A country where washing the stresses of a work week away with some drinks is a social event? Let’s just say Netherlands: 1 World: 0 🥳
The Dutch have seemingly mastered the art of winding down after a long week at work or university, and no… it’s not by turning your mobile on DND and crashing out on the couch.
In fact, there’s even a special term for it. (No, we’re not having you on! 😂)
What is it?
Say hello to the vrijmibo or vrijdagmiddagborrel (Friday afternoon borrel).
A borrel refers to an informal meet-up to have a few drinks and socialise with friends or acquaintances.
If, like us at DutchReview, you work for a Dutch company, you may even be familiar with the werkborrel.
This involves some well-deserved after-work time with your boss and colleagues, where you can all sit back and unwind with some drinks. Proost! 🍻
More often than not, a borrel isn’t complete without a full complement of borrelhapjes (borrel snacks).
There’s generally a little something for everyone. You can be a cheese fanatic who craves the tangy crispness of kaasstengels, or the molten core of kaassouflés.
Once Friday rolls around, many Nederlanders up and down the country look forward to een gezellige borrel (a nice, sociable borrel) to wash down their week.
Like wearing enough orange to be spotted by the International Space Station during national holidays, it’s one of those stereotypically Dutch things. And we have to say, we internationals are big fans.
Why is it quirky?
If, like the writer, you come from a culture with a rather rigid work hierarchy, then the sight of your boss cracking open a cold one and letting loose with you and your co-workers might seem rather odd at first.
However, once you’ve been converted, it’s a great way to socialise with your coworkers. (Not to mention how fun planning a borrel can be with your friends.)
And hey, even if it takes some getting used to, there’s your excuse to try it over, and over, and over again! 👏
Should you join in?
Definitely! If you’re in the Netherlands, then you absolutely can’t miss out on experiencing this Dutch quirk.
Crack open a cold one, grab some bitterballen, and tell your colleagues about that one time you nearly died walking down a bike path.
The good thing is that the Dutch are quite direct, which makes it easy to know when you’ve misstepped, so there’s no need to think of ulterior motives or extrapolate detailed scenarios in your head. If they say it, they mean it, and if they mean it, they say it. 😉
But certain things tick these tall people off and should be avoided at all costs… unless you want a piece of Dutch boosheid (anger).
1. Forget flaunting (forever)
The Dutch are simple and modest people. Exorbitant displays of anything from wealth and status to business and education are frowned upon.
This links to their emphasis on conformity rather than standing out (and slightly explains why most houses look the same).
You might get déjà vu walking around the Dutch streets with their rows of identical houses. Image: Depositphotos
Don’t get me wrong, they are happy that you accomplished whatever you did or made loads of money, but they just don’t understand the need to brag about it. ‘Work hard but stay humble’ seems to be the Dutch mantra.
2. Do not confuse the Dutch with the Danes (or the Germans)
The Dutch and Germans (Deutsche) are confused with each other a lot. What is not so popular (but happens fairly often nonetheless) is the mix-up between Dutch and Danes.
The Dutch come from the Kingdom of the Netherlands and speak a language called Dutch. The Danes come from the Kingdom of Denmark and speak a language called Danish.
On some levels, the confusion is understandable. After all, both the Dutch and the Danes come from tiny countries with tall, blonde people and long seafaring histories.
The Dutch are known for their windmills and the Danes for their wind turbines. Both countries are also known for their love of cycling, eating potato-based dishes, and cheering for their monarchs on TV.
However, this does not give you a reason to muddle up nationalities, especially if you want to be friends with the Dutch.
3. You are not special (no matter what your mom says)
Don’t expect any superior treatment just because of who you are. The Netherlands is an egalitarian society where respect and status are earned and not demanded.
Every person is equal and should be treated accordingly. Ultimately, they don’t care if you are the Prime Minister of X; if you’re a jerk, then you’ll be treated like one. 🤷♂️
The reverse is also true. If you’re a good person, they’ll surely let you know!
4. Thou shalt not steal bikes (…amen)
Everyone knows the Dutch and their love for cycling. Every love story has a villain, and so does this one — bike thieves.
This bitter truth has its roots in the final stages of WWII, when the Germans stole Dutch bikes.
It was the end of the war, and the Germans were retreating at full speed, using everything to get out of the Netherlands. They took the motorised vehicles first; trucks, cars, motorcycles, and tractors.
Padlock your pedals! Secure your cycle! Image: Depositphotos
When there were no more, they stole every bicycle in the Netherlands and rode them back to Germany. The Dutch haven’t forgotten.
Whenever Dutch football teams play German teams, Dutch fans mock Germans with big-bold signs that say ‘Bring Back Our Bikes’. So, unless you want to be cursed 75 years on, you probably don’t want to steal a bike. (Also, it’s illegal.)
5. Sidewalks are for walking, and bike lanes are for bikes
Sounds simple enough, right? But it’s not. These red coloured lanes are red for a reason, to separate them from the grey lanes (aka roads) and the brown/green lanes (aka pavements).
It seems that this distinction is not too apparent to internationals. More often than not, someone unknowingly wanders into the bicycle lane and is met with an irritated Dutch cyclist (we’re guilty as well).
Don’t expect the cyclist to move; remember you’re in their way, not the other way around.
Oh, and to make it more confusing, people don’t believe in traffic lights. Image: Pexels
6. Avoid discussions on Zwarte Piet (unless you want a long and emotional debate)
Traditionally, every year on the evening of December 5, Sinterklaas and his helper Zwarte Piet (Black Piet) visit Dutch children’s homes to bring them presents.
To celebrate this festival, hundreds of adults and children impersonate Zwarte Piet by blackening their faces, putting on black curly wigs, painting large red lips, and finishing up with large golden earrings.
Some sections of Dutch society believe this to be highly racist, given the country’s colonial past, while others consider it a harmless but important tradition.
This is a complex and emotionally charged debate that should definitely be discussed — but if you’re short on time, we’d steer clear.
7. Don’t mess with their agendas
Agenda starts with an ‘a’ for a reason. Being the organised bunch that they are, the Dutch have ‘appointments’ for everything, ranging from office meetings to movie nights with friends.
Highly efficient Dutchies strictly and religiously stick to their agendas. They are synced and cross-referenced between partners and families so that every person is aware of others’ schedules.
My mom taught me that being late is stealing other's people time.
The most disrespectful thing you can do to somebody.
At least communicate in advance that you'll be late and apologize.
I once made the mistake of asking a colleague if he wanted to go for drinks. The error wasn’t in the invite; it was in the suddenness of the request. He agreed to let me know once a slot opened up in his calendar. I’m still waiting…
8. Expect antibiotics when you’re sick
Headache? Sleepless nights? Broken limb? Don’t expect anything more than a few paracetamol from your local huisarts.
The Dutch have an infamous reluctance to prescribing antibiotics, out of reasonable fears about mass resistance.
So, don’t head to your local doctor with hopes for a week-long course of pills. You won’t have much luck!
Whenever a conversation about “essential items for moving to the Netherlands” comes up, you might hear antibiotics mentioned on the list. But avoid this too (it’s illegal).
9. Never arrive unannounced (no surprises)
Spontaneity and the Dutch don’t go hand-in-hand. They plan days, weeks, or even months ahead. Accordingly, there is little space for impulsiveness.
Want to go meet your Dutch friend? Make sure to give a heads-up by calling and asking if you can visit (thereby giving the other person the chance to politely inform you that it will not be convenient).
You won’t be greeted with such a happy face if you turn up uninvited. Image: Freepik
Dutchies will always count on you to make an appointment, no matter how insignificant or small the visit is. Their idea of a nice surprise is one that doesn’t hinder their daily, weekly, or monthly agendas.
10. Don’t be late (time, tide and a Dutchie wait for none)
If there is one thing that annoys the Dutch, it’s waiting. This is intricately linked to their efficiency (did we mention they love an agenda?); the fact that they treat their schedules as holy naturally implies that they value time highly.
If you’ve agreed to a meeting or gathering at 9:00 AM, then that means 9:00 AM. Nothing more, nothing less (although, if you’re early, you get brownie points).
If you’re going to be late, let the person know by sending them a text or calling! Image: Freepik
However, this also means you can’t use rain as an excuse or deterrent for anything. Have an appointment with a Dutchie, and it’s pouring cats and dogs? Sorry, the weather doesn’t count.
Come rain, come shine, Dutchies fall in line. Image: Depositphotos
My Dutch colleagues once asked me to come out for a walk with them. “It’s raining”, I pointed out. I was awarded a genuinely innocent and puzzled, “So what?”
There you have it! While you’re in the Netherlands, it’s best to think twice before doing these 11 things unless you’re ready for some good ol’ Dutch beef. 😤
Do you know any other “don’ts” in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!
Nijmegen is done with wild pee-ers, and it’s tackling the problem with a splash of creativity.
As crowds pour in for the Four Days Marches event and its street parties, the city is fighting back with more toilets and one very cheeky pee park. 👇
Welcome to the plaspark
On Saturday (July 12), Nijmegen unveiled its boldest (and weirdest) attraction yet: the plaspark.
This 2.5 by 7-meter setup allows people to legally relieve themselves against replicas of classic urination targets, such as a tree, a fire hydrant, and even a front door.
Each is connected to a clever underground drainage system, keeping things surprisingly clean for a public bathroom installation.
Backed by the organisers of the Four Days Marches, the park aims to flush out one of the city’s most persistent party problems.
“With this, we draw attention to a real problem: over one in six inner-city residents experience nuisance from urinators in the street,” director Joris Bouwmeister tells de Volkskrant. “Our message is: if you really have to, or want to, do it here.”
A public toilet that both mocks and prevents wild peeing? That’s peak Dutch practicality.
A creative fix, but clearly made for men
Let’s be real. The plaspark and the 1,300 urinals now scattered across Nijmegen are effective… if you’re a man.
Like most public toilets, the plaspark is designed solely for men. 🙄 Image: Dreamstime
Even the director of the Four Days Marches knows this isn’t a perfect fix.
“It keeps mopping with the tap open. Literally and figuratively.” Joris Bouwmeister confesses, using a tongue-in-cheek Dutch idiom to highlight that he’s aware the plaspark is attempting to solve the issue of “wild peeing” without addressing the actual problem.
Despite significant upgrades, the city’s toilet landscape is far from equal. If you can pee standing up, Nijmegen has you sorted. If not, things get trickier. 👇
So, where’s the pee Disneyland for women?
To help with the demand, 250 extra portable toilets have been added “to accommodate women in particular”, but they aren’t women-only and still lack basic privacy and comfort.
More voices are calling for a truly inclusive solution, one that offers a clean, covered, and private space where women can go without queues, stares, or stress.
This isn’t a futuristic fantasy. It’s a basic need that still hasn’t been met.
Is Nijmegen on the right track, or should public toilet design stop catering to just one gender? Let’s flush out the conversation. 💬
Working in the Netherlands and want to know what your rights are? Then you’ve come to the right place! Here’s all you need to know about vacations, free time and working hours in the Netherlands.
This way you can know if you’ve been unpaid and underappreciated (tut, tut)!
Before we begin, I’ll briefly explain some important pointers to you, to get you started on your rights when working in the Netherlands.
If you’re working over here, then the law applies to you, even if another law is present in your employment. Always remember that folks!
Work contracts in the Netherlands
Firstly, when you start working in the Netherlands, you will be given a fixed-term contract. You may be used to being automatically permanently employed — but it doesn’t work like that in this country.
You will be given the contract and then your employer will choose whether to extend it when the time comes.
You can have no more than three fixed-term contracts, after this, you must either be let go or employed permanently.
It’s incredibly difficult to get rid of an employee if they are employed on a permanent contract, so they need to be sure that you’re going to be good to them.
It’s also important to note that if you have more than a six-month gap in your employment with the company, the contracts restart again (how annoying)!
Holiday and vacation days in the Netherlands
Everyone is in need of a vacation every now and then! Want to work out how much you’re entitled to? Well, the legal minimum is four times the weekly working days. So it all depends on working hours in the Netherlands.
A working day in the Netherlands is generally eight hours.
So if you work four full days a week, 4 x 4 = 16 days holiday.
However, there is a tendency for full-time workers to get 25 days holiday in the Netherlands (you’ve cashed in there!), alongside the usual Dutch national holidays.
Note: If you want to save your holidays, you have 6 months after the year in which it was accumulated. So, say you were working in 2026 and want to save them for next year — it must be used within 6 months.
However, it’s important to remember that you can’t just take all this holiday off in one go. You can usually take up to 3 weeks consecutively, and anything more than that, you must ask your employer.
Before you take off on that well-deserved vacation, remember these facts! Image: Freepik
What about if you’ve accumulated lots of holiday hours, yet you’re quitting your job? Then you should try to use up these hours before you officially quit your job.
If this is not possible, then speak to your employer, because they may be able to sort the hours being paid out to you on your final pay day. This is only possible if it exceeds 20 days, though — so bear that in mind!
Working hours in the Netherlands
What do working hours look like in the Netherlands? Let’s run through them.
Full-time
If you are a full-time worker, that means that you work between 36 – 40 hours per week (if you aren’t, then you’re working too much or not enough to call yourself a full-timer!).
The average full-time Dutch worker works 38 hours. This usually means that you will have a 30-minute break during your shift that is unpaid (with a shift of over 5.5 hours).
Part-time
If you work more than 12 hours, but less than the 36, then you are considered a part-time worker. This is extremely common in the Netherlands, especially with women, so don’t feel embarrassed to take the back seat and work a little less.
You can also be more flexible with your working hours — don’t forget to discuss this with your manager if you want to do this, as it may be possible.
How much can I work in the Netherlands?
In the Netherlands, it is illegal to work over 12 hours per shift and over 60 hours per week. This is only acceptable if it is for a short period of time or a one-off. If this is a regular thing, then it is not allowed.
Watch out for those burnouts! Image: Freepik
In a four-week period, you must not work anything over 55 hours per week, which lowers to 48 hours per week over a 16-week period.
It’s not very common to do lots of overtime in the Netherlands. Instead, part-time work is incredibly common here!
Like I said earlier, you are entitled to an unpaid break of 30 minutes if you work over 5.5 hours. This can also be broken up into two 15-minute breaks if wanted.
Maternity and paternity leave in the Netherlands
Before you even take leave, you need to tell your boss that you’re pregnant. This legally needs to be done 3 weeks before you are due to take maternity leave (and the belly may give it away, too).
This is why it’s usually done much earlier, once you are in your second trimester. You should not have your contract stopped just because you’re pregnant.
Take that time off as a new mom! Image: Pexels
If you are working in the Netherlands and become pregnant, then you should get at least 16 weeks of paid maternity leave.
This usually begins 4 weeks before the due date and then 10ish weeks after (depending on how much you have left).
For fathers, paternity leave is not as long. You get five weeks of leave however not all of this is paid!
You can take parental leave until your child reaches the age of 8, however, you can usually take longer unpaid leave if it discussed with the employer before though.
Sick leave in the Netherlands
No quite a vacation, but still important. If you fall ill and you’re meant to be at work, then you need to call your employer ASAP.
It’s important that you inform their HR department, so then they can arrange cover (if applicable) and you can claim sick leave.
If you are on vacation and fall sick, it is possible to swap this for sick leave, if you inform them beforehand.
Take care of yourself and get that rest! Image: Freepik
If a family member or close friend falls ill and they are within your care, then it is also possible to take short-term care leave.
This can only be possible if you can prove that you are the only person to provide the care to that person if they are out of hospital care. Of course, this must be done ASAP, so everything can be sorted.
You’re then entitled to take care leave time, which is twice your weekly working hours.
You’ll then get a 70% payment (some employers may be kind and give you your full wages). The long-term max is six times your weekly working hours and you may not be paid at all!
So, there you have it — just some important info on working hours in the Netherlands and taking a vacation.
How have you found working in the Netherlands? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
In an unprecedented global milestone that sounds like something straight out of a renewable energy sci-fi novel, a Dutch company has just released a massive floating solar farm into the ocean.
According to Oceans of Energy, the “Nymphaea Aurora” solar farm is the planet’s very first offshore solar farm designed to work hand-in-hand with an offshore wind farm. And yes, it’s as cool as it sounds.
This floating solar system will soon be installed at the Hollandse Kust Noord wind farm, about 18.5 kilometres off the Dutch coast.
To give you a sense of scale: it’s larger than a football field, so pretty hard to miss if you’re sailing by.
Floating power petals
The floating solar system isn’t just a pretty face with a poetic name. It was assembled in just three days at the Port of Amsterdam using prefabricated units, proving that large-scale clean energy projects don’t have to move at glacial speeds.
“The Oceans of Energy offshore solar farm floats in the sea at water level, like a waterlily, therefore, we have named it ‘Nymphaea Aurora,’” says Allard van Hoeken, Founder & CEO of Oceans of Energy.
Come mid-August, the solar park will take a scenic trip down the North Sea Canal, towed out to its offshore home.
Once anchored in place, it will undergo a full year of testing to see how it handles the famously feisty conditions of the North Sea. If all goes well, this floating sun farm could become a permanent feature, and perhaps just the first of many.
The solar farm is set to become fully operational in summer 2025, adding sunny power to the already buzzing 759 megawatt Hollandse Kust Noord wind farm, which has been churning out clean electricity since December 2023.
That wind farm alone already generates enough electricity to power over one million Dutch homes annually. Not too shabby!
Practically invisible, seriously clever
Bright reports that the solar park has also been smartly designed to stay practically invisible, both from the beach and the skies.
So, if you’re soaking up the sun near Egmond, don’t bother squinting; the panels are a full 18 kilometres offshore and well out of sight. And pilots? They’re flying far too high to notice any glare.
Are you excited about this new project? Let us know in the comments below!
Does the Dutch royal family pay taxes? What exactly is the financial status of the royal family in the Netherlands?
This is a good question, especially when keeping in mind that the Dutch are amongst the last remaining kingdoms in Europe. Sure, the chancellor of Germany or the French president do their taxes. (Hopefully.)
But how does it work with the royal family? Does Queen Máxima sit behind the computer every year around April to fill in her income tax returns? 🤔
Do the royals pay taxes in the Netherlands?
We’ll cut it short: no, the royal family of the Netherlands does not pay taxes.
Under the constitution, royal house members receiving a stipend are exempt from income tax over that stipend.
They are also exempt from all personal taxes over assets and possessions that they use or need in the execution of their functions for the kingdom.
On top of that, the monarch and the heir are also exempt from any tax that concerns inheritances received from members of the royal house. 👑
Phew, that’s a lot of tax exemption. Here’s a summary. 👇🏻
The Dutch royal family is exempt from taxes on:
income
inheritance
donations
a part of the capital money (used to carry out their functions for the Kingdom)
cars and motorcycles with an AA license plate
The Dutch royal family is taxed on:
private capital
VAT on groceries
dogs
Should the royals pay taxes in the Netherlands?
We think so. For one, the Dutch Royals are very expensive, according to research by the University of Ghent. As of 2023, the royal house of Oranje-Nassau cost Dutch taxpayers around €50 million per year, says The Guardian.
That makes them the most expensive royal family in Europe! Jesus, dial it down on those expenses, Willem-Alexander!
The King, the Queen and the oldest Princess also get constitutional benefits that increase annually at the same rate as the salaries of governmental officials. And they get compensation for paying their staff too!
We’re sure there is plenty left to pay for taxes that benefit everyone. 😊
The King and Queen and their three daughters. Image: Koninklijkhuis
When asked — Do you agree with the statement: “the king, queen and princess Beatrix should pay taxes over their income and wealth, like all Dutch?” — 65% of Dutchies said ja in this 2019 survey by Statistica.
Why don’t the royals pay taxes in the Netherlands?
There are rumours that since the establishment of a new financial system managing the Royals’ expenses in the early 70s, a deal was made with the Dutch cabinet to guarantee that the ‘losses’ of replacing the old system would be compensated.
If this is true, this agreement would still be ongoing.
A couple of years ago, a report detailing this theory stirred up quite some controversy. There was even a committee put in place to clarify the matter. However, in the end, a conclusion was reached that no such deal was ever made. 🤷♀️
Is this the end of it?
Of course not. Instead, this has sparked several discussions about whether the Royals should pay taxes like everyone else.
A motion was passed by the previous cabinet at the start of 2024 proposing that members of the Royal Family should pay income tax. However, that government soon fell, and when Dick Schoof became Prime Minister, he decided not to pursue this change.
As a result, the discussion was effectively put on hold.
Do you think the royals should pay taxes? Let us know in the comments!
If you were planning on travelling south from Rotterdam today, you’re going to have to wait until tomorrow.
Update: Services have resumed sooner than expected, with Nu.nl reporting that train services through the tunnel have resumed.
Due to a malfunction that occurred on Friday evening, trains are still unable to travel through the Willemsspoortunnel.
As a result of the outage, trains were unable to travel between Rotterdam Centraal and Rotterdam Zuid for the entire weekend.
This morning, power was restored to the tunnel, and according to Rijnmond, trains ran briefly. However, ProRail is still testing the safety systems, and traffic has come to a standstill once again.
According to Nu.nl, the NS expects that trains won’t be running again until 2 AM on Tuesday.
And what does this mean for today? A lot of train chaos for commuters.
What routes are affected?
As a result, there will be no trains running between Rotterdam Centraal and Breda and Rotterdam Centraal and Dordrecht today, Monday, July 14.
If you are meant to travel from Rotterdam Centraal to Dordrecht, you can instead take a bus to Rotterdam Zuid, where trains are still running to Dordrecht.
How many times is it reasonable to say “happy birthday” at one birthday party? The Dutch seem to think the sky is the limit!
Why limit yourself to wishing only oneperson happy birthday when you can congratulate everyoneon the joyous occasion? 🎉
Dutch people love to feliciteren (congratulate) as many people as humanly possible, which can create some confusion if you’re not 100% sure who the jarige (birthday celebrant)is.
What is it?
It is no secret that the Dutch take their birthdays very seriously, and as an international, it can be daunting to navigate the sea of traditions.
First, remember that you have to greet whoever you’re wishing happy birthday.
Dutch birthdays are a big community event. Image: Freepik
Then comes one of the most absurd Dutch birthday traditions: you wish the birthday celebrant “happy birthday” when you arrive at the party — oh, and basically everyone else they’re close to as well.
You can either play it safe and stick to the simple, traditional “Gefeliciteerd” (congratulations) and leave it at that (occasionally including the birthday celebrant’s name).
But, if you really want to blend in as the true Dutchie you’re trying so hard to become — say “Gefeliciteerd met je [insert the title the birthday celebrant holds in relation to the person you are speaking to]”!
Yes, it’s confusing, but here’s an example to better illustrate the situation:
The mother of the birthday celebrant says to you: “Gefeliciteerd met Sophia!” (“Congrats with Sophia!”)
You say to the mother of Sophia (the birthday celebrant): “Gefeliciteerd met je dochter” (“Congrats with your daughter!”)
It goes without saying that you have to make sure you really know who the actual birthday celebrant is.
If you don’t, get a detailed description of what they look like in advance so you can identify who you should be saying what to.
Another thing that can complicate matters a bit is when you’re talking to someone who has a weird, multi-linked relationship with the birthday celebrant.
You might find yourself in a situation where you have to congratulate someone on their ex-husband’s-new-fienceé’s-friend’s-daughter-in-law’s-dog’s birthday.
Why do they do it?
After many attempts to understand my Dutch friends, I had to give up. It seems like no one knows why the Dutch insist on this weird tradition!
Is it because the infamous Dutch birthday circle requires you to know everyone’s position, status, life situation, and relationships to survive the hour-long conversation? 😴
It’s a love-hate relationship with the birthday circle. Image: Freepik
Do the Dutch just love knowing as many personal details about each other as they can, so knowing your relation to the birthday celebrant?
Or maybe it’s just the Dutch love for order and clarity — who knows?
Why is it quirky?
Congratulating everyone in sight on someone’s birthday is definitely not common practice around the world.
In most cultures, we might give the birthday celebrant a quick squeeze before handing over a present. This is then followed by simply stepping back and hoping you know enough people.
Opening birthday presents is an affair for the whole party. Image: Depositphotos
The Dutch say nee to this more introverted routine. You’re going to make eye contact, shake hands, and get to know some new people.
And you know what? It’s kind of cute!
Should you join in?
Definitely join in if you want to blend in with the Dutchies and avoid standing out as the only international.
It’s considered polite, and you’re just better off conforming to the tradition — unless the fear of accidentally calling someone the wrong title or misunderstanding who’s celebrating scares you too much. 😉
What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!
In an unexpected twist for trainspotters and defence buffs alike, the Dutch Ministry of Defence is in talks with the NS to buy 24 old train carriages. Not to restore them to glory, but to turn them into mobile emergency hospitals.
Instead of getting shipped off abroad like many decommissioned train carriages do, these trains could soon be rolling through the Netherlands as life-saving units on wheels.
According to the AD, the plan is to convert them by 2026, and if all goes well, that number might climb past 24.
NS confirmed the negotiations to the AD, but cautioned that it’s all still in the “exploratory phase.” A spokesperson tells the paper: “The Ministry of Defence has contacted us, and we’re looking at ways to help them. We’re always up for that.”
Why the push for a Defence-on-Rails project?
It’s all part of a broader initiative to get the Netherlands battle-ready, sparked by what the Ministry calls “the current threat in the world.”
Think: large-scale military logistics, but make it modern, mobile, and multi-modal.
And the trains are just one track on this military supply line. The Ministry has also struck a deal with KLM to provide reservists who can fly fighter jets (talk about frequent flyer miles).
Up next? Partnering with dozens of logistics companies to transport tanks, ammo, and other essentials eastward.
This is all part of what is now being called the “Logistics Ecosystem” — Defence’s ambitious plan to create a next-level network of transport, storage, and support services.
With over 40 categories ranging from warehouse space to fuel supply, the goal is to lock in at least two companies per category.
So, if you see a train trundling by in 2026, don’t be surprised if it’s not carrying commuters, but medics, stretchers, and a whole lot of first aid kits.
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A Dutch-operated private plane crashed at London Southend Airport shortly after taking off. It is unclear who was onboard the aircraft bound for Lelystad.
According to witnesses and photos circulating the internet, the aircraft crashed just seconds after takeoff at 4 PM yesterday, erupting into flames upon impact.
The Guardian reports that it was leaning slightly to the left after takeoff.
— UK News in Pictures(@UKNIP247) (@uknip247) July 13, 2025
Who was onboard is still unknown
The aircraft was reportedly operated by Dutch company Zeusch Aviation and was equipped with medical equipment to transport patients. However, who was onboard and whether there were any survivors is still not known.
Essex police have yet to announce anything regarding those onboard, giving the latest update yesterday at 8:45 PM:
“We have put a wide cordon in place to ensure all our emergency service colleagues can carry out their work safely, and we will be doing so overnight and into tomorrow morning.”
Do you have information that could help police? International callers can contact Essex police at 0207 1580126.
