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.

Willem Polak (1944 – 2026) was a Haarlem folk pioneer and ‘connector’
Willem Polak, a prominent folk music pioneer and community figure from Haarlem, has passed away at the age of 81. He is famously known as the inspiration for the character in the 1968 hit song 'Prikke...
Olympia Haarlem relegated to second division as players run on empty
Olympia Haarlem has been relegated to the second class after suffering a 1-0 defeat against Nieuw Utrecht in stoppage time. Despite being promoted last season, coach Barry Tjeertes' team was unable to...

Stress hasn't got to Ronald Koeman: 'Headaches? That's an exaggeration'
Netherlands national team coach Ronald Koeman has stated he remains unfazed by stress despite criticism of his demeanor and disappointing results in recent friendly matches. Following feedback from hi...

Silent march in Axel to go ahead Sunday evening
A silent march will take place on Sunday evening in Axel to honor the victims of a fatal accident in Zeeland. The victims were students and supervisors from a local school in the town, which is locate...
Watching Turkey lose 2-0 to Australia at 6:00 AM in Haarlem's Fatih Mosque. 'Better luck next time, now for some sleep first'
Turkish community members gathered at the Fatih Mosque in Haarlem at 6:00 AM to watch their national football team's match against Australia. Despite the early gathering, attendees witnessed a 2-0 los...
Have you seen Lilly, Milo or Djanga? These three pets are missing in Haarlem
Three pets named Lilly, Milo, and Djanga were reported missing in Haarlem last week. Local residents are being asked to help look for the animals to ensure their safe return to their owners.

Traditional farmhouse once owned by VOC director now houses people with dementia
The newspaper supplement AlleTijd features an 11.5 km walking route through Heerhugowaard that highlights various historical buildings. One notable stop is a farmhouse formerly owned by a VOC administ...

Empty chairs again as silent protest at Russian embassy
The MH17 Fact-finding Working Group is placing 298 empty chairs opposite the Russian embassy in The Hague as a silent protest for the victims of the 2014 disaster. The demonstration honors those kille...
'Seven Times Beverwijk' illustrates 750 years of history: 'I wanted to make this book'
Authors Truus Zonneveld and Tjarko van der Pol have released a new book titled 'Zevenmaal Beverwijk' to commemorate 750 years of the city's history. The publication features a combination of illustrat...

Damage amount after Wijk bij Duurstede riots not yet known
Rioters attacked the town hall in Wijk bij Duurstede on Friday night, causing significant damage including broken windows. The municipality has reported the incident to police and cleanup efforts are ...
What are these children's paintings doing in the Muiderpoort station tunnel?
Eight paintings created by children are displayed in the tunnel of Amsterdam's Muiderpoort station. The article investigates the origins of these artworks, which are a notable feature for cyclists pas...

Common tax return mistake causes problems for retirees: Risk of owing thousands of euros
Dutch retirees risk having to pay back thousands of euros due to common mistakes in tax returns involving multiple pension sources. The complexity of managing various 'pension pots' often leads to inc...

120 asylum seekers taken to night shelter outside Ter Apel
Due to overcrowding at the Ter Apel registration center, 120 asylum seekers were moved to emergency night shelters in De Wijk and Groningen on Saturday night. According to the Red Cross, 92 people sta...
'I thought I was pregnant with twins growing in a melon and fed them shaving foam': Natasja (38) speaks candidly about her psychosis
Natasja de Hollies has released a book titled 'Toen mama verdween' detailing her sudden experience with a severe psychosis that led to her forced admission into psychiatric care. The 38-year-old mothe...
Forget the Moselle or Alsace: this vineyard is really close to Haarlem
The article highlights a local vineyard situated near Haarlem as a nearby alternative to famous wine regions like the Mosel or Alsace. It encourages readers to explore regional wine options instead of...
At Surf Project on Zandvoort beach, no one is afraid of the North Sea: 'I'm going to show the best trick during the wipe-out'
Simeon from Rijswijk participated in the Special Olympics National Games held at Rapa Nui on Zandvoort beach. Assisted by the Surf Project, participants received safety instructions and technical tips...

The Greenhouse | Large batteries allowed this school to connect to the overloaded power grid
A school in Arnhem successfully utilized large batteries to connect to the power grid despite existing capacity issues. This approach demonstrates how battery storage can provide a solution to the ong...

An emergency kit and an emergency plan: how to prepare for a threat
Emergency experts in North Holland are advising residents to maintain 72-hour emergency kits to ensure self-sufficiency during crises and reduce the burden on emergency services. Residents like Paula ...

Hospitality venues in over half of municipalities to stay open longer during World Cup
More than half of the municipalities in the Netherlands are allowing hospitality businesses to extend their opening hours during the World Cup. This announcement comes from the industry association Ko...

Striptease acts on canal boats: "I don't want that sex show passing my window"
Residents in Amsterdam are expressing frustration over visible striptease acts performed on canal cruise boats passing their homes, particularly concerning the exposure to young children. While local ...

Expensive, lightly used Samsonite suitcase fails early, yet Willem denied rightful compensation
A consumer named Willem is seeking compensation after his expensive Samsonite suitcase failed earlier than expected, despite the brand's reputation for durability and long warranty periods. The disput...
Do we have too much space? The housing shortage would be solved with 11 square meters less
A report by ABN Amro suggests that the Netherlands' housing shortage could be resolved if the average living space per person were reduced by 11 square meters. Experts argue that space is currently un...
'Every day is different emotionally': Gymnast Loran de Munck (27) tries to pick up the pieces after his mother's death
Dutch gymnast Loran de Munck is navigating a difficult period following the death of his mother in January 2026 after her long battle with cancer. The 27-year-old athlete shares the emotional toll and...

New aldermen Wiedemeijer and Çimen get to work: 'Grand visions are for the attic'
Maarten Wiedemeijer and Meryem Çimen have been installed as new aldermen in the Haarlem municipal executive. Both individuals are experienced former council members who aim to bring a pragmatic appro...

Should we allow ‘ik wordt’ or are we more creative?
The article discusses the debate over whether common grammatical errors in the Dutch language should be accepted as correct, a topic sparked by singer Roxy Dekker's use of the phrase 'ik besef me.' It...
Britt van den Dobbelsteen hero for Olympiacos Piraeus in Champions League final
Dutch goalkeeper Britt van den Dobbelsteen led Olympiacos Piraeus to a Champions League title by saving three consecutive penalties in a shootout. The 23-year-old, who entered the game specifically fo...
Scoring points and earning certificates: Velsen clubs put their best foot forward at Sports and Culture Market
The Sport and Culture Market was held at Stadspark IJmuiden on Saturday, where local clubs from Velsen showcased their various activities. Visitors participated in workshops and sports demonstrations ...
New language requirement primarily meant to look strict
The Dutch national government is proposing a revised language requirement for welfare recipients that aims to balance political demands for stricter rules with practical concerns from municipalities. ...
Tatjana Almuli: 'I started knitting on my therapist's advice'
Author Tatjana Almuli discusses her mental and physical health in an interview for the magazine Mezza. She expresses pride in her body's resilience after facing the emotional and physical impacts of m...
Milieudefensie leadership kept silent for years before telling Donald Pols to reveal far-right past himself
Members of the Dutch environmental organization Milieudefensie expressed anger and disappointment during a general meeting regarding the revealed far-right past of former director Donald Pols. While t...