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.
After-school activity provider shuts down already, and critics are not surprised: ‘They had never done anything like this before’
Jetten wants ministers to think carefully before posting
Prime Minister Rob Jetten has advised cabinet ministers to be more cautious with their social media activity. The statement comes after an Instagram post by Minister Hans Vijlbrief sparked public cont...
Amsterdam's Ella van der Woude to score Charlie Kaufman film
NU.nl offers behind-the-scenes look at politics in The Hague with new podcast
Dutch news site NU.nl has launched a new weekly podcast titled De Wandelgangen, which provides a behind-the-scenes look at politics in The Hague. Political reporters Edo van der Goot, Sanne Oving, and...
Irene Schouten's pilates empire is growing fast: already the sixth location in six months. 'I hope it becomes a nationwide concept'
Former Olympic speed skating champion Irene Schouten is rapidly expanding her pilates chain, RFRMR, with the opening of its sixth location in Heemskerk. Alongside partner Suus Bakker, Schouten aims to...
Vijlbrief retracts remark, will scale back state pension plan
Minister of Social Affairs Hans Vijlbrief announced he will weaken the coalition's proposal to accelerate the increase of the state pension age, retracting an earlier denial. Vijlbrief admitted follow...
Toy from Haarlem wins international Toy Award
The Haarlem-based toy brand Waytoplay Toys has won the Toy Award 2026 in the Sustainability category at the international Spielwarenmesse in Nuremberg. This recognition highlights the brand's commitme...
Former PVV buddies Gidi and Geert now fight it out on stage
Former PVV colleagues Gidi Markuszower and Geert Wilders engaged in a political confrontation during a recent event. Rob Jetten also made his debut in a leadership role, where he remained calm during ...
Actress Annet Malherbe doesn't want an allotment, but it’s the ideal setting for her new MAX series
Actress Annet Malherbe stars in the new Omroep MAX television series 'Rust en Vreugd', which explores the dynamics of an allotment garden complex. Although the actress has no desire to own an allotmen...
Politics on the Amstel: Halsema shocks with controversial plan and Ramadan could influence elections
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema's controversial proposal to repatriate addicted homeless individuals has sparked debate among local political commentators. The discussion also addresses the potential in...
Prison and community service for radicalized TikTok youth
A juvenile court in Rotterdam sentenced five teenagers for ISIS membership and inciting terrorist acts through the social media platform TikTok. The defendants received varying sentences, including ju...
UK temporarily withdraws diplomatic staff from Iran
The United Kingdom is temporarily withdrawing its diplomatic staff from Iran due to regional security risks and safety concerns. Consular assistance will be provided remotely while the UK maintains a ...
Sylvia and Chantal from Heemstede rescue waterbirds from death
Residents Sylvia and Chantal have launched a crowdfunding campaign to install duck ladders in Heemstede to help young waterfowl escape steep ditches. The initiative aims to prevent chicks from drownin...
Man detained again on suspicion of three offenses in Malieveld riots
A 26-year-old man from Amerongen has been rearrested for his suspected involvement in three violent incidents during riots in The Hague last September. He is accused of setting a police car on fire wi...
Bike path on Plantage Middenlaan blocked off with traffic signs for over four years: 'Shabby'
A bike path on Amsterdam's Plantage Middenlaan has remained closed for over four years, leading to frustration among local residents and cyclists. The path, originally blocked due to museum constructi...
Van Weel backs Odido: never pay criminals
Dutch Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel expressed support for telecom provider Odido's decision to refuse ransom payments to hackers. He emphasized that criminal activity should not be r...
Man (31) sentenced to 36 months for hitting another man with glass shards at Leidseplein
Parties push for alternative state pension plan after Vijlbrief statement
Dutch political parties SGP and Groep Markuszower are urging the cabinet to revise plans that would accelerate the increase of the state pension age starting in 2033. Supported by the governing partie...
'Lick more and more often,' says Amsterdam artist Frank Bloem (47): 'Then everything will be fine'
Court sentences 81-year-old to 18 years for Kinderdijk murder
The appeals court in The Hague has sentenced 81-year-old Cor de J. to 18 years in prison for the 2022 murder of a 74-year-old man in Kinderdijk. The victim died several days after being shot in the he...
Football coach Leo Steegman dies; ‘He loved discipline, but was also a warm person’
Former football coach Leo Steegman has passed away at the age of 82. He was best known for his three coaching tenures at FC Volendam during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s.
The parents of twins Lotte and Tim Houben (17) initially wanted to keep the two apart: ‘At first I wasn’t allowed to play basketball because Tim was already doing it’
Seventeen-year-old twins Lotte and Tim Houben from Haarlem discuss their close bond and the experience of growing up together. Their parents initially encouraged them to pursue separate interests, suc...
Plenty of spring weather after an unsettled weekend
After an unsettled weekend of rain and wind, the Netherlands will experience mild and sunny spring weather starting March 1st. Temperatures are expected to reach between 13 and 17 degrees Celsius, whi...
Petition for Sesame Street film in the planetarium: ‘This film is in the DNA of Artis’
31st edition of Lastige Lijven Toertocht: skating laps for charity at Haarlem Ice Rink
The 31st edition of the annual Lastige Lijven Toertocht charity ice skating event will take place this Sunday at the Haarlem ice rink. Between 100 and 200 skaters are expected to participate to raise ...
Limited availability of cancer drug in coming months
A cancer medication will have limited availability in the coming months due to production issues, according to the Dutch National Coordination Center for Medicines. While international imports have re...
Chaos over US import tariffs, but limited impact on the Netherlands
New US import tariffs are expected to have a generally favorable impact on the Netherlands, with some exports potentially becoming cheaper. However, certain sectors like beer brewing and horse trading...
Bobsleigh adventure temporarily over: back to being a lawyer and hitting the pub with friends
After years of intensive focus on bobsleighing and athletics, a Dutch athlete is returning to a career as a lawyer. The individual reflects on the adjustment to daily life and social activities after ...
New acquisition for Zandvoort Museum: Formula 1 scale model added to collection
Artist Hans Peters has donated a Formula 1 scale model to the Zandvoorts Museum. The model is now featured in the permanent exhibition 'The Life of Memories,' which highlights the motorsport history o...
Hillegom Mayor closes drug house on Frederik van Eedenlaan
The mayor of Hillegom has ordered the closure of a residence on Frederik van Eedenlaan for three months following suspicions of hard drug trafficking. As a result of this enforcement action, the occup...