Over 1/3 of Dutch tap water contains "forever chemicals": Is it safe?
Over a third of people in the Netherlands get tap water above RIVM health limits. Find out whether Dutch tap water is safe to drink and what PFAS means for you.
IamExpat
Commission proposes new rules to fast-track non-EU qualifications
The EU wants to cut non-EU qualification recognition times from 14 months to four months. Learn what the proposed directive means for skilled workers in Europe.
District heating bills could rise by 20% in the Netherlands in 2027
Over 700.000 Dutch households on district heating face a 20% bill rise in 2027 as surging gas prices push the ACM's price cap higher this autumn.
Amsterdam & Eindhoven climb 2026 Global Cities Index
Amsterdam rose six places to 21st in the 2026 Global Cities Index, while Eindhoven earned a "city to watch" spot , but housing pressure persists.
"Dating app for books" logs 50,000 swipes in first weekend
Hebban's new swipe-based app BoekMatch recorded 50.000 swipes in its opening weekend, with a 42% match rate and surge in new sign-ups across the Netherlands.
Unemployment holds steady, but welfare claims continue to rise
Dutch unemployment held at 4% in August 2026, but welfare claims rose for the 12th consecutive quarter, with young adults seeing the sharpest increase.
Dutch government to trim childcare subsidy to offset rising costs
The Dutch government will cap its universal childcare reimbursement at 95.6% instead of 96% in 2029, costing some families around 120 euros more per year.
The Netherlands postpones EES rollout to ease airport border delays
The Netherlands has joined eight EU countries in postponing full EES implementation. Find out which countries are affected and what it means for border wait times.
Cleaners launch week-long strike at Schiphol Airport and train stations
FNV cleaners across the Netherlands are striking for a week from 14 September, targeting Schiphol Airport and major train stations over a rejected labour deal.
Amsterdam Centraal crowned 3rd-best train station in Europe in 2026
Amsterdam Centraal has climbed to third place in the 2026 European Railway Station Index, up from 10th in 2025. Two more Dutch stations make the top 20.
The Netherlands anticipates a stormy autumn after a record summer
August 2026 was the warmest month ever recorded. Now a superheated North Sea is set to drive heavy rain and storms across the Netherlands this autumn.
Almere Castle ruins to be demolished for 650 new homes
Almere's long-abandoned castle ruins will be demolished and replaced with 650 new homes, including social housing, after the structure was deemed unsafe to restore.
Dutch mortgages rise 5% in 2026 as starter loans surge
Almost 217.000 mortgages were taken out in the Netherlands in the first half of 2026, 5% more than last year, as starter loans reach a record 8,3% share.
EU law to tighten Airbnb rules in the Netherlands
The EU's Affordable Housing Act would give local authorities more power to restrict short-term lets like Airbnb in areas facing housing stress across the Netherlands.
40% of young adults in the Netherlands smoke or vape, survey reveals
A new survey has revealed that 40% of 18–29-year-olds in the Netherlands smoke or vape, with social media and rising snus use driving youth nicotine habits.
22bn euros is bare minimum for Dutch flood safety, report warns
The Netherlands must double annual water spending to 22 billion euros, Delta Commissioner Verdaas warns, as climate extremes push Dutch flood defences to their limits.
BookTok drives English bookstore boom in the Netherlands
At least 10 new English-language bookstores have opened in the Netherlands over the past four years, fuelled by BookTok and screen adaptations.
Dating apps plunge in popularity in the Netherlands as singles ditch Tinder
Single in the Netherlands? Tinder and Bumble user numbers are dropping fast as Dutch locals and expats swap dating app algorithms for real-life meetups.
Ryanair to cut flights from November and increase prices in 2027
Ryanair has announced it will reduce the number of flights it operates over the coming winter period and increase air fares “materially” in Europe in 2027.
TikTok housing scams hit international students in the Netherlands
Fraudsters are using TikTok and Instagram to scam students in the Netherlands with fake room listings. Learn how the scam works and how to stay safe.