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Dutch Quirk #134: Rent apartments with no curtains or floors

It’s well-known that the Dutch traditionally opt for a curtain-less existence, but did you know about their floor-less lifestyle?🧐

Renting in the Netherlands as an international can be surprising — some essentials might be missing.

You’ll spot the living room setup right through the open windows, but step inside and… the floor might be gone too.

What is it?

Need a quick Dutch rental tip? Kaal (ā€œbaldā€) means an empty home — no floors, curtains, lights, or furniture. šŸšļø

No wonder tourists find it voyeuristic to stroll past curtain-less windows and peek into people’s lives.

However, fewer people may notice apartments lacking flooring, especially during moves.

Why the disappearing floors? Previous tenants took them along — but it’s not because they’re clingy with their carpets.

Why do they do it?

The most popular explanation for Dutch openness traces back to Calvinism, which values honest living and having nothing to hide.

Others say that it’s an attitude thing: the Dutch desire to create gezelligheid (cosiness) or even to show off possessionsā€¦šŸ˜‰

READ MORE | Pillarisation — or why do the Dutch have big windows

Others question whether the often-grey Dutch skies have something to do with it. Cutting out curtains certainly maximises your Vitamin D intake!ā˜€ļø

As a people-watcher myself, I think it’s more of a you-scratch-my-back-I’ll-scratch-yours approach to living. AKA, the Dutchies enjoy observing the observers!

@castellvicomedy The Dutch and their curtains #standup #dutch #curtains #comedy #netherlands #expats ♬ original sound – Matt Castellvi

When it comes to carpeting, the reason is much more straight-ā€œfloorā€-ward.

Since rentals in the Netherlands are usually long-term, flooring often becomes outdated — removing it spares new tenants the hassle and gives them a fresh start to make the space their own. ✨

It might seem like a lot at first, but at least you’re not stuck with decades-old dĆ©cor!

Why is it quirky? 

Wide-open windows may baffle outsiders, but for the Dutch, openness is just part of the culture — practically furniture.

What does raise eyebrows? The piles of laminate left outside.šŸ‘€

READ MORE | 9 kooky things about renting in the Netherlands

Perhaps the strangest part is the insistence: there are regulations in place when it comes to floor removals. 

Surely young renters or students would appreciate a nice free floor in perfectly good condition? No, it’ll be going with its owners by law.

Should you join in? 

Flexibility isn’t an option for floors in the Netherlands: If you brought your own floor when you move in, you must — yes, must — take the flooring with you, even if you’ll never use it again!

Meanwhile, going curtain-less is more of a personal choice, and you can still go for a more private lifestyle if you’d like. 🤫

More curtains and blinds are appearing in Dutch windows — a shift locals say might be driven by young people and internationals closing the curtain on the once-famous openness.

What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!šŸ‘‡

BREAKING: 5 wounded after stabbing spree on Amsterdam’s Dam Square

A stabbing incident occurred on Thursday afternoon near the Dam in Amsterdam, leaving five people injured.

As the NOS writes, the attack took place on Sint Nicolaasstraat, the street connecting Damrak to Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, right next to Dam Square.

Emergency services were quick to respond, and a trauma helicopter landed in the area.

Here’s what we know

At around 3:30 PM this afternoon, several people were attacked with a knife on the Dam Square. As the Amsterdam police write on X, five people were wounded and have either been transferred to a nearby hospital or were treated on the spot.

According to Het Parool, witnesses described the attack as happening in front of a fabric store at the corner of Sint Nicolaasstraat. One witness said they heard a knock before seeing a girl stabbed in the back, with the attacker fleeing the scene.

The police have arrested a suspect, but the motive for the attack is still unknown.

What also remains unclear is whether there was one or multiple crime scenes. While the stabbing is confirmed to have occurred on Sint Nicolaasstraat, witnesses also mentioned a stabbing on Gravenstraat, which could indicate that the attacker struck in more than one location.

Dam Square open to the public again

After initially diverting trams and asking people to avoid the Dam, the square has now been reopened to the public.

However, the shock persists, and many stores remain closed for now.

Authorities have asked anyone with footage of the attack to share it with the police as they investigate.

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Does the Netherlands have Daylight Saving Time?

The tricky thing about the time in the Netherlands is that it’s always changing — or at least twice a year, when Daylight Saving Time starts and ends. ā°

Daylight Saving Time can be tricky, especially in the Netherlands, where it isn’t always obvious when you’ve entered a new season (thanks, irregular weather). šŸ™„

So, if you want to stay up to date with Daylight Saving Time in the Netherlands, read on! šŸ‘‡

Does the Netherlands have Daylight Saving Time?

In a nutshell, yes, the Netherlands has Daylight Saving Time. That means twice a year, the clock is set an hour forward or back.Ā 

It also means that every time we switch to winter time, it’s super common to hear: “Wow! How is it so dark already?!” 😩

netherlands-sunset-evening-during-daylight-savings-time-scaled
During winter, the sun sets earlier than usual since clocks go back one hour in October. Image: Pixabay

Time zones in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has one standard time zone: CET (Central European Time), and another one during Daylight Saving Time: CEST (Central European Summer Time).Ā 

The standard time zone of the Netherlands, CET (Central European Time), is one hour ahead of UTC (Universal Time Coordinated). 

Daylight Saving Time (DST) marks the beginning of summer, and, more specifically, the switch from the standard Central European Time to the Central European Summer Time

More specifically, the standard time zone changes to CEST (Central European Summer Time) when the clock moves one hour forward in March, which kicks off the season of Daylight Saving. ā˜€ļø

TimeTime zoneUniversal time
Standard Time CET (Central European Time)UTC +1
Daylight Saving TimeCEST (Central European Summer Time)UTC +2

Upcoming clock changes in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, Daylight Saving Time begins on the last Sunday of March and ends on the last Sunday of October.Ā 

In March 2025, the clock change will mark the beginning of Daylight Saving Time in the Netherlands, which is also the beginning of Central European Summer Time. ā°

On Sunday, March 30, 2025 at 02:00:00, clocks are turned forward 1 hour to Sunday, March 30, 2025, 03:00:00 Daylight Saving Time instead.

The next clock change will happen in October and will mark the end of Daylight Saving Time in the Netherlands. 

On Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 03:00:00, clocks are turned backwards 1 hour to Sunday, 26, October 2025, 02:00:00 local standard time.

Why does the Netherlands use Daylight Saving Time?

The Netherlands uses DST for the same reason every other country does: to make better use of their daylight! šŸŒ†

When the winter season rolls in, daylight hours get shorter and shorter, which makes it quite hard for those who work outside and need sunlight to carry on with their tasks. 

Take it from the farmers, researchers, and archaeologists, who all need that precious sunlight to see their crops, plant samples, or find 100 million-year-old dinosaur bones.

photo-of-man-working-outside-thanks-to-daylight-savings-time
Farmers need loads of daylight to work. Thanks, Daylight Saving Time! Image: Pexels

Moving the clock one hour back gives workers who depend on sunlight more working hours in the morning, so they can profit from those powerful light beams! ā˜€ļø

READ MORE | The Dutch and time: how their language shows they are planning maniacs

The first country to implement Daylight Saving Time was Canada in 1908, so they could extend their daylight hours for longer and use them more efficiently.Ā 

A short history of Daylight Saving Time in the Netherlands

The history of Daylight Saving Time in the Netherlands finds its origins in its neighbour, Germany.Ā 

On April 30, 1916, Germany became the first entire country to implement DST — but the Canadian region of Port Arthur in Ontario was the first area to implement it.Ā 

The next day, on June 1, 1916, the Netherlands followed the Germans’ lead and started using Daylight Saving Time.  

Unfortunately, history doesn’t stop there. Between 1940 and 1942, German forces, which invaded the Netherlands during WWII, advanced the country’s local time by 1 hour and 40 minutes to match the occupiers’ clock schedules. 

This changed the Netherlands’ time zone from the standard Dutch Time to the Central European Summer Time. 

Until 1945, the Netherlands followed the German clocks along with its Daylight Savings switches. After WWII, the Netherlands abolished Daylight Saving Time but kept Central European Time as its standard time zone. 

The Netherlands stopped using DST for three decades and reintroduced it in 1977, which remains the same to the present day.

Debate over Daylight Saving Time in the Netherlands

Not everyone is on the same page when it comes to having Daylight Savings in the Netherlands. 

After the European Union standardised DST for all countries within the European Economic Area (EEA) (except for Iceland), it sparked a lot of debate. 

On March 26, 2019, the EU decided to remove DST from their plans.Ā 

Though, none of the member states decided whether they wanted to keep the winter or summer time, so that decision is yet to be made. šŸ¤·šŸ»ā€ā™€ļø

Will the Netherlands ever get rid of Daylight Saving Time? 

While many European countries prefer scrapping DST, the Netherlands seems to favour it — after all, it allows us to make better use of daylight hours when the seasons change. 

Many people find changing their clocks twice a year quite a fuss. It can also have negative effects on people’s mental and physical health, such as sleep deprivation and a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases.Ā 

Woman-with-brown-curly-hair-looking-sad-about-daylight-savings-time
You can also get SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) from Daylight Saving Time. Yes, that’s a thing. Image: Depositphotos

So, until now, the Netherlands will keep practising DST, and, each year, people will keep getting surprised at how it gets dark so early in the day.

Are you for or against Daylight Saving Time in the Netherlands? Tell us why in the comments below! šŸ‘‡

Daylight Saving in the Netherlands: Frequently asked questions

What time zone does the Netherlands use?

How does Daylight Saving work in the Netherlands?

When do clocks go back in the Netherlands?

When do clocks go forward in the Netherlands?

Does the Netherlands have two time zones?

Over 1000 kilos of cheese stolen from Brabant award-winners in ‘premeditated’ heist

In a crime so bold it sounds like a Netflix special, a group of thieves broke into a North Brabant cheese shop last Friday and made off with over a ton of cheese.Ā 

The shop JUST won gold at the National Cheese Inspection, so owner Wilco de Crom is devastated, he tells Omroep Brabant.

Now he’s suspicious that their recent prize makes this robbery more “Ocean’s Eleven” than random hit. šŸ‘€

Wheelbarrowing the wheels away

The thieves used a van, a neighbor’s pasture, AND the cheesemaker’s wheelbarrow to meticulously empty three of four cheese trucks, each containing 350 kilos.

By the time Wilco’s colleague arrived on Saturday morning to pick up a truck, he was met with the grim scene: the door had been forced open, and the cheese was gone.

READ MORE | Let’s talk kaas: cheese tourism in the Netherlands

That’s over 1,000 kilos of buttery brilliance vanished in just one hour. 😢

“This can only have been done with premeditation,” said the owner. Nieuwerwets cheese shop’s award-winning stock is hardly budget, after all.

See it, say it, report it

Security footage from neighbours shows the suspects’ van charging through a hedge like a dairy-fueled action movie.

Wilco believes the cheese will inevitably appear for sale somewhere, and calls on loyal customers to let him know if they spot it.

Check your next market for cheese that looks suspiciously glorious — oh, and expensive, though Wilco is still hesitant to share its exact worth. šŸ§€šŸ’ø

Seen any sketchy cheese lately? Step up, fellow sleuths — let’s bring these dairy bandits to justice! šŸ•µļøā€ā™€ļø

Former Groningen mayor is appealing his public masturbation conviction

After being convicted of ‘indecent assault’ for masturbating in public, the former Groningen mayor Koen Schuiling wants to appeal.

He claims he had his belt undone because of a different kind of relief — massaging his stomach due to severe abdominal pain, AD reports.

It’s not about the money

Schuiling received a fine of €250 for masturbating in public last March, but refused to pay it. He saw it as an admission of something he claims he didn’t do.

Since he resisted the fine, he had to go to court, where he was found guilty of ‘indecent assault’ and asked to pay the €250 again. 😬

More time in court

Unsurprisingly, the former mayor is unhappy with the ruling and has filed an appeal. He still claims that what the driver had seen was a lower stomach massage.

But it’s not just about the principle — Schuiling wants to continue working, and a criminal conviction could stand in the way.

READ MORE | Why driving in the Netherlands is stressful: My experience of living in the Netherlands

According to Schuiling’s lawyer, they are still not certain whether they will go through with the appeal. They just filed it within the allotted time to allow for revisions.

Chaos on the highway

The incident that landed Schuiling in court took place last March when a truck driver saw him masturbating on the A7.

A colleague advised the driver to report the former mayor, according to NU.nl.

As it turns out, this wasn’t the first time the police received reports about Schuiling — he had been seen without any pants on in a gas station parking lot a few months earlier.

Get more from DutchReview! Join ourĀ WhatsApp channelĀ orĀ Instagram broadcastĀ to get the latest news straight to your pocket. āš”ļø

Feature Image: De Balie/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0

From third to fourth? The Dutch passport just took a tiny tumble (but it’s still fabulous)

Good news, globetrotters: the Dutch passport now ranks fourth most powerful globally in 2025!

According to the latest Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports yearly based on visa-free access, Dutchies can strut into 188 countries without visa drama.

Sure, it dipped a spot (a minor wobble šŸ˜‰), but no worries — your Dutch passport is still your golden ticket to most of the globe.

Asia is stealing the show

While Europe is in the top five, Asia has officially snatched the crown. šŸ‘‘

First, Singapore leads the way with visa-free access to 193 countries. Ja, that’s practically everywhere except maybe outer space.

Japan and South Korea are close behind in joint second place, each unlocking 190 destinations. Asia’s got its passport game on point, and everyone else is playing catch-up.

Top-tier passport squad

Here’s how the most powerful passports are ranked right now:

šŸ† RankCountries šŸŒVisa-free acess āœˆļø
1Singapore193
2Japan and South Korea190
3Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain189
4Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden188
5Greece, New Zealand, and Switzerland187
6Australia and the United Kingdom186
7Canada, Czechia, Hungary, Malta, and Poland185
8Estonia and the United Arab Emirates184
9Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the United States183
10Iceland and Lithuania182

Meanwhile, in the bottom five…

While Dutchies plot their dream summer holiday, some passports offer far less freedom:

Rank šŸ†Countries šŸŒVisa-free access āœˆļø
98Somalia33
99Pakistan and Yemen32
100Iraq30
101Syria27
102Afghanistan25

So yes, the Dutch dipped one spot — but they still own one of the most powerful passports in the world. šŸ’ā€ā™€ļø

Time to plan your next adventure, and enjoy being part of the global travel elite. 

How does your passport rank? Drop your passport’s position in the comments.

LGBTQ+ community at risk: The Netherlands issues new travel warnings for the US

Since Trump’s return to the Oval Office, the Netherlands has revised its travel advice for LGBTQ+ people travelling to the US.

Although travel advice previously stated that American laws and customs surrounding the LGBTQ+ community are comparable to the Netherlands, they are now labelled as different.

What changed?

According to the NOS, the US now has local laws that could hinder LGBTQ+ individuals’ access to healthcare or cause trouble upon entry to the country.

The latter especially affects transgender and nonbinary people, since American authorities now require short-term travel authorisation and visa applicants to indicate their gender at birth, accepting M or F only.

People who don’t identify with the gender they were assigned at birth could therefore face issues when entering the US, or be subject to awkward questioning.

Trump hates gender

This change in travel advice is a consequence of the Trump administration’s repeated targeting of the queer community — transgender and non-binary people in particular.

Trump has been busy issuing presidential decrees that remove protections against LGBTQ+ people since his inauguration and has chosen the word ‘gender’ as public enemy number one.

In light of this, government documents can no longer use words such as ‘gender identity,’ or ‘non-binary’, and government agencies can no longer display the rainbow flag.

@pinknews The U.S. State Department has removed ā€œTQI+ā€ from its section on travel advice for LGBTQI+ travellers, now reading just ā€˜LGB’. This is one of many instances of the Trump administration removing references to LGBTQ+ from federal websites. This follows a memo issued on Wednesday the 29th of January by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management ordering federal agencies to take down ā€œall outward facing media (websites, social media accounts, etc.) that inculcate or promote gender ideology"… #presidenttrump #transgender #lgbtqia #whitehouse #usa ♬ Minimal for news / news suspense(1169746) – Hiraoka Kotaro

But it’s not just about symbols — the administration also blocked care for trans youth and removed the option of not declaring your gender on US passports, causing a bureaucratic nightmare for many Americans.

For more information about what to look out for, the Dutch government directs people to their website with travel advice for LGBTQ+ people.

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How digitalisation could increase social inequality in the Netherlands

As the Netherlands continues to embrace digital technologies, a new report warns that the country may also be deepening social inequality. 

As NU.nl writes, the Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau (SCP), a prominent Dutch research institute, says the government must take action to prevent digitalisation from further dividing Dutch society.

In its latest report, the SCP explores the impact of digitalisation on social cohesion — a concept it defines as how strongly people feel connected to each other and to institutions like the government.

According to the SCP, high social cohesion helps encourage civic participation, such as volunteering or voting. But as digital technology becomes more integrated into daily life, this cohesion could weaken — especially for certain groups.

A growing digital divide

The SCP warns that digitalisation risks widening the gap between richer, highly educated individuals and those with fewer resources or lower digital literacy — a.k.a. those who are not connected.Ā 

Without equal access to digital tools and skills, vulnerable groups may find it harder to participate in society.

mature-woman-using-laptop-near-window
Image: Freepik

And it’s not just about access: digitalisation may also fuel division. The SCP argues that social media and online platforms give ā€œfree rein to unfiltered emotion,ā€œ potentially increasing social polarisation in the Netherlands.

The report also suggests that digitalisation contributes to a more individualistic mindset. People are increasingly held responsible for their own societal success — or failure — while values like solidarity and mutual support take a back seat.

Where once there may have been a stronger sense of collective responsibility for those struggling in society, there’s now a growing belief that people simply have themselves to blame.

So, what should the government do?

While the SCP acknowledges the Dutch government is addressing important topics like privacy protection and digital security, it says more must be done to protect social cohesion.

One key recommendation: involve other ministries — such as Social Affairs and Education — in digital policy discussions to ensure broader perspectives are considered. 

The SCP also urges the government to recognise that Dutch citizens are not a one-size-fits-all group — people differ in how they view and interact with new technologies.

Without a more inclusive approach, the SCP warns, many may feel unheard or left behind in the digital age.

How do you feel about digitalisation in the Netherlands? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Half of all Dutch people are overweight, despite drinking and smoking less

There’s some good news for the Netherlands: fewer people smoke or drink. But when it comes to weight, statistics paint a far less rosy picture.

Despite efforts to adopt healthier lifestyles, the number of overweight adults in the Netherlands has been increasing — with 50% of the Dutch now affected.

Lifestyle improvements, but weight stalls

The good news? New data from a report by CBS (the Dutch Bureau of Statistics) highlights a very welcome downward trend in the number of Dutch adults who smoke and drink.

Only 18% of Dutch adults smoke and just 6% drink too much alcohol — and, given the steady decline in smokers and binge drinkers over the past ten years, we can expect those figures to keep falling. šŸ™Œ

The bad news? CBS’ Lifestyle Monitor also highlighted an alarming trend in obesity rates, with the share of obese adults growing from 13% to 16%.

These findings come from annual self-reported height, weight, and lifestyle data used to calculate BMI (Body Mass Index) — any result over 25 is considered overweight, with those over 30 considered obese.

Let’s just say that the Dutch government’s goal to reduce this to 38% by 2040 looks increasingly unrealistic. 😬

Inequality in health

The report also reveals a deeper divide: better health is strongly correlated with having a higher income and a higher level of education.

Smoking is nearly twice as common among less-educated adults (21% vs. 13%), and 65% of low-income adults are overweight. 😟

dutch-man-about-to-light-a-cigarette
Smoking is more prevalent among lower-income individuals, though overall figures for smokers in the Netherlands are falling. Image: Depositphotos

Excessive drinking, on the other hand, appears to have no class divide.

What is especially worrying about the recent statistics, however, is that weight issues start early. The CBS Youth Monitor report shows that 14% of kids aged 4 to 17 are already overweight — a worrying sign for the future. 🚩

The bottom line? Although healthier habits are a step in the right direction, tackling obesity is key to lasting progress.

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French slam Dutch modest fashion brand, as Muslim women queue for Paris store

The Dutch-owned modest fashion brand Merrachi made its debut in the heart of Paris, with a new pop-up store. While curious Parisians admired the new addition, French politicians had less enthusiastic opinions. šŸ‘€

After first gaining popularity online, especially among Muslim women, Merrachi opened stores in Amsterdam and Antwerp, and Paris was a natural next step.  

Modest clothing for everyone

Merrachi’s founder, Nada Merrachi, told the NOS that she wants modest fashion to be inclusive.

ā€œWe want to bring two worlds together and connect them.ā€ That’s why the brand features women with and without headscarves in the campaigns. 

@ss.kk24 @Nada Merrachi @MERRACHI #merrachi #merrachigirl #nadamerrachi #oboxing #paris #popup #amsterdam #hijab #voilee #girls #girls #merrachi ♬ origineel geluid – MERRACHI

She chose the city centre on purpose, explaining that she wants modest girls like her to take up more space in city centres instead of feeling like they don’t belong.

ā€œMany women who dress modestly are often not visible in the centre. Often, the shops where you can buy modest clothing are in the suburbs.ā€

The girly-pops are loving it

The response? Overwhelmingly positive — at least for Merrachi’s shoppers.

Hundreds of women lined the streets of Paris’ snazzy Le Marais shopping district, excited to check out the collection. 

Merrachi believes her brand disrupts stereotypes and preconceived notions about modesty, expanding people’s perceptions of the different styles and cultures that exist in fashion. 

The Eiffel Tower’s modest makeover

To release the launch, Merrachi released a brilliant campaign video, ā€œdressing upā€ the Eiffel Tower in modest clothing (wrapping it in an abaya and headscarf).

*Cue French political outrage*

French law bans abayas and headscarves in public schools, making their reaction to the campaign pretty predictable. 

Far-right politicians accused the brand of ā€œhijacking a French symbol and attacking French heritageā€ and called it ā€œa terrifying political project,ā€ proving once again that fashion is everything but apolitical. 

But hey — any press is good press, right? šŸ˜‰

What do you think about Merrachi? Would you wear some of their stuff? Let us know in the comments below?