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Is LEBARA a good phone service provider in the Netherlands?

Lyna Meyrer 🇱🇺
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Is LEBARA a good phone service provider in the Netherlands?

When looking for a new phone service provider in the Netherlands, you’ll come across some household names — and one of them is LEBARA.

As one of the Netherlands’ biggest phone service providers, you’ll find that LEBARA is suggested to you by many — from close friends to strangers on the internet. But is it actually a good provider?

I did the research so you don’t have to. 👇

Reasons why LEBARA is a good provider for internationals in the Netherlands

Like other phone providers, a LEBARA SIM gives your phone cellular connectivity, which allows you to make calls, send texts, and connect to mobile data in the Netherlands. 

But LEBARA stands out from other carriers due to certain great features. 👇

Coverage

Probably most telling about whether a phone carrier is good is the coverage it offers — after all, if you’re paying for a service, you want to be able to use it.

Well, good news for LEBARA users and those eyeing the carrier: LEBARA operates on the KPN network, renowned for being the best and fastest network in the Netherlands. 

man-on-commute-in-bus-in-the-netherlands-using-lebara-fast-phone-network-to-scroll-social-media-scaled
Stay connected, wherever you may go. Image: Freepik

KPN offers excellent coverage (even in rural areas) and super-speedy data traffic, meaning you’ll have reliable connectivity wherever you go in the Netherlands.

Affordability and flexibility

Next up, let’s talk money. If you’re balling on a budget (aren’t we all?), LEBARA should definitely be one of the top contenders when selecting a phone service provider in the Netherlands.

Prices for a prepaid SIM with LEBARA start as low as €5 per month, while a SIM-only subscription starts at €4 per month. Even better, LEBARA regularly has special deals on offer, giving new customers the best bang for their buck.

READ MORE | This mobile provider offers prepaid SIM options for only €5 (and a lot more!)

What’s more, LEBARA’s packages are highly customisable and flexible, allowing you to tailor your bundle to meet your needs and change it monthly. This ensures you only pay for what you truly need, making it a budget-friendly choice.

International calling options 

LEBARA’s bundle add-ons range from extra fast data to unlimited calling and texting, but perhaps the most interesting for expats is their international calling option.

READ MORE | Unlimited calling to 44 countries? LEBARA’s SIM-only package makes it possible

As an international in the Netherlands, I often need to make calls to my home country — be it to settle bureaucratic matters or because the WiFi at my mum’s house is too bad to hold a video call. 👀

photo-of-blonde-woman-making-an-international-call-from-city-in-the-netherladns-with-tree-and-bike-behind-her
Staying in contact with your loved ones has never been easier. Image: Freepik

LEBARA’s international calling option is a lifesaver in these situations, making calls outside of the Netherlands easy and cheap. 

For just €5 per month, LEBARA’s international calling bundle gives you unlimited calls to a whopping 44 countries worldwide, including the US, South Africa, India, and Turkey.

Get your LEBARA SIM today

What are the cons of LEBARA in the Netherlands?

As with anything, there are some downsides to consider as well — but rest assured, these aren’t dealbreakers for most people.

From my research, I find that LEBARA receives some complains about the occasional lagging of its app, with some people reporting occasional issues logging in or slight delays in topping up or activating bundles. Other than that, there don’t seem to be any major issues.

Overall, LEBARA likes to keep things simple, letting you trade a tiny bit of speed, polish, and convenience for one of the most affordable monthly fees in the country.

What the customers say

Are you one of those people who spends half an hour reading Google reviews before choosing a restaurant? I am, too — and that’s why I did some digging on LEBARA.

On Trustpilot, LEBARA shines with an uitstekend (outstanding) customer rating of 4.4 out of five stars, while 66% of customers rate LEBARA with five stars. 🌟

The Consumentenbond (Dutch consumer protection organisation) agrees, reporting that, out of all Dutch phone carriers, it received the least complaints about calling services from LEBARA throughout 2023. 

The proof is in the pudding!

What do you look for in a phone carrier? Share your thoughts in the comments. 

Hoera! The Dutch King will attend the Leidens Ontzet celebrations this year

Beatrice Scali 🇮🇹
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Hoera! The Dutch King will attend the Leidens Ontzet celebrations this year

It looks like the October 3 Leidens Ontzet celebrations will be extra speciaal this year, as King Willem-Alexander is gracing the event with his royal presence. 👑

His Majesty will make his way to Leiden to celebrate the 450-year anniversary of the lifting of the Spanish siege, states the municipality’s website.

What is Leidens Ontzet?

Known as Leiden’s Relief in English, Leidens Ontzet is a festival commemorating the events of October 3, 1574, when Leiden was liberated from the Spanish siege.

This was a fundamental step towards the end of the Spanish occupation, and the founding of the Dutch Republic.

Busy day to be King

His Majesty will have a busy schedule before him.

READ NEXT | 17 unforgettable things to do in Leiden in 2024

The first thing he’ll do will be… receiving a scarf — the “3 October scarf”, to be precise.

Once he’s bundled up nice and warm, he’ll embark on a short boat trip along the Galgewater, a smaller tributary of the Oude Rijn canal.

While this happens, the crowds will be entertained by a choir singing traditional folk songs, as well as a water demonstration by the Royal Navy.

READ MORE | Leidens Ontzet: a day of freedom, fun, and boozing!

Finally, the King will make a stop at the Museum De Lakenhal, where he will visit the exhibition ‘Leiden celebrates — 450 years of parades’ and meet the artists and organisers involved.

What do you think of His Majesty gracing the Leiden Ontzet with his presence this year? You may express your peasant thoughts in the comments below.

Prinsjesdag has arrived! Here’s what you need to know about this Dutch event

Liana Risseeuw 🇱🇰
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Prinsjesdag has arrived! Here’s what you need to know about this Dutch event

Could that be Cinderella off to the ball in her gilded carriage? Nee hoor, it’s King Willem-Alexander in his Glazen Koets (Glass Carriage), off to deliver a speech from his throne at the Royal Theatre in the Hague.

Why? Well, as the third Tuesday of September, today (September 17) is a super-special day: Prinsjesdag or Prince’s Day.

Contrary to its name, it’s not the presence of royalty that makes Prinsjesdag an important occasion — instead, this is the day when the Dutch government reveals its budgetary plans for the following year.

What’s the plan for today?

As per the Dutch government’s website, it looks like Prinsjesdag 2024 will be a jam-packed four hours.

Things will kick off at 11:30 AM, when members of the Senate (Eerste Kamer) and House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) make their way to the Hague’s Royal Theatre.

At around 1 PM, after the honour guard has taken up position outside the theatre and the members have taken their seats, the President of the Senate will officially open the meeting.

It’s also around this time that the royal family will depart from Noordeinde Palace and travel to the theatre in their Glazen Koets (Glass Carriage).

From 1:15 PM, the king will deliver his speech, which will contain the government’s plans for the coming year. Roughly an hour later, the royal family will head back to Noordeinde Palace, where gathered crowds can catch a glimpse of them from the palace’s balcony.

Last (but certainly not least!), the Minister of Finance will present a briefcase containing the National Budget to the House of Representatives at around 3:30 PM.

Who’ll be attending?

In addition to various members of parliament, King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, and the Princesses Amalia and Alexia, NU.nl reports that the king’s brother and sister-in-law (Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien) will also be in attendance.

With this being Prime Minister Schoof’s first Prinsjesdag since taking office, he will likely also be the recipient of much attention.

Have you ever experienced a Prinsjesdag in the Netherlands before? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

The Netherlands is about to be blessed with one last week of summer weather

Beatrice Scali 🇮🇹
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The Netherlands is about to be blessed with one last week of summer weather

Don’t let this grey Monday morning fool you! The Netherlands is about to take a break from this chilly autumn and enjoy one last week of summery lekker weer (nice weather). 

A couple of weeks of steadily declining temperatures were enough to make most of us surrender to September’s tragic inevitability: the end of summer.

Well, according to RTL, we might have been too hasty. 

Peaks of 25 degrees  

Today, the Netherlands woke up to a slightly warmer morning, with temperatures averaging between 10 and 16 degrees.

According to forecasts, this will only get better, with the weather continuing to warm up across the country until Wednesday.

This is when temperatures are expected to settle into a steady few days of summer-like weather, consisting of peaks of 22 to 25 degrees. 

Nights, however, will remain chilly, with temperatures dropping to around 12 degrees. Looks like we might still need that winter duvet after all!

@dutchreview “Summer” is testing us 🙃 #dutchlife #dutchmemes #learndutch #amsterdam #holland #thenetherlands #visitnetherlands #dutchreview #expatlife #Meme #MemeCut ♬ son original – Soso Phie

Sunglasses needed

In even better news, the weather is not only getting warmer but also sunnier. ☀️

The clouds currently hovering above the country will gradually be swept away by moderate to strong north-easternly wind, giving way to an increasingly sunny Tuesday, and eventually blessing us with mostly blue skies from Wednesday onwards. 

The wind, however, will continue making its presence felt, keeping the mornings and nights quite chilly. 

Are you excited for this aftertaste of summer weather, or were you ready to embrace autumn? Keep the comments raining below.

Lower deductibles, higher allowances, and harsher rules: what you should know about the Dutch cabinet’s latest plans

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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Lower deductibles, higher allowances, and harsher rules: what you should know about the Dutch cabinet’s latest plans

After their summer holidays, the Netherlands’ new cabinet has finally given some extra details about their plans for the country.

Let’s talk about some of their most… interesting goals.

Your health insurance deductible will drop to €165

Before you pop the champagne and finally get the surgery you’ve been putting off, you should note that the cabinet plans on implementing this measure in 2027.

READ MORE | 9 things you need to know about Dutch health insurance as an international

Until then, the lowest deductible amount remains at €385 per year.

At the same time, the government also plans on cutting healthcare costs by halving what they call the “administrative time.”

How? Digitalization and AI — we’ll see how that goes.

Applying for allowances will be much easier

Anyone who receives an allowance in the Netherlands knows that it can be a complicated process.

Under the new cabinet, the “complicated regulations” will be simplified, and people will not be punished as quickly for making a mistake.

In the cabinet’s own words, there will be a “broad approach” to poverty and debt.

READ MORE | Toeslagen: save money with these allowances in the Netherlands

In more concrete news, the rental allowance (huurtoeslag) will be increased and there will be a high, income-dependant allowance for childcare.

Wave goodbye to being a “fake freelancer”

If there’s one thing Dutch employers love to do, it’s ask you to become a freelancer — and work for them.

No more becoming a CEO of your own business in order to deliver packages or takeaways. The cabinet will crack down on “fake freelancers” and encourage contracts for employees.

They aim to build 100,000 homes per year (but they mean it this time)

We’ve heard it before, but perhaps this cabinet is different.

The government plans on taking no prisoners when it comes to starting construction on new houses, claiming they will be much stricter with municipalities, regulations, and other issues that delay construction.

Flying far? Expect higher fares

Get all your long-distance travel done before the year 2027 if you can.

The cabinet aims on introducing a “differentiated flight tax”, with this, flights for longer journeys and with more polluting aircraft will be taxed higher.

The Dutch cabinet still believes in a two-state solution

While other governments have openly condemned Israel for their actions on the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, the Schoof government still backs a “two-state solution.”

In other words, the cabinet strives for a “sustainable solution that supports both parties” while “alleviating the serious humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip and releasing all hostages.”

On the other hand, the cabinet has taken a more solid stance when it comes to Ukraine, saying it will support the country politically, militarily, financially, and morally against Russian aggression.

We won’t have to live through a “Nexit”

Thankfully, the cabinet has clarified that we, in fact, will not have to live through a “Nexit” — at least not with them.

They want to remain a team player within the EU “also to achieve our own goals.”

Asylum seekers will have a harder time here

The new Minister of Asylum and Migration together with the new prime minister plan on declaring an asylum crisis as soon as possible.

With this, they will be able to take some harsh measures that will make life for asylum seekers in the Netherlands even harder.

So far, they plan on restricting family reunification involving adult children, assessing repeated asylum applications more strictly, and rejecting applicants who miss hearings or appointments.

However, should the cabinet label the current asylum situation in the Netherlands a crisis, they will be able to take harsher emergency measures without needing the approval of the House of Representatives.

Under these crisis laws:

  • Asylum seekers will not receive an asylum permit for an indefinite period after five years. Instead, they must return to their home countries if they are deemed safe.
  • Status holders must have a residence status for two years, housing, and sufficient income before family can join them.
  • The government will withdraw the Distribution Act
  • There will be a freeze on asylum applications
  • If necessary, people may be forcibly deported if they don’t have the right to reside

Times are certainly changing in the Netherlands.

Want the latest Dutch news to come zooming through the internet to your inbox? Dat kan! Subscribe to DutchReview’s weekly roundup 📮

Always getting checked at the self-scan? Here’s why (and how to avoid it)

Beatrice Scali 🇮🇹
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Always getting checked at the self-scan? Here’s why (and how to avoid it)

Are you allergic to time-consuming queues and awkward Dutch supermarkets’ zelfscankassas have your back. Well… until they betray you with a random check — for the twelfth time this week. But why does that happen?

We get it: you’re tired and just want to pick up what you need, quickly scan it and pay without crossing another human’s eyes (God forbid!). 

The supermarket staff’s random checks, however, are ruining this simple dream for you — a little too often. So often, in fact, that it’s starting to feel personal.

Well, according to MSN Geldzaken, it’s not — but it’s not a complete coincidence, either. 

Let’s dive into self-checkout psychology

There are four possible reasons why you’re feeling called out by your local supermarket’s selfscankassa. 👇 

1. You’re just unlucky

The most common reason why you’re getting checked so frequently is pretty simple — you might just be unlucky. 

The system determining which transactions get flagged for manual staff checks is automated, meaning that checks are almost always initiated randomly by a computer.

They are sample checks: neither you nor the staff are doing anything to influence them. 

Did you know? Supermarket staff can flag a transaction for a check if they believe something suspicious is happening, but this happens relatively rarely compared to random checks. 

2. You’re slow

Another reason you might be getting flagged for checks is that your behaviour makes the system flag your transaction as suspicious, causing a targeted check.

One such behaviour would be taking your sweet time when picking your items with a hand scanner. 

READ MORE | Cheapest supermarkets in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide in 2024

Shoplifters often roam the aisles for longer than law-abiding customers.

So, if the system thinks that the time between when you pick up your hand scanner and when you start paying is too long, you will get checked. 🤷

3. Your item selection is suspicious

Alternatively, you might be buying a suspicious amount or combination of products. 

A stolen item is harder to detect if it’s buried under dozens of other products — meaning that big grocery hauls will almost automatically call for a check. 

On the other hand, an exceptionally small transaction is also suspicious: are you sure you don’t have anything else in that basket? 🥸

Moreover, not all items are stolen equally frequently: some items, like bread or veggies, are shoplifter classics, and they will attract the algorithm’s attention. 

4. You’re in the wrong place

Lastly, you might just be shopping at a shoplifter-rich location.

Not all supermarkets are created equal — some are mostly populated by goody-two-shoes customers, while others are swarming with professional shoplifters. 

If you get checked very often, you might be shopping in the latter. 

Or maybe you just give off thief vibes. Just kidding! Unless…? 👀

Do you get checked often at Dutch supermarket self-scans? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.

The Northern Lights lit up Dutch skies last night: Here’s what it looked like

Lyna Meyrer 🇱🇺
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The Northern Lights lit up Dutch skies last night: Here’s what it looked like

If you stayed up late last night, you might have been one of the lucky ones to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights right here in the Netherlands.

Yup, as RTL reports, the aurora borealis once again made a stunning appearance over large parts of the Netherlands last night — and they were visible to the naked eye. 🤩

A fascinating show

Usually, you’d have to travel far north to places like Norway or Iceland to witness the Northern Lights. But last night, the magic happened right here in the Netherlands! 

Take a look at these gorgeous captures: 

How do the Northern Lights work?

The Northern Lights are a rare and spectacular natural phenomenon.

They occur when electrically charged particles from the sun, known as solar wind, interact with the Earth’s magnetic field.

If you missed the show this time, don’t worry! While the Northern Lights are tricky to predict, there’s always hope for another surprise show.

Did you see the Northern Lights last night? Or maybe you’ve seen them before? Let us know in the comments!

What is borrelen? The Dutch art of going for a drink with co-workers

Alexandra Huetter
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What is borrelen? The Dutch art of going for a drink with co-workers

What is borrelen? Ultimately, it’s the concept of work hard, play hard. This perfectly describes the work ethics of professionals in the Netherlands.

People in the Netherlands are dedicated. They work hard. But then, finally, Friday afternoon rolls around, and everyone starts to relax.

When is borrelen — and what is it?

It’s time for a well-deserved borrel with your colleagues. Time to let your hair down, open up that uppermost button of your shirt, and socialise.

READ MORE | 7 ways a Dutch job is different

But how could you describe borrelen to a non-Dutchie? It’s more than an after-work drink. It’s almost like a gathering of professionals collectively winding down after a long workweek with a drink.

This is what Wikipedia defines as borrelen:

  • an informal designation for a small glass of spirits
  • an informal social gathering of a select (invited) group, often with a theme

Typically, you’ll order a biertje or a glass of wine and have some snacks (borrelhapjes) with it, like bitterballen — the famous deep-fried meatballs, kaasstengels — deep-fried cheese sticks, or borrelnootjes, which are, you guessed it, deep-fried nuts. I see a pattern here.

photo-of-borrelhapjes-borrelen-bitterballen-chicken-olives-meats-on-plank
Bitterballen can’t be missing when you’re borreling. Image: Pixabay

While some might be sceptical about the offer of mainly oily, fatty snacks to accompany their drink, I’ll say the Dutch are on to something here. It’s pretty smart.

Before you start digging out your Albert Heijn pre-washed and neatly cut baby carrots, let me say this: you want something substantial to snack on during a borrel. Sticks of raw veggies are simply not cutting it.

Be smart — enjoy some borrelhapjes

Lunch is already digested (well, almost anyway). Your stomach feels empty, and those beers/wines go down way too easily.

Before you know it, you’ll feel a little tipsy and if you’re not careful, you’re lying under the table before the clock hits 8 PM.

photo-of-drunk-kermit-lying-on-floor-with-empty-alcohol-bottles
You don’t want this to happen at your office borrel. Image: Pixabay

Since borrelen doesn’t mean getting totally out of control wasted as you’re still in an office-type setting, do what the Dutch are doing, and enjoy some deep-fried snacks while drinking and socialising and you’ll keep your alcohol level under control without a problem.

The end of the workweek calls for a celebration

I had my fair share of borrels or vrijmibos (short for vrjidag middag borrel aka Friday afternoon drink) during my time working in various offices in Amsterdam.

And I have to say that I don’t miss a lot of things from my time pre-freelancing but borrelen is definitely one of them.

photo-of-people-toasting-drinks-borrelen
Nothing beats a well-deserved drink or two with colleagues after a long work week. Image: Unsplash

Sharing a well-deserved drink or two (or three..) with your colleagues at the end of a long week is a highly enjoyable bonding experience and it gives you a clean cut between the end of work and the start of the weekend.

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #91: Live their lives for the borrel at the end of the week

So, next time your Dutch colleague invites you to a borrel, you know exactly what he or she is talking about and you can enthusiastically answer: Gezellig! Let’s go!

Have experienced the art of borrelen? How did you find it? Let us know in the comments below!

Dutch autumn is officially here and the rain is sure ready to FALL

Lottie Gale 🇬🇧
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Dutch autumn is officially here and the rain is sure ready to FALL

Just as we were feeling smug about late summer here in the Netherlands with a balmy start to the month, Code Yellow showers are about to rain on our parade.

And the heavens are truly open; in the west, the rainfall in the period from September 11 to 12 is close to the average amount for the whole month. ☔

As a result of this, a Code Yellow weather warning is currently in effect across the country, the NOS reports.

A stormy start to September

We’ve already spotted some suspiciously festive kruidnoten in the shops, so it’s no surprise the Dutch weather is also putting us in a wintery mood.

There will be heavy showers and thunderstorms, with a chance of hail, particularly in the west and north today.

READ MORE | 11 must-have closet items to survive the Dutch weather

Those in the west should be aware of flooding risks; this autumn rain is no joke.

By the afternoon, showers will lighten up inland but persist in the coastal provinces, though a little bit of sun should start peeking through. 🤞

@dutchreview We said what we said 🤷‍♀️ #dutchlife #thenettherlands #dutchreview #visitnl #visitnetherlands #holland #amsterdam #utrecht #learndutch #meme #expatlife #memecut ♬ original sound – Alvie Neeley

Push through for a warmer weekend

Tuck yourselves in extra tight for a chilly night tonight, with temperatures as low as 3 or 4 degrees Celsius in the east.

But if you and your chattering teeth survive, you’ll be rewarded with what looks to be warmer, drier, and sunnier weekend.

Are you ready for the return of colder weather? Let us know in the comments below.

This pop-up store in Utrecht is selling mysterious lost packages  — and they’re super cheap

Beatrice Scali 🇮🇹
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This pop-up store in Utrecht is selling mysterious lost packages  — and they’re super cheap

Surprise, surprise! You don’t need to wait until Christmas to open packages this year. A pop-up store in Utrecht is selling very cheap, very mysterious lost packages — but only until Saturday!

The pop-up, King Colis, is at the Hoog Catharijne shopping centre and it is open from 10 AM to 8 PM until September 14. 

For as little as €1.99, you can buy a parcel that never reached its destination and finally give its mysterious contents a home. Anything could be in there — exciting, right?

How does it work?

If you’ve ever been to a thrift store, shopping at the King Colis pop-up will be quite a familiar experience for you.

The rules are simple: you wait in line for your turn, and then you have ten minutes to pick and weigh any package you want — only, you are not allowed to see what’s inside.

After taking your pick, you pay for your chosen parcels according to their weight and type: €1.99 per 100 grams for standard packages and €2.79 per 100 grams for Amazon packages.

That’s when you’re finally allowed to open your treasures, and find out whether you’ve struck gold — sometimes, literally.

People have found all sorts of stuff, including clothes, video games, sex toys… and an actual gold bar.

That is also why you must be an adult to shop at King Colis, or be accompanied by one. 

Who’s behind this?

Every year, thousands of parcels somehow miss their destination and remain unclaimed. Usually, they are destroyed — unless someone has an idea like the King Colis initiative.

King Colis was set up by two French men, Killian Denis (44) and Alexis Faure (44), who decided to buy lost parcels and re-sell them, putting them back into the economy. 

That way, not only do they not get wasted or contribute to polluting the planet, but they also have the chance to make someone happy.

Yes, that someone could be you 👀

What do you think of this initiative? Tell us in the comments below.

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