From midnight tonight, eight Dutch provinces fall under code red because of the extreme heat, the highest possible weather warning, and it’s the first time it’s ever been triggered by hot weather in the Netherlands.
If that sounds dramatic, that’s the point. Even during the record temperatures of 2019, the country never reached this level.
The advice from the KNMI (the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute) is blunt: only go outside if you really have to.
Which provinces are affected?
The code red weather warning applies to the provinces of Noord-Brabant, Gelderland, Utrecht, Limburg, Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland, Flevoland and Overijssel.
Zeeland, Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe stay on code orange, while the Wadden Islands sit on code yellow.
Most of the country had already been under code orange since yesterday, so this is a step up rather than a sudden surprise.
What does a code red warning actually mean?
Here’s the slightly odd part: meteorologically, there’s no difference between code orange and code red. The decision to go red isn’t about the temperature itself.
Instead, a body called the weerimpactteam (weather impact team) makes the call. The KNMI sits at that table alongside the police, fire service, the National Crisis Centre, the national traffic centre, ProRail and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
They issue code red when dangerous weather risks disrupting society, weighing up the chances of injury, damage and serious disruption. Belgium and France have both reached this top level several times in recent days, too.
How to look after yourself (and others)
With code red, everyone needs to watch for signs of dehydration and overheating, up to and including a life-threatening heatstroke. The KNMI advises staying out of the sun and avoiding heavy physical activity.
Drink plenty of water even when you don’t feel thirsty. Keep an eye on pets, who cope badly with heat, and on people who might need a hand.
Older people in particular often have a weaker sense of thirst, which means dehydration can creep up on them faster.
Is this the new normal?
Possibly, yes. While the code red itself is historic, the KNMI expects extreme heat like this to become more common as the climate warms, with heatwaves growing both more likely and more intense.
The advice that comes with code red isn’t legally binding, but plenty of organisations have plans ready.
Hospitals prepare for heat-related patients, care homes run extra checks on residents, and many employers adjust working hours or pause heavy outdoor work. Some councils are opening cool public buildings as refuges.
Events this weekend may be shortened or scrapped, and the hardstyle festival Defqon. 1 has already decided to admit fewer visitors because of the heat.
And the heat won’t let up overnight.
The night from Thursday into Friday is expected to be the warmest ever measured in the Netherlands, which is bad timing if you were planning to stay up for the football. The Netherlands play Tunisia at the World Cup at 1 AM, so a sweaty, sleepless night may be on the cards either way.
Staying in the shade, hugging a fan, or sweating through extra time? Tell us how you’re surviving in the comments.
Lost about tipping in Amsterdam? Received the bill and have no idea what to pay? I feel you.
Coming from Australia, I had no idea what the Dutch tipping etiquette was when I first moved to the Netherlands.
Now I’ve learned that it’s not abnormal to tip in the Netherlands, but only in certain situations.
We’ve put together all the tips you need to know about tipping in Amsterdam (and the rest of the Netherlands): who you tip, when you tip, where it’s customary, and how much to give.
Need to tip fast with no time to scroll? Jump to a section below 💸
However, if you received good service or thoroughly enjoyed the food, it’s customary to give a small tip — around 5-10% of the bill. If your service was just average, round up the bill or leave some change.
The whole tipping thing in USA is so alien to us. In The Netherlands we barely tip. Most don’t tip for delivered food and restaurants receive a 5% tip if they have provided good service.
It’s very rare for restaurants to include a specific service charge on the bill. If this is included, there’s no expectation to leave an additional tip. See the next section for more details.
How much should I tip at a restaurant in the Netherlands?
Tip 5-10% directly to your server for great service.
Round up the bill or leave change for average service.
Can a restaurant in the Netherlands include a service charge on the bill?
Getting a service charge on a bill can be a nasty surprise, particularly when you feel obligated to pay it.
For students or tourists on a budget, it can take an affordable dinner to an extravagant feast.
Luckily, this rarely happens in the Netherlands because servicekosten (service costs)have been included in bills since the 1970s and are already reflected in menu prices.
If you are unlucky enough to see an unfair additional charge on your bill, discuss it with the manager. Unless they’ve mentioned it beforehand, it’s purely voluntary, and you can ask to have it removed.
Tipping in bars in Holland
If you’re drinking in a bar, you may already be feeling a little generous.
Thankfully, it’s not expected to tip per drink in the Netherlands (we’re looking at you, Americans).
Tipping in the Netherlands is not compulsory, but it’s always appreciated! Image: Depositphotos
Instead, if you’re running a tab throughout the evening, you may like to round up the bill at the end of the night. Alternatively, throw a few coins in a tip jar — your bartender will appreciate it!
How much should I tip in a bar in the Netherlands?
If you’re running a tab, you may like to round up the bill when you leave.
Otherwise, a few coins in a tip jar go a long way.
Is it customary to tip taxi drivers in the Netherlands?
It’s not necessary to tip taxi drivers in the Netherlands, but you can round up the bill or tip one or two euros if you like.
Thanks to high gas prices and taxes, Dutch taxis are already expensive. So drivers don’t expect tips.
Didn’t mark your exact drop-off point, and your driver still drove extra? You can tip them if you would like! Image: Depositphotos
Of course, if you received great service, it may be worth letting them know.
How much should I tip a taxi driver in the Netherlands?
Tipping is not necessary.
Do I need to tip at a café in Amsterdam?
If you’re sitting in a cute Dutch café enjoying some koffie and an appelflap(try it, you will thank us later) and you’re handed the bill, there’s no requirement to tip.
Of course, if your bill was €8.50 and your appelflap was truly lekker (delicious), you may like to give your server €10 and call it a day.
Tipping at a café is not needed, but you can tip if your food or drinks are delicious! Image: Magnific
But if you do decide to wait for your change, they won’t blink an eye. The same goes for takeaway coffees — there’s no requirement to tip, but you’re welcome to if you want.
How much should I tip at a café in the Netherlands?
You don’t need to tip at a café, but you’re welcome to round up the bill or leave a few euros if you wish.
Do I tip at a hotel in the Netherlands?
At those prices? Just kidding. You’re never expected to tip at a hotel in the Netherlands.
Of course, if you have a great receptionist or porter, you may like to give them a few euros as a thank you.
How much should I tip at my hotel in the Netherlands?
There’s no requirement to tip any hotel staff, although you can give a few euros if you receive good service.
Should I tip my tour guide in the Netherlands?
If you’ve had a fantastic tour led by a truly excellent guide, you may like to tip them a few euros. It won’t be expected, although some tour guides may encourage it, but it is always a choice.
There is one exception: if you’re taking a free walking tour, these guides earn their whole salary from tips.
Plan on tipping around €10 per person, or extra if it was a truly fantastic tour.
How much should I tip my tour guide in Holland?
Paid tours don’t require a tip, although you may like to tip a few euros for exceptional service.
Tip around €10 per person for a free walking tour.
Do I tip at a hairdresser’s or spa in Holland?
You may be seeing a trend here — tipping in Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands is very rarely compulsory.
But if you receive great service from a hairdresser, manicurist, spa worker, or anything in between, you can leave a few euros to show your gratitude.
If you’re super content with your new nails, hair, or facial, tipping can help show your appreciation! Image: Depositphotos
How much should I tip a hairdresser or spa worker in the Netherlands?
No tip is necessary, but you can choose to leave a few euros for great service.
A short history of tipping in the Netherlands
Until the 1970s, it was common to see a mandatory servicekosten (service charges) on a bill. This was a fixed 15% charge that was originally implemented after the 1950s.
By the 1970s, people had gotten used to the fixed charge, and it began to be integrated directly into the cost of food instead. While all prices rose 15% at the time, the service cost no longer appeared separately on the receipt.
Today, this service cost is still built into the bill, and it’s this service cost that allows hospitality workers to be paid at least minimum wage.
Of course, it can be expensive to live in the Netherlands, so if you do get exceptional service, you may like to give a small tip to your hospitality worker to make their day.
How to tip in the Netherlands
Here are a couple more things that are handy to know about tipping in the Netherlands.
Are tip jars common?
You’ll quite often see tip jars in cafés and bars in the Netherlands, and at some restaurants as well.
Feel free to throw some spare change in there if you liked the service (or just hate carrying change).
Should tipping be secretive in Amsterdam?
We’ve all seen the sly ‘drug deal’ type of tipping… a mystery note covered by someone’s hand slipped into someone else’s.
If you’re the kind to do this, go ahead, but it’s absolutely not necessary. Just hand them the tip, and they’ll be more than happy to accept it.
Can I tip with a bank card in the Netherlands?
If you’re not the kind of person to carry cash, most places that have a card machine are able to process tips with the rest of the bill.
Remember, though, that many places will only accept Maestro, not Visa or MasterCard. Just let them know that you want to tip before you pay.
A quick guide to Dutch tipping language
Ready to tip in the Netherlands? Here’s how to talk the talk. Image: Pixabay
We all know the Dutch have some amazing English skills, but if you want to immerse yourself in the Dutch language, give these quick phrases a go:
Can I have the bill, please?
Mag ik de rekening alsjeblieft?
Keep the change.
Laat het wisselgeld maar zitten.
Can I tip with a card?
Kan ik met kaart tippen?
Make the bill €35.
Maak er maar [35] euro van.
Can I have €5 back?
Mag ik [5] euro terug?
This tip is for you.
Deze fooi is voor jou.
Do you accept tips?
Accepteren jullie fooi?
The bottom line on tipping in Amsterdam
The Dutch approach to tipping is very sensible: tip where you get good service.
You don’t need to tip a lot, but any tip received is greatly welcomed by your hardworking servers, bartenders, drivers, or other staff who sometimes don’t earn a lot of money in a very expensive country.
Rounding up the bill, leaving a few euros, or tipping 10% will go a long way to make their day better!
Got a question about tipping in the Netherlands? Ask it in the comments below!
Setting up as a foreign freelancer in the Netherlands is admin-heavy enough without your business bank account making things harder; here’s why thousands of freelancers are ditching traditional banks and signing up with Revolut Business.
Between deciphering KVK forms and tackling quarterly taxes, admin tasks can add up quickly. Even worse, they can get considerably more confusing if you’re not Dutch.
An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is the standardised number that identifies your bank account for payments. In simple terms, it’s what you give clients so they can transfer money to you.
Many Dutch clients, government portals, and direct debit systems still expect an NL IBAN. If you’re registered with a non-Dutch bank and have a foreign IBAN, this can cause trigger payment rejections or compatibility issues with certain local systems.
With a Dutch IBAN, payment processes are far smoother in the Netherlands. Image: Magnific
However, Revolut Business provides a Dutch NL IBAN alongside SWIFT/BIC details, so you’re set up for local payments from day one. The set-up process is also quick and easy, and can be completed online — which is ideal if you’re a freelancer with a busy schedule.
You can invoice clients directly from the app
Invoicing is included across all plans, so you needn’t opt for the priciest subscription to gain access. It’s like having a mini accountant in your pocket, where you can create, send, and track invoices without leaving your mobile app.
And it’s convenient for your clients, too. They can use any of the following payment options:
Bank transfer,
Card payment,
Payment link or QR code,
Revolut Pay, and
Tap to Pay on iPhone.
The last option is especially handy if you’re a ZZP’er with an in-person job, such as a photographer. There’s no card reader needed, as your iPhone handles it for you!
You can hold and send money in 35+ currencies
If you have clients outside the Netherlands (such as in the UK, the US, or further afield), a single-currency account creates unnecessary friction. You either lose money on foreign currency transfers or you need to spend time shuffling funds between accounts.
In contrast, Revolut Business lets you hold and exchange 35+ currencies within one account, at the interbank rate (up to your plan’s monthly allowance). Disclaimer: Plan limits apply. Any additional fees are shown up-front. T&Cs apply.
For international ZZP’ers in the Netherlands who need to transact between currencies, this can save you a noticeable chunk of change each year.
You can sync your accounts with your bookkeeping software
Belastingaangifte (tax return) season is stressful enough without needing to add up months of transactions or toting a stack of files to your accountant.
Your Revolut Business account syncs easily with accounting integrations from Xero, QuickBooks, Zapier, and more.
And, if your accountant uses Dutch-specific software like Moneybird or e-Boekhouden, Revolut’s CSV export works cleanly with both. Your transactions are categorised and exportable when you need them.
You can reach English-language support at any time of day
As most internationals in the Netherlands can attest, traditional Dutch banks aren’t always set up to support us fluently. Navigating an issue in het Nederlands when you’re not sure what’s wrong with a payment isn’t fun.
Thankfully, Revolut Business offers 24/7 English-language customer support across all plans. The app also includes a security control centre, biometric authentication, and an account lock you can trigger instantly if something looks off.
You can set spending limits and keep business finances separate
One of the Belastingdienst’s strongest recommendations for ZZP’ers is keeping business and personal finances clearly separated. It makes your belastingaangifte (tax returns) cleaner, and it makes your records far easier to defend if you’re ever audited.
Avoid sifting through a jumble of personal and business expenses by keeping your company finances separate. Image: Revolut
Revolut Business gives you a dedicated account with its own physical and virtual corporate cards, so your business spending never bleeds into your personal finances.
You can also set spending limits, restrict certain merchants, and track expenses, all from your mobile banking app.
You can switch plans as your business grows
If you’re just starting as a ZZP, you likely won’t need a premium business account, and there’s no reason to pay for features you won’t use for another two years.
Revolut Business offers four plans, so you can start lean and scale up as your needs change, without switching providers or redoing your onboarding. The Basic plan (€10/month) covers the essentials, from your much-needed NL IBAN to invoicing, cards, and expense management.
Once your business has found its footing and is expanding, your business bank account can grow with you.
The Grow plan (€35/month) adds bulk transfers, analytics, variable savings interest, and access to the Business API. Meanwhile, Revolut’s Scale plan (€125/month) is built for businesses handling higher volumes of international transfers.
In short, you only pay for what you actually need, when you actually need it.
Want to test the waters? Join Revolut Business before June 30, 2026, and access an exclusive €80 sign-up bonus (T&Cs apply).
Have you opened a business bank account with Revolut? Share your experience in the comments below.
Disclaimer: Sign up to Revolut Business via the link and add money to your account to receive a €80 welcome bonus. Subscription fees, Promotion and Business T&Cs apply. Banking services provided by the Dutch branch of Revolut Bank UAB, authorised by the Bank of Lithuania and the ECB.
Drastic temperatures call for drastic measures. And for the ground staff at Schiphol airport, those measures involved some paddling pools.
Videos of Schiphol’s ground staff cooling down in paddling pools are going viral online, but no one is complaining.
For those of us who work from the office, we have the promise of air conditioning (or at the very least, a big ol’ rusty fan) to keep us cool during this heatwave.
But for ground staff at Schiphol, working on tarmac under the baking sun makes it a bit challenging to cool off. So viewers can’t help but commend their genius.
Naturally, you source some paddling pools
According to AD, two ground staff colleagues had the genius idea of placing two paddling pools between the planes (as you do).
The result? Hilarious videos and much cooler working conditions.
When I was housesitting in Amsterdam’s IJburg neighbourhood, I started wild swimming. 🌊
The house was located right next to the IJmeer, which made it a bit easier to convince myself to plunge into that icy water. After all, I need only run 20 seconds back to a steaming bath.
Wild swimming is exactly that — swimming in natural bodies of water and getting close to nature. I was surprised by how addictive it became despite not thinking of myself as a water person.
However, upon googling the term, it quickly became apparent that there is a whole community in the Netherlands that loves wild swimming just as much as I do. They even have a whole website, zwemwater.nl, dedicated to it!
Note: Due to the current heatwave, there are several places where zwemwater.nl recommends against swimming. Please check these before choosing where to swim!
Taking the plunge? Here’s where you can wild swim in the Netherlands
So, where in the Netherlands can you go for a wild swim? The canal that your house backs onto? Or do you have to head to the coast to dive headfirst into the North Sea?
Not necessarily. I’ve scoured the country and found eight perfect places for wild swimming in the Netherlands. All you have to do is read on and then head off to your nearest spot! 🏊♂️
1. Scheveningen Beach
Who says you have to swim alone? Wild swimming is already somewhat of a trend here as hundreds of Dutchies partake in the famous Nieuwjaarsduik or New Year’s dive.
On January 1 of each year, you’ll see thousands of Dutch people run like maniacs into the cold North Sea. Here’s an idea: Join in!
Scheveningen beach is easily accessible from The Hague (it’s just a 10-minute train ride), and during winter, you’ll undoubtedly have the stretch of the beach to yourself.
The best place to access the water is from De Strook, where boats dock. There is no sandy beach, so you’ll just have to jump off the dock and climb out.
It can be tricky to find a spot to jump in here as the riverside bank is covered in rocks, so I’d recommend jumping off the jetty located on Wim Noordhoekkade at the very end of the IJBurg neighbourhood.
You can use the ladder to ease into the water or just jump directly off the jetty.
Alternatively, you can venture to the Strand Blijburg as it’s a sandy area and you can wade into the water slowly.
If you head down the little “secret” path, alongside the houses, you’ll find yourself on this quiet beach. You can take a dip while watching the ships pass by between the ports.
Sceptical? Fair enough, so here is what you should know.
Beautiful though they may be, germophobes may want to give these canals a miss. Image: Depositphotos
Waterways in Amsterdam used to be treated as a sewer back in the 19th century, and although this stopped, the canals remained polluted well into the 20th century, even after rubbish collection services and sewers were introduced.
The cleanliness has improved over time, but it’s nowhere near perfect, and a lot of people wouldn’t choose to swim in them.
Nonetheless, there is the annual Amsterdam City Swim, a charity swimming event in Amsterdam’s waterways.
After a week that rewrote the record books, the Netherlands is heading for a sharp cooldown, with temperatures set to tumble by roughly 18 degrees Celsius to a far gentler 21 degrees, according to Weeronline.
However, that drop won’t land until after the weekend, so there’s still some serious sweating to do first.
Here’s how the next few days are shaping up, and when you can finally expect to feel human again.
When the cooldown actually arrives
The shift starts gently over the weekend. Saturday will still be tropical at 35 to 37 degrees in the east and southeast, with a chance of rain and thunderstorms later in the day.
And Sunday will turn heavy and muggy, with more showers on the way.
However, there’s a real turning point coming early next week. Monday will see temperatures reach up to 28 degrees inland, but from then on, highs will settle between 21 and 24 degrees for the rest of the week.
In other words, we’ll be back to more normal June weather. You’ll get the familiar Dutch blend of sun, cloud and the occasional shower, which after this fortnight will feel almost luxurious.
But first, we have to survive nearly 40 degrees
Before the relief, though, there’s the small matter of the hottest stretch the country has seen in years.
Wednesday brought us the warmest June 24 on record, beating a mark that had stood for two decades. And Weeronline reckons more records could still be broken in the coming days.
Of course, Friday is the one to brace for. In Limburg, eastern Brabant and around the Veluwe, the mercury could climb to 38, even potentially passing 39 degrees.
The wind changes direction too, which means the Wadden Islands and the north won’t escape this time. Weeronline also warns of smog, as the heat drags down air quality and can leave people with breathing trouble.
Today is no picnic either. Most of the country will sit between a sweaty 30 to 35 degrees, with the southeast baking at 36 to 37, and only the north getting off lightly at around 29, thanks to a northeasterly breeze.
So, how are you surviving this last brutal stretch? Counting the hours until that 18-degree drop, or quietly dreading the return of grey Dutch skies? Tell us in the comments!
The sun is finally shiningwhich means it’s officially time to barbecue in the Netherlands! But how do the Dutch actually barbecue?
Coming from the Caribbean, I consider myself quite the expert at barbecuing. So, when my significant other and I invited our friends over for a BBQ a few years ago, I immediately got busy.
I thought of making my mom’s good old-fashioned potato salad, putting together a nice tossed salad, and quickly went on to make my shopping list for the first BBQ of the season.
Caribbean cuisine can be quite different from the Dutch! Image: Depositphotos
The list included chicken legs and ribs — the obvious BBQ staples — as well as some ground beef for my homemade hamburgers, buns, and a few steaks to round up the menu. I was ready to shop.
But alas, as we pulled into the grocery store, my partner started talking about speklap and worstjes, and I gave him a sideward glance as I made a beeline for the meat department, eager to get my BBQ on.
What to buy for a Dutch barbecue?
I began to stock the cart with my meats of choice and was disappointed to see that the selection of ribs was minimal at best. I also noticed several foreign-looking meat products slowly filling the cart.
The likes of which I would have NEVER put on my grill back in the Caribbean.
I mean, pork chops? Really? Well, apparently, karbonade (pork chops) is a common grilling delicacy here in tulip land. Pre-made kebabs also made their way into the BBQ cart, and although shashlik tends to be a common BBQ item, meatballs on a stick are not.
The Dutch have some interesting barbecue delicacies. Image: Unsplash
Finally done raiding the meat department, I noticed an alarming amount of meat products and very little of anything else in our cart. Besides my salads and rice, I began to wonder what the Dutch actually eat besides meat.
Luckily enough, I didn’t have to wonder for long, as my significant other then deposited a massive tub of satésaus into the cart and happily proclaimed he was “done” shopping.
Wearily, I left the Jumbo and pondered how I would balance out the meat assortment we were about to grill up, as a salad would only go so far.
And what was I going to do with that much peanut sauce? I mean, we were having an Indonesian night! Of course, I asked all these questions out loud, and my Dutch partner reassured me that we had everything we needed.
Needless to say, it all turned out well… ok. We enjoyed a nice BBQ, and I spent the next week following a vegetarian diet to balance out all the meat we consumed. I also had leftover potato salad and plenty of rice and beans to last for days. It seems they really do just consume meat at BBQs.
What are the rules of barbecuing in the Netherlands?
I think it goes without saying that you’re not allowed to light up a grill inside your apartment. So if you don’t have a balcony or a garden, head to your nearest park. But before you get all excited, you need to know a couple of things.
Firstly, there are designated places for you to barbecue. Some other rules you need to follow include:
Your grill must be at least two metres away from trees and bushes.
You need to remove the hot coals in the provided metal containers and not on the grass.
The grill must be placed on a stable surface.
The barbecue must in no way come in direct contact with the grass.
You’re not allowed to have an open fire.
You have to take all your waste and rubbish with you.
Where to barbecue in the Netherlands?
Make sure to check the specific BBQ regulations for your area. Image: Depositphotos
In principle, you can barbecue pretty much anywhere in the Netherlands as long as you’re not a nuisance. But, of course, there are rules for you to follow and keep in mind. Make sure you always check whether it’s allowed to barbecue at your chosen spot.
Where can you barbecue in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam used to be fairly relaxed about a park barbecue, but the city has tightened the rules considerably in recent years — and these days, grilling is banned in most of its parks.
The two main spots where you can still light up are Westerpark and Noorderpark. Westerpark even has standing barbecues you’re free to use, so you can turn up with your coals and get going.
Beyond those, a handful of parks allow barbecuing only in specially designated spots — and it’s first come, first served, so get there early. To see exactly where you can and can’t grill, check the city’s official BBQ map: red areas are off-limits, while yellow ones mean you’ll need to stick to the designated spots.
Where can you barbecue in The Hague?
The Hague has a couple of nice BBQ spots, specifically in Westbroekpark in the Scheveningen district, Madestein in the Loosduinen, Vlaskamp in the Haagse Hout, and Zuiderpark and the Uithof in the Escamp district.
Beware that there is a ban on barbecuing in certain areas of the city: the Japanese Garden, the Rosarium, Park De Verademing, and Westduinpark. Wherever you go, make sure you keep the rules in mind!
Where can you barbecue in Rotterdam?
You can barbecue in most open-air spaces in Rotterdam. Particularly nice areas to enjoy a BBQ are the Kralingse Bos, Het Park, Vroesenpark, and Zuiderpark — the main parks in the city.
But the above rules apply here as well! So be sure to follow them so that everyone can enjoy their day out.
Tips to make your Dutch BBQ a hit
Since my first Dutch BBQ, I have learned several things. With these tips, you too can enjoy a barbecue in the Netherlands without having to wonder what you’ve gotten yourself into.
Firstly, check out your local butcher. They tend to have a bigger and better selection of ribs than your local supermarket. Local markets can also conjure up fresh corn on the cob if you ask in advance and it’s the right time of year.
It’s easy impressing Dutchies at a BBQ, just give them anything more interesting than a hotdog! Image: Depositphotos
Secondly, the Dutch don’t simply grill and eat. They grill one type of meat, serve that up, and then grill the next and so on (I believe this method of grilling stems from the fact that most Dutch buy teeny tiny charcoal grills that allow for minimal grilling space).
Since the entire BBQ is centred around the meat, this leads to a very long and relaxed grilling experience — be prepared to spend the afternoon/evening slowly enjoying a wide variety of meat products.
Finally, peanut sauce (satésaus) is considered a condiment! So make sure you always have some on hand, in addition to your mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard.
And the last one: the Dutch don’t eat their burgers with buns! Knife, fork, and beef patty are the way it’s done here, so save yourself the hassle and skip the buns, you will be the only one eating them!
What are your best tips for the perfect barbecue in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!
Niksen is niks (nothing is nothing), but niksen is also good for everything.As time goes by, we discover that people from different cultures invent and adhere to new, innovative trends that are supposed to bring jolliness and contentedness into their lives.
The Dutch are no exception to this. Quite familiar with the hygge concept, which they call gezelligheid, people in the Netherlands have found a way to become happier and more relaxed by also embracing life’s breaks.
What does this mean exactly? We’re talking about a Dutch concept that has become some sort of a buzzword in the wellness world: niksen.
What is niksen and how does it work?
Niksen means doing nothing or, more specifically, performing an action without a clear purpose or a deadline. Doing something just for the sake of doing something.
Just sit there and exist for a bit. That’s the Dutch concept of ‘niksen.’ Image: Freepik
For instance, for the Dutch, looking out the window just to watch people pass by or going to the beach to stare at the waves for a while is considered niksen. By engaging in niksen, the Dutch reach a state of calmness and tranquillity.
Caroline Hamming, a coach at CRS Centrum — an organisation devoted to fighting stress and burnout — states that niksen is great for people suffering from burnout.
Taking some time in the midst of your daily struggles to just sit back and relax helps you increase your creativity and productivity.
I first heard of the concept of “doing nothing” in the movie Eat Pray Love when the Italians from the barbershop explain to Liz the idea of dolce far niente — the sweetness of doing nothing.
So then, what’s all the fuss about niksen?
The Dutch didn’t invent this concept and while it seems utterly similar to mindfulness, the two are not the same thing.
Niksen doesn’t require you to focus your entire attention on the present moment or become one with your surroundings. Quite the opposite, niksen allows you to think — or not — about anything you want. The mind is simply free to wander.
Sometimes it’s hard to do nothing — but this can really benefit your mind. Image: Freepik
Going back to why the Dutch prefer to niksen over just “doing nothing” (as the Italians put it in Eat Pray Love), my two cents on the terminology is that this has something to do with how the cultures differ.
As opposed to Italians, who are known for their fondness for leisure activities, the Dutch tend to be more like the Americans when it comes to these things.
Although most Dutch people aren’t workaholics, they do like to get everything done and the activities they perform are usually goal-oriented. Even when they relax by cycling, they do it with a purpose — to get some fresh air and stay fit.
In the end, then, niksen seems to be the Dutch secret to finding a balance between getting things done (on time!) and appreciating the small things in life.
Do you engage in niksen when you feel tired and stressed out? Have you heard of this concept before? Tell us in the comments below!
Getting a letter saying your position is being made redundant is stressful enough, but when it’s written in Dutch legalese, it can feel completely overwhelming.
With AI reshaping entire industries and companies quietly trimming their headcount, restructuring has become one of the most common ways internationals find themselves suddenly navigating the Dutch dismissal system.
Words like vaststellingsovereenkomst (settlement agreement) and transitievergoeding (transition payment) get thrown around, and suddenly you’re expected to make major decisions about your livelihood without fully understanding what any of it means.
That’s why we sat down with Mark Dijkstra and Amber Willemsen, employment lawyers at GMW lawyers, to break down what restructuring actually means for internationals, what your rights are, and exactly what you should do when that letter lands in your inbox.
What does “restructuring” actually mean?
In simple terms, restructuring means a company is cutting jobs for economic reasons. As Mark puts it, it means “layoffs based on redundancy — economic reasons for companies to downsize in personnel.”
Amber adds that this is increasingly driven by AI: companies are reducing headcount because technology is taking over roles, or because their finances are worsening.
We spoke with Amber and Mark to discuss everything about restructuring and what this means for you. Image: DutchReview
Either way, the result is the same. Positions are eliminated, and employees become redundant.
High-profile examples aren’t hard to find. Mark points to Block, the parent company of music streaming platform Tidal, whose CEO, Jack Dorsey, announced the layoff of 4,000 people out of a total workforce of 10,000, citing AI as the reason.
GMW lawyers’ role is to step in and help internationals navigate this process: reviewing whether the restructuring is legally valid, assessing any termination offer on the table, and representing employees in negotiations when the package isn’t up to scratch.
What is the role of the UWV in the Dutch dismissal procedure?
The UWV (the Dutch Employee Insurance Agency) plays a central role in the Dutch dismissal system when it comes to restructurings, and it’s one of the things that makes the Netherlands very different from countries like the UK or the US.
In the Netherlands, an employer cannot simply let you go. If you don’t agree to sign a termination agreement, the employer has to apply to the UWV for permission to terminate your contract. Only once that permission is granted can they proceed.
This is where having legal representation really matters. Believe it or not, more often than you’d think, the employer may not have everything they need to terminate your contract.
Part of GMW’s work, Amber explains, is checking “whether there is a chance that UWV would give permission. If so, then that impacts, of course, the negotiation position. And if we think there is a valid chance that UWV would not give permission, then we will advise on either trying to fight the dismissal and staying employed or negotiating a better package.”
In practice, some employers play what Mark calls “bluff poker.” He describes how “they say that they have the legal rationale and all the supporting documents, but then they don’t share it.” A lawyer can help you assess whether their case actually holds up.
Mark puts the underlying dynamic simply: “The weaker the rationale, the better the deal.”
What happens to your contract during this process?
Here’s the reassuring part: until a decision is formally reached, almost nothing about your employment should change.
“For a very long time, it stays as it is,” Amber explains. Your salary continues, your benefits continue, and your contract remains in force, whether you’re waiting for a settlement agreement to be finalised or for the UWV to rule on a dismissal request.
Unlike the UK system, where an employer can terminate employment unilaterally, and the employee has to contest it afterwards, the Dutch system works in reverse.
Your employer may place you on “garden leave.” Image: Magnific
You stay employed until the process plays out. As Mark notes, this means “no salary cuts” and no premature ending of your contract before an outcome is reached.
That said, one thing does sometimes happen: employers may tell you that your position no longer exists and place you on garden leave (vrijstelling van werk). This means that they are effectively exempting you from work while you remain on the payroll.
Amber points out that this is legally contested territory. “When you have an employment contract, then you have the obligation to work, but also the right to work,” she explains, meaning employees can go to court to be reinstated, though that doesn’t always succeed.
For expats, this matters for an additional reason. Being placed on garden leave can affect your 30% ruling, and Mark notes that “there is an interest for expats to keep working during the redundancy process to safeguard this 30% ruling.” More on that below.
What is a transition payment — and are you entitled to one?
A transitievergoeding (transition payment) is the statutory severance payment you’re entitled to when your employment is terminated.
It’s calculated as one-third of a monthly salary per year of service, so as Mark demonstrates, nine years of service would get you roughly three months’ salary.
There is a cap: in 2026, the payment maxes out at €102,000 gross or one year’s salary, whichever is higher.
Yes, you are entitled to a transition payment if your work undergoes restructuring in the Netherlands. Image: Magnific
In most cases, this payment is included in the termination agreement. But here’s something many employees don’t realise: even if you do nothing, don’t respond to the settlement agreement and don’t contest the UWV procedure, you’re still legally entitled to it.
Mark explains that “even if you just let it happen and the employer gives notice of termination, you are still entitled to the statutory settlement.”
Most companies offer slightly more than the legal minimum, either through a higher multiplier or as part of a broader social plan.
What is a social plan, and does your Dutch employer have to offer one?
A sociaal plan (social plan) is a collective severance policy, usually negotiated between the employer and a trade union or works council.
Instead of negotiating separately with every redundant employee, the company agrees on a standard package that applies across the board.
A social plan typically includes the severance amount (often a multiplier of the transition payment, such as 1.5x), a budget for outplacement support, and sometimes a plaatsmakersregeling, a voluntary departure scheme that allows employees who want to leave to do so in exchange for a package, freeing up positions for those who’d rather stay.
Importantly, social plans very frequently include a budget for legal fees. Amber estimates this appears in around “90%, 95% of the settlement agreements that we see,” particularly in larger restructurings.
So before worrying about the cost of a lawyer, check whether your employer’s offer includes a legal fee budget. It very often does.
What about settlement negotiations? Can a lawyer help me with this?
Yes, and this is arguably where legal support makes the biggest difference.
A vaststellingsovereenkomst (VSO), or settlement agreement, is a legal document.
It covers your termination date, severance package, post-contractual clauses, non-compete agreements, secrecy clauses, and whether the wording allows you to claim unemployment benefits (WW-uitkering) afterwards.
A lawyer can help you with settlement negotiations. Image: Magnific
Amber stresses that the details really matter: “It is always important to check if the way it is phrased is in your favour. For instance, whether the agreement could stand in the way of receiving unemployment benefits. But also things like post-contractual clauses, non-competes, what to do with that, secrecy clauses.”
Beyond reviewing the document itself, having someone in your corner who isn’t emotionally involved in the situation makes a real difference. Legal help means someone can step up without too much intense emotions when you may not have the best perspective on the situation.
Mark also highlights a point that surprises many employees: if you’re feeling ill or close to burnout during the process, don’t be afraid to call in sick.
“Sometimes I have clients asking me that they feel that they are sick, like from a stressful situation of burnout, that they are scared of reporting sick because they fear it might impact their legal position. The opposite is true, as sick employees benefit from statutory protection against dismissal.”
One more thing worth knowing: once you’ve signed a VSO, Dutch law gives you a 14-day bedenktijd (cooling-off period) during which you can withdraw your consent in writing, without giving any reason and without consequences. If your employer fails to mention this right in the agreement, that window extends to 21 days.
What are your rights as an expat or non-Dutch employee?
The same Dutch employment protections apply to you regardless of your nationality. But if you’re on a highly skilled migrant visa, there are some specific things to keep in mind.
The 30% ruling and the three-month clock
The three-month search period for your visa and the three-month period for your 30% ruling are not the same thing, and conflating them can be an expensive mistake.
For your visa, you have three months from your employment end date to find a new qualifying job.
For the 30% ruling, the clock starts ticking from the moment you actually stop working, which could be earlier if you’ve been placed on garden leave. As Mark explains: “You could secure your visa, but lose the 30% ruling.”
Note: Given the complexity here, Amber and Mark both caution that migration law is a specialist area and recommend consulting a dedicated immigration lawyer for detailed guidance.
Permanent residency
If you’re approaching five years of residence in the Netherlands, flag it to your lawyer during negotiations.
Mark notes that it’s sometimes possible to negotiate a longer employment end date rather than a lump-sum payment, which could help you secure permanent residency before your contract formally ends.
I’ve just been told we’re restructuring: what should I do?
If you’ve just heard that your company is restructuring, the most important first step is: don’t panic, and don’t sign anything yet.
Mark’s advice is to wait until you receive the draft termination agreement before formally engaging a lawyer, since that’s when the substantive legal work begins.
Don’t panic, don’t sign anything. Image: Magnific
However, Amber adds important nuance: if you’re already unwell, pregnant, or close to burnout, get advice sooner. “In that case, it may be useful to, for instance, with a sick leave situation, call in sick as soon as possible,” she explains, since the timing of certain actions carries real legal weight.
The bottom line, as Mark puts it: “The latest moment that you should engage a lawyer is when you receive the draft of the termination agreement.”
Need help navigating the restructuring process? The experts at GMW lawyers have helped countless internationals in your situation.
Have you been through a restructuring process in the Netherlands? Drop your experience in the comments — your story might help someone else navigating the same situation.
Thanks to skyrocketing temperatures across the Netherlands, a growing number of natural swimming spots are currently facing health warnings due to deteriorating water quality.
Official data from Zwemwater.nl reveals that the number of active safety warnings has ticked up from 40 to 46 locations within the past few days.
Algal blooms are affecting Dutch swimming spots
According to Zwemwater, the Netherlands has 947 official swimming locations, ranging from lakes and ponds to coastal areas.
While the vast majority remain perfectly safe, recent warm weather has caused water conditions to deteriorate.
In addition to this, a stricter “negative swimming advisory” now blankets 35 different sites, up from 33 last week.
Environmental agencies regularly test these spots for hazardous accumulations of blue-green algae (blauwalgen), as well as harmful bacteria like E. coli and enterococci.
At present, several locations are off-limits due to algal blooms, which carry a risk of skin irritation and gastrointestinal problems.
What swimming spots are currently off-limits?
Popular spots on the “No Swimming” list include:
Spaarnwoude,
Haarlemmermeerse Bos Plas,
Haarlemmermeerse Bos pond,
Zwaansmeer,
Loosdrechtse plassen peuterbad strook,
Plas Vrijenburgbos,
Noord Aa Naaktstrand,
Kralingse Plas,
Zevenhuizerplas Strand Noordwestzijde,
Noord Aa Zwemstrand,
and Hof van Capelle (among many others).
For the full list, please view the current warnings (actuele waarschuwingen) on the Zwemwater website.
Here’s how to stay safe
Fortunately, you don’t have to cancel your outdoor plans entirely.
To protect yourself and your family from skin irritation, stomach flu, or worse, keep these practical steps in mind before heading out:
Always check if warnings apply: Before you pack your towel, check the real-time status of your chosen spot. Does Zwemwater indicate a warning? Sites like Zwemindex can help you find alternatives.
Decode the warning flags: On-site signs will tell you the current safety level. A yellow warning sign means there is an elevated risk of illness, an orange sign indicates a negative swimming advisory (swimming is strongly discouraged), and a red sign means an absolute swimming ban.
Stick to monitored swim zones: Avoid random canals, rivers, or ponds. Official locations are strictly monitored until October 1, which marks the formal end of the Dutch outdoor swimming season.
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