Are you on the hunt for the best Dutch Christmas presents to give to your nearest and dearest? We’ve sourced the merriest bits and bobs to pop under the tree!
In the flurry of activity that often surrounds this season, it can be hard to choose the best gifts for your loved ones.
We know the struggle, so we’ve put together a cadeautje (little gift) for you: a guide to the best Dutch Christmas gifts to give your loved ones this year.
Already know what you’re looking for? Jump ahead! 🎅
Ahh… is there anything better than waking up to a well-brewed cup of coffee? ☕
This snazzy De’Longhi Nespresso machine is perfect for any giftee who can’t go without their morning cappuccino — but would rather not spend café prices on it.
Help your nearest and dearest ease the stress of meal planning this holiday season with a delicious gift box from HelloFresh.
From sirloin steak to burrata salad and creamy cheesecake, these 2-4 person dinners will be a hit with any guest — without the hassle of meal planning.
Fall asleep with your partner in the Netherlands — and wake up just in time to hit some Christmas markets in Brussels, Antwerp, Berlin, Dresden, or Prague.
And, perfect for the better halves that love active holidays, European Sleeper has just announced a new ski stop in the Austrian Alps.
If you’re looking for a Christmas present that just keeps on giving, Trade Republic’s limited-time offer is an excellent option.
Even better, it’s fully customisable — just choose what stock or ETF you want to gift, decide on an amount, and add a personal Christmas message to make it truly special.
Crafted for people who love blasting music on the go, Apple’s new AirPods make a great choice for a little gift under the tree.
Even better? Thanks to Apple’s active noise cancellation, your giftee will be able to jam to Mariah Carey’s infamous Christmas jingle — with no interruptions. 😉
Looking for the ideal stocking stuffer (or THE best gift for those awkward office parties 👀)? We’ve got you covered!
Amazon’s gift cards cater to a range of budgets and take the load of picking a gift off those tired shoulders of yours. Plus, if you want a personal touch, the cards are fully customizable.
Ah, the holidays truly are the most wonderful time of the year: food, wine, and all of life’s most precious joys. But who says it all has to end on January 1?
If you gift someone a Baltazar wine box, you’re not just giving them three delicious wines to taste, but also the good times that come with them. Proost!
Thin waffles and rich caramel syrup? Ja, please! If you’re unsure of what to get someone, just offer them the sweetest of Dutch treats: a tin of Daelmans stroopwafels.
Ideally paired with a mug of hot cocoa, tea, or coffee, your loved ones can enjoy a cosy moment that captures the spirit of Christmas.
Let’s face it, the journey of being an international in the Netherlands can often be confusing, frustrating, and downright hilarious.
Englishman Ben Coates details his saga in ‘Why the Dutch are Different’ — a compelling read whether you’ve just landed in the Netherlands or have been here for years.
More fabulous gift ideas will be added as the season progresses, so you may want to bookmark this page if you’re still on the hunt for that perfect Christmas prezzie. 😉
Dig into the perfect holiday reading list with these articles:
Hoera! The new year is approaching quickly — and with it come higher costs and income adjustments. 😬
As the AD writes, new financial changes are coming our way starting January 1, 2025.
What will these changes look like? Let’s break them down.
The good, the bad, and the ugly of income adjustments
1. Your monthly salary will change
Do you make an average Dutch salary? Good news! From 2025 onwards, you will get an extra €56 in net pay per month.
However, if you earn between €1,000 and €2,000, you might actually see your salary go down. Ouch. 😬
For example, if you work 36 hours per week at a minimum salary, your net salary will decrease by €4.75 per month, earning a monthly salary of €2059.08.
2. We’re getting a new tax bracket
The third tax bracket is back and ready to shake things up. The result? Most people will be left with a little more money — yay!
The first tax bracket will be lowered to 35.82% (on income up to €38.441), while the general tax credit will decrease by €294. The labour tax credits, on the other hand, will increase by €67.
3. Pensions are going up
Some good news for the retired! 🎉
As of 2025, a €1,000 supplementary pension goes up by €12 per month, and a €1,500 supplementary pension increases by €18.
Pensioners will get more in 2025. Image: Freepik
4. Dutch minimum wage is rising
The minimum wage in the Netherlands will rise from €13.27 to €14.06 per hour in 2025.
With this, the basic old age pension (AOW) and benefits will also increase. Hoera!
5. Changes to governmentallowances
Given the rising living costs in the Netherlands, Dutch toeslagen will be raised next year. More specifically:
The maximum healthcare allowance will increase by €8 per month.
Brrr, feel that chill in the air? Winter has arrived in the Netherlands, and with it an inevitable spike in energy bills.
Whether you’re cranking the heat or layering up under three sweaters, knowing a thing or two about your energy bills can save you a lot of stress (and euros).
So, grab a cup of hot Chocomel, and let’s dive into five things you should know about your Dutch energy bill going into 2025.
1. Your energy costs will rise in 2025
Curious what your Dutch energy bill will look like come January 1? Us too.
The new year will bring higher energy costs — mainly due to increases in network management fees and variable energy tariffs, reportsBusiness Insider.
Network management fees are set to rise by 11%, adding around €60 per year to the average household’s energy bill.
What will your 2025 energy bill look like? Image: Depositphotos
As of January 1, variable gas prices will also increase, with rates rising by €0.02 to €0.07 per cubic metre, depending on the provider.
For an average household consuming 1,200 cubic metres per year, this results in an additional €60 per year.
Electricity prices will see smaller adjustments, with some providers raising rates slightly and others lowering them.
Overall, households can expect their energy bills to rise by around €120 per year, or €10 per month.
2. But there are heaps of ways to reduce your energy bill in the Netherlands
In view of rising prices, there’s one thing we’ll likely all try to do: cut costs where we can. Luckily, there are many ways you can slash your Dutch energy bill. These include:
3. Depending on your situation, a fixed or variable contract may be better
When it comes to finding the right energy contract for your situation, you’ll also have to make a decision between getting a fixed or a variable contract.
A fixed contract is ideal for those who prefer predictable bills and want to avoid price fluctuations. It locks in energy rates for a set period, and protects you against rising prices. This option is best if prices are low when signing the contract.
A variable contract adjusts prices based on the market, which can be profitable if prices are expected to go down. It offers flexibility, making it a good choice for those who don’t mind fluctuations and want to take advantage of falling prices.
You can call your energy provider to get better insights into your contract. Image: Depositphotos
In general, fixed contracts provide more security, while variable contracts offer potential savings but with greater unpredictability. Which one you choose comes down to personal preference and whether you prioritise price stability or flexibility.
4. You can get government subsidies for making sustainable changes
The Dutch government is committed to reducing CO2 emissions and supporting its population in transitioning to sustainable energy use (yay Netherlands!).
Solar panels are very popular in the Netherlands because the government used to subsidise them. Image: Freepik
In the Netherlands, the following initiatives can make going green more attractive:
Solar boiler and heat pump subsidies: Financial support is available for purchasing solar water heaters (zonneboilers) and heat pumps.
The Energiebespaarlening: A low-interest, government-backed loan designed to help homeowners finance energy-saving measures for their homes.
Cooperative energy projects: Residents can join forces to invest in renewable energy projects (e.g., solar or wind power) for their neighbourhood, and access funding via the Subsidieregeling coöperatieve energieopwekking, which subsidises the energy generated by these projects.
5. Energy prices could continue to go up in the Netherlands
Let’s end with a look into the future. The bad news is that the energy you’re getting in 2025 is probably the cheapest it’s going to be for a while. 👀
Prices are set to continue rising. Image: Freepik
Like most things, Dutch energy bills — especially for gas — will likely keep rising in the future. In fact, as RTL reports, we could be paying €400 more per year for gas by 2030 than we did in 2023.
Why? Let’s break it down:
Higher taxes on gas: To encourage people to use less gas,the government is increasing energy taxes. While there’s a small tax relief planned, the overall tax per cubic metre of gas is still going up.
Green gas requirement: Come 2026, energy suppliers must include some “green gas” (a more environmentally friendly type of gas) in what they sell. This is great for the planet but costs more to produce, so the extra cost will show up on your bill.
Higher connection fees: As more people switch to homes without gas connections, those who still use gas will have to pay more to maintain things like pipes and meters.
Do you have any tips for dealing with rising energy bills? Share them in the comments!
After the 2024 Eurovision *ahem* fiasco, it was unclear for a long time whether the Netherlands would participate in next year’s song contest. But now we can rejoice: the Dutch participant has just been announced!
Representing the Netherlands at Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland is… Claude!
Who is Claude?
As NU.nl writes, Claude is a Dutch-Congolese singer who previously expressed his wish to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Known for his funky pop beats and influenced by artists like Stromae, Claude sings in both Dutch and French, blending his Congolese heritage with his Dutch identity.
At just 9 years old, Claude fled Congo with his mother, three brothers, and three sisters, seeking refuge in the Netherlands.
Now, at 21, he has the chance to make his country proud by bringing home the Eurovision 2025 title. 🏆
12 points to the Netherlands!
“I feel extremely honoured that I will represent the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest next year and I still can’t believe it,” Claude tells AVROTROS. “I’m really looking forward to it and can’t wait to present my song to Europe.”
While the song he will perform in Basel hasn’t been revealed yet, it was chosen by a selection committee from a whopping 331 entries — so expectations are high!
In May 2025, Claude will compete against participants from 37 other countries. If he wins, it would mark the Netherlands’ sixth Eurovision victory.
Succes, Claude! ✨
What do you think of the Netherlands’ entry for Eurovision 2025? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
Books, tuition fees, rent, beers, and no time for a real job — being a student is expensive. Luckily, the Netherlands’s neobank par excellence, bunq, is ready to help you out!
At bunq, students can use a bunq Pro subscription, worth €9.99 per month, entirely for free.
Those who want more can also get bunq’s smartest subscription, bunq Elite, for just €9 per month (instead of €18.99).
The catch? There is none, as long as you fulfil two simple criteria.
This post might have affiliate links that help us write the articles you love, at no extra cost to you. Read our statement.
Who’s eligible?
To benefit from bunq’s free bunq Pro account, all you have to do is:
Be on a bunq Pro plan (or switch to one), and
Verify your student status in your bunq app
Once you meet these two requirements, your monthly fee will be waived, and your invoice will be automatically deducted.
If you’re eligible for bunq’s free bunq Pro account, the non-existent price tag might convince you to make the switch. If that’s not enough, let me give you three of my favourite features that make getting a bunq Pro subscription worth it. 👇
1. Sub-accounts galore
Ever wish your finances could be as organised as a Dutch agenda around Christmas time? Well, they can!
With bunq, you can create up to 25 sub-accounts, each with its own IBAN. Whether it’s for groceries, vacations, or that inevitable “treat yourself” fund, you’ll have everything neatly sorted with a swipe.
2. Free bank cards for days
Yes, we know it’s all about mobile payments in the Netherlands these days, but there are times when you really need a card.
Luckily, with your new bunq account, you’ll get up to three cards — completely free. You can choose from a Mastercard Debit (perfect for online shopping and travelling abroad), Mastercard Credit (for car rentals/hotels when travelling), or Maestro (for those sneaky Dutch shops that don’t accept the first two).
Feeling good while spending money? It’s possible! Every time you make a payment with bunq, you’re doing your part for a greener planet.
How so? bunq not only shows you the CO2 footprint of your monthly spending but also offsets it by planting trees in Kenya for a greener world. To date, they have planted over 20 million of them. 👏🧡
These features definitely have us impressed, but even better, bunq has one of the highest savings interest rates in the Netherlands at 2.01% — now you’re just making money!
The quick guide: how to transfer money to and from the Netherlands (and save money)
Let’s get down to business with five easy steps to transferring money to or from the Netherlands cheaply and safely. 👇
Sign up for a money transfer service such as Wise (this is our top pick and one that we use personally!)
Choose the amount of money you want to send and in which currency.
Add the recipient’s bank details.
Verify your identity.
Pay for your transfer, take a breath, and kick back.
Warning! Some money transfer services in the Netherlands will rip you off on the exchange rate with hidden fees or charges, or will take days to transfer. We’ve researched the cheapest, quickest, and most trustworthy services below!
7 tried-and-tested ways to transfer money in the Netherlands
All of the options below offer excellent exchange rates and fast transfers and are regulated under national frameworks.
What we like most about this company is that Wise’s exchange rates are as close to the mid-market rate as possible — meaning you get more bang for your buck. Coupled with handy extra features and ease of use, we’re definitely fans!
As internationals who live in the Netherlands, we also like the Wise card that lets you spend money like a local in 50 different countries, the app’s transaction notifications, and the ability to get bank account details in 10 different countries.
CurrencyFair makes it into our top three thanks to its low fees and transparent, easy-to-use website. However, while they offer two handy ways to change currencies (immediate rates or peer-to-peer rates), CurrencyFair is primarily suited for North America, Europe, and Oceania users.
In addition, it’s not possible to transfer money directly via credit or debit card, so you need to have your bank details handy.
One of the only traditional Dutch banks that offers comprehensive money transfer capabilities, ING provides quick processing times, next-day payments, and the ability to schedule transfers in advance.
As a team of internationals from across the globe, we’re also big fans of the fact ING allows you to make payments to a whopping 243 different countries. However, let op: processing times for certain countries may be longer than usual.
With 20-plus years of experience with foreign currencies, Xe offers competitive rates and is particularly suited for people looking to send more than €250 at a time.
Xe is definitely one of our top picks for sending money to and from the Netherlands, but their website’s user-friendliness for doing international money transfers could be better. Their website and bonus features are also mainly focused on currency/exchange rate literacy.
A veteran in the field of online international money transfers, Moneycorp offers a wide array of resources to keep you (and your money) up to speed with the latest exchange rate developments.
They’re best suited for larger transfers as they don’t have any percentage fees but instead charge a small markup. That also means you’ll benefit from planning your transfers in advice so they can help you get the very best exchange rate
Despite being the only option on our list that’s more of a bank than a money transfer service, Revolut is ideal for small to medium money transfers. They’re easy, fast, and cheap — but make sure you plan your transfers on weekdays if you want the best rates.
As a neobank, Revolut naturally offers a variety of features aside from international money transfers. Unfortunately, Revolut isn’t known for its customer service and doesn’t have ideal help available when it comes to money transfers.
Supplying a whopping 22 currencies across 47 countries, TransferGo is a rock-solid choice for sending money to and from the Netherlands. Their exchange rates are live and super-competitive,making your transactions as close to the market average as possible.
However, TransferGo may not be ideal for super-speedy bank transfers across continents. Customers making money transfers to or from 10 countries (such as the US and Canada) will experience delivery times around 1 business day longer than others.
Ways to transfer money to and from the Netherlands
Okay, by now, you’ve gathered there are a few ways to send money abroad. But what’s the easiest? The cheapest? The fastest? Allow us to explain.
Using online international money transfer services
Online international money transfer services are companies like Wise. They beat the banks to generally easier, always cheaper, and often faster money transfers. 🎉
How? The main difference between an online international money transfer service and a bank is that an online service offers the actual mid-market exchange rate, whereas banks overcharge you through markups and hidden fees — ja, echt.
You sign up with an online money transfer service on their website or via an app and then simply follow their instructions to send your money. Online international money transfer services tend to operate very similarly, so you need to keep an eye out for their exchange rates!
Transferring money online is a breeze, but do keep an eye on exchange rates! Image: Freepik
Luckily, (and unlike banks) online international money transfer services are transparent with their fees, and the final cost of your transfer is easy to spot and compare.
Sending money internationally via a neobank (like bunq or Revolut)
If online international money transfers aren’t your cup of tea, but you also don’t want to be ripped off by a traditional bank, then a neobank might be for you. A neobank is a fully digital bank such as bunq, N26, or Revolut.
Aside from not having a physical branch and being much more flexible, neobanks differ from traditional banks as they often partner with an online money transfer service.
Both bunq and N26 partner with Wise, meaning you’ll be set up with one of the best online international money transfer services without having to as much as lift a finger!
Revolut, on the other hand, doesn’t partner with anyone. While they don’t provide the mid-market exchange rate (and hence have a small markup), they don’t charge any other fees — so it’s still cheaper than using a traditional bank for your transfers.
Although the specifics of an international money transfer differ a little depending on which neobank you use, sending money via a neobank is generally just a few clicks away using the bank’s in-app features.
Doing an international transfer via your traditional bank
Okay, we might not be super positive about traditional banks’ way of handling your international money transfers but let’s have a look anyway, shall we?
Doing an international money transfer via a traditional bank is the default for many — and we understand why! It feels familiar, comfortable, and safe. And it is. It’s just not cheap. 😅
Sometimes you can also complete a transfer in person, but it’s much faster online! Image: Depositphotos
Generally, you go to your online banking portal and select ‘international transfer’ before providing the relevant information (the amount of money, currency, receiver details etc.). Then you’ll be asked how you wish to pay for the costs from your bank account.
With a traditional bank, you’ll have to choose who pays for costs associated with the transfer: you, the receiver, or splitting the cost between the two. Additionally, you’ll need to pick when you want the money transferred and what type of transfer (for example, an EU transfer).
After that, just wait for the money to arrive in the receiver’s account.
Let op! Some banks in the Netherlands, such as ING, can’t even transfer money internationally from your Dutch bank account. Instead, they ask you to use a third-party service.
Sending money through a wire service
The last way to transfer money to or from the Netherlands is by using a wire service such as Western Union or Moneygram.
Both of these services operate in the Netherlands, so you can easily show up at any of their physical locations.
This way of sending money personally means you can send cash whenever needed. However, it’s not always convenient and almost never goedkoep (cheap).
Additionally,while wire services have entered the 21st century and do offer services online, they are outcompeted by services such as Wise, which specialises in online international money transfers.
International money transfers: what to look out for
Generally,transferring money within the EU doesn’t cost much (if anything) if the payment stays in euros.
However, as soon as you transfer money to or from a country with a different currency, you’ll encounter some heavy fees.
But before fleeing from the excessive rates of the bank, let’s learn how to spot them. 👀
Exchange rates on international money transfers
The exchange rate you receive on an international money transfer isn’t as simple as the rate you see on Google or on the news.
Instead, many transfer providers skim money off the top by providing an exchange rate that’s lower than the mid-market rate that you see on the web or on the news. Hence, always check the end product of how much money will be sent or received.
Fast money transfers? Yes, please! Image: Depositphotos
Hidden fees and charges
When transferring money internationally through your bank, they’ll often charge a fixed fee for the service — in addition to the money they make on the exchange rate.
Note that sometimes, the bank will charge a very low fee but have hidden markups. 🙃 Essentially manipulating the price you pay for the transfer service through the exchange rate — often without you noticing.
How to spot a currency conversion markup: If the current exchange rate is €1.13 per USD and the transfer service offers you €1.00, that means you’re being charged €0.13 for every single euro you transfer!
Speed of the transfer
Another thing affecting how much you pay for moving money to and from the Netherlands is the speed of the transfer.
Normally, it takes one to five business days for the money to whoosh across a country/continent/ocean but some snazzy services guarantee a lightning transfer in less than an hour!
International money transfer services explained
Some of those online international money transfer services sound pretty good, right? If you’ve decided on your favourite already — awesome! Here comes the nitty-gritty stuff. 🧐
How to make an international money transfer
Got people waiting for you, or are bills stacking up? Laten we gaan! (Let’s go!).
👩💻 1. Open an account
The first step to making an online international money transfer is to open an account with your chosen service (our personal choice is Wise). You can do this via their website or an app, depending on who you choose to wire money through.
Hassle-free banking? Sign us right up! Image: Freepik
Opening an account tends to be free, easy, and fast — our three favourite words. 💃
👋 2. Confirm your identity
While not mandatory for all, many transfer services will ask to see some sort of ID before you can make your first money transfer. So, have your passport or national ID card handy!
💸 3. Choose the amount of money to send and its currency
Type in the amount of money in the currency you want to send and the currency you want it converted to.
Most pages here will show you the cost of the transfer (and the best will even include a breakdown of those costs for full transparency).
🏃♂️ 4. Select delivery speed
This is where things get interesting. When making an online international money transfer, you can select multiple “speeds” for your transfer.
Most services will have a few options that determine how fast your money will whoosh to the recipient’s account — but let op, typicallythe faster the transfer, the more money you pay.
✍ 5. Add recipient details
Who’s the lucky receiver? Make sure to have their full name, IBAN or account number, and sometimes their contact details ready.
💳 6. Pay up
Finally, pay the amount you’ve chosen to transfer and any additional costs from the online money transfer service.
Some services have more payment options than others, but you can count on at least being able to pay either via credit or debit card or a regular bank transfer. Sometimes, you may need to provide a payment reference.
🏁 7. Complete the transfer
Congratulations! You just finished your first online international money transfer! Now all you have to do is wait for the money to clear the transfer service and reach the recipient’s bank account.
Transfers are generally easy peasy lemon squeezy! Image: Wise
Once that happens, you’ll get a notification from the transfer service.
How to receive an international money transfer
Oh, the satisfaction of seeing money trickle into your account — let us know if you’d like our bank details! 😉
🤝 1. Provide your details to the sender
Really, when receiving an online international money transfer, your part is easy. All you need to do is make sure you give the person transferring you the money the correct bank and contact details.
Good to know: Often, you need to provide a SWIFT code when sending or receiving international transfers. A SWIFT code is an 8-11 character code used to identify your financial institution around the world. It makes international transfers faster as it helps banks process the transaction — swiftly. 😉
🎉 2. Wait for a notification… and enjoy!
Once the money has been deposited in your account, you’ll likely receive a notification to inform you that the transaction has been successful. Then, it’s time to start spending.
The costs involved in a money transfer to the Netherlands
By now, you know that using an online international money transfer service is the cheapest way to send money to and from the Netherlands.
However, it’s always best if you know exactly which costs are involved.
These depend on:
Which currencies you are changing between: The costs of money transfers in the Netherlands depend most heavily on exchange rates (i.e. the value of the euro compared to other currencies).
How much money you are transferring: Sending larger amounts will cost you more per transfer but is cheaper in the long run. Think of it as buying in bulk at the supermarket.
The speed of the transfer: If you want to transfer money fast, you better budget it.
The transfer company’s fee: This is how the online money transfer service makes its main income, so remember to factor in the transfer fee and any additional charges when sending money to the Netherlands or abroad.
Tips on transferring money cheaply: To save on costs when transferring money internationally, make sure that the transfer service is operating from the mid-market exchange rate, send larger amounts at a time, don’t pay for fast transfers but plan in advance, and compare different services to guarantee that you’re getting the most out of your money.
How secure is an international money transfer?
Rest assured that using an online international money transfer service is safe and protected by EU regulations. Amongst others, this regulation:
makes it easier and safer to use Internet payment services;
better protects consumers against fraud, abuse, and payment problems;
promotes innovative mobile and internet payment services;
and strengthens consumer rights.
Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to read up on the transfer service before using it, check reviews, and look at its security information (which should be available on the service’s website).
How do you prefer to conduct money transfers in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!
Money transfers in the Netherlands: Frequently Asked Questions
How can I transfer money to a Dutch bank account?
You can transfer money to a Dutch bank account via an online international money transfer service (such as Wise), a neobank (like bunq), or through your traditional bank by making an international transfer.
How can I transfer money internationally from my Dutch bank account?
You can transfer money to a foreign account from your Dutch bank account by making an online transfer via your own bank. However, it’s cheaper to use an online international money transfer service such as Wise.
What’s the best way to transfer money internationally?
The best way to transfer money internationally is by using an online international money transfer service. Online transfer services beat the banks’ prices, and provide fast, easy, and cheap transactions while guaranteeing your safety.
How can I get the best exchange rate on an international money transfer?
To get the best exchange rate on an international transfer, make sure the transfer service you’re using is operating based on the mid-market rate.
How can I make an international money transfer from the Netherlands?
To make an international money transfer from the Netherlands, set up an account with an online international money transfer service, choose the amount of money you want to send and in which currency, add the recipient’s bank details, verify your identity, and pay for the transfer. That’s it!
How long does an international money transfer take?
Generally, it takes one to five business days for an international money transfer to reach the recipient’s bank account. However, some online international money services can get it there as fast as an hour! Be aware that you often pay for the speed of a transfer.
How can I save money on an international money transfer?
The best tested and tried way to save money on your international money transfers is using an online service such as Wise. Online international money transfer services offer better exchange rates and charge lower fees than traditional banks.
Every year, more and more municipalities are deciding to abandon the beloved Dutch tradition of setting off as many fireworks as possible to welcome the new year.
Wanna know if you’ll be able to see some sparkles this New Year’s Eve? Let’s find out. 👇
Complete bans
You might be used to the sky being brighter at midnight than it is at midday on New Year’s Eve.
According to RTL, that definitely won’t be happening in the following Dutch municipalities, which are instituting a complete fireworks ban this year:
Alkmaar
Amersfoort
Amsterdam
Apeldoorn
Arnhem
Bloemendaal
Eindhoven
Haarlem
Heemstede
Heumen
Mook en Middelaar
Nijmegen
Rotterdam
Schiedam
Soest
Tilburg
Utrecht
Utrechtse Heuvelrug
Zutphen
While most of these municipalities have already known peace for the past few years, the ban is a novelty for Alkmaar, Utrecht and Zutphen.
Don’t live in one of the municipalities mentioned above? It may not be time to start buying earplugs just yet.
About 100 other municipalities will designate fireworks-free zones on NYE, where setting off fireworks will be prohibited. You can find out if (and where) this applies to your hometown on your municipal website.
Although these bans might devastate the 13-year-old boy population, they are usually based on noble reasons, mainly concerning the protection of animals and vulnerable populations.
That’s why fireworks-free zones in municipalities without complete bans are mostly located near care centres, hospitals, and parks.
Does a firework ban apply where you live? How do you feel about that? Let us know in the comments!
The police have revealed that the explosions at Tarwekamp in The Hague targeted a bridal shop owned by the previous partner of one of the four suspects.
Although the shop owner was not present at the time of the incident, police suspect that the explosion was an act of revenge by one of the suspects.
What do we know?
Their relationship was confirmed after the suspect and the shop owner posted an identical advertisement for a white Range Rover online.
This car was later found burned down as a result of the explosion.
Sources told RTL that the suspect, Rotterdam local Moshtag B., acted out of revenge after the breakup with the shop owner. Sources from the police confirmed this in a conversation with the AD.
Everything seems to point to the fact that “the ex-partner allegedly wanted to harm the woman materially,” as the AD writes.
The three other suspects, two of whom are believed to be cousins, were allegedly called by Moshtag B. to “get the job done”.
Unclear of how the devastation was so big
The exact cause of the destruction is still unknown, but the explosions caused six deaths and irreversible damage to nearby buildings and businesses.
From signing up to using the N26 app, features, paying by card, and more — here’s our impression of using N26 as an international in the Netherlands. 👇
This post might have affiliate links that help us write the articles you love, at no extra cost to you. Read our statement.
First things first: what is N26?
N26 is a completely digital bank that operates across multiple European countries.
While it may not have physical branches like a traditional bank, it holds a European banking licence and has some of the best (and most aesthetic) online features we’ve seen.
N26 offers accounts in many countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, andmost importantly: the Netherlands!
It’s important to know that opening an account with N26 gives you a German IBAN, not a Dutch one.
However, there’s no need to worry — same-day transfers to and from Dutch banks mean you’ll never miss a payment deadline. N26 accounts are available for individuals, freelancers, and self-employed business owners.
If you are using the bank account for your personal finances, you can use N26’s free account option, N26 Standard.
Banking with your partner? N26 also offers seamless access to joint accounts and shared money-management features. Image: N26
Meanwhile, if you need more features, there are three paid options: the Smart, You, and Metal accounts (which cost €4.90, €9.90, and €16.90 per month, respectively).
Top features of N26 for internationals in the Netherlands
Branding itself as “a bank as mobile as you,” N26 makes life easier for internationals by offering easy-to-set-up accounts, multilingual customer service, and cheap transactions worldwide.
In addition to this accessibility, the neobank also provides expats in the Netherlands with some major banking pros:
Free Maestro card to transact with AND a Debit Mastercard
With each of the N26 accounts, you receive a free digital Mastercard. Technically, they call it a “Mastercard debit card” since it doesn’t allow you to borrow money, just to use your own.
The best benefit here is that you can add the digital Mastercard to your mobile wallet immediately after registering with N26, so there’s no need to wait for a card to arrive in the mail!
(Of course, if you like the sleek, plasticky feel of a brand new bank card, you can order one for a €10 delivery fee! 😉)
No need to wait for your brand, spanking new card to come in the mail — you can use your free digital card as soon as you’ve made an account! Image: N26
So far, so good, but since most internationals have been traumatised by seeing their foreign cards declined in the Netherlands, the all-important question remains: “Can I get a Maestro card?”
With N26, the answer is yes! You can order a free Maestro card via the banking app if you have a premium account or for a €10 fee for Standard account holders.
Delivery takes around 10 working days, so order it ASAP to avoid awkward check-outs at Albert Heijn. (Unless you want to opt for express delivery that’ll have your card whizzing to you in three business days.)
Transact in any country with no foreign exchange fees
Dying to hop across the globe for some delicious pastries? Well, one of the things we liked most about N26 is that they don’t charge additional fees for transactions in foreign countries.
In partnership with Wise, a UK-based foreign exchange technology company, N26 offers quick and easy foreign currency transfers. Oh, and the best part? There are NO hidden fees!
Live your best life… without stressing over the fussy bits, like foreign exchange fees. Image: N26
This means digital nomads, travel lovers, and those of us enjoying our hols won’t have to pay extra for those crisp pastries on our jaunt abroad.
Many traditional banks add a surcharge on payments abroad; if you’re a frequent traveller, these can quickly add up. With N26, you pay for what you’re buying, and that’s it. Pretty sweet, right?
Easy foreign currency transfers with great exchange rates
In addition, N26 provides some of the most favourable exchange rates out there. Powered by Wise, N26 lets you transfer money in 19 different currencies — directly from the banking app.
Within the Eurozone, you also benefit from a number of free ATM withdrawals when using the N26 Mastercard. Just make sure that the ATM is NFC enabled if using a digital card. (FYI, there’s a handy ATM locator in the N26 app!)
Outside of the Eurozone, however, you’ll pay a €2 fee when withdrawing from other currencies.
Let op!Make sure you are using the N26 Mastercard and not the Maestro Card to withdraw money from ATMs.
Using the N26 Maestro Card for cash withdrawals, you’ll be charged €2 per transaction in the Eurozone and €2 plus 1.7% outside if withdrawing other currencies.
No need for a BSN
You heard that right! As opposed to basically any other bank in the Netherlands, N26 doesn’t require you to have a BSN to open an account with them.
A BSN (Citizen Service Number) is a unique personal number allocated to every Netherlands resident.
Just landed in the Netherlands? Helaas, you’ll probably need to wait for an appointment at your local municipality before getting your BSN.
Moving to a new country already involves a lot of paperwork and bureaucracy. With N26’s ease of use, your banking journey doesn’t have to add to the stress! Image: Freepik
On the other hand, when opening an account with N26, you simply need to enter your nationality and residency details (i.e. passport and address in the Netherlands).
While you need a registered address in the Netherlands for them to send you your snazzy Maestro card, you can essentially open an account the moment you’ve signed a lease — rather than waiting until after you’ve received your BSN.
Spending habit insights
Wondering where all your money is going? (*cough* Bike repairs and bitterballen, maybe? *cough*) To help you stay on track with your financial goals, N26 has a number of nifty budgeting tools.
Keeping track of all your expenses will soon become a breeze! Image: N26
One is the Statistics feature in the N26 app, which categorises your payments in real-time to give you an overview of all in- and outgoing activity on your account.
With a quick glance, you can see exactly how much money you’re spending on borrelen, groceries, shopping, etc.
Sub-spaces to save for the important things
Another money-managing feature is N26 Spaces. These are sub-accounts that allow you to separate your savings from your daily spending.
You can create two spaces with a standard N26 account, but if you have a premium account, you can get up to 10.
Jam-packed with partner-offers
One of the unique things about N26 is that they offer “perks” when holding an account with them — yup, even the free standard account!
Scoring sweet deals is simply a breeze with N26’s (free!) Perks feature. Image: Freepik
Perks are essentially partner offers so that you can get discounts on everything from hotels and home decor to mental health and fitness offers. (And who doesn’t love a good deal? 😉)
Downsides of N26 for internationals in the Netherlands
Alright, let’s change gears a bit before getting too excited. While N26 offers many useful features for internationals living in the Netherlands, there are also things we’re less impressed with.
Slightly more expensive than other bank accounts (but with more features)
If you’re not opting for the free N26 Standard account, then you’ll be paying a higher monthly fee than you would with a traditional bank.
This is where lifestyle and personal preferences come into the mix, so you’ll need to weigh up how much you’ll use the additional premium features — and what you’re willing to pay for them.
No iDEAL (and therefore no Tikkie)
In the Netherlands, the name of the game when it comes to shopping online is iDEAL. From paying your rent to buying you and your cat matching pyjamas, iDEAL is one of the essential digital tools for life in the Netherlands.
So, let’s just say that the fact that N26 doesn’t have an iDEAL licence is… inconvenient.
Sending a Tikkie is pretty much a national sport in the Netherlands. Image: Canva/DutchReview
Not being able to use iDEAL won’t isolate you financially, but it’ll cost you a few more clicks when shopping online.
Without iDEAL, you’ll lose out on the Dutch social phenomenon of ‘Tikkie-ing.’ Tikkie is THE cost-splitting app of the Netherlands, so not being able to send or receive a Tikkie can be awkward.
Instead of Tikkie, N26 uses a similar system called MoneyBeam, which lets you do same-day transfers to other N26 account holders and send money to non-N26 accounts within two days.
No credit cards on offer
N26 doesn’t offer credit cards with any of their accounts. For a bank that caters to frequent travellers, this seems positively weird.
If you normally book plane tickets, hotels, rental cars, etc., with a credit card and usually earn rewards when doing so, then N26 might not suit you in this respect.
Love booking flights with your credit card? You may not enjoy N26 as much. Image: Freepik
With this aversion towards building debt, you’d almost think they are Dutch! Of course, you can still use your N26 Mastercard debit for all of this; you just don’t earn points and can only use the money available in your account.
Types of N26 accounts
As mentioned, N26 offers four different account types. Standard, Smart, You, and Metal. Here’s a breakdown of what each account includes.
A physical, engraved stainless steel debit card (available in three metallic colours).
Eight free cash withdrawals from Eurozone NFC-enabled ATMs.
Unlimited free cash withdrawals in any currency.
0% currency conversion fee.
N26 MoneyBeam.
10 sub-accounts for savings (with additional sharing features).
Extra discounts with Perks.
Ability to order an additional Mastercard for €10.
Increased coverage lifestyle, mobility, trip, and travel health insurance.
Mobile phone insurance.
Car rental insurance.
Priority customer service.
How much does N26 cost?
The N26 Standard account is gratis, baby! For N26 Plus, you pay €4.90 per month, while N26 You costs €9.90 per month and N26 Metal €16.90 per month.
Other costs to consider include:
The one-off €10 shipping fee for an additional card (or to receive any physical card with the standard account)
An 8% overdraft fee
A 1.70% fee for ATM withdrawals outside of what’s included in the account type
Let op! With an N26 Standard account, you can have up to €50,000 in your accounts. After that, a yearly 0.5% fee may apply.
The bottom line: is N26 good for internationals in the Netherlands?
Christine Stein Hededam
Functionality for expats in the Netherlands
Features
Online banking
Customer service
Summary
We’d call N26 one of the best banks for an international in the Netherlands if it weren’t for the lack of iDEAL, which can make it difficult to shop online. However, if you’re not a frequent Tikkie sender or receiver, then N26 is definitely a solid option.
Some of our favourite features are the no-extra-costs-foreign payments, easy-peasy currency transfers, and the nifty budgeting tools — and, of course, an all-important Maestro card.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preferences and needs, but if you’re looking for a fully digital, easy-to-set-up bank with a sleek interface, then N26 might be the bank for you!
Anyone above the age of 18 can open an N26 bank account if they are a resident of one of the 24 supported countries (such as the Netherlands), have a smartphone, and hold a relevant ID.
You cannot open a new N26 account if you already have one with them, as they don’t offer joint accounts. However, the ‘Shared Spaces’ feature of N26’s paid account options allows an almost similar experience to a joint account.
How long does it take to open a bank account with N26?
It only takes eight minutes to open a bank account with N26! And since you receive a digital card compatible with your mobile wallet, you can start spending immediately.
Is N26 safe?
N26 gives you a German IBAN and is protected under the European deposit guarantee scheme with up to €100,000. The app uses fingerprint identification and 3D secure technology to ensure your safety when shopping online.
Does an N26 bank account work everywhere?
You can only set up an N26 bank account using identification documents from one of the 24 supported countries. However, your card is accepted worldwide.
What do I need to open an N26 account in the Netherlands?
All you need to open an N26 account in the Netherlands is your passport or ID card and a compatible smartphone. (For iPhone, you need a 5S or newer with at least iOS 11; for Android, you need 6.0 or newer).
What’s the difference between N26 and bunq?
While they are both online banks, there are two major differences between N26 and bunq.
The first is that N26 doesn’t require you to have a BSN number, whereas bunq will ask you to provide one within 90 days after setting up your account.
The second is that N26 doesn’t hold an iDEAL license (and therefore isn’t compatible with Tikkie), whereas you can Tikkie away if you have an account with bunq.
Will you be signing up with N26? Tell us in the comments below!
What facts do you know about the Dutch language? It’s kind of close to English and people sound like they’re choking when they’re speaking, right?
But there are a ton of other awesome and interesting things about the Dutch language, like 👇🏼
the obsession with consonants,
untranslatable words, and
even using Hebrew slang.
Are you ready to impress your international and Dutch friends with some mind-blowing fun facts? 🧐
Daar gaan we! (Here we go!)
1. Dutch is also spoken outside of the Netherlands 🇸🇷🇦🇼🇸🇽
Because of *ahem* colonialism, the Dutch language has made its way to countries on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, such as Suriname, Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten.
The last three are actually still part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and even name Dutch as one of their official languages.
Dutch is also spoken in Flanders, in northern Belgium, however, with a different dialect called Flemish or Vlaams.
You’ll probably hear Dutch people either making fun of this accent or finding it super cute (because of their soft g’s and slight French accent) — there’s no in-between!
You’ll also find some Dutch speakers in Germany, near the shared border with the Netherlands.
2. But the Netherlands is the only country where Dutch is the only official spoken language
That’s right, the Netherlands has only one official spoken language — and it’s Dutch (even though we could totally buy the country making English a second official language 😉).
Other countries also have Dutch as an official language, but these countries also have other languages in the mix as well. But in the Netherlands, it’s only Dutch!
You may be thinking “What about West Frisian?” which is a language you might hear in the northern parts of the lowlands.
In this case, it’s only recognised as an official language in the province of Friesland — but not in the rest of the country.
As for non-spoken languages, Nederlandse Gebarentaal (Dutch Sign Language) was only recognised as an official language on July 1, 2021. 🙌🏼
3. Dutch and English aren’t THAT similar but are still pretty close
A lot of people believe that Dutch and English are very similar, with plenty of shared vocabulary, for example, appel (apple), peer (pear), or glas (glass).
Linguistically, the two languages are close to each other. But Dutch is, in fact, not the closest language to English! Wat?!
Heard English is close to Dutch? Just try and understand fluent Dutch with no practice. Image: Freepik
Believe it or not, West Frisian is actually closer to English than Nederlands.
So if you’re ever in Friesland, listen carefully to what the locals are saying. You might find that you understand a whole lot more than in the rest of the lowlands. 👀
4. The Dutch are the best non-native speakers of English IN THE WORLD
Thanks to their education system and lack of Dutch dubbing in TV shows and movies, Dutchies have a super high non-native proficiency in English and rank the best out of 112 countries! 🌍
5. Dunglish (Dutch + English) is the funniest thing ever 🇬🇧🇳🇱
While most Dutchies are basically fluent in English, you might sometimes catch the rare fish that is Dunglish.
Known in Dutch as steenkolenengels, or“coal-English”, Dunglish is a combination of Dutch and English. The result of this combination is some of the funniest sentences you’ll ever hear.
“I can speak only a little English, hoor.”(What, are you calling me a whore??)
“Just go up the trap.” (Stairs)
“That is the car from Marieke.” (instead of Marieke’s car)
But let’s be clear: the Dutch speak amazing English — so it’s nice to know they’re human and make small errors sometimes. 😉
6. A lot of Dutch slang comes from Hebrew
Yeah, we were shocked by this one too, but it’s true! A lot of Dutch slang comes from Hebrew words from the Jewish population living in the Netherlands.
Much of it can be found especially in the Amsterdam dialect of Dutch. This makes sense because the majority of Dutch Jews lived in Amsterdam in 1940.
Here are just a few examples of Dutch slang with Yiddish origins:
Dutch
Yiddish root
Modern Hebrew
English
blauw
blau
belo
drunk
gabber
chawwer
chaver
friend, comrade
jofel
jofe
yafe
good, nice
mokum
mokum
makom
place
7. Dutch has some rare and weird sounds
There are some pretty funky sounds in the Dutch language and they are actually quite rare among the world’s languages.
The most interesting and unique sounds that the Dutch make are their soft “g” which is written as ch, and the hard “g” which is written as g.
You can hear the soft chand hard g in these words:
Acht (Eight)
Zacht (Soft)
Goedemiddag! (Good morning!)
Groen (Green)
Trying to make those weird Dutch sounds will have your tongue in knots. Image: Freepik
8. Despite the Dutch presence in Indonesia, Nederlands has no official status there (but does have a lot of loan words!)
Remember when the Dutch were in Indonesia for almost 350 years? You’d think that with that kind of presence, the Dutch language would still have some kind of influence, right?
Well, not really.
Dutch has no official status in Indonesia and is only spoken fluently by a small minority of people, such as educated members of the oldest generation, students who go to Dutch language schools, and legal professionals (who need it because some law codes are still in Dutch 😲).
But the Indonesian language does have a lot of loan words from Dutch. One example is the Indonesian afspraak (verbal promise), which is the same as the Dutch afspraak (appointment).
Well, we can blame the British for that. You see, they thought that anyone who spoke “a Germanic language” must have been German. So to the Brits, the Netherlands and Germany were basically the same thing.
They called the Netherlanders the “Deutsch” and the name just kinda stuck. 🙃
But in the Dutch language? The Dutch people are Nederlanders, and the language they speak is Nederlands. Makes sense, right?
10. Dutch and Afrikaans are sisters, not twins
Dutch and Afrikaans (spoken in South Africa) are very similar languages, but they are not the same thing. Afrikaans is a vernacular of the Dutch language that was spoken and brought to South Africa in the 17th century.
Although Afrikaans is derived from Dutch, it’s had language contact with other languages in South Africa and has developed into its own fully-fledged language.
So Dutch and Afrikaans speakers understand each other — kinda. There is a lot of shared vocabulary, but both languages have diverged and changed significantly over centuries.
11. There are lots of Dutch words that are untranslatable
Lekker? Gezellig? Hoor? You hear these words all the time in the Netherlands, but what the heck do they mean? Well, unfortunately, these words are untranslatable. But you can get a good idea based on the context. 💡
You might not know the true meaning, but that won’t stop you from trying to use these addictive words, albeit possibly in the slightly wrong context. But hey, that’s Dutch for you!
12. Dutch words are long AF because of compounds
Dutch words can be loooooong. Why? It’s because of this little thing that Dutchies love to do with their words called compounding.
Compounding is when two or more individual words are combined to create a new word with its own meaning. ✨
For example, the longest Dutch word is aansprakelijkheidswaardevaststellingsveranderingen (liability valuation changes), with a whopping 50 letters!
Notice how, in English, we space out each word?
Yep, unfortunately, those Dutchies are not joking when they say that ridiculously long word. Image: Depositphotos
Well, Dutch doesn’t appear to see the need for spaces and just bunches up the four words (aansprakelijkheid(s) + waarde + vaststelling(s) + veranderingen) together, creating a long AF compound word. 😪
13. Dutch words have a LOT of consonants
If you think super-long Dutch words are already hard enough — it gets worse.
Dutch words can also be pretty consonant-heavy. Some of them love to line up consonants in a row without a vowel in between to get your tongue twisting in all sorts of crazy ways.
If you’ve ever accidentally walked onto a bike path, you might have gotten a little kanker (cancer) thrown your way by an irate biking Dutchie:
Other popular illness hits include:
Krijg de tyfus/klere/pest! (Get tuberculosis/cholera/plague)
Optyfen (Typhus off)
Klerelijer (Cholera-sufferer)
15. Dutch has two ways of saying “the” (de and het), and a lot of people confuse the two
In English, we only have one word for “the”, but the Dutch have two: de and het. A lot of native Dutch speakers aren’t sure why this distinction exists — they just know it by heart.
De is mainly used for plural nouns, people, professions, letters and numbers, etc. On the other hand, het is used for diminutive nouns (-je/-tje ending), nouns for languages, nouns from infinitive verbs, etc.
If you wanna go deeper, de and het are used based on the grammatical gender (not necessarily the same as traditional gender) of the nouns they’re attached to. 👫
Basically, de words are used for masculine/feminine nouns, and het words are used for neuter nouns, but there are a lot of exceptions to this rule. So keep it simple and just memorise the definite articles as you go! 🙌🏼
16. Dutch uses diminutives -je and -tje to make things cuter
In Dutch, it’s common to hear people adding -je or -tje to the end of words to make things cuter, smaller, or friendlier. For example, it’s common to say “Mag ik een biertje?” (May I have a beer?)instead of “Mag ik een bier”.
You’ll also hear people calling their partner vriendje, which shows that the relationship is intimate. Cute, right?! 🥰
It’s the equivalent to saying “Can I have a beerie?” or “This is my friendie” in English. It might sound a bit odd for us to use it as an adult and all the time — but that’s totally normal and even expected in Dutch!
17. Even the Dutch struggle with Dutch (seriously)
Native speakers aren’t perfect either! It’s very common to make mistakes even in your own language, and the Dutch are no exception.
Even if their English/German/French skills may knock you out of the water, some of them have similar struggles to us, internationals, and might make these mistakes:
Mixing up die (this)and dat (that), dat (that) and wat (what), als (if/when)and dan (than)
Not sure whether to use t or d for the end of a past tense verb
Confusing the references to de and het (the)
So don’t feel bad if you mess up now and again, the Dutchies do it too. 😉
We hope this list helped you build on your Dutch knowledge and that you now have a bunch of fun language facts to share with people at parties (hopefully they’re as obsessed with languages as we are 😆).
![N26: best online bank for internationals in the Netherlands? [2026 REVIEW]](https://dutchreview.com/wp-content/uploads/N26-You_Smart-768x432.jpg "N26: best online bank for internationals in the Netherlands? [2026 REVIEW]")
