Netherlands News in English

Latest netherlands headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.

Brussels introduces temporary toll discounts for clean buses and trucks
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Brussels introduces temporary toll discounts for clean buses and trucks

The European Union has introduced a plan to provide temporary toll discounts of up to 100 percent for low- and zero-emission buses and trucks to promote greener transport. This measure aims to ease th...

In the kitchens of top chef Maik Kuijpers (1985-2026), the bar was always set high, but he never lost sight of the human touch
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In the kitchens of top chef Maik Kuijpers (1985-2026), the bar was always set high, but he never lost sight of the human touch

Maik Kuijpers, a renowned chef who served as a key figure at De Librije, passed away in late September due to a heart attack. Known for his commitment to excellence, he was highly regarded for balanci...

Is Rob Jetten counting his chickens before they hatch? The polder agreement could still fail
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Is Rob Jetten counting his chickens before they hatch? The polder agreement could still fail

The Dutch government is engaging in negotiations with unions, but significant risks remain regarding the potential failure of these discussions. Concerns have emerged that the proposed plans could ina...

Brazilians (22 and 23) who used extreme violence to rob men met via Grindr are now in the Netherlands
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Brazilians (22 and 23) who used extreme violence to rob men met via Grindr are now in the Netherlands

Two Brazilian men, aged 22 and 23, have been extradited from Portugal to the Netherlands to face charges for a series of violent robberies in Amsterdam and Haarlem. The suspects allegedly lured victim...

First skirmishes between cabinet and polder: 'Diligence versus speed'
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First skirmishes between cabinet and polder: 'Diligence versus speed'

The Dutch cabinet is negotiating with unions and employers to reach a social agreement, balancing the need for urgent budget decisions with the demand for careful policymaking. Key areas of focus incl...

Spaarne Gasthuis maintains full-service hospital in Haarlem-South
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Spaarne Gasthuis maintains full-service hospital in Haarlem-South

Spaarne Gasthuis has announced it will maintain a full-service hospital in Haarlem-Zuid, providing 24-hour and emergency care while converting its Hoofddorp site into a day-treatment facility. The Cit...

Paulien Cornelisse sets posthumous record: seven books on bestseller list
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Paulien Cornelisse sets posthumous record: seven books on bestseller list

Author Paulien Cornelisse has set a posthumous record by securing seven positions on the Dutch Bestseller 60 list. This achievement, described by the CPNB as unprecedented, occurred shortly after the ...

The betrayal of the Zilversmit family nominated for a Podcast Award
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The betrayal of the Zilversmit family nominated for a Podcast Award

The podcast series Het verraad van de familie Zilversmit, in which journalist Judith Zilversmit explores her father's wartime betrayal, has been nominated for a 2026 Dutch Podcast Award. The series, w...

Alderman Pels unhappy with new asylum bill: "Covert criminalization of illegality"
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Alderman Pels unhappy with new asylum bill: "Covert criminalization of illegality"

Asylum Minister Bart van den Brink has proposed a new law to punish failed asylum seekers who refuse to cooperate with their deportation, potentially resulting in fines or prison time. Amsterdam Alder...

Alderman Pels unhappy with new asylum bill: "Camouflaged criminalization of illegality"
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Alderman Pels unhappy with new asylum bill: "Camouflaged criminalization of illegality"

Asylum Minister Bart van den Brink has proposed a new law to penalize rejected asylum seekers who refuse to cooperate with their deportation. Amsterdam official Zita Pels has strongly condemned the me...

Public Prosecution Service: ‘Child soldiers’ (18 and 19) flown in from Sweden to carry out contract killings in Amsterdam and Haarlem
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Public Prosecution Service: ‘Child soldiers’ (18 and 19) flown in from Sweden to carry out contract killings in Amsterdam and Haarlem

Two teenagers from Sweden were apprehended after being flown into the Netherlands to execute contract killings in Amsterdam and Haarlem this July. While an attempted hit in Amsterdam failed, authoriti...

Harry Mens critical of TV ratings research: 'The boxes are at Aunt Sjaan's house'
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Harry Mens critical of TV ratings research: 'The boxes are at Aunt Sjaan's house'

Presenter Harry Mens has criticized the Dutch television viewership measurement system, arguing that the small sample size fails to accurately reflect the audience for his program Business Class. He d...

Absence due to mental health issues worsens labor market shortages
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Absence due to mental health issues worsens labor market shortages

Absenteeism due to mental health issues rose by 7.1 percent between 2024 and 2025, even as overall sick leave declined. These long-term absences, particularly prevalent among women, are expected to wo...

GVB sees future for self-driving shuttles in Amsterdam: An excellent opportunity to address labor shortages
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GVB sees future for self-driving shuttles in Amsterdam: An excellent opportunity to address labor shortages

The Amsterdam transport operator GVB plans to test small, driverless shuttle buses within the next three years. This initiative aims to address severe labor shortages and eventually transition the cit...

Student loan interest rates to rise for a quarter million former students next year
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Student loan interest rates to rise for a quarter million former students next year

Around 250,000 former students will face higher interest rates on their loans next year as their five-year fixed-rate periods end. Those under the pre-2015 system will see rates rise to 3.28 percent, ...

Cabinet to negotiate with social partners, union strikes suspended
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Cabinet to negotiate with social partners, union strikes suspended

The Dutch government and social partners have agreed to start formal negotiations on social security reform in the coming weeks, leading to a suspension of planned labor union actions. This developmen...

Labor productivity in the private sector rises again after two years of decline
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Labor productivity in the private sector rises again after two years of decline

Labor productivity in the Dutch private sector increased by 2.5 percent last year, ending a two-year downward trend. This growth was driven by a rise in added value and a decrease in total hours worke...

Review: Youth is a cringe comedy series
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Review: Youth is a cringe comedy series

Youth is a cringe-comedy series created by and starring Sharon Horgan as a 50-year-old literary agent dealing with a turbulent personal life and the onset of aging. The show balances dark humor with r...

Netherlands breaks even after banking crisis: ABN Amro rescue yields another 3.5 billion for treasury
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Netherlands breaks even after banking crisis: ABN Amro rescue yields another 3.5 billion for treasury

The Dutch government is nearing a break-even point on its 2008 rescue of ABN Amro following the sale of a new 10.2 percent stake for an estimated 3.5 billion euros. This latest move leaves the state w...

VNO-NCW chief warns unions and cabinet: 'We are heading down the Belgian path this way'
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VNO-NCW chief warns unions and cabinet: 'We are heading down the Belgian path this way'

VNO-NCW chairman Coen van Oostrom has warned the Dutch government and labor unions that the current economic model is unsustainable and risks leading the country toward a decline similar to Belgium. H...

Win two tickets for Niall Horan at the Ziggo Dome
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Win two tickets for Niall Horan at the Ziggo Dome

Fans can win two tickets to see Niall Horan perform at the Ziggo Dome on Friday, October 16. To enter the giveaway, participants must register their details, agree to the terms, and subscribe to the n...

Cabinet plans to require homeowners to install hybrid heat pumps starting in 2029
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Cabinet plans to require homeowners to install hybrid heat pumps starting in 2029

Beginning in 2029, homeowners in the Netherlands must install hybrid heat pumps instead of gas-fired boilers when replacing their heating systems. The government plans to exempt apartments and monumen...

Television maker Hans Goedkoop wins Han Peekel Prize
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Television maker Hans Goedkoop wins Han Peekel Prize

Television maker Hans Goedkoop has been awarded the Han Peekel Prize for his expertise in using archival footage to preserve Dutch heritage. He received a symbolic prize of 1,951 euros, reflecting the...

State to halve ABN Amro stake to 10.5 percent
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State to halve ABN Amro stake to 10.5 percent

The Dutch government plans to reduce its stake in ABN Amro from 20.7 percent to 10.5 percent through a new trading plan. This step continues the state's gradual exit from the bank, which was nationali...

Rental prices are rising faster than home prices
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Rental prices are rising faster than home prices

Private sector rental prices increased by 4.4 percent annually, rising faster than inflation and the price of owner-occupied homes. Data suggests the market is shrinking as landlords sell their proper...

Within a minute you want to shout: put that phone away and play with your child!
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Within a minute you want to shout: put that phone away and play with your child!

A television program exploring screen time highlights the immediate distress babies experience when parents become distracted by their phones. The episode also discusses the negative impacts of social...

High rents drive away candidates: private sector homes stay online longer
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High rents drive away candidates: private sector homes stay online longer

Rental interest in the Netherlands has dropped significantly as rising prices and decreasing housing supply make finding a home more difficult. Landlords are increasingly selling their properties due ...

Hatchet buried: polder and cabinet begin talks on social agreement
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Hatchet buried: polder and cabinet begin talks on social agreement

The Dutch government and social partners have started negotiations to reach a new social agreement after withdrawing plans for 6.8 billion euros in austerity measures. The talks aim to address reforms...

NSC loses last representative: Gotink opposes party rapprochement with Keijzer
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NSC loses last representative: Gotink opposes party rapprochement with Keijzer

Europarlementariër Dirk Gotink has resigned from the NSC party, citing his disapproval of the party's move to seek closer ties with Mona Keijzer. His departure leaves the party founded by Pieter Omtz...

More than 76,000 rental homes have already disappeared from the market – landlords complain about affordable rent legislation
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More than 76,000 rental homes have already disappeared from the market – landlords complain about affordable rent legislation

Since the introduction of the Affordable Rent Act in 2024, over 76,000 rental homes have been sold off by landlords across the Netherlands, tightening housing supply. Rental prices are simultaneously ...