Do you own a house in the Netherlands but are moving to a new country? Or are you about to buy a new home in the Netherlands and would you like to keep your original property? Here’s what you need to know. If you work for an international company, you could find yourself being moved to a new country. Or you might simply be interested in moving to a bigger home in the Netherlands itself. So should you sell, or... More >

The location of the Netherlands’ only international boarding school could not be more idyllic. The school also offers a broad, problem-solving approach to learning, in which the countryside is as important as the curriculum. Housed on a country estate in Overijssel, Eerde International Boarding School looks out over the fields and forests. The old orangerie has been turned into a studio for the school’s budding artists. The 17th century castle is home to the library and dining rooms while the... More >

The Netherlands might have lots of tourists, but with half the Dutch population decanted into France, Spain and Turkey, summer can be a great time to visit a museum. Here are the Dutch News crew’s favourites. Molly Quell The botanical gardens in Amsterdam are a really fun and weird oasis in the middle of the city. It’s beautiful and quiet and you don’t expect to see giant agaves and palm trees. It’s so peaceful. And I like the butterflies because... More >

If you believe the tourist industry and tabloid newspapers, the Dutch like nothing better than to race around on bikes in clogs, eat cheese, smoke weed and kill off their old folk. So the next lesson in our inburgering course deals with some of the cliches. Lesson 32: debunking the myths Tulips come from Amsterdam It’s spring again, I’ll bring again, tulips from Amsterdam, the song goes. But did tulips originate in Amsterdam, or even the Netherlands? No, they didn’t.... More >

There are plenty of great summer reads out there. Here’s the Dutch News’ crew’s favourite Dutch reading – most of which is in translation. Molly Quell Summer house with Swimming Pool by Herman Koch is really appropriate for the weather because it is about a family that has gone away for a summer holiday. Koch does a great job writing really smart books that are easy to read and addressing Dutch class anxiety which does not get talked about a... More >

Do you love working with children but have found that your qualifications are not recognised to work as a childcare teacher in the Netherlands? International childcare group Zein offers a special in-house training programme which allows you to make the switch and continue your career. ‘We were getting so many applications from people who had the relevant qualifications and experience but did not meet the Dutch criteria and could not work that we started looking into how we could help,’... More >

The Netherlands is a great place for a summer holiday, and you get to avoid the crowds at Schiphol as well. Brandon Hartley Visit the Efteling. I spent a substantial chunk of my childhood summers in the theme parks that populate Southern California, so I actually get wistfully nostalgic for standing in long lines in the hot sun just to get zipped around while surrounded by herky-jerky animatronics of varying degrees of quality. Efteling is easily one of top three... More >

One in three employees in the Netherlands has a non-compete clause in their employment contract. What should you be aware of if you are one of them? Seliz Demirci from GMW Lawyers explains. A non-compete clause in an employment contract prevents an employee from working for a competitor after their employment has ended. A clause usually lasts for a period of six months but could run for several years. If you break the clause by changing jobs for a rival... More >

The Netherlands seems finally to be having what other countries consider to be a proper summer: days – weeks, even – of weather so reliable that the prospect of organising a picnic or a BBQ more than a few hours ahead doesn’t seem so crazy. While the heatwaves that have been sweeping Europe are certainly cause for concern when it comes to climate change, here in Amsterdam we’ve been lucky: escaping the hottest temperatures while still benefiting from dry and... More >

Energy prices have been soaring of late, and many people have been shopping around in an effort to find a cheaper deal because their current contract is expiring. Whether you are looking for a new deal or are new to the Netherlands and sorting out an energy provider for the first time, here are three things to watch out for. 1.   Type of contract Since the beginning of 2022, most energy suppliers are only offering variable energy contracts with monthly... More >

Summer is here, and while it’s the perfect time to drink out on terraces during the day, it’s also the ideal period to visit the movies at night – especially if it is hot outside. Why? Because the biggest movies come to the big screen over the summer. Top Gun: Maverick, the new Minions and Elvis, to name a few this year. That’s not even including the unique independent and international films released simultaneously. Here are seven cinemas you must... More >

This summer’s inburgering course is focusing on subjects which were either put on hold, or made impossible, during the height of the coronanvirus pandemic. Lesson 31: birthdays Dutch birthdays can be a complete shock to the uninitiated, but there are few simple rules on how to deal with them. 1 If invited to a Dutch birthday party, do not expect wild dancing until dawn. It usually means sitting in a big circle of chairs, drinking coffee and eating a piece... More >

This summer’s inburgering course is focusing on subjects which were either put on hold, or made impossible, during the height of the coronanvirus pandemic. Lesson 30:  how to be polite The Dutch have a reputation for being blunt and direct to the point of rudeness. But there is such a thing as Dutch etiquette. Here are the main things to look out for. Greetings Coronavirus has played havoc with the Dutch traditional approach to greetings and shaking hands. Pre coronavirus,... More >

It’s almost all outdoor fun in July and August, and if June was anything to go by you can leave your umbrella at home. Pick your sporting event The 16 best women’s hockey teams in the world will take part in the World Cup from July 1 to July 17, with the group matches and cross-overs split between the Spanish Olympic Stadium in Terrassa and the Wagener stadium in Amstelveen. The semi-finals and final will take place in Spain. The... More >

A round-up of the latest housing news, brought to you by Expat Mortgages. Interest rates Interest rates have more than doubled since the start of the year and you will now pay around 3.5% for a 10-year fixed rate mortgage. Economists expect rates will go up even more, given inflation is hovering around 8%, thanks to a wide variety of factors. ‘The real low rates of around 1% are gone and I don’t think this is something we will ever... More >