In September, the Dutch government announced its budget for next year, including some alterations to the tax regulations. Here’s what you need to know. ‘Because there is still no official coalition and the government is acting in a caretaker capacity, there is not much change this year,’ said a spokesman for tax adviser Blue Umbrella. ‘However, there are some alterations that could be very important for expats in particular.’ In general, if your income is more than €68,507 a year,... More >

With the nights drawing in, what better thing to do follow the DutchNews.nl inburgering course? Lesson 25: Dutch wine Is ‘good Dutch wine’ a contradiction in terms? Is it possible to produce a full-bodied red or a twinkly white in the Netherlands? Can the Dutch attitude to wine still be summed up in the phrase ‘as long as it has alcohol’? Questions, questions. Here are some facts & figures about wine, yes wine, from the Netherlands. 1 According to the... More >

Discover your inner beast October kicks off with a great day out for children and adults alike at the Kunsthal in Rotterdam. We Are Animals is an often joyful but also critical look at our relationship with animals seen through the eyes of some thirty artists. The weird and the wonderful are equally represented: those cute pussycats on YouTube will never look the same again. On Sunday October 3 families are welcome to enjoy lots of activities related to the... More >

The Netherlands has a bewildering number of television and internet providers, so how do you make sure you pick the right one? The Dutch media landscape has exploded in recent years. Well over 100 different television stations can now be picked up in the Netherlands, and more are on the way. Here are some things to think about to make sure the television provider you go for has the best deal for you. First of all, you need to check... More >

The doors to the Amekran health clinic in The Hague’s Laakkwartier are almost always open, allowing anyone living in one of the Netherlands’ most diverse neighbourhoods to drop in for advice. When that door was closed by coronavirus last year, the clinic found itself the point of contact for essential information for the nearly 80 nationalities who live there. Family doctor Ouafae Amekran has been working in the area for 12 years and sees herself and the clinic as a... More >

With an increase in the language requirements for the integration exams imminent, smart candidates are signing up for a new self-access course with InburgeringOnline.nl to prepare for their exams in advance of the change. Some newcomers to the Netherlands, whose residency permit is issued on the condition that they integrate or inburger, may find themselves affected by changes in the 2013 Civic Integration Act which come into force in January 2022. What’s changed? Previously, the integration exams required Dutch to... More >

When you land in the Netherlands, you aren’t just dealing with a different language, employer and queuing etiquette – ­you also have to deal with the Belastingdienst. The Dutch tax office, or Belastingdienst, has been making efforts to employ more of a ‘personal’ approach, which will be good news for expats. Nowadays, there’s a comprehensive set of English pages at www.government.nl about everything from the basics of the income tax system to coronavirus support measures for business. But tax advisers... More >

The new school year is exciting for children and their parents and the settling into the new school year can bring about challenges for the whole family. The team at Zein International Childcare share their top tips to ensure a smooth beginning to the school year for your family. Create a time capsule listing what your child is looking forward to: Include photos of their first day at school, a painting they have done, and other keepsakes that record your... More >

Some one million households in the Netherlands now have solar panels on their roof and solar energy is an increasingly important part of the Dutch energy mix. If you have been thinking about installing solar panels on your home, here are some things to think about. The cost The cost of installing solar panels on your roof depends on a number of factors: the number of panels, the type, the transformer (omvormer) you choose and the mounts (zonnepanelen montagemateriaal) that... More >

The summer break may be over, or almost over for some, but you still have time to  catch up on some Dutch culture with the DutchNews.nl inburgering course. Lesson 24: 10 films you must see The Dutch are world famous for their documentaries and animation films, and over the years some of their feature films have also had an international impact. Here are 10 films which encompass the history of Dutch cinema. Een Carmen van het noorden (1919) Director: Maurits Binger... More >

After last year’s hiatus, Amsterdam Fashion Week 2021 kicks off on September 1 and this year’s programme is the most accessible and inclusive in Fashion Week history. High couture must-sees and quality streetwear must-haves, collections from established designers, labels, international brands, and red-hot, young talent will dictate fashion trends for the next few years. Many designers have embraced sustainable production, upcycling and zero-waste practices, appealing to young consumers. Museumplein hosts a coronavirus-safe schedule of runway shows and time-slot appointments for... More >

The summer break may be over, or almost over for some, but you still have time to  catch up on some Dutch culture with the DutchNews.nl inburgering course. Lesson 23: Key facts about death Enough of the jollity and fun. Never let it be said we shy away from difficult topics. So here’s some useful information about death in the Netherlands. Insured for death Some 60% of Dutch households have funeral insurance –  the Dutch love insurance after all and... More >