It looks like this pakjesavond will bring poems and presents — and rush hour traffic. 🎉
If you’re heading off to work today, you’ll need to plan for extensive rush hour traffic this evening, reports NU.nl. 😬 The culprits? Rain and pakjesavond crowds.
Here’s what we know
In part thanks to tonight’s celebrations, rush hour traffic jams will likely start much earlier than usual and last longer.
Instead of the usual 5PM to 6PM rush hour chaos we’ve all come to complain about, today’s mix of events will lead to traffic jams that start at around 3PM.
As if holiday traffic wasn’t enough, the infamous Dutch weather has once again graced us with its relentless presence, just to make our lives a little more complicated.
So, plug in the aux, queue up your favourite Dutch holiday tunes, and mentally rehearse your magnificent poetry — ready to dazzle your family with a heartfelt performance later tonight. 🎤
Will your plans today be disrupted by the traffic? Let us know in the comments below.
Coming from England, I have the habit of saying “sorry” even if someone runs over my foot with a truck. So, when I found out we were moving to the Netherlands, one of the first words I wanted to look up was “sorry” in Dutch.
On my flight over, I rapidly flicked through the little pocketbook of Dutch I’d bought at the airport.
Between “how to order a coffee” and “how to ask for the bill”, I was amused and perplexed to find that “sorry” in English was also “sorry” in Dutch.
I soon realised, however, that the Dutch don’t really say it. As an Australian friend of mine once said, “there are no ‘sorry’s’ in sport”. For the Dutch, there are no “sorry’s” in life.
Yes, they have lots of other ways of sort of saying “sorry”, like het spijt me (meaning “it displeases me”), but none of them really amount to the same thing.
What happens if you say “sorry” in Dutch?
Using the word “sorry” in Dutch is one of the quickest ways of being found out as a foreigner. No matter how good your ja, alstublieft, nee hoor, and dank u wel is in the queue at Albert Heijn, as soon as you say “sorry”, a Dutch person will almost invariably switch to English.
I’ve even tried rapidly following it up with “wat zeg je?” but it never works. An English person says sorry where a Dutchman never would.
As I have come to realise after my first six months in the Netherlands, language tells you a lot about a country and its culture, and the lack of a word for “sorry” is linked to that famed Dutch directness that you’ve heard so much about.
If you’ve lived here for any length of time, though, you’ve come to understand that it is a far more subtle and complex notion than just being direct for the sake of it.
So why don’t they say “sorry”?
Perhaps even more perplexing for an Englishman, why don’t they queue? Of course, the answer is that they do, but only when it’s necessary. If something can be achieved quicker and more efficiently without queuing, then they do that.
And this is what lies behind the lack of “sorry”. When you think about it, it doesn’t serve a purpose. Why say it at all unless you really have just run over someone’s foot with a truck?
The catch is, of course, that when the English say “sorry”, they never really mean it. There’s always a big gulf between what they say and what they mean (this is what makes English comedy so good).
If you bump into someone and they say “sorry”, they’re not actually apologising. It’s more like an interjection, an ‘oh!’ rather than a genuine expression of sorrow.
Like the Dutch, then, the English aren’t really sorry, but they just say they are. Adjusting to this new reality is only one of the many challenges of living in a new country, but once you begin to see beneath the surface you might realise that we’re not so different after all.
Do you think the Dutch should say sorry more, or should the rest of the world follow their lead? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
As we inch closer to the holidays, spending time with loved ones is everyone’s top priority. However, if you’re an international in the Netherlands who isn’t going home for the holidays, this season can be excruciatingly lonely.
So how can internationals in the Netherlands find their holiday cheer this year?
If you’re one of the many internationalsspending the holidays in the Netherlands, we feel you — because we are you! So here are 23 things you can do to beat loneliness and help boost your holiday spirits this year. 👇
1. See the city lights
Stroll through the Christmas lights in the city — they’re sure to add a sparkle to your step.
PS: if you’re planning a virtual Secret Santa gift exchange, online generators are great at randomising lists of names.
10. Practice your Dutch poetry
Coin your firstgedicht (even if Sinterklaas has already passed). Impress your Dutch friends by writing one of these unique holiday poems and take part in an important Dutch tradition!
Put together a package with your favourite Dutch treats and send it back home to your dear ones.
There’s no way around it — the holidays are tough when you can’t go home and celebrate with your loved ones. But remember, you’re not alone; we’re all here to beat loneliness this holiday. Proost!
We want to hear from you! How do you plan to spend the holidays this year? Have any hot tips to add to the list?
Ah, yes, Amsterdam: the city of canals, flower markets, cute crooked houses… and Chinese temples?!
That’s right: Amsterdam has its very own Buddhist temple, and it’s hidden in plain sight!
In fact, you might have walked past it several times, given its super central location right in the heart of the Zeedijk, theneighbourhood housing Amsterdam’s Chinatown.
A short walk from both Amsterdam Centraal and Nieuwmarkt, the temple is a must-see if you’re in the area — and it’s gratis! 😉
What’s the story behind this temple?
So, what is a Chinese temple doing in the heart of the Dutch capital?
Well, building it was the idea of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan. Fo Guang Shan is a Taiwan-based Buddhist organisation and monastic order established in 1967.
The OG Fo Guang Shan Temple is located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Image: Dreamstime
The order’s mission is to spread Chinese Humanistic Buddhism worldwide. Naturally, a part of that is building as many temples as possible, in as many different locations as possible.
Add to this the Netherlands’s reputation for religious tolerance, and you get why Amsterdam was chosen as the location for the first — and biggest — Buddhist temple in Europe.
A holy AND royal inauguration
Obtaining permission to build a traditional Buddhist temple in the historical centre of Amsterdam was no easy feat, but after some back and forth, the project finally received the Municipality’s blessing in 1994.
The temple is right in the heart of Amsterdam’s old town, the Zeedijk. Image: Dreamstime
The most visible act of institutional support, however, came six years later, when the temple was inaugurated by Queen Beatrix herself. 👑
According to the International Buddhist Progress Society (IBPS), this was the first time in history that a head of state did anything to support Buddhism publicly, making the Amsterdam temple very special for the community.
A perfect blend of Dutch and Chinese characteristics
Designed by the IBPS in collaboration with Dutch architect Fred Greven, the temple is a true testament to intercultural collaboration.
This is also reflected by its full Chinese name, written above the entrance: Helan Fo Guang Shan Hehua Si, meaning “The Netherlands’ Fo Guang Shan Dutch-Chinese temple”.
The roof has small statues representing animals from the Chinese zodiac 🐲 Image: Dreamstime
Fun fact: As is customary in Chinese temples, the character version of the name is written backwards. As if Dutch sayings weren’t causing enough linguistic confusion in our heads. 🥲
What’s inside the temple?
Curious to know what the inside of Amsterdam’s Buddhist temple looks like? Geen probleem! Let us paint a picture for you.
The entrance leads to the main hall, the Guanyin Shrine, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy. Downstairs, you can find the Jade Buddha Shrine — as in a Buddha statue made of jade, not as in the female English name. 😉
Together with the Meditation Hall and the Ancestors Hall, these are the spaces where people can pray or meditate.
The temple has two shrines where people can go pray or meditate 🪷 Image: Dreamstime
The temple, however, also has rooms for more mundane purposes: a meeting room, a library, and classrooms for holding lectures and activities, and a dining room and bedrooms to host the organisation members (and Buddhist nuns!) who occasionally stay at the temple.
How can I visit it?
The temple is open to non-members from Tuesday to Saturday, but only for a few hours around lunchtime. We recommend you keep those succulent Chinese meal plans for after your temple visit.
The entrance is free, but donations are appreciated. After all, those statues are not going to dust themselves, you know.
To get the most out of your visit, you can also book a guided tour for a small fee, or keep an eye on the temple’s event calendar to catch any special activities, like the Lunar New Year celebrations.
Is there a special etiquette?
Are you nervous that you might accidentally do something rude during your visit? No need to be!
The Dos and Don’ts are actually quite similar to church etiquette: keep quiet, leave your devices in your pockets, dress modestly, and don’t do anything that would make you blush if a (Buddhist) nun caught you in the act. It’s really quite simpel.
📍 Location:Zeedijk 106-118, 1012 BB Amsterdam 🕒 Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday, 1 PM – 3:30 PM 💰 Entrance fee: Free for independent visits, €2.50-8 for a guided tour.
Well, look at you being all knowledgeable about Amsterdam’s Chinatown’s most iconic building!
Whether you’ll use this information as an incentive for a temple visit (do!) or a fun fact source to impress a first date (don’t!), feel free to send us free dumplings (or a Tikkie) as a token of your gratitude. 🥰
What other underrated Amsterdam buildings do you recommend for a visit? Send us all of your tips in the comments below.
First, a note to my editor: I’m really sorry this article is late. I don’t really have a reason. I’m just Australian without an agenda. 🤷🏻♀️
Dutchies balance work, study, friends, family, sporting commitments, and other extracurricular activities, dashing quickly between these activities on two human-powered wheels. This is made even more possible by the Dutch agenda.
The Dutch people’s organization shows in the results. According to the 2020 OECD Better Life Index, 0% of employees in the Netherlands work ‘very long hours’ in paid work.
So how are the Dutch so damn productive? I’ll answer this question with a challenge: ask a Dutchie to meet up for a koffie.
Cue: the Dutch agenda
What is this elusive agenda? It’s a secret guarded by generations of Dutchies. It contains the solution to all the world’s problems. It’s the ultimate pen versus the sword. Well, the book versus the sword. It is … a diary.
How is a simple diary the ultimate tool in the Dutch’s arsenal? Well, as with anything, it all comes down to the planning.
It’s a strange social ritual. A group of Dutch friends suggest a dinner together. They stand in a circle and pull out their individual books. Then the date trading discussion begins.
Next Wednesday? Nee, Joost has hockey training. The following Sunday? Nope, Froukje is travelling to Eindhoven. Tuesday in five weeks? Too bad, Tim has scheduled some Netflix time that evening.
A typical example of Dutch agenda scheduling.
In fact, scheduling a time-slot to socialise almost needs to be scheduled itself because it’s such a time-consuming activity. (But sorry, Lotte needs to reschedule the scheduling session for the weekend if that’s okay.)
The Dutch agenda ain’t pretty
While the agenda is the greatest tool the Dutchies have in their belt, their most prized possession, and quite literally their life in their hands, the agendas quite often look like a kindergartner’s first workbook.
You see, just like the Dutch, agendas are cheap. A €2 option from Hema will do the trick for the full year, or a freebie from the Postcode Lottery filled with coupons is even better.
Unlike the #planners on Instagram, this is not the place for stickers, nice handwriting, and washi tape.
Only the most basic Bic blue pen may write in the Dutch agenda, and its glorious lightweight pages cannot be touched by an item as crude as White-Out.
Instead, if an appointment changes, a battle-scar must be shown as the Dutchie vigorously scratches and scabs away the failed date, and writes the new, superior, appointment below.
Scribbles and scrawls all belong in a typical Dutch agenda. Image: Pexels
The result is a casual dinner with friends — in three months time. And remember, don’t be late.
Does the Dutch agenda work? Well, the results speak for themselves. The Dutch rank as some of the happiest people in the world. No time to read this now? Take a leaf out of the Dutch agenda and write it in your planner.
As an international, have you adopted the Dutch agenda? Tell us in the comments below!
It’s been a few years since I moved to the Netherlandsas a lovepat, and, boy, it’s been an emotional roller coaster.
Even more so when you move for love and not because you were offered a shiny new job, as is often the case for most expats living in the Netherlands.
It’s been a very steep learning curve and uphill struggle — wait, who am I kidding? I don’t feel I’ve even made it halfway up the Dutch hill yet! Culture shock is far too real.
There are quite a few things I’ve learned about Dutch life and Dutch people since moving here, but, for now, I’m going to share five things I took for granted when making the move to the Netherlands for love.
1. Being a lovepat would be the same as being an expat
Believe me, there’s a difference between being an expat and a lovepat. Image: Pixabay
The Dutch have a word for those of us who move not for work, but for love: a lovepat.
It sounds romantic, but in reality, the lack of a social circle is real. Especially in those first few months when you’re looking for work, setting up a new home, and not speaking the language.
My partner had lived in the Netherlands for a whole year before I joined him. He at least had some work colleagues to see every day, even if those relationships hadn’t cemented into friendships yet.
For me, I wanted to go out and meet people, but that meant travelling into Amsterdam as the majority of meetups took place there. Which was an 80 minute round trip via train every week.
I went and did make a few connections, but none of them lasted. Perhaps because they felt travelling the 80 minute round trip to mine every once in a while was too much, or they simply found it easier to connect with lovepats that lived locally.
My saving grace was finding a church to attend. I connected with people there. Although, 10 months in, I still struggled to follow the sermons as they were all in Dutch.
2. Finding work would be easy
Finding a job in the Netherlands as an expat isn’t as easy as eating apple pie with slagroom (whipped cream)! Image: Freepik
The first thing I wanted to do was find a job. Having taught English as a second language, I figured it’d be an easy transition from one country to another. But every country and culture is different, and English is widely spoken in the Netherlands already.
I had an advantage being out in the sticks, but the general consensus was, “why speak English? We live in the Netherlands, you should speak Dutch.” It’s a fair point.
When I moved to Italy as an expat I threw myself into my new job, work colleagues, and language classes. Being a lovepat, on the other hand, often means no work at the beginning leading to a very slow monotonous day.
So, I decided to reinvent myself. I’ve thrown myself into my writing, which was a passion I let fall by the wayside for a while, and now I can work remotely from home, the library, or even a little coffee shop somewhere. It means I can explore the Netherlands in the day, which combats some of the loneliness that is part and parcel of moving as a lovepat.
3. Learning the language is no piece of cake
Dutch is by no means an easy language to learn. Picking up Italian, some Polish, and learning enough Slovak to speak to my mother-in-law didn’t make me a language expert.
If you were someone who took German at school, then you might just about get by and make a connection between the two languages. I took French, and Latin languages did not help me here.
It is a case of persevering and taking it one day at a time.It really does help if you are able to make some Dutch friends, as they will speak to you in Dutch until you at least understand some of what they are saying to you.
That’s if you can make Dutch friends… which brings me to my next point.
4. Making friends would come with the territory
Making Dutch friends to go borrelen with isn’t as easy as it sounds! Image: Depositphotos
I’m a British-born Caribbean woman. Brits are notoriously polite (some would even say overly polite).
The Dutch, not so much. They are abrupt and brash and can come off as downright rude to those who, at the beginning (myself included), simply don’t understand that it’s just their way.
Also, it’s true that Dutch people really don’t appear to need more friends.
It is often very difficult to break into Dutch circles, as the Dutch simply don’t feel like they need to invest in more friendships. Especially because the likelihood that an expat friend will move on in a few years is high.
But if you are living in a smaller town, like myself and my partner, making Dutch friends is a must as the expat community becomes little to non-existent.
5. The Netherlands may never be your home (and that’s okay)
You’re in a different country, life is not going to be the same. Image: Depositphotos
It doesn’t matter how many places we move to; England will always be my home.I grew up there, my family is still there, and my friendships are there.
I knew I’d see less of my friends and family when making a permanent move, but I guess I figured a one-hour plane journey would be easy to do more frequently. I’ve managed to see my mum just three times this year, only one friend has made the journey to visit.
I have to realise that just because I moved doesn’t mean I could press the stopwatch on life in England. Life goes on. My friends have their lives to get on with, and my family get busy and forget to call me once in a while.
Christmas here is strange, as it was the smallest Christmas I’ve ever had, and there wasn’t any traditional Boxing Day madness with the whole family. So, I’m set on making new traditions with just me, my partner, and our new dog. 🐶
Yes, moving for love and being a lovepat in the Netherlands is hard. Many sacrifices must be made, and you take for granted all the things you’ll miss and how much harder it is to make friendships as an adult.
But, on the plus side, I never thought I’d embrace the cold, wet and windy weather and still be smiling whilst pedalling full speed on the fietspad (bicycle path). I’m embracing new adventures and taking the ups with the downs.
Are you a lovepat in the Netherlands? What did you take for granted when moving to the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments below!
Let’s be real: sustainability might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re trying to figure out your mortgage in the Netherlands.
However, it’s a super important factor to consider before agreeing to the terms of your mortgage — and even after!
Why? In the Netherlands, there are a number of ways you can use your mortgage to help fund sustainable remodelling and renovations on your home — and, in turn, save yourself some money in the long run.
In fact, as of 2024, there are several ways you can benefit from making sustainable changes during or after buying a house in the Netherlands. 🌳
Expat Mortgages offers free consultations to expats who want to know more about their mortgage options. Want to find out more about making your house more sustainable?Get in touch!
Sustainable remodelling: a growing trend in the Netherlands
With the issue of climate change at the forefront of many people’s minds and inflation sending energy prices through the roof over the past few years, many homeowners in the Netherlands are not only looking into remodelling their homes but also making them more sustainable.
Did you know you can use your Dutch mortgage to help cover the costs of sustainably renovating your home? Image: Depositphotos
This is a trend that the Dutch government wants to continue to encourage. In fact, since January 1, 2024, a number of measures have been introduced to make sustainable renovations an attractive option for both future and current homeowners.
What measures you’ll benefit from depends on where you are in the homeowning process. For example, are you looking to buy a new home? Or do you want to make sustainable renovations to your current home?
Let’s walk through these scenarios below. 👇
Buying a home? Here’s how you can set up your mortgage to make sustainable renovations
Ok, you’re about to get a Dutch mortgage — congrats! Let’s run through all the steps you can take in order to fund any sustainable renovations that you plan on doing in the future.
First things first, talk to your mortgage advisor
The first thing you should do is sit down with your mortgage advisor and discuss exactly what it is you want to do to make your home more sustainable.
Based on the valuation of your home and the terms of the mortgage, your advisor will point you towards one of two options:
Option one: Set up a bouwdepot
One thing you can do is talk to your mortgage consultant and ask them to set up a bouwdepot for you.
A bouw-de-what? I hear you ask. Abouwdepot, meaning “construction deposit”, is a loan that can be taken from your mortgage and then used to finance future renovations on your home.
A mortgage advisor can walk you through the process of setting up a bouwdepot in order to carry out sustainable renovations using your Dutch mortgage. Image: Freepik
A bouwdepot is usually organised during the process of establishing the terms of your mortgage.
In order to set it up, an appraiser will consider the renovations you would like and estimate the amount needed.
Then, it’s up to you to turn to the banks (with proof of appraisal) and ask them to finance the loan.
Secured that bag of money? Great! Once the mortgage advisor has arranged the bouwdepot, clients can declare their invoices directly with the bank. This will already be activated following final approval at a notary appointment.
Option two: Apply for an Energiebespaarbudget (energy saving budget)
Not exactly sure of what renovations you would like to make but know that you want to make your home more energy efficient in the future? Then an energiebespaarbudget, meaning “energy saving budget”, is the best option for you.
Similar to a bouwdepot, the energiebespaarbudget is a construction deposit that can be organised alongside your mortgage and set aside to fund future renovations.
However, it’s different from a bouwdepot in two main ways:
You don’t have to figure out what renovations you want to make until later on.
How can you use your existing mortgage to make your home more sustainable?
Already have your mortgage but looking between your drafty windows and those new energy bills? Geen probleem!
There are still ways that you can use your mortgage to finance some sustainable and energy-saving renovations in your home.
Option one: refinance your mortgage
Okay, yes, it sounds scary — but for many people in the Netherlands, refinancing your mortgage is a feasible option that may even save you money in the long run.
How? You may be wondering. The key answer here is interest rates.
So, how can you use your Dutch mortgage to finance sustainable renovations? Image: Depositphotos
While interest rates in the Netherlands have been rising over the past few years, it’s important to note that in the grand scheme of things, they are still relatively low.
However, you should talk to your mortgage advisor and explore your options.
For example, you can reduce the interest rate on your whole mortgage or obtain an extra amount — which one you opt for depends on your mortgage conditions and your income.
Note: The process of refinancing your mortgage is much like the initial process of getting a mortgage. However, there may be some additional stumbling blocks. For example, you could face a penalty fee, so it’s best to have experts by your side!
Option two: obtain an additional loan or open a Bouwdepot
While most mortgage advisors arrange the bouwdepot whilst also setting up a mortgage, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible after you have bought a house. Speak to your mortgage advisor to find out how.
An option for everyone: make use of new government measures
As we mentioned above, as of January 2024, the Dutch government has implemented a number of measures to help encourage home buyers as well as current homeowners to opt for sustainable buildings and renovations.
For one, depending on the energy label of the house, you can borrow extra money to implement sustainable measures.
Does the house have a high energy label? Then you can also borrow extra money towards the purchase of the home or towards refinancing your current mortgage if you are already a homeowner.
Energy label
Extra money to implement energy-saving measures
Extra money to purchase the home
E, F and G energy label
€20,000
€0
C or D energy label
€15,000
€5,000
A or B energy label
€10,000
€10,000
A+ or A++
€10,000
€20,000
A+++
€10,000
€30,000
A++++
€0
€40,000
A++++ with at least a 10-year energy performance guarantee
€0
€50,000
Ways sustainable remodelling can save you money in the Netherlands
While the cost of refinancing your mortgage may make your eyes water, it’s important to note that part of this cost can actually be reduced.
Want to make sustainable changes to your home? In the Netherlands, you can use your Dutch mortgage to help finance this! Image: Freepik
Reduced interest rates
The Netherlands smiles down on those who choose to be sustainable — and as a result, many Dutch mortgage providers will actually reduce their monthly interest rates based on the energy label of your home.
So, did you take your home’s energy label from an E to an A? Great! You’ll be paying lower interest each month — meaning you start making back some of the money you spent on those renovations.
There are also further ways that the Dutch government will reward you for sustainably remodelling your home.
For example, through the National Insulation Programme (Nationaal Isolatieprogramma), you will receive a subsidy to cover up to 30% of the costs of re-insulating your home and/or installing a hybrid heat pump.
Note: While this is a national programme, you should double-check how the process of implementing these subsidies works in your local municipality.
Mortgage costs and tax
It’s also worth keeping in mind that many of the costs involved in getting a mortgage in the Netherlands are tax-deductible.
This means that whether you’ve just set up your mortgage, or you decided to refinance in order to make some sustainable renovations, you will get some of that money back.
Needless to say, there are many ways for you to make sustainable changes to your future or current Dutch home.
The road you take to sustainably renovating your home will depend on your personal situation — which is why your journey should always start with a consultation with a mortgage expert. 😉
Will you be opting for a more sustainable home this year? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
The Dutch royal family is serving elegance, class and — a hint of redundancy? — in their latest photoshoot.
The Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst (Government Information Service) has graciously blessed the commoners’ eyes yet again with their bi-annual photoshoot of our most beloved family.
In honour of Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary celebration, the photos were held in the 600-year-old Begijnhof courtyard.
Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander. The royal couple in all their glory.
A former medical student standing trial for murdering three people pinned the blame for his gruesome crime on an unlikely accomplice — a computer in his head.
Fouad L. is facing trial for the murder of his neighbour, her 14-year-old daughter, and a professor at the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam in September 2023.
On Monday, Fouad’s lawyers requested the court re-examine the shooter’s mental state due to his bizarre explanation of why he committed the crime, reports the NOS.
Fouad is claiming he was forced to commit the shootings by a “coercive and commanding” computer in his head.
He alleges he made up the computer in his youth to combat loneliness. He told the court that the imaginary machine sometimes forces him to do things he doesn’t want.
Erasmus MC was transformed into a crime scene last September Image: Dreamstime
Calculated revenge
The prosecution has rejected Fouad’s claims and believes that the crime was motivated primarily by revenge.
Fouad’s neighbour had previously reported him for animal abuse, while Erasmus University wanted to prevent him, a then final-year medical student, from practising medicine due to “worrying and psychotic behaviour”.
The shooter expressed anger about both of those things online.
He also managed to keep all psychological assistance he was receiving at a distance while he was planning his crimes.
Due to this, the prosecution doesn’t believe anyone could have known about or prevented the murders.
The court refuses
The victims’ families called Fouad’s excuse a “load of bull, meant to drag things out”, said their spokesperson, Niels Dekker.
The prosecution claims that Fouad was well aware of the seriousness of his actions and that he carefully planned the murders.
The court sided with the prosecution and refused further investigation into the shooter’s mental state in a move that was met with applause from the victims’ families.
Dekker explained that the trial is very important for the families since they want to confront the shooter. They also want to see him convicted as fast as possible.
The courtroom was packed with the victims’ relatives during the trial, with an additional 150 people from Erasmus Medical Centre following the hearing via a video connection.
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The Dutch Ministry of Defense is exploring reintroducing military conscription for the first time in 27 years.
The ministry believes that the Netherlands should prepare for a major military conflict within the next five to ten years, reveals a ministerial document obtained by RTL Nieuws.
Yes, it might sound extreme, but let’s see exactly what this would entail. 👇
What is conscription?
Conscription means compulsory military service. Technically, all eligible Dutch men and women receive a letter at the age of 17 advising they have been conscripted and are registered. However, there has been no compulsory attendance in the Netherlands for 27 years.
Is there cause for concern?
Yes and no: if compulsory military service is reintroduced, Dutch citizens of conscription age could be called to report for service.
Hold your helmets, though! This doesn’t mean that they would be catapulted from the classroom or office to the front in a matter of months.
If the Prime Minister, Parliament, and Senate all greenlight the idea, conscription with compulsory attendance could be reintroduced on paper in a matter of weeks — its formal execution, however, would take much longer.
The Dutch military currently welcomes about 1,000 voluntary recruits per year. As such, it is absolutely not logistically prepared to house and train the 200,000-odd conscripts that would, in theory, be called up every year.
As a result, building up the human and material resources necessary to reintroduce conscription would require a massive effort: that alone could take years from the moment the decision is made.
There would be exemptions
Even if someone were conscripted, they might still be exempted, most likely for medical reasons.
Throughout the years, physical requirements to join the army became stricter, so many conscripts would not even be cleared to start training.
Those who are, in turn, might have other reasons for exemption, such as for being the sole breadwinners in their household or for being “conscientious objectors” (people with strong reasons to refuse conscription on ethical grounds).
Regular soldiers would be prioritised
Finally, even in conflict, the Netherlands would likely first resort to the 42,000 professional soldiers it already has for active combat.
As such, fresh conscripts would probably remain far away from the front — at least initially. 👀
Do you think the Netherlands should reintroduce compulsory attendance conscription? Shoot a comment (and only a comment 😬) below to let us know.
