As an international, you may be shocked at the sight of your significant other producing a bag of bread rolls out of seemingly nowhere when you ask them about lunch. 🥐
No, you’re (probably) not dating Mary Poppins.
Bread-lovers by nature, the Dutch don’t mess about when it comes to their stash of emergency broodjes (bread rolls)!
What is it?
It’s that stash of krentenbollen (currant buns), witte puntjes (white bread rolls), or kaasbroodjes (cheese bread rolls) that every Dutch person seems to carry around with them.
No krentenbol? No worries, a cheese sandwich will do! Image: Freepik
At the first pangs of hunger, our masters of thrift simply reach into their bags and grab a bun to munch on.
Don’t be shocked if they’ve also brought their own toppings along, because Dutch preparedness is nothing if not thorough!
Dutchies generally don’t want to spend any more than they absolutely have to (hey, we approve 😉).
Shelling out €6 for a shrimp salad because you’re out of the house and hungry? Pfft, not in the Netherlands. You’d better have a homemade boterham (sandwich) packed!
But, when you think about it, it makes sense that the masters of water management are also masters of managing their wallet.
If they’ve got an emergency food stash for when hunger strikes, that’s one less thing they’ll owe people a Tikkie for. 💸
Why is it quirky?
For those of us internationals who come from cultures where meals are fancy, sit-down affairs, the Dutch food-on-the-go way of life definitely takes some getting used to.
And bread for lunch?! Those of us who love a warm meal (and maybe a cold beer or two to wash it down 👀🍻) are likely to feel rather put out.
Like texting whilst riding a bike, it’s one of those quintessential Dutch things that have loads of foreigners going… “huh?”
Should you join in?
If you consider yourself thrifty (with an extra dash of preparedness sprinkled on top), then this is something you need to adopt. Your wallet will be sure to thank you!
But if you’d rather pop into a café for a slice of apple pie when you’re peckish, then you may want to give this one a miss. 🥧
What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!
You’ve probably noticed the Dutch have a very particular relationship with money. They’re famously frugal, championing the art of bill-splitting down to the last cent and steering clear of anything that smells like debt.
So, it might raise a few eyebrows to hear that young Dutchies are now borrowing significantly more than before.
According to fresh findings from Independer, young people in the Netherlands aged 18 to 24 are borrowing an average of €1,225 more than last year — just to keep their financial heads above water.
The worrying stats
The numbers don’t lie — and they’re not pretty. A whopping 38% of people aged 18 to 29 say they’ve faced money troubles in the past six months. Compare that to only 18% of 30 to 59-year-olds, and you’ve got a generational finance gap.
“Young people are dealing with higher costs for daily expenses,” explains Marga Lankreijer-Kos, a money lending expert at Independer.
“Their housing costs are higher, for example, and they have less money left to spend freely. But we also see that young people aren’t just borrowing for necessary expenses.”
In other words: it’s not all rent and groceries — there’s also a cultural shift underway.
“It’s becoming increasingly possible to pay bills later. Nowadays, you can even pay for your Lowlands festival tickets with Klarna. This lowers the threshold for borrowing, but even if it comes later, the bill still comes.”
The buy-now-pay-later trap
This whole “delay now, panic later” trend is a far cry from the classic Dutch money mindset.
Many of us in the Netherlands do it. Image: Depositphotos
Services like Klarna have made deferring payments ridiculously easy, but they’ve also helped normalise a more relaxed attitude towards debt — something many Dutch parents would likely side-eye.
Sure, there are user-friendly platforms that let you compare different lending products, but financial experts are singing the same tune: only borrow what you can realistically repay.
Even though young people are borrowing more than last year, their loan amounts are still lower than those of the middle-aged crowd.
“That’s somewhat reassuring,” says Lankreijer-Kos. “Additionally, we’re talking about loan applications. Not all of these are approved by financial institutions.”
Debt-averse Dutch culture meets financial reality
Traditionally, the Dutch prefer saving up over splashing out with borrowed cash — and that’s shaped everything from their suspiciously low credit card use to their love of pinnen.
There are plenty of reasons why debt isn’t really a Dutch thing: cultural values around thriftiness, practical banking systems, and a general allergic reaction to owing anyone anything.
But those old-school habits are now running head-first into modern economic pressures.
According to Independer, around 30% of loan applications are just to help people cover basic needs — like overdue bills or surprise expenses.
The average amount borrowed for this? A cool €11,956 in just the first four months of this year.
What does this mean for the future?
This spike in borrowing among young people signals a pretty big cultural shift.
Older generations built their financial worldview during times of stability and affordable rent. Young people today? They’re navigating a whole new storm of housing woes, inflation, and shifting work norms.
What does this trend mean for us? Image: Freepik
What’s really eye-catching is how this borrowing surge coincides with digital tools that make debt feel less “real”. When you can push payments to next month with one click, it’s easy to forget it’s still money you owe.
The combo of economic strain and ultra-convenient credit is chipping away at the traditionally debt-averse Dutch mindset.
Even in a country known for its sensible saving habits, shifting financial conditions are reshaping the way people think about money.
For young people in the Netherlands, borrowing money is less about fancy gadgets — and more about scraping by.
Have you ever borrowed money in the Netherlands? Was it for rent, groceries, or maybe that spontaneous holiday to Spain? Share your story in the comments — no judgement here!
Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Caspar Veldkamp has made it clear: if there’s no ceasefire or unified EU action by the next big EU meeting on July 15, the Netherlands is ready to consider taking national measures against Israel.
What measures, exactly? “I haven’t thought about that yet,” Veldkamp said during a meeting at the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
He doesn’t expect national sanctions alone to move mountains “but if several countries take action, it might actually have an effect,” he added.
According to de Volskrant, for now, he’s focused on turning up the pressure within the EU to push for a ceasefire.
Ceasefire by July 15 or else
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has “directly contacted Israel” Veldkamp claimed.
And earlier in June she greenlit an investigation into Israel’s activities, also requested by Veldkamp.
If they can’t reach an agreement by July 15, when EU foreign ministers will meet again, the next step would be to look into joint European measures.
Especially if Israel is found to be violating Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement; the agreement that covers human rights and democratic principles.
A formal investigation by the European Commission is already underway.
What did others have to say?
During the meeting at the House of Representatives, Stephan van Baarle (Denk) pulled no punches, calling Israel a “criminal organisation” and saying it has “wasted its right to exist.”
Meanwhile, Derk Boswijk from the CDA (Christian Democratic Appeal) took a different angle, wondering whether the Netherlands is hurting the international legal order by treating Israeli and Russian war crimes differently.
Even Thom van Campen from the VVD (People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy), typically more cautious, acknowledged the suffering in Gaza and said that Israel’s actions amount to war crimes — and yes, those should have consequences.
Despite this, van Campe still faced criticism from opposition parties, who ask what specific sanctions the VVD supports and are not satisfied only with his vague response.
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When Nobel Prize winner Andre Geim accepted his British knighthood years ago, he probably didn’t expect it would cost him his Dutch citizenship.
According to the NOS, the 66-year-old physicist has been ordered to surrender his Dutch passport after taking British nationality no less than 12 years ago.
The price of becoming ‘Sir’
Geim, who won the 2010 Nobel Prize for Physics alongside his student for discovering graphene, has found himself in an unexpected bureaucratic bind.
To receive his British knighthood and the coveted ‘Sir’ title, he was required to become a British citizen. What he didn’t realise was that this would automatically trigger the loss of his Dutch nationality.
“I wasn’t aware of the consequences for my Dutch nationality at the time,” Geim tells the NOS.
The Russian-born scientist, who worked in the Netherlands during the 1990s, recently received a stark email from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanding he hand over his passport at the Dutch embassy in London.
And if he refuses? Interpol will get involved.
Fighting for exceptional status
Geim has hired an Amsterdam law firm to help him and the legal team has appealed to the IND, citing “exceptional circumstances.” They argue that keeping the Nobel laureate as a Dutch citizen would serve “the interest of the Dutch state.”
Geim also argues that his choice to become a British citizen wasn’t truly “voluntary,” since it was a requirement in order to receive the knighthood. “That makes my choice less voluntary, I think,” he tells the NOS.
It’s a compelling case: this is a world-renowned scientist who has been appointed Commander in the Order of the Dutch Lion and who was a distinguished professor at Radboud University in Nijmegen.
But The Hague can’t be swayed. Dutch dual citizenship rules are notoriously strict, and, according to Geim, the authorities have decided that they have “no interest” in maintaining the physicist’s Dutch nationality.
A decade-long oversight
Perhaps most puzzling is why authorities waited over 12 years to act.
Technically, Dutch citizenship law automatically revokes nationality once you’ve acquired another — yet somehow this Nobel laureate slipped through the cracks for over a decade.
While Geim says he feels his rights have been violated and is saddened by the loss, his story highlights the unforgiving nature of Dutch nationality law — even for Nobel laureates.
KLM ground staff might be about to make your Schiphol departure next week… a bit more dramatic.
As reported by RTL Nieuws, KLM ground staff are threatening to strike next Wednesday, July 9, from 14:00 to 22:00.
With the summer holiday officially starting in the Netherlands and a packed airport expected, the timing couldn’t be more tense. 😬
Eight hours of action — and no more vague promises
The message from the workers’ union (CNV) is crystal clear:
‘We want KLM to come up with something concrete for the ground staff,” union negotiator Souleiman Amallah tells RTL Nieuws. ”We won’t budge for vague promises.”
KLM says it’s willing to talk, but also isn’t ruling out a return to court. In fact, the Dutch airline is preparing a new case in the hope of blocking the strike before it even begins. 👀
It’s not just about baggage
KLM’s ground staff do a lot more than you might think, from towing aircraft to making sure your suitcase joins you on holiday. 🧳
Around 14,000 employees fall under the collective labour agreement, and CNV says they’ve been waiting for real change since negotiations began in November.
While KLM claims it made a better wage offer just last week, the union clearly isn’t convinced.
Could this ground your summer flight?
So, what does this mean for your long-awaited beach trip or city break? If the strike goes ahead, KLM says it will have to cancel some flights.
”Customers affected by this will then be informed and rebooked on the next possible flight,” said KLM spokesperson Anoesjka Aspeslagh.
While the exact impact is still being worked out, one thing’s for sure — your travel plans might hit some unexpected turbulence.
However, the strike might not go ahead at all. Just last week, a judge blocked a planned 24-hour strike, calling it too risky for safety and public order during the busy travel period.
But this time, CNV believes the shorter, eight-hour strike can proceed safely, pointing to new agreements with both KLM and Schiphol regarding staff levels and safety procedures. 🤞
What do you think: is the strike a fair move by the ground staff, or is it bad timing with summer travel heating up? Let us know in the comments! 👇
You’ve probably heard the whispers (or maybe your savvy neighbour told you): groceries are cheaper outside the Netherlands. Well, we’re here to confirm that the rumours are true!
In a new report, the consumer protection organisation highlighted three countries with enviably low grocery prices for Dutch residents: Belgium, Germany, and drum roll… France.
But how much cheaper are we talking, and is it actually worth the trek? 🤔
Belgium: 12% cheaper on average
If you fill up your shopping trolley with 100 products at Albert Heijn in Belgium, you’ll pay about €90 less than you would in the Netherlands (€322 vs. €412). Now, that’s a lot of extra cheese!🧀
But when it comes to A-merken, the price difference is… meh. Budget brands (huismerken), on the other hand, are where the real savings are. 💸
What are huismerken and A-merken?
Huismerken refers to a supermarket’s own-brand products, such as AH from Albert Heijn or 1 de Beste from Dirk. Typically, these offer the most bang for your buck.
A-merken, on the other hand, are products from well-known brands like Coca-Cola or Pringles and tend to be more expensive.
Germany: 15% cheaper on average
In Germany, you’ll be paying an average of 15% less on groceries than in the Netherlands, with A-merken around 25% cheaper.
However, budget brands in Germany aren’t always cheaper, with price differences between A-merken and huismerken barely noticeable.
And, while the Netherlands might love a “1+1 gratis” (buy one, get one free) deal, compared to German prices, it’s not that “gratis” after all. Germany also has regular offers, so prices drop even lower. Your shampoo stash will thank you. 😉
France: 20% cheaper on average
If Belgium and Germany have got you curious, France is here to blow your socks off. 🧦 A-merken in France can be up to 28% cheaper on average. Oui, really!
We’re talking massive savings on the likes of Pringles, Nutella, and Heineken. You might even pay less than half the Dutch price for detergent, pasta, soft drinks and other A-brand goodies.
But there’s a catch… 👀
It’s only sunshine and savings if you live near the border. For our Amsterdam folks (or anyone not in a border town), that “cheap” French Nutella might end up being more expensive once you’ve factored in your petrol costs.
Ever crossed the border just to stock up at DM? Tell us in the comments!
With Dutch summers heating up, it looks like we are all going to be running for the beach, canals, or lakes at some point.
However, before we douse ourselves in sunscreen and break out the inflatable flamingos, it’s important to consider the hazards that come with swimming in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands might not seem like a wild and dangerous location, but many have been caught in dangerous waters in recent years.
From thousands of rescues to the deaths of teenagers, fathers, and even experienced lifeguards — the North Sea has proven unexpectedly dangerous again and again.
Of course, this shouldn’t stop you from cooling off and jumping in — but take note of the hazards below, follow the directions of officials, and know what all those weird flags mean.
Here, we’ve rounded up the hazards you need to know about when swimming in the Netherlands.
Hazards at the beach in Holland
If you decide that a Dutch beach is the place to be on a hot day, it’s often difficult to keep those pesky hazards in mind when you’ve got your toes in the sand and the sun on your back.
In the heat of summer, Dutch beaches can be great, just be safe. Image: Depositphotos
Not only do you have to be mindful of murky waters and boats, but there are further hidden dangers.
Riptides in the Netherlands
Riptides are to blame for many of the water-related deaths and accidents that have occurred along the Dutch coastline.
A riptide is a powerful current of water that can drag you out to sea — even worse, they are often invisible to the unseasoned beachgoers.
Riptides often occur between sandbars, which are bountiful along the Dutch coastline.
Help! I’m stuck in a riptide, what should I do?
The key to avoiding a fatal encounter with a riptide is to go with the flow. If you should find yourself being pulled in one direction then it is best to swim with the current rather than against it.
While this may feel like the wrong thing to do, it is best to reserve your energy (even if that means moving in the opposite direction of where you want to go.)
Float with the current, then try to swim parallel to the shoreline.
Dangerous sea foam in Holland
Danger is probably the last thing you think of when you look at the word foam. However, in spite of its bubbly nature, sea foam has proven to be fatal in the Netherlands.
In May 2020, five surfers tragically lost their lives in Scheveningen.
Many were shocked that five experienced surfers (some of whom were also internationally trained lifeguards) could drown in the same area on the same day.
It’s believed that a thick layer of sea foam in Holland at the time presented a hazard for them while swimming.
How to swim safely on Dutch beaches
Whilst the dangers are real, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t enjoy a bit of water during this heatwave. Here are some tips for safe swimming.
Scheveningen is one of the most popular beaches in the Netherlands. Image: Depositphotos
Follow the flags on the Dutch coastline
In life, we are always on the lookout for red flags, and this is a philosophy that should also be carried to the beach.
Lifeguards in the Netherlands will usually alert beachgoers of swimming hazards and conditions through the use of colour-coded flags, so keep your eyes peeled!
Red flags
We don’t mean the dating kind. A red flag along a shoreline means that you should not enter the water unless you want to face the embarrassment of having the Coast Guard escort you back out.
It’s entirely prohibited to swim when red flags are raised.
Yellow flags
Yellow flags indicate that you are allowed to swim, but the conditions have been deemed dangerous due to strong winds or currents.
Orange windsock
An orange windsock (not an actual sock) indicates that any inflatable unicorns, crocodiles, flamingos, or just plain old air mattresses must stay onshore.
This is because wind levels are considered too high, and as a result, anyone who takes a little nap on their inflatable, beverage in hand, is in danger of drifting out to sea.
Half-red/Half-yellow flags
Finally, half-red, half-yellow flags mark out the areas within which a rescue brigade will be on the watch.
You can consider it safe to swim here, but stay between the flags and within sight of the lifeguards.
Translation: “If you are at the beach, be careful when swimming in the sea! Follow the directions of the #RescueBrigade and watch out for the flags!”
Where else can I swim in the Netherlands?
Perhaps you want to be savvy and avoid the inevitable traffic jams (both vehicular and human) that are found along the Dutch coastline in hot weather?
Perhaps you and your friends have decided it will be easier to simply hop into a nearby canal or lake? That, you can do — but a few warnings first.
TIP: Use the website or app Zwemwater to find nearby alternative swimming spots.
Hazards when swimming in canals in Holland
You may be wondering if it’s possible to skip the beach and just hop in your nearest canal. Technically, yes — but it’s not that simple.
Firstly, don’t dive into canals
God only knows what’s hidden in those murky waters. Perhaps there are only a few feet between you and the river/canal bed!
You can take a dip in some Dutch canals, but not all. Image: Depositphotos
Furthermore, any seasoned resident of the Netherlands knows that the bottom of the canal often serves a dual purpose: it is both a waterway and a graveyard for poor, unfortunate bikes.
The last thing you want is to resurface with a rusty wheel spoke through your hand (and yes, it happens).
Be wary of the canal water quality
Historically, canals were a dumping ground for rubbish and sewerage — yuck!
Generally, it’s not recommended to swim in Amsterdam’s canals, but the rules vary by city and time of year.
Swimming in canals can have risks — E. coli and enterococcus can be present. Always check the water quality where you’re going on the Zwemwater website or app.
Check if it’s legal first
In many cities, it is not necessarily illegal to swim in canals and rivers, but it might be strongly discouraged by both the police and the Rijkswaterstaat for safety reasons.
For example, swimming is not permitted in many of Amsterdam’s canals due to their classification as boating ways (vaarwegen).
Certain boats, and particularly barges, will struggle to see a person swimming in the water if they’re too close.
While you won’t end up in a prison cell if you decide to take a dip in the nearest canal, it’s worth noting the unseen hazards when swimming in canals in the Netherlands.
Before swimming in lakes in the Netherlands, you need to check the water quality. Image: Vincent van Zeijst/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0
Dutch lake swimming hazards
The Netherlands has some great lakes around that are perfect for cooling off, but always double-check water quality first.
Blue-green algae is a problem in the Netherlands, and can make you seriously sick! Lakes are also not often populated by lifeguards, so make sure you’re with a friend if you take a dip.
Whether it be in the canals or in the ocean, the dangers of swimming are ever-present. However, that doesn’t mean that we should let ourselves bake inside our air-conditioning-less houses.
Enjoy the Dutch summer while it lasts, just be mindful of your safety while doing so!
Will you be heading for the coastline or canals? Let us know in the comments below!
The east of the country is heading straight back to tropical territory, with highs of 37 degrees Celsius. The central regions won’t fare much better, with temperatures hovering around 32 to 33 degrees Celsius.
Only the (far) west might fall just short of 30 degrees, with temperatures gradually cooling down.
Thunderstorms are looming
Around late morning or early afternoon, things will begin to shift.
In the west, the wind will turn to the northwest and strengthen (up to wind force 5 at sea), dragging in cooler air and building up clouds. 🌬️
As the west cools down, the centre and southeast keep baking, setting the perfect stage for serious thunderstorms.
And what does this mean for you? Well, you can expect gusty winds, hail, and downpours with a risk of local flooding.
The KNMI has just announced a code yellow weather warning for storms in the eastern half of the Netherlands, with the existing code orange alert for heat still in effect for the southeastern regions. ⚠️
From sizzle to sigh of relief
By tonight, the last storms will rumble off to the east, and calm will return across most of the country.
Temperatures will drop to a more comfortable 18 to 23 degrees, offering some much-needed relief.
The Netherlands is sweltering under a code orange weather warning, so you can expect disruptions to various services and more chaotic traffic than usual. ⚠️
Temperatures in the southern half of the Netherlands are expected to reach a scorching 38 degrees Celsius Tuesday, with an extreme heat warning in place for Noord-Brabant, Limburg, and Gelderland.
What is a code orange weather warning?
This is an alert issued by the KNMI (Dutch Meteorological Institute) for potentially deadly weather, with a high probability of it causing damage, injury, or other inconveniences.
These warnings are usually accompanied by additional heat measures, such as the closure of certain services.
In addition to this alert, various changes are coming down the heatwave pipeline. 👇
Ferries won’t sail on Tuesday or Wednesday
If your regular commute has you hopping on a ferry to reach the office, you may need to work from home today.
According to the NOS, ferry services in the provinces of South Holland, Utrecht, Gelderland, and Brabant will be on pause for today and tomorrow (July 1 to 2).
There’ll be more trains to the beach
Grab your swimsuits, because the NS is now running six trains per hour to Zandvoort.
Remember to grab your sunscreen! Image: Dreamstime
As an NS spokesperson tells Het Parool, the extra trains are only expected to run until Wednesday (June 2), so you may want to hop on board before they’re gone.
Waste will be collected much earlier than usual
With waste collectors trying to avoid the heat of the day, collection rounds will start by 6:30 or 7 AM.
AD advises you to put your garbage bins or bags out before 7 AM if you want them collected.
The NOS, meanwhile, suggests an even earlier time (6:30 AM) for those who live in the municipalities of Vlissingen, Purmerend, Vught, Woerden, Bernheze, Son en Breugel, Tilburg, Dongen, Nijmegen, Cranendonck, and het Land van Cuijk.
Water shortages may occur
As water consumption is currently skyrocketing, some providers report that they’re already stretched quite thin. (Terrible news for fans of long showers! 👀)
Vitens, in particular, warns that their “storage cellars sometimes run out faster than we can fill them.”
Looking forward to an outdoor swim session in your inflatable pool? Helaas, it’s time to conserve water, instead. Image: Freepik
They recommend restricting heavier water usage to off-peak hours, such as before 7 AM in the morning or after 11 PM at night.
Bonus: There’ll likely be heavy smog
As the RIVM reports, the central and southern parts of the Netherlands can expect smog and poor air quality.
Living in or near these regions? You may want to stay indoors, especially during late afternoon and early evening (when the air will be most polluted).
This warning will likely be in effect until Wednesday, July 2.
If you’re caught without a ticket on a Dutch train, expect to be set back by a whopping €70! 😬
As RTL Nieuws reports, a tougher penalty is being introduced for those who skip the fare, with hopes that it’ll make your ride safer. Let’s see what’s about to change, and why. 👇
Busted by an inspector? That’ll be €70 fine, plus your ride
Starting this autumn, the fine for fare dodging in the Netherlands will jump by €20.
And yes, if you’re caught during one of the checks, you’ll still need to pay for your journey on top of the fine. 😬💸
”It sounds very logical: if you travel by public transport, you buy a ticket or check in,” says State Secretary Thierry Aarten (Public Transport and Environment), who tells RTL Nieuws about the upcoming change.
The last time the fine was raised was back in 2016, but according to local transport operators, fare dodging has been on the rise again, especially since the pandemic.
And with fewer fare dodgers and smoother checks, the trains may even start showing up on time. We can dream, right? 😅
Honest riders, this one’s for you
For those who check in daily, the change feels like a move in the right direction.
”It helps to deter freeriders, which is fairer for all our travellers who do pay properly,” says Hatte van der Woude, chair of the transport trade association OV-NL.
Sure, no one loves higher fines, but there’s growing support for a system that stands behind those who follow the rules. After all, if you’re paying your way… shouldn’t everyone else? 😉
Do you think €70 is enough to nudge freeloaders into checking in, or a step too far for a missed beep? Let us know in the comments below!
