Page 19 – DutchReview

15 ways to spot an international in the Netherlands

Ada Dolanay

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April 22, 2026

15 ways to spot an international in the Netherlands

Picture this: you’re strolling down a beautiful Dutch street when someone with zero spatial awareness bumps into you. Congratulations! You’ve found yourself an international!

Here’s how to spot them with laser-like precision:

1. They tend to stand out with their fashion choices

The first clue as to whether someone is an international is that their backpacks look like they’re preparing for an apocalypse.

These bags could fit an entire wardrobe, a first aid kit, and possibly a five-person tent.

Completing the look is the quintessential oversized puffer jacket, leaving only the eyes visible, and a pair of hiking boots. Because, of course, you never know when you’ll encounter a mountain in the Netherlands.

2. They avoid the top bike rack like the plague

If you spot someone staring at the top bike rack like a mountain they have to hike, they’re definitely an international.

photo-line-of-bikes-parked-busy-bike-park-two-compartments-top-parking — *Rumour has it that getting a bike up here is harder than getting a Dutch passport. Image:* *Depositphotos*

While the Dutch have gracefully mastered this art, the rest of us have yet to figure out how to simply ride a bike, let alone park it 5 feet up in the air. 🚲

3. They’ll enter through anything but the correct tram doors

In Amsterdam specifically, you’ll know someone’s an international if they are confidently trying to squeeze through the wrong tram doors.

For those unaware (and let’s face it, that’s quite a few of you), Amsterdam’s trams have designated entry and exit doors marked with stickers.

People often try to force open the incorrect doors, only to get yelled at by the grumpy tram conductor over the loudspeakers for everyone to hear.

In their defence, the stickers on the doors are pretty much microscopic.

4. They use Google Maps in the most uncool manner

Another surefire way to spot an international is if you see someone struggling to navigate the streets.

Internationals clutch at their phones, trying to figure out which identical-looking street they’re meant to take to reach the ollibollen stand. 🗺

photo-of-arms-stretched-out-looking-at-phone-for-directions-google-maps-zebra-crossing-looking-for-directions — *Honestly, we can’t blame them; Dutch streets can be confusing. Image:* *Depositphotos*

They’ll stop in their tracks, staring at their phone, oblivious to the fact that they’ve nearly been hit by a speedy bike — three times.

Spoiler alert: They don’t find it despite risking their life in the process.

5. They have no sixth sense for bikes

Building on that last point, whether they’re glued to their phones or not, internationals stroll onto bike paths without a care in the world, blissfully unaware of the impending near-death experience.

See someone casually strolling on a bike lane without a hint of fear on their face? Odds are, you’ve just spotted an international. 😬

*Cue the sound of cyclists ringing their bells like an emergency war alarm*

6. They actually sit outside the cafes in Leidseplein

Locals know better than to visit Amsterdam’s Leidseplein unless dragged.

They’re smart to avoid the crowds, overpriced drinks and American accents.

photo-of-leidseplein-central-amsterdam-bar-heineken-people-sitting-outside-looking-at-phones-cloudy-weather — *The ultimate tourist trap. Image:* *Depositphotos*

Who would want to pay €10 for a little biertje? Internationals… that’s who.

7. They will always, inevitably, without a doubt, be defeated by the rain

Most Dutch people treat rain like it’s an inconvenience. Internationals? They’ll have a full-on breakdown.

They frantically look through their bags, desperately pulling out every waterproof accessory they own, looking completely dishevelled.

photo-of-person-in-purple-rain-coat-with-broken-inverted-matching-purple-umbrella-fighting-against-the-stormy-winds — The inverted umbrella, the Dutch classic. *Image:* *Depositphotos*

Meanwhile, the Dutch will gracefully flip up the snug hood of their sweater, effortlessly protecting their perfectly smooth, frizz-free hair that seems immune to rain.

8. They bike with an unnecessary amount of caution

If you see someone cycling like life is a cautious dress rehearsal — slow, wary and with a helmet — you can bet they’re an international.

Meanwhile, Dutchies bike hands-free while balancing a toddler, groceries and a tiny house.

9. They aren’t too aware of Dutch beer culture

How a person behaves at a bar is also a dead giveaway of whether they’re an international.

Internationals will order pints instead of a sequence of tiny beers to decorate the table, and can you blame us?

10. They lack a natural instinct to navigate crowds

Internationals have yet to learn how to tactfully manoeuvre crowds, often walking at a snail’s pace.

photo-of-crowded-street-in-amsterdam-central-location-sunny-cold-weather-people-walking-shopping-street-kalverstraat — *Stuck behind someone? Probably an international. Image:* *Depositphotos*

We understand the need to take your time to familiarise yourself with the streets, but we would all benefit from a faster pace in the narrow Dutch streets.

11. They shudder at the thought of drop (liquorice)

Hand an international some drop and watch the disgust wash across their face.

Dutchies are somehow able to munch on this snack as if their taste buds are made of steel. The rest of us? We’ll pass.

12. They love to wave at boats passing by

Spot someone waving at passing boats? That’s definitely some international energy.

photo-of-boat-tour-red-amsterdam-canals-murky-water-tourists-taking-pictures-looking-around — *I guess it makes them feel like royalty. 👑 Image:* *Depositphotos*

This habit isn’t limited to boats; it extends to the streets, too.

Internationals are quite friendly to strangers — and honestly, it’s kinda cute!

13. They’re pretty obnoxious in silent train compartments

If you can’t spot an international, you may still be able to hear them, specifically in the silent compartments of trains.

While they may blissfully chat away in the silent train compartments, these are practically sacred ground for the Dutch, and they take their role as silence enforcers very seriously, especially when it comes to internationals.

While the internationals do the talking, the Dutchies do the shushing.

14. They actually… smile at you on the street

If someone flashes a smile at you as they walk past, guess what? They’re not Dutch.

Dutch people haven’t gotten the memo about smiling at passersby like the rest of us.

15. They write for some silly online publication

Want to know the ultimate giveaway that someone’s an international? They work at DutchReview.

Sure, they’re easy to spot now. But once these internationals survive their first winter and develop a taste for haring, they’ll slowly evolve into Dutchies, blending more seamlessly into Dutch society.

Do you agree with this list? What else would you add to it? Tell us in the comments below.

‘Friet’ or ‘patat’? The ultimate guide to Dutch fries

Culture
Food

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺

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April 22, 2026

7

‘Friet’ or ‘patat’? The ultimate guide to Dutch fries

The humble Dutch fries. In a nation known for fierce and unadulterated debates, the Dutch will disregard standard social manners in the spirit of the argument.

Is Zwarte Piet racist or a nod to Dutch heritage? Does the government interfere too much or too little? And is wearing the burka a religious right or a national threat?

But above all these issues, there is one Dutch debate that rages supreme. The ultimate argument has divided families, split up relationships, and caused wars among friends. The debate that divides the nation: friet versus patat.

Two sides of the same coin

“We have to come up with a third, alternative word for fries (patat) or fries (friet),” tweeted Amsterdammer Mark Traa in 2019. “Otherwise, we as a country really can’t go further.”

But what makes these Dutch fries so differently delicious? Where did delicious Dutch fries come from? Out of the thousands of choices, which sauce do you choose? What the hell are war fries? And why can the Dutch not agree on a name?

People eating Dutch french fries with mayonnaise and peanut sauce — Lekker! Image: Depositphotos

We’re asking the real questions here at DutchReview, and delving into the ultimate guide to Dutch fries. Grab some ~~friet~~ ~~patat~~ popcorn, settle in, and enjoy the wild ride of Dutch fries.

What makes Dutch fries different?

Let’s make one thing crystal clear: in the land where Dutch masters honed their craft, where labourers stole land back from the sea, and home to a royal family that people don’t even hate that much, there is only one Dutch national treasure: the humble fries.

Dutch fries are not slim, like the very American French fries — instead, they are broad, strong, and a little chunky. They’re not served in a pesky small container but an ingenious cardboard cone contraption sometimes adorned with the crown jewel: sauce holders.

Dutch fries are never submitted to a freezer’s cold blasts; instead, they are cut and served the same day. They are plunged into boiling oil a minimum of two times, resulting in a crispy outer fry and fluffy inner fry.

And finally, for the thick and chunky Dutch fries, one squirt of sauce is not enough.

For reasons unbeknownst to the masses, the sauce can only be heaped on top, saturating the top layer into a saucy mess and neglecting the bottom layer to be distraughtly sauceless. More on sauce later.

Where did Dutch fries come from?

No one knows exactly who introduced this golden goodness to the world. There are a lot of ongoing arguments about whether the French or the Belgians created fries in the first place.

Dutch-Fries-Patatje-or-Frietje-with-plastic-forks-mayonnaise-and-onions — Delicious Dutch fries — or are they Belgian? Image: Charleston’s TheDigitel/Flickr/CC2.0

One of the rumours is that French fries came about when American soldiers visited Europe during WWI. They were astonished by the delicious fries, heard the language spoken near them and wrote home to their sweethearts about the “French fries.”

However, the Americans were, in fact, in French-speaking Belgium. So french fries? Pffff! More like Belgian fries. The fries spread to Belgium’s neighbours, resulting in the delicious Dutch fries we enjoy today.

So is it ‘friet’ or ‘patat’?

The great Dutch fries debate rears its ugly head once again. It’s divided a nation — literally. The English version of this debate would literally be “fries or chips”. You can see why it’s so important to know the answer.

The Dutch website patatoffriet.nl (yes, there is a whole website dedicated to it) says that the majority of the Dutch tend to order patat. However, those from Brabant, Limburg, and Belgium would instead order friets.

According to freelance journalist and fry-enthusiast Rens van de Plas, who conducted extensive research into the matter by analysing a whopping 153 restaurants’ menu cards, Dutchies say friet almost up to the border of the province of Utrecht.

Map-showing-the-division-of-friet-and-patat — The map you never knew you needed. Image: Cavit/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0

But are the Dutch happy to just say “well, that’s okay, you call it your thing and I’ll call it mine”? Of course not! They’re Dutch, and they have to tell everyone their opinion all the time. We guess that’s one reason why we love them.

What should you put on your Dutch fries?

Every Dutch fry store comes with a long bibliography of sauces. You can choose one, or two, or three, or probably all of them if you pay enough (and, you know, wanted all of them for some reason).

french-fries-things-to-do-in-the-hague — The options are endless. Image: Freepik

But if you want to order Dutch fries just like a Dutchie, here are some popular things you can request:

Patat zonder — fries without. Fries, fries, and more fries with zero sauce. Nada, zip, zero.

Patat met — fries with mayonnaise. Easily the most popular with Dutchies, this is fries just with mayonnaise. They don’t even have to say the mayo part — just “fries with”, and that’s all the fry artist needs to know.

Patat pinda — fries with peanut sauce. Thought to be from their Indonesian past. Not recommended for those with peanut allergies.

Patat special — fries special. Dutch fries with mayonnaise, combined with either ketchup or curry sauce and sprinkled with chopped white onion. Also super popular.

Patat oorlog — war fries. Fries with mayonnaise, peanut sauce, and chopped white onion. Only for the very brave or very Dutch.

@termarschkalverstraat Fresh fries with Mayo, warm indonesian peanut sauce and diced onion! #pov #cooking #foodtok #cookingtiktok #amsterdamfood #fyp #foryoupage #foodspotsamsterdam #fries #dutchfood ♬ original sound – Ter Marsch & Co Kalverstraat

But when you approach a Dutch fries stall, you may be bewildered by all the options. We’ve translated every one we can think of below for your fry-eating pleasure:

Sauce	Translation	Description
Mosterd	Mustard	Not that popular, but it makes it on the list.
Samuraisaus	Samurai sauce	Spicy sambal and mayonnaise are mixed and given a hell of a cool name.
Andalousesaus	Andalusia sauce	Hailing from Belgium, a sauce of mayonnaise, tomato paste, and capsicum.
Knoflooksaus	Garlic sauce	Banned on date nights if you want to get lucky.
Barbecuesaus	Barbecue sauce	Mmmm! Tangy and sweet. We’ll take ten.
Fritessaus	Fry sauce	A lean, Dutch version of mayonnaise.
Ketchup	Ketchup	We think you know this one.
Tartaarsaus	Tartare sauce	Fishy and British.
Joppiesaus	Joppie sauce	A secret recipe, but a mix of onions and curry powder. Delish! Named after a worker called Joppie.
Groene pepersaus	Green pepper sauce	Sauce, but with green pepper. That’s all.
Vlaamse Mayonaise	Flanders Mayonaise	Mayonnaise with a small amount of lemon and vinegar. Has a bit of a kick to normal mayo.
Curry	Curry	The holy grail of sauce on fries. Highly recommended (by us).
Cocktailsaus	Cocktail sauce	Feeling a little fancy? Have some mayo mixed with ketchup or Worcestershire sauce!
Piccalilly	Pickled sauce	Garlic, capsicum, and cauliflower, pickled in vinegar for a tangy taste.
Chilisaus	Chilli sauce	Prepare wisely for the sweats.

The Dutch do have swarms of sauces to choose from.

Dutch fries today: the debate continues

The great friet debate has been saturating the internet for years. It’s even a topic of discussion on Dutch dating shows:

@npostartnext Zeg jij friet of patat? 🍟 Waar vind je de echte liefde? Het First Dates restaurant opent weer haar deuren voor single gasten die op zoek zijn naar de ware. We zien singles die dromen van een geschikte partner. Leidt een eerste date tot een tweede? En wie vindt de perfecte match? 👁️ Meer zien?! Check 'First Dates' op @npostart! #Firstdates #BNNVARA #NPO3 ♬ origineel geluid – NPO 3 – NPO Start Next

Meanwhile, a very official survey from the prestigious food-ordering service Thuisbezorgd proves that the Dutch are divided:

Hoera! Het frietje bestaat vandaag 150 jaar. 🥳

Of is het toch…. "het patatje"?🧐 #FrietofPatat #TijdvoorThuisbezorgd 🍽️
— Thuisbezorgd.nl (@thuisbezorgd) September 30, 2019

“Hoera! Frietje have been in existence for 150 years. Or is it …. “patatje“?”

Whatever those golden slices of goodness are called, we only know one thing: Dutch fries are delicious!

What do you think of the humble Dutch fries? Are you team ‘Friet’ or team ‘Patat’? Let us know in the comments below!🍟

Why does the Netherlands love orange? The full explainer

Emily Burger

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April 22, 2026

9

Why does the Netherlands love orange? The full explainer

Ever wondered why the Dutch wear orange to pretty much any national occasion, even though the colour isn’t even in their flag?

Perhaps you’ve been stampeded by hoards of orange football fans or drowned in a sea of orange that floods every Dutch city on King’s Day.

As it happens, orange has been the national colour of the Netherlands for hundreds of years. Here’s why.

Why does everyone wear orange on King’s Day?

If you’re not familiar, King’s Day is a national holiday in the Netherlands, where the entire nation dresses in orange, drinks beer, and celebrates the king’s birthday.

And boy, do they celebrate! 💃

Kings-day-celebration-in-the-netherlands — King’s Day in the Netherlands is never taken lightly. Image: Depositphotos

The canals overflow with boats of what look like oompa loompas drinking themselves to death, occasionally singing: Oranje boven, oranje boven, leve de koning! (Orange above all, orange above all, long live the king!).

The Dutch love for orange is tied to the royal family: the House of Oranje-Nassau.

The lineage began with the famous William of Orange, who was crowned Prince of Orange in 1544. With his leadership, the colour orange became a symbol of the Dutch royal family.

William of Orange, who?

William of Orange, also known as William the Silent, was named heir to the county of Orange by his cousin, René of Chalon, who himself died with no children.

Later, William led the Dutch revolt against the Spanish occupation of the Netherlands during the Eighty Years’ War, from 1568 to 1648.

His leadership was extremely influential in the rebellion, contributing to the official independence of the United Provinces of the Netherlands in 1648.

Painting-of-william-of-orange — The beloved William of Orange. Image: Adriaen Thomasz. Key/Wikimedia Commons/Public domain

He is known as the father of the Netherlands, and he’s the first ancestor of the current royal family, making him the founder of the current Dutch monarchy.

So his name, and the bright colour that goes with it, symbolises the Dutch state. Even though Orange technically isn’t in the Netherlands. Huh?

The town of Orange, France

Historically known as Oranghien by the Dutch, Orange is a town in modern-day southern France.

For many years, it was a county state under the Holy Roman Empire before it became a part of France in 1713. This is where, in 1544, William of Nassau became Prince William of Orange.

Why do Dutch football fans wear orange?

The dress code doesn’t only apply to the fans. The Oranje (nickname of the Dutch national football team) also dress completely in orange when they hit the field during national games.

The army of sports fans that follow the Dutch team is known as the Oranje Legioen (Orange Legion) and has an almost magical ability to turn every bar, stadium, and street into an orange haze.

This phenomenon is known as Oranjekoorts (Orange Fever), and it is just as crazy as it sounds.

photo-of-dutch-soccer-crowd-wearing-orange — Nederlanders are loyal fans. Image: Depositphotos

The choice of orange, however, has the same explanation as King’s Day. Where orange once symbolised the Dutch royal family, it soon became a symbol of Dutch national pride.

Why is the Dutch flag not orange?

Originally, the Dutch flag was orange, white, and blue. It was designed by William of Orange himself. During the War of Independence, Dutch soldiers even wore this flag to battle.

However, by the end of the war, the orange band was changed to red. Historians have a few theories why.

Red, white, blue, and orange flags hanging under a sunny, bright, blue sky — The Dutch flag doesn’t have any orange in it, yet the colour is synonymous with Dutch nationality. Image: Depositphotos

The first theory is that the dye used to stain the flag orange was prone to changing to a red colour over time. So to avoid confusion, the flag was officially changed to red.

Other historians believe the change was a result of the English-Dutch defence treaty of 1654, which banned any member of the House of Orange from becoming head of the Dutch state.

Theory three goes back to 1354, when the county of Holland was ruled by the Bavarian House of Wittelsbach. The new Dutch flag could have thus been based on the Bavarian coat of arms.

Regardless of the reason, orange stuck around in the hearts of Dutch people.

When not to wear orange in the Netherlands

Wearing orange in the Netherlands will certainly win you brownie points on almost any day of the year, especially during the football World Cup. Except perhaps on April 30.

In honour of Queen Beatrix, King’s Day was actually Queen’s Day and celebrated on April 30. However, when King Willem-Alexander took the throne in 2013, King’s Day was switched to April 27.

Since the change, many tourists have still arrived in the Netherlands fully dressed in orange on April 30. These oblivious enthusiasts became known as vergistoeristen — mistake tourists. Oh, dear.

Toch weer vergistoeristen gespot in Amsterdam https://t.co/uUbfionzew pic.twitter.com/FHBfw95mwI
— AT5 (@AT5) April 29, 2017

The Dutch are not particularly patriotic. So don’t expect to see any orange on Prinsjedag (Budget Day) or Remembrance Day.

You might see a little orange on Liberation Day, but certainly not to the degree of real Orange Fever. The colour is mainly reserved for sporting events and King’s Day.

Countries that use orange because of the Netherlands

As the Dutch sailed across the globe to colonise and conquer, their influence left an indelible mark on the places they went.

This includes the colour orange, which leaked into many flags, names, and symbols we still see today.

South African Boers

Between 1652 and 1795, the Dutch East India Company controlled the Eastern Cape of Southern Africa.

Many employees of the company retired there and bought farmlands, as well as African and Asian slaves, to run the farms.

However, the Eastern Cape fell under British rule in 1806, which abolished slavery in the region in 1834. The Dutch Boers (farmers) eventually grew tired of paying taxes to the British and didn’t want to give up their slaves.

Thus, they departed on the Great Trek across southern Africa to establish their own settlements where they could rule themselves freely.

The Afrikaaner Boers thus established the Orange Republic in the middle of modern-day South Africa.

It became an independent republic in 1854, and of course, its flag had orange and white stripes, with the Dutch flag in the top left corner, for which the Dutch king gave his blessing.

photo-of-orange-free-state-flag-of-dutch-south-africa — The Orange Free State flag of the Dutch in South Africa. Image: David Benbennick/Wikimedia Commons/Public domain

Fast forward past the Boer Wars, and the Orange Republic became the Orange Free State under the Union of South Africa in 1910.

Between 1928 and 1994, the Union of South Africa, which later became the Republic of South Africa, had the flag depicted below. You’ll notice the orange, white, and blue stripes of the old Dutch flag, as well as the Orange Free State’s flag in the middle.

photo-of-south-africa-flag-1900 — The flag of South Africa between 1928 and 1994, showing the Dutch influence. Image: Parliament of South Africa/Wikimedia Commons/Public domain

After Apartheid, this flag changed to the stunning multi-coloured flag that South Africa has today (with zero orange), and the Orange Free State simply became the Free State.

But the Orange River, which happens to be the longest one in the country, kept its name.

Irish Protestants

Coming back to Europe, the orange stripe in the Irish flag also has its links to William of Orange.

This colour represents the minority Irish Protestants who supported William of Orange.

During the Battle of the Boyne, Protestant King William of Orange faced up against the Catholic King James II of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Irish Protestants, who conflicted with their Catholic countrymen, opted to support William of Orange instead. As a result, they adopted the colour orange as a symbol of their Protestant Irish identity.

photo-of-irish-flag-with-dutch-orange — The Irish flag, with a touch of Dutch orange. Image: Éire/Wikimedia Commons/Public domain

This is in contrast to the green of the Irish flag, which symbolises Catholic Irish republicanism. The white in the middle symbolises peace between these two groups.

Carrots?

Did you know that the orange colour of your favourite root vegetable is a Dutch doing?

Carrots were originally purple, red, or white, but Dutch farmers bred them to become the distinct orange colour they are known for today. And, of course, this colour change was a tribute to good old William of Orange.

To this day, you can hear the history of William of Orange in the Dutch national anthem. Apparently, what appears to be a random craze around all things orange is mostly out of admiration for the Father of the Netherlands.

What do you think of the Dutch obsession with orange? Tell us in the comments below.

Expat experiences: “I think my pregnancy cost me my job”

Kriti Swarup

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April 22, 2026

1

Expat experiences: “I think my pregnancy cost me my job”

Every successful woman fears one thing: “Will pregnancy hurt my career?” In Amelia’s case, a company based in Noordwijk made her feel justified in her fear.

A “lovepat,” she moved from Italy to the Netherlands about five years ago to be with the love of her life and the father of her two boys.

Amelia holds two master’s degrees in European Law and sits just above B2 with her Dutch. Despite approaching the job market through a recruitment agency, things didn’t go so well.

What’s a rite of passage for all internationals in the Netherlands? Complaining. In “Expat experiences,” we reach out to our readers and compile the dirty details of their Dutch horror stories.

A promising start

At the beginning of 2024, she found herself as the assistant contract officer at a prominent company.

It was a yearly contract, and given the will of the job gods, it had the possibility of a renewal. (In this economy, getting offered a sturdy contract from the get-go is like a great comet passing the earth every decade.)

Luckily, Amelia’s contract was renewed again until January 2026.

However, sometime in the beginning of 2025, she informed both her manager and the recruitment agency that she was expecting a baby. “Gefeliciteerd,” they said.

What they didn’t mention: Your job is now in danger.

photo-of-woman-wearing-blue-shirt-with-blonde-hair-at-job-interview-in-amsterdam-netherlands — The “motherhood penalty” is one of the biggest reasons behind the pay gap in the Netherlands. Image: Freepik

The rules are clear. Women get three months of (paid) maternity leave after giving birth and nine weeks of (70% paid) parental leave. What kind of contract you have does not matter.

After doing the pregnancy math, Amelia was supposed to return to the workforce in November 2025. She had been on leave since June 2025.

No new contract for you, Mama

A month before the date of rejoining, now with two little boys and a lot of big bills in the house, Amelia reached out to her employer to touch base about her contract.

The manager set up a call for the same day. “We will not be renewing your contract,” they said.

And just like that, with a month’s notice, she was unemployed.

Amelia tells us, “This is obviously a pregnancy discrimination case, but how can I prove that?”

When it comes to companies, indeed, finding solid evidence for discrimination is next to impossible.

What do they claim was the reason?

Dutch courts are decisive: refusing to renew a temporary contract because an employee is pregnant is discrimination. When taken to court, it makes the employee eligible for billijke vergoeding (fair compensation).

However, to dodge blame for outright misogyny, companies can easily cite performance issues as a justification.

@euro_anna
Women with children earn less, men with children earn more 🫠 This “motherhood penalty” is one of the key reasons Europe’s gender pay gap still persists. While the Netherlands moves to cut parental leave benefits, I worked with cross-party European colleagues on a report full of concrete recommendations to close the pay gap. Thankfully, it got adopted today with a large majority. Ps. Big thanks to Sophie van Gool who writes about momfluencers, gender equality and who inspires me ⭐
♬ original sound – euro_anna

Amelia’s employer claimed she “didn’t make enough improvements” — that’s why her contract wasn’t renewed.

However, the stats paint a worrying picture that suggests Amelia’s concerns could be valid.

According to the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights, a whopping 43% of women in the Netherlands have experienced discrimination due to pregnancy or childbirth that has set back their careers.

Here’s the shocking part: 49% of women on temporary contracts lost their jobs when those contracts expired during or right after pregnancy.

For now, Amelia is back to the job hunt.

Do you have an expat experience? DM us on Instagram!

No new electricity connections in Utrecht from July: what this means for you

DutchReview Crew

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April 22, 2026

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No new electricity connections in Utrecht from July: what this means for you

For the first time in the Netherlands, a full regional electricity connection freeze will take effect on July 1, with much of Utrecht no longer accepting any new grid connections.

The freeze, which previously applied only to large consumers, will now affect households, businesses, and sustainability upgrades. An estimated 800,000 people will be affected, reports De Telegraaf.

The situation will be reviewed again in six months.

State Secretary Jo-Annes de Bat confirmed the move after an emergency meeting in The Hague, bringing together network operators, provincial administrators, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.

Why is this happening?

The Netherlands is in the grip of netcongestie (grid congestion). It’s a two-way problem overloading the grid.

Demand has surged thanks to electric cars, heat pumps, and air conditioning, while solar panels and wind turbines are also pushing energy into the same infrastructure.

That may sound like a good thing (more energy = beneficial, right?), but the network was never designed for this two-way traffic. Without expanding and being reinforced, the grid can’t keep up.

TenneT, the national grid operator, had already raised the alarm in February, warning of a freeze for small consumers if no action was taken.

However, the only real fix is new high-voltage substations. Plans exist near Breukelen and north of Utrecht, but the northern station has no confirmed location yet and may not be ready until 2031, according to NOS.

In the meantime, residents are being urged to avoid running heavy appliances during the evening peak.

Provincial administrator Huib van Essen hopes the freeze is lifted as soon as possible, but was frank that expecting relief within six months is likely wishful thinking.

What the freeze actually means

All new connection requests go onto a general waiting list, with no timeline for resolution. Previously, only large consumers faced that purgatory.

From July 1, everyone does: including households wanting to install a heat pump, switch to induction cooking, or add a charging point.

Thankfully, efforts are being made to ensure the roughly 35,000 homes in already-planned housing projects can still be connected over the coming years, reports NOS.

This is far from guaranteed for anything newer, though. Emergency options such as gas generators are already being floated as stopgaps in some cases, according to De Telegraaf.

The municipality warns that projects across areas such as Leidsche Rijn, Utrecht East, and the Cartesius and Wisselspoor districts face uncertainty over whether grid capacity will materialise in time.

What about the rest of the country?

Flevoland and Gelderland avoided the freeze, but only just.

According to officials, the situation there remains precarious, and a connection stop in those provinces is not definitively off the table.

Utrecht, however, bears the brunt. The municipality’s own impact analysis estimated the annual damage of a full connection freeze at between €75 and €225 million.

Are you affected by the freeze? Let us know in the comments.

We spent a glorious afternoon at Tulip Experience Amsterdam: here’s why you should, too

Ida Allen-Auerbach

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April 22, 2026

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We spent a glorious afternoon at Tulip Experience Amsterdam: here’s why you should, too

Dutch tulips are famed around the world, and witnessing the fields in bloom is something every person should experience at least once in their lives. But why stop at just looking?

The Tulip Experience Amsterdam offers so much more than just a spectacular view. While surrounded by some of the most beautiful flowers you’ll ever see, you can also learn about the history, production, and science behind the Dutch tulip.

As a family-owned and run business, this quaint tulip experience is unique and personal while still offering unbeatable photo ops.

Yes, you can pick your own tulips

One key aspect that sets Tulip Experience Amsterdam apart is the ability to enter their fields.

While other gardens are also delightful to look at, walking through the actual rows of tulips is usually forbidden.

Here, however, you get to run amongst the colourful flowers, pick your own (at the indoor garden), and snap some killer Insta-pics while you’re at it!

tulip-experience-man-in-the-fields — Here’s our founder in the fields! Pretty insta-worthy if you ask us. Image: Jana Vondráčková/DutchReview

You can actually see and walk through an array of the 700 varieties of tulips cultivated by the WAM Pennings growers.

What’s more, you’ll be fully knowledgeable about the magic of the tulip by the time you stand among them.

And it’s not just pretty tulips — you’ll actually learn something

Before you reach the fields, you’ll walk through the museum. Here, you’re taken on a journey through time.

The artefacts, displays, and detailed explanations describe everything from the origins of the flower to the beginnings of the Bloemencorso (Dutch flower parade).

If you purchased the ticket with an audio tour included, you’ll be a tulip expert in no time!

tulip-experience-museum — Ready to become a tulip expert? Image: Jana Vondráčková/DutchReview

Trust us — it’s fascinating stuff. Did you know the Dutch ate Tulip bulbs at one point in history?

From flower-adorned swing sets to a gazebo in the middle of tulip heaven, it’s no wonder hundreds of people choose this exact spot to propose to their loved one. Could you possibly ask for better engagement pics?

It’s fun for the whole family

Another heartwarming element to this tulp (tulip) adventure is that you can bring the kids along!

Not only are the fields thrilling to frolic in, but there are games (ever heard of Tulip Twister?), swings, and even scavenger hunts for your little ones to enjoy.

Plus, if you get hungry, coffee and treats are available at De Witte Zwaan (the White Swan), a historic café. Once upon a time, this establishment was a meeting point for tulip growers to trade and sell their bulbs.

There’s more here than you’d expect

Besides the museum, cafe, and fields, there’s also a mini-cinema, farmer’s market, and indoor picking area.

The mini cinema (which is just adorable, by the way) shows real archival footage of how growers used to work the tulip fields before the process became mechanised.

The farmer’s market (tulip-themed, of course) offers all kinds of tulip treats and souvenirs for you to remember the experience by.

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Here you can also view an art collection of 9 historic paintings, commissioned as an homage to 75 years of the Bloemencorso.

And finally, the indoor picking area allows you to pick your own tulips and take them home! Adults are allowed 5 flowers, and kids can pick 3.

How one family built a tulip empire (of sorts)

The Tulip Experience Amsterdam is the culmination of a lot of hard work and intuition by the Pennings family.

Everybody has a role — from granddaughter Syvlie, who runs the experience, to great-granddaughters, one of whom designed the scavenger hunt!

Founded by grandfather Wim, WAM Pennings Nursery dates back to 1951. After taking over, Wim’s son, Simon, decided to cater to a new market in addition to the bulb-growing in 2019.

tulip-experience-flower-varieties-in-the-fields — The Pennings family has cultivated 700 varieties of tulips. Image: Jana Vondráčková/DutchReview

After noticing that people would illegally trespass onto the fields just to snap some pictures, Simon Pennings took matters into his own hands.

Together with Sylvia and the rest of the family, they created the Tulip Experience so visitors to the region could legally enter the flower fields without damaging other farmers’ bulbs.

Plus, in addition to the photo opportunities, the family wanted to share how the tulips are grown (with expert testimony) and more details about the flower’s storied history.

I’m in! What should I know?

Conveniently located just a 35-minute drive from Amsterdam (or 40 minutes via public transport), Tulip Experience Amsterdam is situated at Delfweg 37. You’ll be there in no time!

Prices are quite reasonable: you’ll pay €12.50 for standard entry, €15 for entry with audio tour, €6.50 for children ages 3 to 6, and enjoy free entry for younger children!

Plan to spend about an hour to an hour and a half at the experience. There’s lots to see, and it’s the perfect way to spend the afternoon.

The Tulip Experience Amsterdam is open this spring from 19 March to 10 May, daily from 8 AM to 6 PM. Check the website, though, as some days offer longer hours for sunset pictures!

Any other questions? Check out the Tulip Experience FAQ page!

Have you visited the Tulip Experience Amsterdam? Let us know in the comments!

The Netherlands could be getting a €49 unlimited transport pass this summer

Economy
News

Kriti Swarup

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April 22, 2026

3

The Netherlands could be getting a €49 unlimited transport pass this summer

As petrol prices batter wallets across the Netherlands, the cabinet plans to make public transport a lot cheaper with an unlimited public transport pass.

For a €49 fee, you could travel freely on all buses, trams, trains, and metros throughout the Netherlands.

However, there’s a catch: the so-called “Nederlands Ticket” would be valid for unlimited travel during off-peak hours for three consecutive months this summer.

According to NOS, the minority cabinet quite likes the idea. Come summer, life could be an OV-dream.

Here’s how it works

The logic is simple: expensive petrol? We don’t need it anymore.

Jesse Klaver of GroenLinks-PvdA argues that cheaper public transport eases the pressure on household budgets and helps reduce the demand for fuel.

“Cheaper public transport is good for people’s wallets and helps with the energy crisis. We want public transport to be a good and affordable alternative to the car,” Klaver tells NOS.

@santanamath
Do you know why people avoid to take the train between specific hours in The Netherlands? Because of the price! #dutchstories #learningdutch #dutchculture
♬ Steven Universe – L.Dre

However, the question remains: If most commuters use cars to get to work, how does it help that the Nederlands Ticket only works outside rush hour?

Klaver asserts that’s not a problem for most, since commuters already receive a travel expense allowance from their employer. The target audience is anyone making discretionary trips, such as family visits or day trips.

For those travellers, Klaver says the pass would cut monthly costs by around 60%.

Where did this idea come from?

Germany has operated a similar scheme since the war in Ukraine began, so the Netherlands wouldn’t exactly be reinventing the wheel.

Klaver estimates the cost of the discounted travel pass at €118 million, which is only a fraction of the nearly €1 billion energy crisis package the cabinet announced earlier this week.

Today, parliament is holding a major debate on the cabinet’s response to the energy crisis stemming from the war in West Asia. With the minority cabinet needing opposition support to get measures through, GroenLinks-PvdA’s plan appears to have real traction.

Klaver tells NOS, “I have high hopes that we will get it done.”

Would a €49 unlimited off-peak travel pass change how you get around this summer? Let us know in the comments below.

Can the Dutch insult the royals (and get away with it?)

Mihály Droppa

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April 21, 2026

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Can the Dutch insult the royals (and get away with it?)

Soon, the whole country comes together to celebrate King’s Day. However, not all Dutch people are fans of the monarchy.

During the Prinsjesdag celebrations of 2022, some Dutchies decided to flip off the king, and you may be wondering: can they actually do that? 👀

Technically, nee. The Dutch are not as egalitarian as we think they are.

During that Prinsjesdag, a few thousand demonstrators came to The Hague and gave the royal family a piece of their minds. Some protestors yelled “coward!” at King Willem-Alexander.

What happened to these protestors?

Although insulting the king was decriminalised in 2020, you still can’t get away with it. This is because it’s now being treated the same way as insulting any other public servant — and yep, that’s a crime.

Right after the new laws came into force, a man was sentenced to public service for calling Queen Maxima “the daughter of a murderer,” referring to her dad’s position in the Argentinian junta.

Now, the royal family is only protected by general defamation laws, which are much lesser crimes than the previous “insulting the king” allegation that could get you up to five years in prison.

photo-of-the-dutch-royal-family-in-the-hague — They look nice enough, right? Image: Royal House of the Netherlands

Back to our protestors: It would be the question of whether calling someone a “coward” counts as defamation. Moreover, it is difficult to identify specific perpetrators amid a large crowd.

However, if someone is caught defaming the Dutch royal family, they could be fined as much as a few thousand euros — and may even have to do community service.

Why do people do it?

Many people are upset with the current government, which hasn’t been able to solve the country’s inflation crisis, and they want King Willem-Alexander to take action.

Prinsjesdag The Netherlands when the King and Queen cane by🤡🙌 pic.twitter.com/copsmCnGES
— Truthseeker (@Xx17965797N) September 20, 2022

According to the protestors, the king — as the formal head of the government — is a coward for not sacking Prime Minister Rutte amid a cost of living crisis.

While constitutionally, the king could or would never be able to do this (with the little kingdom still being a democracy and all), apparently, this wasn’t their concern.

“The king is at the head of the government. He could have sent the ministers home because things are going wrong in this country. The fact that he does not do that makes him a coward,” a protester in The Hague told RTL Nieuws.

What do you think about the protestors’ demonstration? Tell us in the comments below!

16 ideas that make the Dutch sustainability super-heroes

Juni Moltubak

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April 21, 2026

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16 ideas that make the Dutch sustainability super-heroes

The Dutch are using their creative brain-power to create innovative (and sometimes fun!) solutions to save the climate. 💪🏽🌱

It might surprise some to hear that the Netherlands actually lags behind a bit when compared to similar countries’ climate efforts — ending up as number 6 on World Population Review’s ranking of the world’s most sustainable states. 😅

But hey, just because they aren’t number 1 doesn’t mean they aren’t improving! The Dutch ranking on this list has improved by leaps and bounds, up from 11th in 2024.

That’s not surprising given the amount of Dutch green innovation! Here are 16 of the best Dutch ideas to secure a greener future.

1. Send residents an “Energy Box” to make houses more sustainable

The Dutch municipality of Eindhoven decided that a sustainable lifestyle should be accessible to everyone — regardless of the size of their wallet. 💰

On top of that, they realised that energy poverty is a massive (growing!) European problem, resulting in local households struggling financially because of high energy bills.

photo-of-Dutch-woman-holding-energy-sustainability--box — Nice and neat, all in one box! Image: Depositphotos

That’s why they’ve joined the European “Energy Box” initiative. The idea is simple: it’s a box containing tons of smart products designed to make energy-saving easier and more accessible.

The box contains tools like draft strips, radiator foil, and general tips and tricks for optimising a household’s energy usage. 🤑

2. Save the bees, one bus stop at a time

We’ve all heard it — save the bees! Yeah okay, but how??

It’s no secret that bees are incredibly important to our ecosystem, but it’s not always easy to understand how we can help save the cute little buzzers.

Therefore, Rotterdam and Utrecht have turned regular bus stops into flowery green ones — which the bees LOVE!

photo-of-sustainable-green-flower-bus-stop-for-bees-in-the-Netherlands — The bees buzz with joy! Image: Depositphotos

In fact, more than 300 (!) bus stops have been turned into little bee oases, contributing to cleaner air, cute sights, and all-over gezelligheid. 🐝

3. Ban all single-use plastics

Sure, it’s not exactly a Dutch idea, but the Netherlands has joined the trend and banned all forms of single-use plastic.

That means all products (partially) made of plastic that are not sturdy enough to be cleaned and reused cannot be marketed or used anymore. 🍽

photo-of-single-use-plastic-banned-in-the-netherlands — So convenient, but so bad for the environment… Image: Depositphotos

4. Make solar power super attractive

Sure, the sun might have gotten a bit of a bad rep in the global warming context, but why not use it to our advantage?

Despite being a land very much dominated by rain and clouds, the Netherlands is also riding the solar power wave (not the Lorde version, the other one). 🌞

For example, the municipality of Amsterdam wants to be generating 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

Several-solar-panels-on-the-roof-of-a-house-in-the-netherlands-for-green-energy — We love that solar power! Image: Depositphotos

Among the many measures implemented across the country is a handy solar panel subsidy, making saving the planet even sexier than it already was. 💅🏽

But there are also tons of other cool solar ideas popping up everywhere, from parking lots to bus stations, and more — all powered by the sun!

5. Adapt housing to fit the future

You know that saying “everything starts at home”? Well, there is absolutely no shortage of green housing solutions in this (rather overpopulated) country!

For example, in Amersfoort, the municipality has established a sustainable housing loan — specifically intended to help people update their houses to more sustainable standards. 🏚

photo-of-houses-with-greenery-and-green-housing-solutions-like-in-the-netherlands — Green living, quite literally. Image: Depositphotos

This makes it easy to get financial help to install a heat pump, better insulation, or solar panels.

Does the word “loan” immediately make you go “ugh boring, can’t be bothered understanding such complicated stuff” (maybe it’s just me)? Don’t worry! Just ask the municipality’s dedicated sustainable energy counter — easy peasy. 💁🏽‍♀️🤙🏽

6. Revolutionise the entire food system (at least a bit)

Living up to the Dutch reputation of being innovative and hip, Foodvalley in Wageningen focuses on connecting companies and other establishments across the world in their efforts to develop sustainable and healthy food solutions.

photo-of-new-food-systems-connecting-Dutch-companies-and-teaching-how-to-conduct-greener-business — It’s time to think new about our food production system. Image: Depositphotos

The many market failures of today’s globalised food system have inspired this Dutch organisation to coach and mentor sustainable food entrepreneurs, and offer funding and working facilities. 💕

Not everyone has to go vegan, but it’s inspiring to see an organisation from one of the most mass-producing, agriculture-based countries on earth take a step back and analyse our food patterns.

7. Welcome Dutch farming on city rooftops

This is probably not the first time you hear about rooftop farming or urban agriculture. But did you know that one of the biggest open-air roof farms in Europe is located in our very own Rotterdam?

photo-of-Rotterdam-biggest-open-air-green-roof-in-the-Netherlands — Wonderfully green, just above our heads! Image: Depositphotos

Yep. Across 1000m², DakAkker grows fruits, veggies, and flowers — yay for the bees! 🌷

They also make an effort to educate people about what they’re doing, for example, by inviting school kids to learn about urban agriculture and sustainability. 👩🏽‍🔬

8. Make schools green (while teaching the kids too)

Speaking of kids, it’s never too early to start learning about sustainability (as we’re all painfully aware of, we’re running out of time).

That’s why the municipality of The Hague encourages schools to teach all things green and provides handy overviews of how schools can easily become more sustainable.

photo-of-Dutch-school-child-with-teacher-learning-about-sustainability — Education is a key part of securing a green future. Image: Depositphotos

For example, in addition to the mentioned solar panel subsidy, schools (and other institutions and organisations) can get extra cash to build green roofs on their buildings!

They can also get help measuring their C02 footprint, and heaps of other sustainability-focused initiatives.

9. Make it (even) easier to bike everywhere

The Netherlands is, famously, the land of bikes. But there’s always room for improvement!

The municipality of Rotterdam, for example, has admitted their shortcomings and is now really going hard on making the city more bikeable. 🚲

photo-of-bikes-in-rotterdam-cycling-on-bridge-for-sustainable-transport — The land of bikes is always trying to improve. Image: Depositphotos

One way they’re achieving this is by tweaking the traffic lights to turn green more often for cyclists — and they stay green for longer too! Very sneaky but so smart and simple.

In many places, the municipality also finances and organises biking lessons for people of all ages, and they help struggling Rotterdammers pay for their bikes — what a Dutch initiative!

10. Put electric car charging points everywhere

“But what if I’m really, really super-dependent on a car to survive” we hear you say. Fear not, for the Netherlands wants to make it easy peasy to have an electric car too! 🚗

Electric-cars-charging-on-a-street-in-amsterdam — Just try not to end up in the canal! Image: Depositphotos

In Amersfoort, they’ve decided that you should never have to walk further than 200-250 metres from your home to find an electric charging point.

That way, it’ll get harder and harder to argue that driving electric is too much of a hassle, and more people might end up changing their ways (vroom-vroom!). 💨

11. Help companies “greenify” by changing business laws

Sometimes, people just need an extra little push from above to implement more sustainable practices.

The municipality in the Hague gets it — so they’ve enacted a so-called “energy saving obligation” for all companies that consume above a certain amount of energy (50,000 kWh of electricity, or 25,000 cubic meters of gas) a year.

photo-of-sustainable-Dutch-company-due-to-energy-saving-laws — All aboard, let’s go green! Image: Depositphotos

The obligation requires companies to comply with a series of energy-saving measures and regularly report back to the municipality on their efforts and progress.

That’s one way of greenifying society — you can even get fined if you don’t comply! 👮🏽‍♀️

More and more Dutch companies will also have to be more open about what they are doing to be more sustainable.

Initiatives such as the Corporate Sustainability Report Directive are pushing to make it so that up to 50,000 companies across the EU will have to meet csrd disclosure requirements, meaning that Dutch companies will have to spill the tea on what they’re actually doing to help the environment.

12. Ban cars in different parts of Dutch cities

So-called milieuzones (low-emission zones) exist in 15 Dutch municipalities and are designed to improve the air quality of the cities.

In practice, it means that trucks, coaches, and sometimes diesel cars are banned in certain parts of each city. 🚫

Plus, as of 1 January 2025, the first 18 municipalities and Schiphol have introduced a zero-emissiezone (an area where only fully emission-free vans and lorries are permitted to drive).

photo-of-car-free-roads-in-the-Netherlands-for-sustainability — Who doesn’t prefer biking to driving anyways? Image: Depositphotos

Where people are allowed to drive all depends on their vehicle’s “emission standard”. If you want to be up to date on where you and your car belong, you can check out this neat overview. 🗺

13. Establish circular economy practices

An entrepreneur hub in an old swimming pool? Yeah, sounds about right. The Netherlands is full of entrepreneurship hubs (like PLNT — the home of DutchReview!), and BlueCity in Rotterdam is one specifically focused on sustainability.

photo-of-wind-turbines-in-the-Netherlands-for-sustainable-circular-economy — Renewable energy for the win! Image: Depositphotos

BlueCity brings together lots of people interested in a circular economy to exchange ideas, inspiration, and expertise.

With more than 40 circular entrepreneurs, lots of events, the so-called BlueCity Lab, and tons of other things going on, BlueCity is like Disneyland for any sustainability geek. 🌱

14. Make furniture out of reclaimed plastic

Have you ever heard of plastic soup? Although it might sound like it, it’s not a children’s toy. It’s billions of kilos of plastic that are polluting and disturbing the ecology of our oceans.

Plastic Whale is trying to tackle this issue by cleaning the seas, and using what they find to make new things — like furniture! 🪑

photo-of-plastic-waste-to-recycle-sustainably-by-Dutch-initiative — So. Much. Plastic. Image: Depositphotos

Among their other initiatives is an annual canal clean-up in Amsterdam, which mobilises thousands of people. 💪🏽

15. Catch all that dirty plastic

At the age of just 16, Dutch Boyan Slat started the Ocean Cleanup. They developed a new, super-effective plastic-catcher, to clean up the world’s oceans and rivers. 🌊

photo-of-Dutch-initiative-the-ocean-cleanup-removing-plastic-from-the-ocean — Now that’s a big boat. Image: The Ocean Cleanup/Supplied

With a team of over 150 people, plus tons of volunteers, this Dutch startup is definitely making a difference in fighting plastic pollution. It really makes you think about what you achieved at 16, doesn’t it?

16. Play with kites and generate energy at the same time

Wind and kites are destined to be BFFs, so naturally, it was only a matter of time before kites were to be connected to renewable energy too. 🪁

photo-of-man-with-kite-to-produce-green-energy-in-the-Netherlands — Two birds with one stone, play and make the world greener! Image: Depositphotos

Kitepower is an innovative Dutch start-up in the Airborne Wind Energy field. And guess what, it deploys 90% less material than a regular wind turbine, with the potential to be twice as effective. Een kite voor mij please!

Do you have any Dutch initiatives to add to our list? Tell us in the comments!

King’s Day in Amsterdam is changing: here’s what to expect

DutchReview Crew

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April 21, 2026

0

King’s Day in Amsterdam is changing: here’s what to expect

Following another wild King’s Day in 2025, Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema announced significant changes to the restrictions and rules for this outrageously orange celebration.

Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to party it up come April 27. But thanks to the new rules, courtesy of Halsema, a few things will be changing.

So here’s what to expect!

Don’t rock the boat

First of all, the 12+1 rule, which denotes that a maximum of 12 people plus a skipper are allowed on a party boat, will be much more strictly enforced, reports Het Parool.

Anyone caught breaking the rule faces a fine: the gemeente has set penalties at €160 for private skippers aged 16 and over, and €800 for commercial operators.

And hey, maybe that’s a good thing. No more sardine-style packed parties, and more room to dance!

Expect party police (the good kind?)

In addition, there’ll be more rigorous street enforcement.

Illegal alcohol sales and street parties will receive an additional crackdown as well. Anyone violating the new rules or caught hosting illegal parties could face steep fines.

So, your neighbor DJing out of his window? He might have to pack things up. These rules are in place to avoid overcrowding and dangerous situations in the city centre.

Festivals outside the city centre will also be allowed to run longer to avoid densely packed streets, which create the most unsafe conditions.

These will be permitted to run until 10 PM, according to the gemeente. The party must go on!

Look out for special emergency services (Amsterdam style!)

In true Dutch fashion, there will also be additional emergency services on bikes. This fiets-ambulance is actually ingenious — it allows help to get where it needs to go faster and with greater agility.

According to AT5, Westerstraat and Noordermarkt are set to become official event venues from 2027. Whether the streets will be fully closed off has not yet been decided. In the meantime, private supervisors will already be deployed there this year.

This area, called Jordaan, is a neighbourhood that desperately needs change and better management on the craziest day of the year.

Reactions and reasoning

Plenty of residents are overjoyed at the stricter measures, as King’s Day has become more of a hassle than a celebration for city-centre dwellers.

@ivona1908 King‘s Day oder Apokalypse 😂 #kingsday #amsterdam #netherlands #trash #viral #fyp #tiktok ♬ Originalton – Ivona

From public urination to tourists in the water, some people feel… less than joyous about this day of partying.

One thing is for sure, though: the Dutch have partying in their (orange) blood, and King’s Day is sure to be a (safer) blast this year too.

What do you think of the new King’s Day changes? Let us know in the comments!

DutchReview

DUTCHREVIEW

DutchReview

1. They tend to stand out with their fashion choices

2. They avoid the top bike rack like the plague

3. They’ll enter through anything but the correct tram doors

4. They use Google Maps in the most uncool manner

5. They have no sixth sense for bikes

6. They actually sit outside the cafes in Leidseplein

7. They will always, inevitably, without a doubt, be defeated by the rain

8. They bike with an unnecessary amount of caution

9. They aren’t too aware of Dutch beer culture

10. They lack a natural instinct to navigate crowds

11. They shudder at the thought of drop (liquorice)

12. They love to wave at boats passing by

13. They’re pretty obnoxious in silent train compartments

14. They actually… smile at you on the street

15. They write for some silly online publication

Two sides of the same coin

What makes Dutch fries different?

Where did Dutch fries come from?

So is it ‘friet’ or ‘patat’?

What should you put on your Dutch fries?

Dutch fries today: the debate continues

Why does everyone wear orange on King’s Day?

William of Orange, who?

The town of Orange, France

Why do Dutch football fans wear orange?

Why is the Dutch flag not orange?

When not to wear orange in the Netherlands

Countries that use orange because of the Netherlands

South African Boers

Irish Protestants

Carrots?

A promising start

No new contract for you, Mama

What do they claim was the reason?

Why is this happening?

What the freeze actually means

What about the rest of the country?

Yes, you can pick your own tulips

And it’s not just pretty tulips — you’ll actually learn something

It’s fun for the whole family

There’s more here than you’d expect

How one family built a tulip empire (of sorts)

I’m in! What should I know?

Here’s how it works

Where did this idea come from?

What happened to these protestors?

Why do people do it?

1. Send residents an “Energy Box” to make houses more sustainable

2. Save the bees, one bus stop at a time

3. Ban all single-use plastics

4. Make solar power super attractive

5. Adapt housing to fit the future

6. Revolutionise the entire food system (at least a bit)

7. Welcome Dutch farming on city rooftops

8. Make schools green (while teaching the kids too)

9. Make it (even) easier to bike everywhere

10. Put electric car charging points everywhere

11. Help companies “greenify” by changing business laws

12. Ban cars in different parts of Dutch cities

13. Establish circular economy practices

14. Make furniture out of reclaimed plastic

15. Catch all that dirty plastic

16. Play with kites and generate energy at the same time

Don’t rock the boat

Expect party police (the good kind?)

Look out for special emergency services (Amsterdam style!)

Reactions and reasoning