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How to speak Dutch in seven words or less

Henry Stokes
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44
How to speak Dutch in seven words or less

Do you want to learn how to speak Dutch but can’t wrap your head around the scratchy Gs and weird word order?

Sometimes keeping it short can make a world of difference when speaking a new language, so here are some easy sentences to get you going.

If you immigrated to the Netherlands, learning the language is great for work, groceries, or feeling more connected. But for some, Dutch can be a little tricky — I’ve been there!

So now, allow me to teach you the seven words you can drop into a conversation to instantly sound more native, and put a smile on some Dutch faces.

1. Lekker — nice, sweet, tasty, good etc.

You can use this word for almost anything. Pretty much anything remotely good is lekker. When applied to food, it means that the food was tasty.

Example:

🇳🇱: Hoe zijn de worsten? Heel lekker.
🇬🇧: How are the sausages? Very nice.

You can also apply it to people. A good-looking person is referred to as a lekkerding, which translates literally to a “sweet thing”.

I have discovered that this word is basically limitless. The most common Dutch saying goodnight is slaap lekker, which translates to “sleep well”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6JM1goDfkY

2. Leuk — nice, cool, fun.

This word means more or less the same thing as lekker, but it refers more to things you do —anything from having a new book to holidays or a pleasant cycle.

Example:

🇳🇱: Ik heb een nieuwe boek, leuk man.
🇬🇧: I have a new book, nice, man.

🇳🇱: Mijn vakantie was echt leuk.
🇬🇧: My vacation was really fun.

Something doesn’t necessarily need to be mind-blowing to be leuk; something as standard as taking a bath can be leuk.

So, the term can be applied to basically everything, from the mundane to the incredible.

Obviously, though, you should not use it for bad events and occurrences. Replying with leuk, man after someone tells you they attended to funeral at the weekend might not go down too well. 😬

3. Zeker — certainly, certain, definitely.

You can use this word to respond to pretty much any yes-or-no question positively.

Example:

🇳🇱: Was het leuk? Zeker man.
🇬🇧: Was it fun? Definitely, man.

After someone has made a statement, you can also use this to express agreement with the other person.

Example:

🇳🇱: Het was echt leuk. Zeker man.
🇬🇧: It was really fun. Certainly, man.

The equivalent in English would be more along the lines of “true true” to agree with what the other person said, although perhaps this is just my Australian slang.

When checking whether someone is sure about something, the word can also be phrased as a question.

Example:

🇳🇱: Zeker, man?
🇬🇧: Are you sure, man?

https://youtu.be/YIbVYFjaPVQ

4. Zo — so, Enzo — and so on.

You can add this word to the end of almost any sentence, just to round it off, and add a bit of flavour. It is like the salt of the Dutch language. It is not necessarily needed at any time, but you can use it with anything.

Zo or enzo means something along the lines of “and so on”, or “and that”.

Example:

🇳🇱: Het is echt mooi en echt lekker enzo.
🇬🇧: It is really beautiful and really nice and so on.

Enzo the equivalent of ‘etc.’ in English.

5. Mooi — pretty, beautiful, sweet, good.

Basically, anything in Dutch can be mooi, or “pretty”. Although the direct English translation will tell you it means something like “pretty”, it’s actually more along the lines of “beautiful”.

A town or a city can be mooi. A person can also be mooi.

Example

🇳🇱: Zij is heel mooi.
🇬🇧: She is really beautiful.

It does not just apply to girls, though; a guy can also be referred to as mooi.

The first time my girlfriend said I was mooi, I wasn’t sure whether she was teasing me because in English, if you say a guy is “pretty”, then it is usually because you are teasing them.

It’s like saying a guy is a “pretty boy”. You can also reply to most things with mooi zo, which translates as “beautifully so”.

Example:

🇳🇱: Ik heb een nieuwe laptop. Mooi zo.
🇬🇧: I have a new laptop. Beautiful so.

In this case, mooi zo means more like “good for you”. It might sound strange, but it just means you think what they are telling you is sweet or good in general.

6. Echt — really, really?

This word is translated simply as “really”. Similarly to the English “really” or “very”, echt can be used as an adverb.

Example:

🇳🇱: Het is echt lekker.
🇬🇧: It is really nice.

It can also be used as an exclamation, to express surprise or to ask a question, just like asking “really?” in English.

Example:

🇳🇱: Ja, het was heel mooi. Echt?
🇬🇧: Yeah, it was really beautiful. Really?!

It may have a simple meaning, but it pops up frequently in Dutch conversations, so do familiarise yourself with it.

7. Hoor — sure

This word doesn’t really translate into English. You could say it translates as “surely” or “sure”.

It works similarly to echt, functioning as an adverb. It is mostly used for added emphasis, particularly when saying something confidently, for example.

Example:

🇳🇱: Wil je wijn? Ja hoor.
🇬🇧: Do you want wine? Yeah, sure.

You can also use it to disagree with something.

Example:

🇳🇱: We komen te laat. Nee, hoor.
🇬🇧: We are going to be late? Nah, surely not.

HOWEVER, be careful how you pronounce it. Just remember, it is pronounced exactly like the word “whore” in English.

At first, I didn’t feel comfortable saying this, because I was worried I might be misunderstood. I was met with a few dirty looks from Dutch women when I started trying to use it in conversation.

I later found out I pronouncing it like the Dutch word hoer, which is actually equivalent to the English word “whore”. So be careful about that, or else you might end up sounding like Frank Reynolds from It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia.

To be more clear and also make things easier for myself, I emphasised the double O sound.

Bonus points — Man

Same as English. This word means “man”, as in the way we use “dude”.

Add it to the end of every sentence for some personality — until it gets annoying. Kinda like how Jesse Pinkman from ‘Breaking Bad’ ends every sentence with “bitch”.

Example conversations:

I wish I could say it is an exaggeration, but this is a word-for-word transcript of an actual conversation I overheard:

Hoe was Leiden man? (How was Leiden, man?)
Echt leuk man! Het was echt leuk, echt mooi en ook lekker rustig enzo. (Really fun, man! It was really fun, really beautiful and also nice and quiet.)
Echt man? (Really, man?)
Zeker man. (Definitely, man.)
Lekker man. (Nice, man.)
Mooi zo, man. (Beautifully so, man.)
Het is echt mooi enzo man. (That is really beautiful and so, man.)
Ja hoor, man. (Yeah sure, man.)

Remember these seven basic words, and you should be able to blend them into any Dutch conversation.

Just make sure to say “man” at the end of every sentence, and most importantly, learn how to pronounce hoor correctly.

Good luck! Succes!

Which of these Dutch words do you look forward to trying out? Practice it in the comments below!

Border controls for the Netherlands? These major Dutch parties are in favour

Beatrice Scali 🇮🇹
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2
Border controls for the Netherlands? These major Dutch parties are in favour

The leaders of PVV and VVD, two of the four political parties in the Dutch government coalition, have expressed that they wish to introduce border controls in the Netherlands.

The remarks follow Germany’s recent decision to introduce passport checks along its borders as of September 16.  

A long-harboured desire 

According to the NOS, PVV leader Geert Wilders and VVD faction leader Dilan Yesilgöz both claim that the intention to introduce border checks actually predates Germany’s recent move.

They maintain that, in fact, the idea was already part of the current Dutch government’s coalition agreement, which the NSC and BBB have also signed.

However, according to Wilders, the plan seemed too complicated to execute. 

That was until he witnessed Germany’s move, which made him think, “‘Gosh, we could have done it too’”.

Now, he wants to follow in Germany’s footsteps — “the sooner the better,” in his words.

What exactly these border checks would look like if implemented has not been elaborated on.

The Netherlands already carries out some border control using random or targeted checks related to specific intelligence. However, making the checks even more regular would require special permission from the EU Commission. 

Not everyone is as enthusiastic 

Regardless of what was or wasn’t written in the agreement, the third biggest party in the coalition, the NSC, might be pulling the brakes.

NSC MP Diederik Boomsma agrees that the Netherlands could have implemented border checks long before they were brought in by Germany. After all, France has also been doing the same thing. 

However, crucially, he also thinks that implementing border checks “is not the ultimate solution,” and the Netherlands should actually focus on strengthening “the EU’s external borders.”

Unsurprisingly, the opposition is also voicing concerns over the PVV and VVD’s intentions, with GL-PvdA arguing that Germany’s move, far from being an example, might be illegitimate. 

For now, the debate rages on. 

What do you think of the Netherlands potentially also introducing border checks? Let us know in the comments below.

Swap Tinder for a trolley and find love at this Dutch supermarket’s ‘flirting hour’

Lottie Gale 🇬🇧
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2
Swap Tinder for a trolley and find love at this Dutch supermarket’s ‘flirting hour’

Before checking out your groceries, you can now check out the singles in the supermarket too. A new Dutch “flirting hour” is here and ready to matchmake.

It all started with a viral TikTok in which a Spanish woman explains that between 7 and 8 PM in her local supermarket is the perfect window of opportunity for flirting.

The sign you’re on the market? Placing a pineapple upside down in your trolley.

Now we have the Dutch answer, so it’s time to shop ’til you drop (some serious game). 🔥

Let Jumbo jump-start your love life

The Romans had Cupid, the Greeks had Eros, and the Dutch have Jumbo. 💘

The big yellow supermarket is brightening up your weekly shop with its own variation on flirting hour, so forget the pineapples real quick.

READ MORE | 9 steps to flirting in Dutch (yes, that’s possible)

Instead, take a stroll down the dry goods aisle and ask yourself: would you *rusk* it all for love?

That’s right, Jumbo suggests placing a roll of rusks upside down in your trolley on any working day between 6 and 7 PM if you’re open to flirting.

As far as we know, Jumbo is not offering returns if the item — ahem, potential partner — is not to your liking. 😉

Would you partake in this new flirting hack at the supermarket? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

9 differences between Italians and Dutchies

Beatrice Scali 🇮🇹
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2
9 differences between Italians and Dutchies

When I left Italy for the Netherlands, I packed my belongings (Parmesan and pesto included) and one big assumption: that the culture shock would be minimal.  

After all, I was just moving a two-hour flight away. How different could Italian and Dutch people really be?

Very, it turns out. In at least nine ways. 

1. Italians eat a minimum of two “warm meals” per day 

What the Dutch mean by a “warm meal” has little to do with temperature, and more to do with the amount of food that is consumed, and the effort dedicated to the consumption ritual.

photo-of-plate-of-tomato-sauce-spaghetti
One plate of pasta a day keeps il dottore away 😋 Image: Dreamstime

In their kaasbroodje-powered minds, one “warm” meal per day is enough. So, they push through one sad, small sandwich at a time until about 5:30 PM, when they finally allow their famished selves a proper meal.

READ MORE | Sandwich society: A guide to lunch in the Netherlands

For Italians, having a one-hour, sitting down, tablecloth-fork-and-knife lunchbreak is a birthright.

Also, we think that 6 PM dinners should be outlawed, and teeth-owning folks should be forbidden from eating mashed food. 

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #38: Mush all of their dinner food (prakken)

The concept of only having one full meal per day is not only offensive to our stomachs, but also to our agendas: all of our plans revolve around food.

In Italy, things don’t happen in the early or late afternoon, they happen “after lunch” or “before dinner”. 

I know, that’s hard to understand when the event that’s meant to split your day into a “before” and “after” consists of just shotting down half a mug of mushroom soup at your desk. 🤦‍♀️

2. Dutchies make plans in advance — only to often cancel them

Dutch people are all cool and spontaan (spontaneous) until you hit them with a vague, last-minute invitation. What time is “after dinner”? Pure paniek. 

For the Dutch, the correct way of making plans is sending a DatumPrikker link at least one month in advance so that everyone can fill in their availability — very efficient.

@martagrena Dutch and Italians hate each other for this, and I like to think we’re Romeo and Juliet 🥲 #greenscreen #cultureshock #abroad #italians #dutch #netherlands #couple #estero #culture #fyp #fy #foryou #italy #holland #travel #boyfriend #bf #gf #girlfriend ♬ Whistle stop and move by wuki – wüki

Except, having so much time to think actually results in way more cancellations.

Italians don’t plan anything months ahead. Maybe medical appointments and weddings, but the list ends there. When they do make a plan, they consider it official, with no need for further communication.

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

Dutchies, on the other hand, need reassurance. If you don’t double-check with them, chances are that they will assume the plan is off and fill that 37-minute time slot with another activity. 

At least they will show up for it on time, though. Yes, that chill you’re feeling is from the shade I’ve just thrown at you, amici. 👀

3. Italians are physically compelled to enter every church 

Trust me when I tell you that all Italians abroad “grew up Catholic but not really practicing”…until they spot a church. They simply have to go in.

No, silly, not to pray! To sightsee.

Dutch people don’t understand the Italian urge to enter churches for touristic purposes. They either enter a church for religious reasons, because it’s now a swimming pool (yes, that happens), or not at all. 

picture-of-boekhandel-dominicanen-bookstore-in-maastricht
Imagine an Italian’s face entering this Dutch church-turned-bookstore in Maastricht 🤯 Image: Bettina Miera/Wikimedia Commons/CC4.0

Meanwhile, Italians are used to treating churches as free art museums at best and free indoor seating at worst. Regardless, they will always check them out.

Helaas, the Catholic opulence they are anticipating is rarely found in this Calvinist land.

4. Dutchies are very quiet on public transport — before midnight 

Dutchies take their stilte (silence) areas on trains very seriously, and will guard them fiercely by staring down whoever dares open their mouth.

Italians, on the other hand, see every commute as a chance for yapping and are not easily discouraged by a sign.

@dutchworld_americangirl Don’t talk if you see an S. #silentcabin #silence #NS #EUROPE #netherlands #iowagirl @dutchworld_americangirl ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

After all, are you even Italian if you don’t call mamma from the train?

However, something strange happens to the Dutchies who find themselves on trains after midnight.

No, they don’t grow fangs and start howling at the NS monitor. It’s much more sinister.

They grow huge lungs capable of singing traditional songs for hours on end, loud enough to wake their ancestors from their farmer’s sleep. 

5. Italians insist on drinking outdoors — and the politie hates it

Italians prefer drinking outside but don’t picture the Dutch terrasjes, with their neat little designated spaces on the curb. 

Think of a random public surface, like the middle of a square, with ten people plopped down on the ground. Or church steps, providing the perfect people-watching angle on said square. 

photo-of-no-alcohol-in-pubblic-spaces-amsterdam-sign
Can’t say they didn’t warn us 😬 Image: Dreamstime

In this country, however, that simple pleasure is denied. Does it stop us? No. 😎 But does it result in us pathetically apologising to the politie like they’re our parents? Sì. 😞

6. Dutchies call professors by their first name 

In the Netherlands, most administrative correspondence does end in the passive-aggressive “I trust to have informed you sufficiently”. People-to-people exchanges, however, are mostly pleasant, even between students and professors.

Meanwhile, in Italy, the perfect student email entails a 90% honorific titles to 10% actual content ratio. All for the Dear, Distinguished, Esteemed dude in question to reply “ok”.  

READ NEXT | Dutch Quirk #22: Give everyone three kisses to say hello

You can imagine our discomfort when a Dutch professor asks us to call them by their first name or replies in a friendly and timely manner. What do you mean I should “enjoy my weekend”? 

The Catholic guilt is real. 

7. Dutchies think beer is perfect for every occasion

Italians have a different go-to drink for each setting. Is it an afternoon hang-out? Espresso. An aperitivo? Aperol spritz. A night out? Mixed drinks it is.

Dutchies, however, only have one mode: biertje mode.

photo-of-people-sat-outside-at-a-sunny-terrace-bar
Dutchies never miss out on an occasion to drink beer while sitting in the sun (when it’s there!) ☀️ Image: Depositphotos

Even while clubbing, buying 13 tiny Heinekens will somehow seem like a wiser investment than buying two gin and tonics to them. Call it Dutch math!

8. Italians will go to the ER for every small health scare

Complicated insurance policies and an obscenely long waiting list can often discourage Dutch people from seeking a professional opinion on their health scares.

Add to that the Dutch doctors’ infamous habit of dismissing their patients’ symptoms, and people will often just decide to save themselves a trip, pop a paracetamol pill and hope for the best. 

Italians, however, are built different. Less robustly, you’d guess, judging by our number of visits to the ER — but also more stubborn.

READ NEXT | I had a good experience with the Dutch healthcare system, am I the only one?

We are so used to all public services being infested by bureaucracy and plagued by underfunding that we simply…go anyway. For every. Tiny. Symptom. 

We are not phased by a seven-hour wait on a plastic chair. In fact, it is almost cathartic to us. It’s a ritual, a tradition. A national pastime.

So yes, dear GGD (Municipal health service) automatic voice, we will hold. We’ll out-sing your elevator music if it comes to that. 📞

9. Italians are made of sugar 

Dutch people can go surfing in January, cycle home still dripping, and live to tell the story. Good for them.

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #117: Constantly check Buienradar

Italians, however, like to be dry in public. 

Hair dryers are our best friends. No matter the temperature, we will blow-dry our hair, lest we catch the infamous “colpo d’aria” (air blow) — the culprit of all Italian ailments. 

photo-of-two-people-walking-by-an-amsterdam-canal-while-holding-umbrellas
Italian law prevents us from leaving Amsterdam without at least one souvenir umbrella ☂️ Image: Dreamstime

We also carry an umbrella everywhere, and we’re not ashamed of opening it after (1) drop of rain. 

However, there is something faster than an Italian’s movement to whip out their umbrella: the Dutch passersby’s urge to comment “je bent niet van suiker gemaakt”, you are not made of sugar. 

What if I am, Joost? Will you make me warm milk and tuck me in when I catch a fatal cold? Will you, though? Please, I’m lonely. 🥺

These were just nine differences between Dutchies and Italians that I’ve noticed so far. Are there more? Natuurlijk. Are there enough to put us off interacting with each other? Never. 🥰

After all, if there is one thing Dutch and Italian people have in common, it’s that we never miss out on a chance to complain.

Deep down, we love bickering over these tiny cultural clashes, especially in front of a good Prosecco. Or beer? 😉

What other differences between Italian and Dutch culture can you think of? Tell us all about it in the comments below.

Is this desk and chair combo the ultimate Dutch home office setup? [Flexispot E7 Pro and BS12 Pro Review]

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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0
Is this desk and chair combo the ultimate Dutch home office setup? [Flexispot E7 Pro and BS12 Pro Review]

Like many in the Netherlands, I spend a lot of my working hours working from home.

However, I too often find myself hunched over my dining table, cramping at a too-small desk, or shifting awkwardly at my kitchen counter.

So when the chance came to review Flexispot’s E7 Pro Standing Desk and BS12 Pro Ergonomic Chair, I (and my back) said, “Hell yes.”

photo-of-desktop-with-laptop-keyboard-mouse-on-top-with-banana-plant-in-background
Firstly, can we appreciate how sleek it looks? Image: Samantha Dixon

I’ll disclose here that I was gifted these items in return for my unbiased review: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The lowdown on the E7 Pro

Flexispot’s E7 Pro is one in a formidable line-up of standing desks. The website boasts that it:

  • is aesthetic (I can’t deny this one) with C-shaped legs that allow plenty of leg space
  • includes a magnetic, hidden cable organiser that installs in one second
  • contains an improved motor, with a load capacity of 160 kilograms and an anti-collision system
  • has an LED screen with four preset heights and a USB charger

So did it live up the the claims? Let’s take a look.

It’s aesthetic, for sure

While ordering, I was given the option on the website to choose the desk’s frame (white or black), the material and colour of the desktop, and finally, the size.

Wanting to keep my apartment light and airy, I chose white legs and a bamboo benchtop — and what a choice.

The legs are heavy-duty metal, which means they’re a little heavy but incredibly solid. Combined with the bamboo top, which is smooth, natural-looking, and a definite vibe, I was happy. The bamboo detailing on the edge is a really nice touch.

close-up-of-bamboo-edging-on-desk-with-banana-plant-on-background
The finishes are smooth, and the coffee cups leave no stains — what a win. Image: Samantha Dixon

I chose the 140×80 centimetre option because I wanted some space to spread out. To be honest, for my little office space, I could have gone smaller — but hey, I’ve got desktop for days, and my empty coffee cups love to spread out.

The magnetic cable organiser is the bomb

I’m a fan of pretending that everything, including literal cable chargers, are wireless — so tucking them away in the cable organiser was a natural fit.

closeup-of-magnetic-cable-organiser-under-desk-with-white-and-black-cord-running-behind
The cable organiser can be installed facing either way. Image: Samantha Dixon

The organiser also lives up to the claim that it installs in one second. I know, because I accidentally kicked it off at one point and was tasked with putting it back.

The motor leaves nothing to be desired

I’m a regular user, not a standing desk expert: but I can say that I would ask nothing more from a standing desk.

I’ve previously tested desks that are manual with a handle you have to crank to go up and down. Let me tell you, this desk is a breeze.

photo-of-woman-sitting-crosslegged-on-standing-desk-at-full-height-next-to-banana-plant
You can pile up to 160 kilos on this thing, so obviously, I had to climb on board. Image: Samantha Dixon

The motor is incredibly quiet, runs smoothly, and is fast enough that you don’t get bored and have to put on TikTok while you wait.

And does the anti-collision work? You betcha. When I bumped the desk up against my windowsill and pushed the Up button, as soon as it hit an immovable surface, it stopped in a second (with a little jolt, but hey, it stopped!).

The controls are easy to use

Finally, the controls. I was really impressed at how responsive they are. There are seven touch buttons: Up, Down, Sit, Stand, Preset 1, Preset 2, and Memory (M). The exact height is shown on an LED display.

photo-of-closeup-of-control-panel-on-flexispot-e7-pro-desk
While the controls initially look a bit confusing, they’re unexpectedly simple to set and use. Image: Samantha Dixon

It took me two clicks to save my favourite heights by clicking “Memory” and then the preset I wanted to save it to. From there, it was just one click of the preset for the desk to rise or lower to my favourite spot.

Delivery and installation

The desk was delivered by a courier and, through pure luck, they were ridiculously friendly. They even waited while I biked frantically to receive the parcel. These results aren’t typical, but shout-out to my delivery driver, what a smile.

I’ll admit that I pawned off installation to my father-in-law, so I asked him for his thoughts on the process. Here’s what he said:

“Het is makkelijk,” (It’s easy), he said, as a man of few words. When pressed, he expanded:

“All the tools were included, I could understand the instructions, and it took about half an hour to put together.”

I highly recommend making it in the room you are going to use it in. It was heavy to shuffle around the house and a bit awkward to fit through doorways, but at least it was a good workout.

Get it now

The chair, give them the chair!

In a separate package came potentially the best desk chair I have ever used (and again, I’ve promised an unbiased review and am sticking to that).

The BS12 Pro Ergonomic Desk Chair looks like something a villain would sit on — a villain that cares about their spine health.

photo-of-flexispot-b12-pro-chair-at-standing-desk-with-banana-plant-in-background
Basically a La-Z-Boy. Image: Samantha Dixon

This chair features height, back angle, and seat depth adjustment. The armrests can be adjusted up and down, backwards and forwards, or pivot inwards and outwards.

It’s a dream to sit on, my only gripe is that I wish it came in more colours. It’s currently available in grey or black, but hey, villains can’t be choosy.

Gimme the chair!

Have you tried a standing desk or ergonomic chair you love? Share it in the comments below!

New to the Netherlands? 8 reasons why bunq is the ideal bank for internationals

Ailish Lalor
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9
New to the Netherlands? 8 reasons why bunq is the ideal bank for internationals

So you just moved to the Netherlands, and you need to sort out your finances. Picking and opening a bank account in a new country doesn’t have to be a hassle — not with bunq, at least. 

This Dutch bank is shaking up the banking and finance sector, so here are eight reasons why we believe bunq is the ideal bank for expats in the Netherlands. 

This post might have affiliate links that help us write the articles you love, at no extra cost to you. Read our statement.

1. bunq is THE easiest bank to sign up to

bunq is a completely digital bank, so there’s no need to go to a physical building — which is incredibly convenient for digital nomads and people who often travel for work and school. 

You can access all of bunq’s services on your phone from the comfort of your home, including signing up.

person-holding-phone-with-bunq-app-open-on-it
Keep track of all your finances in one place. Image: bunq

You can set up your account with bunq in just a few steps, and while most Dutch banks won’t let you sign up without a BSN (which can take weeks to get), bunq lets you open an account before you get this crucial number.

2. bunq offers different types of accounts for different needs

Whether you’re an expat with a family or an easy-going freelancer, bunq has all kinds of plans for your financial needs. 

person-pulling-bunq-debit-car-out-of-pocket-of-corduroy-shirt
All bunq accounts come with a digital or physical debit card (or both!). Image: bunq

The most common account, bunq Pro, is perfect for users who want the best exchange rates, a local IBAN, and 24/7 online support — for just €9.99 per month. 

Tip: bunq has four main types of accounts: bunq Free, bunq Core, bunq Pro, and bunq Elite. Each one has different perks and features, including access to physical and digital bank cards, ATM withdrawals, invoicing, and travel insurance, among other needs.

Open a bunq account

You can also open a subaccount to enjoy a high interest rate on your savings, now a whopping 2.01% in the Netherlands. Who doesn’t want to save a little extra money nowadays?

Speaking of extra money, let’s get to the good stuff: cashback! With a bunq Elite account, you can get 1% cashback on restaurants and bars (perfect for that Dutch beer you’ll be drinking) and 2% cashback on public transport. 💸

3. You can pay for things abroad with a bunq account

bunq makes travel expenses a lot easier too. Offering both a debit or credit Mastercard, bunq makes sure you’ll have worldwide coverage — but what’s the difference? 

First, both Mastercard Debit and Mastercard Credit don’t offer spending credits, so it’s easy to keep track of the money coming in and out of your accounts. 

You can access your Mastercard Debit easily via your bunq accounts, which makes it super easy to pay for things like meals and souvenirs when travelling abroad.

Person-paying-for-coffee-with-mobile-phone
Pay for your holidays and travel, stress-free. Image: Freepik

Got a bigger travel expense coming up, such as a car rental or your hotel room? Then you’ll likely be asked to pay a deposit ahead of time. That’s where your credit card comes in.

With your Mastercard credit card from bunq, you enjoy the full extent, perks, and acceptability of a normal credit card — without the risk of accumulating debt. Win-win!

4. You can save money when exchanging currencies with bunq

Sending money home is a common thing to do when you’re living and working abroad. Luckily, transferring money has never been easier. 

Currently, bunq allows you to send money in 39 different currencies without charge. The only thing you need to take into account is the real exchange rate.

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Transferring money across the world is so much easier now! Image: Depositphotos

You can save up to 3% on each transaction, which is perfect for someone who travels a lot or needs to transfer money often.

5. bunq’s app and customer service operate in seven languages

When it comes to complicated questions about your finances, you want to be able to understand everything clearly. 

That’s why bunq offers you the ability to read their website and operate the app in seven languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Portuguese and, of course, Dutch. 

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Your app, your language. Image: bunq

If you need help from bunq’s customer service team, you can also talk to them in any of the seven languages above.

Tip: If you would rather talk to someone in a language other than the seven offered in the app, that’s also possible. The customer service chat feature is enabled through Google Translate, so you can get your questions answered and problems solved in a language you’re comfortable in.

6. You can plant trees by spending money with bunq

People are becoming more conscious of the environment, and it is especially important for us to try to lessen our impact on the climate. bunq allows you to do just that. 

READ MORE | How do the Dutch feel about climate change?

By simply spending money with bunq, you contribute to a greener planet. How so, you ask? Well, for every €100 you spend with your bunq Elite account, bunq plants a tree. 🌳

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Banking made sustainable! Image: bunq

(We’re not encouraging financial irresponsibility, of course — but even if you’re bad with money, you won’t be bad for the planet with your bunq Elite account. 👀) 

Don’t have an Elite account? No worries! bunq also plants one tree for every €1,000 spent with any other subscription.

It won’t singlehandedly save the planet, of course — but luckily, bunq also lets you choose how the company’s money is invested. No coal mining or gambling companies? No problem!

7. bunq will help you with fraud detection and resolution on-the-go

It’s basically everyone’s worst nightmare to realise you’ve lost your bank card or that you’ve been the subject of fraud. 

With bunq, it’s easy to protect your money. If you realise you left your card in a restaurant or shop, then you can instantly freeze it on the app — no need to make calls and listen to Muzak hold music. 

Even better, bunq’s optional localised card protection feature gives extra protection by only letting card payments be authorised if they happen within a 100-kilometre distance of your device.

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Quickly find out what’s going on with your bank account with bunq’s customer service and fraud detection services. Image: Freepik

You can also opt to get a notification each time your card is used so that any suspicious payments will be obvious to you instantly. 

8. You can get travel insurance for you and your family

Travelling is great — but it’s even better when you can enjoy it knowing you’re insured if anything should go wrong. With bunq, you can do just that.

With an Elite subscription, you can take advantage of bunq’s travel insurance of up to €2,500,000. 

The best part? If you’re travelling with your family, the insurance applies not only to you but also to your loved ones who are joining your adventure. Does it get any better than this? We think not.

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Travel with peace of mind. Image: Depositphotos

To be eligible for this perk, you must: 

  • Have a bunq Elite subscription;
  • Not be travelling against medical advice;
  • Be under 75 years old at the start of your trip; and
  • Comply with the requirements of your public transport carrier while travelling.

Ready for bunq? Here are your account options

Everything about bunq feels like the future. If you’ve decided that this is the bank for you, then all that’s left to do is to decide what sort of account you want with them.

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Consider different banking options to find the one that suits you best. Image: Freepik

bunq for the people

A personal account at bunq has loads of advantages, but the two that stuck out to us were the high-interest rates you get on your money — up to nine times what you get at other banks, paid monthly.

On top of that, bunq only invests ethically, so your money won’t end up funding climate change.

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Review your personal finances easily. You can even share accounts with a partner! Image: Freepik

You can have up to 25 sub-accounts so you can save money for a house, that trip abroad, or plane tickets to see your family.

bunq for businesses

bunq does also have options for business bank accounts if you want to get extra perks for your company or freelance business, or if you just want to keep your business expenses on a separate account away from your personal finances.

READ MORE | ZZP? The ultimate guide to being a freelancer in the Netherlands

Say goodbye to confusing jargon and language barriers! Equipped with a simple, sleek interface, innovative features, and an easy-to-use banking system, bunq is the perfect bank for anyone’s financial needs. Now go forth with a new sense of financial freedom!

Sign up for bunq

Have you used bunq before? Tell us about your experiences in the comments below.

You’ll now need your passport to enter GERMANY from the Netherlands

Beatrice Scali 🇮🇹
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You’ll now need your passport to enter GERMANY from the Netherlands

Starting next Monday, September 16, Germany will enforce passport controls along all of its land borders for at least six months. Helaas, that includes the Dutch-German border, too.

Through this drastic measure, the German government hopes to reduce the number of people entering the country without a valid visa, the NOS reports. 

What changes for the Dutch?

How exactly Germany plans to implement checks along the entirety of its 3,767-kilometre land border remains unclear.

The practical implications for neighbouring countries are also yet to be defined.

READ NEXT | The 19 biggest differences between Germany and the Netherlands

However, the Dutch Minister of Asylum and Migration, Marjolein Faber (PVV), has already stated that she understands Germany’s decision.

In fact, Faber wishes to cooperate with Germany to strengthen border control not only between the two countries, but also in the rest of the EU.

As such, individuals travelling to Germany from the Netherlands are likely to be affected.

Goods travelling across the border, however, may be spared the hassle. Faber has announced that she will work with Germany to minimise the measure’s impact on trade. 

What about the Schengen treaty?

You might be wondering how this is legal, considering that EU rules are supposed to guarantee freedom of movement across Schengen countries. 

Well… it is! Apparently, if a country has good reason to implement border checks, does so extraordinarily and temporarily, and requests the European Commission’s permission beforehand, the measure is allowed. 

READ NEXT | Roadtrips from the Netherlands to Germany: a guide to your summer getaways

Germany has complied with all of the above, citing social and political pressure caused by terrorism and cross-border crime threats as the reason for tightening its borders. 

It is not the first country to obtain permission to disregard Schengen rules, either: Sweden, Denmark, France, Austria, Slovenia, and Italy have also done it recently. 

Just how temporary and extraordinary this measure will be, then, remains to be seen.

What do you think of Germany’s decision? Let us know in the comments below.

Over 20 strikes to hit the Netherlands this week: Here’s how they’ll affect you

Lottie Gale 🇬🇧
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4
Over 20 strikes to hit the Netherlands this week: Here’s how they’ll affect you

It’s not just commuting that will be almost impossible at points this week — large-scale strikes by vital professions across the country will cause major disruptions.

Job strikers want their early retirement scheme, which expires next year, to become permanent — and the FNV trade union supports their action.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly reports that public transport would not run between 4 AM and 8 PM on Wednesday, September 11. The correct timeframe would have been between 4 AM and 8 AM, and the article has been updated to reflect this.

Multiple industries will take action

In addition to the urban and regional transport strikes which started today, several other industries — including the police construction, and cleaning companies — are also taking action.

These are all heavy professions affected by the expiring retirement measure, so here’s a breakdown of the key actions you should note. 👇

Transport

We’ve known for a while that tomorrow, September 11, it will be almost impossible to travel on public transport.

In addition to several regional transport providers going on strike, buses, trams, and trains from NS, Arriva, Transdev (Connexxion), Keolis, EBS, Qbuzz will also not run between 4 AM and 8 AM.

READ MORE | Public transport in the Netherlands: the complete guide

During these times, HTM, GVB, and RET will be the only options running.

Police

The police are taking multiple actions as part of their strike, as reported by AD.

One way is officer absence from football matches, which has already caused match cancellations.

They are also issuing fewer fines for minor violations this week, and bailiffs cannot count on police assistance.

READ MORE | Dutch police shut stations for entire day as part of strike

And there will be no intervention in a climate march by Extinction rebellion towards the A12, which lasts from September 8 to 14.

Healthcare

While healthcare workers are not stopping their work, their action includes a photo moment and some employees are taking longer breaks.

Pharmacies, however, are on strike — for the first time EVER according to the CNV trade union.

READ MORE | Pharmacies in the Netherlands: 8 questions answered

The pharmacy strikes are currently happening regionally, but a national strike has not been ruled out.

So far, pharmacy workers have been taking precise breaks and not opening early or closing late without pay.

Other occupations

Strikes elsewhere among important professions include dock workers, who will stop working for four hours on Saturday evening.

Then, on Monday, cleaners from all over the Netherlands will also strike.

How do you feel about this week’s mass strike action? Let us know in the comments below.

Dutch Quirk #12: Be obsessed with peanut butter

Jen Lorimer 🇿🇼
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0
Dutch Quirk #12: Be obsessed with peanut butter

You’re at work and the clock strikes 12.30: lunchtime! Time for your leftover pasta — mmm 🤤. Meanwhile, your Dutch colleague shows up holding half a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter.

That’s right, anyone who’s spent a certain amount of time around Dutchies will notice that they’re pretty obsessed with the jars of nutty goodness.

They can even be found carrying around the peanut cheese (pindakaas), as it’s known in the Netherlands, around with them in their bag. 🥜

What is it?

The Dutch obsession with peanut butter is culturally and historically ingrained — yeah, Calvé peanut butter has a bit of a cult following in the Netherlands.

Dutchies, it seems, are much more die-hard fans of peanut butter than other Europeans.

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #32: Eat a lot of very questionable snack food

This may be because modern Dutch cuisine is so intertwined with that of its former colonies, Indonesia and Suriname.

Another reason for this obsession may be literal indoctrination — yep, every Dutchie will remember those Calvé commercials on TV.

Infamous annual camping holidays to France are accompanied by the seemingly superior Dutch pindakaas (peanut butter).

If it were us, we’d be smearing a different nutty spread (Nutella 🤤) on our baguettes — just saying. 🥖

Why do they do it?

With their reputation for being a bit stingy and ever so efficient, it’s safe to say that peanut butter is a Dutch superfood — it’s quick, nutritious, and cheap.

READ MORE | Snackbars in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide

A little bird also told us that peanut butter might also be the secret as to why Dutchies are so tall. We can’t verify this, though. 😉

Why is it quirky? 

Don’t get us wrong, peanut butter sandwiches are great, it’s not their taste for the stuff that’s quirky.

We’ve never seen people in other countries routinely whipping a whole jar of peanut butter from their bags at work.

Should you join in? 

Sure! Peanut butter is delicious and you can use it in tons of different things — smoothies, cookies, curries….

But if you are going to participate in the tradition of the pindakaas boterham (sandwich) at work, it might be a good idea to make it at home.

Your bag will be lighter, and your back will thank you. 🎒

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

Online casinos in the Netherlands brace for change after parliament votes in favour of total advertising ban

DutchReview Crew
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Online casinos in the Netherlands brace for change after parliament votes in favour of total advertising ban

In July of 2023, the Netherlands imposed a ban on advertising gambling out in the open, on our TV screens, in magazines, and over the radio. However, online advertisements are still allowed — at least for now.

The Dutch parliament has since voted in favour of banning online advertisements for gambling sites, which means even our phones and computers may soon be safe from gambling adverts.

In April of 2024, a majority in the Dutch House of Representatives supported a motion to completely ban online advertisements for gambling. This will result in a total ban on gambling advertisements in the Netherlands. 

So, what does this mean for Dutch online casinos? 

Should this motion be brought into law, even the best Dutch online casinos, presented at iGaming.com, won’t be allowed to advertise online. 

Currently, online casinos are allowed to advertise online as long as these ads meet certain requirements implemented in 2023.

In 2023, the Dutch government imposed a ban on untargeted advertising by gambling sites — meaning their adverts cannot be seen by just anyone (such as 18-year-old boys). 

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Many people became addicted to online gambling. Image: Freepik

According to this restriction, ads are still allowed online, but gambling sites are required to take “the best available measures” to avoid advertising to people under the age of 24 or vulnerable groups such as gambling addicts. 

As part of this, they have to prove “using the best available techniques” that 95% of people reached through online advertising were above the age of 24. They also had to give people who would see these online advertisements the choice to opt out of being shown them.

However, in 2024, many members of the House of Representatives believe these restrictions aren’t enough, and an outright ban may soon be implemented.

SP and others are against online advertising for gambling

The motion to completely ban online advertising for the gambling industry was brought forward by a member of the SP. 

According to this member, “the market is sick through and through”, and something needs to change.

Indeed, in 2021, the Dutch loosened the reigns on advertisements for Dutch gambling services. Online gambling sites were allowed to advertise across television, radio, online, and outdoor posters. 

The result? Companies went overboard, spending nearly a quarter of a billion on advertising during this time period. The Netherlands became inundated with gambling advertisements — and surprise, surprise, this was a problem. 

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The cabinet wants to put an end to this. Image: Freepik

Waarom (why)? Many vulnerable people in the Netherlands became addicted to gambling. 

The argument was made that the results of this deluge of advertisements that started in 2021 still live on — even after new restrictions were brought in 2023 and 2024.

One way to put a complete end to it is by extending the ban to the realm of online advertising. (No less than six motions regarding the Dutch gambling industry were voted on.) 

The motion to ban online advertising for the gambling industry has received support from a majority of the House of Representatives, with GroenLinks-PvdA, NSC, CDA and CU voting in favour of the motion.

Not everyone was in favour

However, not everyone supported his motion. 

In fact, the previous Minister for Legal Protection — the outgoing minister at the time of the vote — wanted to wait and see if the current and impending restrictions would be enough in the long run. 

These impending restrictions include the ban on event sponsorship, implemented in July 2024, and an upcoming ban on sports sponsorship in July 2025. 

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A majority is in favour of the ban. Image: Depositphotos

The SP member argued that there was no need to wait. The damage from 2021’s era of wild advertising offered enough justification for the motion to be passed — and the rest of parliament agreed.

Not the only successful motion

As we mentioned, no less than six motions regarding the gambling industry were submitted, with many supported by the parliament. 

One notable motion was a ban on “online gambling with a demonstrably high risk.” This includes online slot machines, which were used as an example in this motion. 

According to the motion, gambling games such as online slot machines are games of chance that leave players with no control over the outcome. It was also argued that they are highly addictive because the time you have to wait to see if your gamble is worthwhile is very short. 

READ MORE | The Netherlands might be getting a new tax bracket: here’s how you could benefit from it

Should this ban be implemented, online casinos must brace for a lot of change (and not the monetary kind.) Recent statistics have shown that as much as 77% of turnover for online gambling companies is generated by online casino games such as online slot machines. 

Should a ban on such games be implemented, that turnover may take a significant hit.

The industry reacts 

Members of the gambling industry argue that a total ban on online advertising would have adverse effects.

They argue that by placing such heavy restrictions on legal gambling sites, they may instead push Dutch gamblers to illegal sites.  

Some experts are already reporting that they are seeing a slow drop in the number of customers channelling into the legal Dutch market — which means they must be going elsewhere. 

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The experts have other opinions. Image: Freepik

Instead, they have some suggestions for how things should be handled. 

They argue that the government should focus on penalising those who run illegal gambling sites as opposed to placing restrictions on legal avenues. 

They also believe that legal channels offering gambling information should be allowed. 

Why? Because people who find these sources of info don’t stumble across them, they usually want to gamble. At least this way, they argue, they will be guided towards legal options. 

Are you affected by online gambling advertisements? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below! 

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