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.
Fewer Dutch people calling in sick, but duration of absence is increasing
Sickness absenteeism in the Netherlands dropped to 4.7% in May, though it remains at a higher level than in previous years. Data from occupational health services ArboNed and HumanCapitalCare indicate...
Government must invest in IJmuiden lock complex: Port of Amsterdam CEO sees negative impact on shipping flow
The CEO of the Port of Amsterdam is calling on the Dutch government to invest in the IJmuiden lock complex to ensure the port remains accessible. He warned that failing to provide funding could lead t...
Stray cat shelters are overflowing: "It’s a losing battle"
The Stichting Amsterdamse Zwerfkatten (SAZ) reports that stray cat shelters in Amsterdam are currently overcrowded due to the start of kitten season and a lack of space in permanent shelters. The orga...
The (second) mother of Jip and Janneke: Fiep Westendorp exhibition at Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is hosting a summer exhibition dedicated to the work of illustrator Fiep Westendorp, known for creating iconic characters like Jip and Janneke and Pluk van de Petteflet. T...
Study: Dozens of wolves poached in the Netherlands with impunity
A study by independent agency EcoJust reveals that at least 41 wolves have been illegally poached in the Netherlands since the species' return to the country. Researchers emphasize that these killings...
88,000 fewer self-employed as companies opt for flex workers: ‘The only option left’
The number of flexible workers in the Netherlands has increased by 63,000 over the past year, while the number of self-employed individuals continues to decline. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports t...
More people facing financial worries and payment problems for the first time in years
A significant number of Dutch citizens are experiencing financial difficulties, with over half of young adults and low-income households struggling to make ends meet. This trend marks a rise in paymen...
After mayo and ketchup, margarine in sachets: a silent revolution in canteens and hospitality
Smilde Foods has introduced tear-off pouches for margarine to reduce plastic waste in company canteens and the catering sector. The Dutch company spent over a year developing the new packaging, which ...
Do you choose routine and rest or let your child watch that late football match? ‘Dare to say no’
Child coach Mariette Dietz provides guidance for parents on whether to let children stay up late for special events like national football matches or the Eurovision Song Contest. She emphasizes that p...
Police car with sirens denied right of way at roundabout; driver to face court
A driver is facing court proceedings after failing to yield to a police vehicle using emergency lights and sirens at a roundabout. The incident highlights the legal consequences of obstructing emergen...
Heemskerk municipality designates 230 potential locations for public charging stations
The municipality of Heemskerk has designated 230 potential locations for public electric vehicle charging stations to be installed through 2030. Residents are invited to provide feedback or file objec...
Florijn can only walk in water: parents fight for Hartekamp therapy pools
Parents Nicole and Ferry Verbrugge have launched a petition to prevent the Hartekamp Groep from closing its therapeutic swimming pools in Heemstede and Heemskerk. The petition, which has already garne...
Hackers less successful against Dutch companies, but no end to data leaks in sight
Recent research indicates that Dutch companies were targeted by cyberattacks less frequently last year. Furthermore, even when attacks occurred, the resulting damage was less severe, though data breac...
66-year-old man with Alzheimer's missing, possibly cycling toward Haarlem
A 66-year-old man with Alzheimer's has gone missing after being last seen in Amsterdam Nieuw-West on Monday evening. He was riding a distinctive white, green, and orange Postcode Loterij bicycle and i...
Roodbeen and Kijk in de Vegte move to Radio 10, replacing Gordon and Froukje
Radio presenters Jan-Willem Roodbeen and Jeroen Kijk in de Vegte are moving from NPO Radio 2 to Radio 10. Starting after the summer, the duo will host the station's morning show, replacing current pre...
Heerma understands Groningen frustration after reinforcement mistakes
Interior Minister Pieter Heerma expressed understanding for the frustration of Groningen residents following errors in safety assessments for homes in the earthquake-affected region. His comments foll...
Marlou starts fundraiser for new 'garbage truck' for scammed neighborhood icon Toon: 'He's always there for everyone'
Marlou Remeeus has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help her neighbor, 73-year-old volunteer Toon van Wijnen, after he was scammed and left with high repair costs for his cleaning vehicle. Van Wijn...
Desert plant that can live for centuries on display in special Hortus greenhouse: "Truly amazing"
The Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam has debuted a rare Welwitschia mirabilis desert plant housed in a specially designed, climate-controlled greenhouse. This unique plant, which can live for over 1,000 ...
Darryl ‘Insayno’ was Haarlem’s city poet for two days until comments on slavery and the Holocaust surfaced: ‘My plans for Haarlem will remain in the vault forever’
Rapper Darryl Danchelo Osenga, known as Insayno, reflects on his brief two-day tenure as Haarlem's city poet in 2020, which ended due to controversy over past lyrics comparing slavery to the Holocaust...
'We're not being taken seriously,' says resigning member of Schiphol Social Council
Jeroen Wester, an elected member of the Maatschappelijke Raad Schiphol (MRS), has resigned from his position, claiming the advisory board is treated as a "rubber stamp." He stated that the council is ...
Formula 1 flash auction at De Groene Ezel: Twenty collectibles to renovate front garden of Ons Huis Heemskerk Foundation: ‘You buy something nice and contribute to a good cause’
On Saturday, June 27, thrift store De Groene Ezel will hold a flash auction featuring twenty Formula 1 collectibles, such as signed posters and vintage t-shirts. All proceeds from the event will be do...
This 34-year-old D66 politician must solve the nitrogen crisis
Jaimi van Essen, a 34-year-old D66 minister, has been tasked with resolving the Netherlands' long-standing nitrogen crisis. As the cabinet prepares to release a new plan this week, Van Essen faces sig...
Neighborhood committee questions decision-making on Geesterduin 2.0 in Castricum
The Neighborhood Committee Regio Geesterhage has expressed concerns in an open letter regarding the decision-making process for the Geesterduin 2.0 development project in Castricum. The committee is q...
Oil price drops, but diesel and petrol prices at the pump rise by 1 cent tomorrow: how is that possible?
Gasoline and diesel prices at Dutch gas stations are set to increase by a maximum of one cent on Tuesday. This price hike occurs despite a significant drop in global oil prices on the international ma...
Code orange in central and southern regions from Wednesday due to extreme heat
The KNMI has issued a code orange warning for extreme heat in the central and southern regions of the Netherlands starting Wednesday at noon. Temperatures are expected to exceed 34 degrees Celsius dai...
End to solar panel subsidies: the sun rises for free, yet it still costs money
Starting in 2027, solar panel owners in the Netherlands will face increased costs as existing subsidies are phased out. Although solar energy itself is free, the financial benefits previously availabl...
This is why there is no water in the paddling pools in Velserbeek and Burgemeester Rijkenspark yet
Despite rising temperatures in Velsen, the paddling pools in Velserbeek and Burgemeester Rijkenspark have not yet been filled with water. Residents looking to cool off are currently visiting local bea...
Fire at Thai massage parlor in Zandvoort, two checked for smoke inhalation
A fire broke out in a Thai massage parlor on Louis Davidsstraat in Zandvoort on Monday afternoon. Emergency services, including the fire department and two ambulances, were dispatched to the scene, wh...
Former minister no longer remembers reason for late 2020 school closures
Former Dutch Education Minister Ingrid van Engelshoven told a parliamentary inquiry committee that she no longer recalls the specific reasons for closing schools in December 2020. During her testimony...
Deceased ABN Amro employee may have died from poisoning and drowning
A 39-year-old man is suspected of murdering his partner in their Amsterdam home by poisoning and drowning her, according to the Public Prosecution Service. The defense argues that the cause of death h...