11:15 AM. Emergency services, including ...
ASML gives 44,500 employees a share package worth 20,000 euros
ASML has announced a retention plan offering employees a stock package worth 20,000 euros, provided they remain with the company until January 1, 2030. This initiative aims to maintain staff retention...

Dutch director working on new TV series based on The Odyssey
Dutch director Roel Reiné is set to direct a new television series titled Odysseus, which is based on the epic poem The Odyssey. This project is currently in development following the latest industry...

Second car fire in two weeks on Brouwersvaart Haarlem
A car was destroyed by fire at the Brouwersvaart in Haarlem early this morning, marking the second such incident at the same location within two weeks. Police are investigating a possible connection b...

Dutch Consumers' Association threatens action over 'fake discounts' at Amazon and bol
The Dutch Consumers' Association (Consumentenbond) has accused Amazon and bol of using misleading 'fake discounts' on their platforms. The organization is threatening legal action against both retaile...

Netflix viewers increasingly choosing non-English series, including those from the Netherlands
Dutch films and series are increasingly reaching a global audience on Netflix, with titles like Amsterdam Empire and iHostage ranking as the most popular Dutch content this year. This trend coincides ...

Michael Jackson musical to premiere in the Netherlands next year
A musical based on the life and work of Michael Jackson is scheduled to premiere in the Netherlands in 2027. The production has previously been performed in cities including London, Hamburg, and on Br...
Nostalgia! Watch these childhood favorites from your youth on the big screen in Haarlem again
Beloved Dutch children's classics are returning to the big screen in Haarlem this summer. Residents can revisit nostalgic films from their youth at local cinema screenings throughout the summer holida...

No zero-emission zone for passenger cars after all; here is what the city can do: "Give privileges to electric drivers"
The municipality of Amsterdam has abandoned plans to introduce an emission-free zone for passenger cars by 2030 due to a lack of national legislation. Economist Walther Ploos van Amstel suggests that ...

European companies at risk due to password software with Russian ties
European companies with critical infrastructure have been using password management software called Passwork, which is actually based in Russia. Cybersecurity experts warn that this poses a significan...
Water shortage forces builders into action: new homes to feature 4,500-liter rainwater storage under floors
Due to ongoing water shortages in the Netherlands, some builders and homebuyers are implementing new systems to use 4500 liters of stored rainwater under floors for daily tasks like flushing toilets. ...

FNV announces new actions, including 24-hour rail strike
The trade union FNV has announced a series of protest actions throughout the first two weeks of September, affecting the government, ports, and hospitals. Additionally, the union plans to organize a 2...
Has Ajax suddenly changed its financial course and started splashing cash again? Not necessarily, experts say
Despite recent high-profile signings by Ajax, experts argue that the club is not necessarily abandoning its financial recovery strategy. The investments in new players are being viewed as calculated d...
Weekend tips: things to do in Haarlem (July 17-19)
A list of recommended activities and events for the weekend of July 17-19 has been compiled for residents and visitors in Haarlem. The guide aims to help people find entertainment and leisure opportun...

Writer Mina Etemad and Southeast royalty Jeffrey Spalburg discuss life's big questions in De Zwoele Stad
The talkshow De Zwoele Stad, hosted in Amsterdam-Zuidoost, features comedian Jeffrey Spalburg and writer Mina Etemad discussing topics such as identity, diaspora, and their personal histories. Through...

Neighbors heard police end kidnapping: "Could not hear soccer match over sirens"
Police successfully rescued a kidnap victim in Amsterdam after a high-speed chase that began in Nieuw-West and ended in Amsterdam-Oost. Two suspects from Rotterdam have been arrested following the ope...

No deal on new public transport collective agreement, unions consider strike
Negotiations for a new collective labor agreement for thirteen thousand public transport employees have stalled after four months of discussions. Unions FNV and CNV are now planning to organize strike...

Wages remain high due to rising prices and tight labor market
Average wage growth in the Netherlands remained high during the first half of the year, driven by high inflation and a tight labor market. These economic conditions have prompted trade unions to deman...

Large lock in Spaarndam to open less frequently: 'Accepting inconvenience to prevent damage'
Due to persistent drought, the Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland has implemented 'Code Orange' at the Grote Sluis in Spaarndam to prevent saltwater intrusion. This measure restricts recreational boat tra...

Google must grant other search engines and AI bots access to Android
The European Commission has mandated that Google must provide third-party search engines and AI competitors access to its search data and Android devices. This decision aims to increase competition by...

Film festival and DAFF defend Calf voting procedure: 'Careful process'
The Netherlands Film Festival and the Dutch Academy for Film have defended their selection process for the Golden Calf awards following criticism from several filmmakers. Both organizations maintain t...

Variable gas contracts 12 percent more expensive than before Iran war
Variable gas contract prices in the Netherlands have increased by 7 percent this month. According to the Authority for Consumers and Markets, these rates are now 12 percent higher than they were befor...

Prins Bernhardlaan closed for a month
The Prins Bernhardlaan in Haarlem will be closed to car and bus traffic from July 20 to August 20, 2026, to accommodate construction and road maintenance. While cyclists and pedestrians can still pass...

Planning a BBQ? Be considerate of your neighbors
The municipality of Haarlem advises residents to be considerate of their neighbors when using barbecues or fire pits to avoid smoke nuisance. Residents are encouraged to use dry wood, check weather co...