Burnout in the workplace: Your rights as an employee in the Netherlands

DutchReview Crew

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May 15, 2025

Burnout in the workplace: Your rights as an employee in the Netherlands

Written by Seliz Demirci, employment lawyer at GMW lawyers.

Burnout can happen to anyone and almost always leads to an inability to work. It’s important to get the necessary medical help and focus on recovery. So, how can you do this in the Netherlands?

When dealing with burnout, many may first want to sit down and discuss how to tackle it with their employer.

However, as an international employee, it’s very important to be aware of your obligations and rights during sick leave in the Netherlands before you do so.

We teamed up with the employment experts at GMW lawyers to bring you this article. If you’re struggling with burnout symptoms, they can help you navigate this tricky situation with your employer. Reach out to them if you need help.

Recognising burnout symptoms

Before we get into the legal matters, it’s important to first determine whether or not you’re suffering from burnout. Reading an article about it? That might be indicator number one.

But seriously, tension at work can have a very real negative effect on your health and lead to burnout symptoms.

photo-of-international-woman-lying-on-couch-dealing-with-workplace-burnout-in-the-Netherlands — The first step is to determine whether you have symptoms of burnout. Image: Freepik

Consider, for example, long-term overwork — which is a regular occurrence in today’s tight labour market. This often leads to additional pressure on staff members.

It could also be that there’s a conflict between you and your manager or a colleague and, as a result of this, you may experience stress symptoms and become unable to perform your duties to the best of your abilities.

Typical symptoms of burnout include:

Feeling drained,
Feeling unable to cope,
Being unable to sleep,
Being sad, angry, irritable or not caring,
Using more alcohol or other substances,
Developing heart disease, high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes,
Being more likely to get sick.

Recognise a few of these? You may be suffering from occupational burnout.

Burnout and Dutch labour law

In the Netherlands, your employer has a duty of care. This means Dutch law stipulates that an employer must observe good employment practices.

This is largely thanks to what is known as the Working Conditions Act (Arbowet), which is very important when it comes to protecting employees against health risks, including burnout.

photo-of-international-employee-sitting-at-desk-in-the-Netherlands-looking-stressed-dealing-with-burnout — Being burnt out doesn’t mean the end of your career in the Netherlands. You have many employee rights that will help you. Image: Freepik

The Working Conditions Act obliges employers to create and maintain a safe and healthy working environment. For example, the Act includes provisions on taking breaks and the maximum working hours an employee can work per week.

The prevention of psychosocial workload, which includes stress and burnout, also falls under the employer’s duty of care. No distinction is made in this respect. After all, burnout may manifest itself physically in some people, while it may manifest mentally in others.

Steps to take when you’re experiencing burnout

If you are experiencing burnout symptoms and can no longer perform your duties, the first step is simple.

Notify your employer

You can call in sick by sending your employer a message. Does your employment contract or staff handbook contain more specific instructions on calling in sick? Great, follow these.

photo-of-woman-on-couch-looking-down-at-phone-notifying-Dutch-employer-about-her-workplace-burnout — It’s important to notify your employer of your burnout. Image: Freepik

However, what’s important to remember is that you do not have to give a reason for your illness when reporting sick.

Consult with a company doctor

So, what happens next? It’s up to your employer to involve the company doctor to assess your incapacity for work.

The company doctor is not a doctor who gives you medical treatment. Instead, they will:

Advise you and your employer about your incapacity for work,
the expected duration of your sick leave,
the extent to which you can or cannot perform your duties,
and whether there are any steps that can be taken to stimulate your return to work.

Follow the company doctor’s advice

As an employee, you are obliged to attend a consultation with the company doctor.

Making yourself unavailable to the company doctor, failure to attend consultations or not following their advice will be considered a violation of your reintegration obligations.

This can have consequences on your salary payments.

Sick leave in the Netherlands when struggling with burnout

Speaking of your salary, what happens to this when you’re burnt out? How will you keep a roof over your head? Let’s walk through your rights when it comes to sick leave in the Netherlands.

Under Dutch law, an employee is entitled to a continued payment of salary for up to 104 weeks of illness. By law, this must be at least 70% of your salary and correspond to at least the national minimum wage.

photo-of-woman-lying-on-couch-with-burnout-taking-sick-leave-from-work-in-the-Netherlands — When you take sick leave for burnout in the Netherlands, you will receive at least 70% of your pay. Image: Freepik

However, this rule may be deviated from in the employee’s favour. For example, many employers agree with their employees to continue paying 100% of the salary in the first year of illness and 70% in the second year. However, they are not obliged to do this.

Just how much salary you receive depends on your specific employment situation. You should be able to find the stipulated provisions concerning pay during sick leave in your employment contract, an employee handbook or, if applicable, a collective labour agreement.

Can you be fired due to burnout?

In principle, a prohibition to terminate your employment contract applies during sick leave. Put simply, this means that your employment contract may not be terminated unless the termination is unrelated to your illness.

This is often difficult for employers to prove. As a result, the prohibition on termination during illness is interpreted broadly. This means the prohibition applies even if you are partially working and partially on sick leave — in other words, as long as you have not made a full recovery.

However, once you reach 104 weeks of illness, your employer no longer has to pay your salary and can terminate your employment due to long-term illness.

It must then be established that your employer has fulfilled their reintegration obligations and that no recovery is expected in the next 26 weeks.

Do you want to understand your obligations during sick leave better, hold your employer liable for your burnout, or is your employer not fulfilling their reintegration obligations? Reach out to GMW lawyers. They are happy to advise international employees of their rights.

What if your Dutch employer doesn’t support you?

If your employer doesn’t take your burnout seriously, it’s up to the company doctor to assess your situation and advise them.

If your employer doesn’t believe you’re suffering from burnout, you can turn to the company doctor. Image: Freepik

If the doctor agrees that you are suffering from burnout, then you can’t be obliged to return to work until the company doctor advises it.

If your employer doesn’t want to comply with the company doctor’s report, it’s time to seek legal advice.

Do you disagree with the company doctor’s advice? Then you can request a second opinion from another company doctor or ask for an expert’s opinion from the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV).

Reintegration after burnout

During your sick leave, you must remain available to your employer (unless the company doctor explicitly advises that this is not in the interest of your recovery) and you must cooperate in drawing up a reintegration plan.

As part of this plan, you may start with reintegration for a few hours a week and will be given a modified workload by your employer. This should always be in accordance with the advice of the company doctor.

The first track of reintegration

During reintegration, the first step is to see if suitable work can be found or organised for you with your current employer.

This could consist of doing part or all of your current job, but other work with your employer can also be considered. This is called the first track of reintegration.

Within this first track, the possibilities of adapting your work, making adjustments to your workplace, partially resuming your work or scheduling your shifts at different times are considered. These possibilities are included in the Action Plan for your reintegration.

The second track of reintegration

In the second year of sick leave, the so-called second track programme begins.

In the second track, the focus is not only on returning to your current employer but also to other suitable positions outside the organisation.

Burnout is never a pleasant experience, but that doesn’t mean you should immediately lose your job and your income.

In the Netherlands, you are protected by acts, unions and employment law, so familiarise yourself, take the steps you need to take, and — most importantly — take a break.

Have you experienced workplace burnout in the Netherlands? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.

Dutch children are the happiest in the world (yet again!)

Emanuela Occhipinti

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May 15, 2025

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Dutch children are the happiest in the world (yet again!)

According to UNICEF’s latest research, Dutch children are officially the happiest kids in the world. Not bad for a country that spends half its time under the rain.

How did they reach this conclusion? It’s not as simple as asking children to give a thumbs up or thumbs down.

UNICEF’s Innocenti Report Card 19 ranks countries based on factors such as mental and physical health, life satisfaction, and academic skills.

The top three? The Netherlands, Denmark, and France — which sounds suspiciously like the start of an interesting Eurovision lineup.

Dutch children are pretty satisfied

Ok, so why should parents in the Netherlands feel smug right now?

Between 2018 and 2022, life satisfaction among Dutch children barely budged, dipping just slightly from 90% to 87%. In a world full of chaos, that’s pretty impressive.

It turns out that bikes, stroopwafels, and a healthy work-life balance might actually do wonders for a child’s mood.

Let’s get into the specifics. Dutch kids rank first in the world for mental health, fourth for physical wellbeing, and 11th for skills.

Let’s take a look at the top ten countries overall. 👇

Ranking	Country	Mental Health	Physical Health	Skills
1	Netherlands	1	4	11
2	Denmark	3	3	8
3	France	11	2	9
4	Portugal	2	10	22
5	Ireland	24	11	1
6	Switzerland	13	7	6
7	Spain	4	25	16
8	Croatia	9	31	3
9	Italy	8	16	23
10	Sweden	14	13	14

But don’t brag too much yet

However, it’s not all sunshine. The report also revealed a worrying trend: academic skills are slipping.

Despite being among the happiest, Dutch 15 year olds experienced a drop in functional literacy and numeracy, from 66% down to just 49%.

In other words, more than half of them may now struggle with basic maths or reading.

The culprit? Unsurprisingly, the pandemic. School closures and remote learning left a mark, proving once again that trying to learn algebra over Zoom is no one’s idea of a good time.

Let’s end on a positive note

However, it’s very important to note that COVID-19 has had no effect on their social and emotional skills, meaning that 15 year olds are still capable of making friends, even if it’s from behind a screen.

While Dutch kids may be smiling, there’s still work to be done to keep both their spirits and their grades high.

Do you agree with these findings? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

Stay away from the NATO summit in The Hague, the US tells Zelensky

Liana Pereira 🇱🇰

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May 15, 2025

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Stay away from the NATO summit in The Hague, the US tells Zelensky

Preparations for the NATO summit are in full swing, but there’s already drama brewing: the US doesn’t want Ukraine’s President Zelensky to attend. 👀

For the first time since 1949, the Netherlands is hosting a NATO summit — and it’s a vital meeting for international peace and security.

Unfortunately, a complication has just sprung up: according to NATO sources, the Trump administration doesn’t want Ukraine to attend.

Russia strongly opposes Ukraine joining NATO

As reported by the BBC, Russia is vehement that Ukraine shouldn’t become a NATO member, as this might bring “NATO forces too close to its borders.”

With President Trump attempting to act as a mediator between the two warring countries, AD notes that the US is reluctant to ignore Russia’s demands on this particular issue.

In the past, Trump has also claimed that Ukraine can “forget about” joining NATO. 👇

However, NATO itself strongly asserts that Russia “does not have a veto” and that all 32 allies have given Ukraine the green light to join the alliance.

Will Trump, himself, attend? Sources say “yes”

While there’s much speculation as to whether President Donald Trump will show up, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that there is “no reason to assume” he’ll give the summit a miss.

In April, Secretary General Mark Rutte flew to the US to meet with Trump in preparation for the NATO summit.

Their meeting was “focused primarily on the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague”, with a special emphasis on “efforts to bring a just and lasting end to the war against Ukraine”.

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

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands: how an Argentinian became a Dutch royal

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪

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May 15, 2025

11

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands: how an Argentinian became a Dutch royal

Queen Máxima is the first non-European and a “commoner” to join the Dutch Royal Family.

But who is Queen Maxima, and how did she become a beloved Dutch royal? Here’s a tale of adventure, travel, acceptance, and a hint of scandal.

Queen Máxima: the first Argentinian on the Dutch throne

Queen Máxima was born in 1971 in Buenos Aires, Argentina as Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti. While she would not become well known until her engagement to King Willem-Alexander and is technically a “commoner”, Máxima has quite an interesting heritage.

Photo-of-Queen-Máxima-of-the-Netherlands-as-a-child — A photo of the future Queen of the Netherlands taken in 1977. Image: koninklijkhuis.nl/Wikimedia Commons/CC1.0.

Her father, Jorge Zorreguieta, was part of the Zorreguieta family, a powerful family in Buenos Aires. The Zorreguietas descended from the landed gentry and consisted of many politicians and statesmen throughout the generations — think Downton Abbey, but set in Argentina.

Máxima completed her studies in Argentina and graduated from the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina with a degree in economics in 1995. From there, she moved to New York, where she became a successful working woman — no prince was needed.

photo-of-maxima-zorreguieta-in-1994 — Máxima in the 1990s. Image: RVD/Het Koninklijk Huis

The future Dutch queen worked as an investment banker for multiple banks and became vice president of her division when, one day, she stumbled across King Willem-Alexander.

How King Willem-Alexander met Queen Máxima

The king and queen of the Netherlands met under surprisingly normal circumstances — at a fair. The fair in question was the 1999 Seville Fair in Spain — picture brightly coloured tents, an amusement park, classic fair games and, of course, drinks!

This is the setting where Máxima met the future King of the Netherlands, although he did not reveal this to her at the time.

When first introducing himself, Willem-Alexander, who was still only the Prince of Orange, introduced himself merely as Alexander.

When Alexander later told Máxima he was actually the next in line to the Dutch throne, she initially thought he was joking. Following their meeting in Seville, the couple arranged to see each other again two weeks later, back in New York.

The pair dated for two years, and in 2001, they announced their engagement over a televised broadcast. During the broadcast, Máxima addressed the nation in Dutch.

Although she had only reached a conversational level in the language at this point, her willingness to learn it charmed many viewers.

See the speech here:

Family ties and controversy

However, introducing Máxima to the royal family was not all smooth sailing. Máxima’s family became controversial, specifically her father’s ties to the Argentinian dictator Jorge Rafael Videla.

Like his ancestors, Jorge Zorreguieta enjoyed a position of power in Argentina. He was Secretary of Agriculture under dictator Jorge Rafael Videla during the beginning of what became known as the “Dirty War” (1974-83).

During this war, Rafael Videla’s civil-military dictatorship was responsible for the “disappearance” and murder of between 13,000 and 30,000 people in Argentina.

Following the restoration of democracy in Argentina, Rafael Videla was prosecuted for crimes against humanity and large-scale human rights abuses.

As you can imagine, Máxima’s father became a controversial figure. The question of his involvement in such a violent dictatorship had to be answered.

Investigation

Not only did the people of the Netherlands find this aspect of Máxima’s life concerning, but the government did too.

As a result, the States-General asked Professor Michiel Baud, a professor in Latin American studies, to investigate whether Máxima’s father could have been involved in any of the atrocities carried out under the dictatorship.

Following his investigation, Baud determined that Máxima’s father was not directly involved in any of the atrocities.

Photo-of-Queen-Maxima-of-the-Netherlands-sitting-on-throne-next-to-Dutch-King-Willem-Alexander — The Queen of the Netherlands is known for her outfit choices. Image: ANP/Sander Koning/Wikimedia Commons/CC1.0.

However, while Zorreguieta claims he knew nothing of the horrific offences carried out during his time in the cabinet, Baud believes it is unlikely that a minister wouldn’t have known.

Maxima later spoke on the issue and condemned the dictatorship that her father had worked under, saying, “I have long rejected the Videla dictatorship, the disappearances, the torture, the murders and all the terrible facts of that time. That has certainly left major scars on our society.”

She defended her father, saying she believed his appointment under the dictatorship was an issue of timing and nothing more.

“Regarding my father’s participation in that government at the time, I would like to say in all honesty that I regret that he did his best for agriculture under the wrong regime. He had the best of intentions, and I believe in him.”

No invitation to the royal wedding

One of the main questions that followed the royal wedding announcement was whether or not Máxima’s father would be present.

Some people in the Netherlands called for his arrest if he were to enter the country, while others questioned whether Máxima was a suitable addition to the royal family.

#MeghanMarkle isn't the first actress to marry into Royalty, and she certainly isn't the first commoner to do so with embarrassing relatives. Queen Máxima of The Netherlands' father wasn't allowed at her wedding OR her husband's coronation: https://t.co/8Q5DZLTUYV #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/1Zhy4AJobe
— Chocolate Duchess (@ChocolDuchess) May 6, 2018

However, Queen Beatrix showed her approval of Máxima. Her decision to pose with Willem-Alexander and his fiancée on her 63rd birthday was an informal stamp of approval for the match.

The matter was finally put to rest when Máxima’s parents decided not to attend the royal wedding in 2002. Her father’s presence would only bring controversy, and her mother decided to attend with her husband.

Despite the initial hiccup, Máxima and King Willem-Alexander were successfully married and now have three daughters: The Princess of Orange, Amalia, Princess Alexia, and Princess Ariane.

The Dutch identity according to Queen Máxima

Surprisingly enough, Máxima would come under fire once again in 2007. When speaking about the subject during a speech for the Scientific Council for Government Policy in 2007, she claimed that there is no singular way to define the Dutch identity:

“The Dutch identity? No, I have not found it. The Netherlands is large windows without curtains so everyone can look in, but also adhere to privacy and cosiness. The Netherlands is one biscuit at tea, but also great hospitality and warmth. The Netherlands is sobriety, control and pragmatism, but also the experience of intense emotions together. The Netherlands is far too diverse to summarize in one cliché.”

Perhaps the most controversial aspect of her statement was her claim that “The Dutchman does not exist. As a consolation, I can tell you that ‘the’ Argentinian also does not exist.”

Whilst I’m sure the Dutch would have likely been far more aggravated by one sweeping stereotype, this definition did not sit well with them either. Many Dutch people were outraged at Máxima’s statement, interpreting it as a criticism of the Netherlands.

Is there a concrete Dutch identity?

However, Máxima was baffled by the Dutch reaction, claiming she had only wanted to praise the country’s multiculturalism.

To make matters more confusing, when asked whether or not they felt there was a Dutch identity, only 41% of people answered yes, a survey carried out by The Low Countries found.

A further 42% of those surveyed found that it exists in some respect — but what exactly does that mean? Who knows! Of those surveyed, 6% said they absolutely reject the idea of any concrete Dutch identity.

So, was Máxima right in saying there’s no concrete Dutch identity? Some would argue yes.

A queen for integration and inclusion

Whilst Máxima has certainly had some hiccups, she seems to have integrated nicely into Dutch society, and she wants this for all who come to the Netherlands. She has been involved in multiple initiatives to help integrate foreigners, particularly female immigrants.

Photos of #UNSGSA Queen Máxima delivering remarks about digital public infrastructure and #financialinclusion at an @IMFNews seminar during Spring Meetings today. Full speech: https://t.co/4Bn766apvJ pic.twitter.com/T3PrtlemhQ
— UN SG's Special Advocate Queen Máxima (@UNSGSA) April 14, 2023

She took part in a special parliamentary commission that sought ways to improve the integration of female immigrants into the Dutch workforce, and from 2003 to 2005, she was a member of the Committee for Ethnic Minority Women’s Participation.

Currently, Máxima is a member of the Chair on Management of Diversity and Integration at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and a patron of the Orange Fund, which promotes social welfare and cohesion.

Just in case her involvement in these issues doesn’t convince you, Máxima is also the first member of any royal family to attend an LGBTQ+ rights conference, having attended one in 2008.

The moral of the story is that she’s no absent queen.

The people’s queen

Indeed, Máxima is a largely popular member of the royal family. In fact, for many years, she has been even more popular than the King himself!

According to a survey by Ipsos on King’s Day in April of 2022, when asked to rate their confidence in the royal family members, Máxima received an appreciation rating of 7.6.

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands was looking stylish in Claes Iversen Fall-Winter 2019 ensemble while visiting the BAM, the Library of Trees by the Bosco Verticale as part of the Milan Design Week 2023 in Milan 💙 #QueenMaxima pic.twitter.com/U925JA4XaQ
— Mr. Quijada (@UnaiQuijada) April 19, 2023

Before 2020, her popularity had been steady and high since her addition to the family. However, it has dropped over the last few years.

Confidence in King Willem-Alexander has seen a sharper decrease, however, dropping to 47% in 2022. (It’s fair to say these ratings probably weren’t helped by that controversial holiday to Greece during the pandemic.) Let’s see how people are feeling this year!

Queen Máxima’s journey to the throne has not been without the occasional bump in the road. Still, despite this, she has proven herself to most Dutch people through her charity work, her interesting roots, or even simply the fact that she was not born into royalty herself.

What’s your opinion of Queen Máxima? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: Image: Erwin Olaf/Koninglijk Huis/Wikimedia Commons/CC1.0

Great white shark spotted off the Dutch coast: Here’s what you should know before swimming in the sea

Federica Marconi

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May 14, 2025

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Great white shark spotted off the Dutch coast: Here’s what you should know before swimming in the sea

A white shark sighting caused chaos on a Belgian beach last weekend. With the ocean giants slowly cruising to Dutch shores, people wonder: Should we be scared or just mildly… impressed?

Yes, sea-riously. It’s that kind of shark: teeth, attitude, and a movie franchise to its name. But before you start Googling “how to escape a shark,’’ take a deep breath. 🧘‍♂️

Experts say the danger is real but tiny — unless you’re a seal. Or pretending to be one.

You’re not on the menu

We all know that white sharks can be dangerous. However, Pierre Bonnet, curator at Ecomare and seasoned sea swimmer, told De Telegraaf that while attacks are possible, the chances are “very small.” 📉

The real risk? Looking like a snack. Surfers and spear-fishers in wetsuits with dead fish belts tick all the wrong boxes. Basically: don’t dress like lunch.

And if you do spot a shark? Bonnet says the most important thing is to stay calm. “I personally wouldn’t move aside if someone shouts from the shore that there is a shark swimming. You just have to keep going.’’

So, keep swimming and keep cool. Sharks dislike drama. Honestly, who can blame them? 👀

The North Sea gets teeth

The North Sea has quietly become a popular destination for sharks, hosting everything from the harmless dogfish to the hefty porbeagle.

And while the latter sounds like a Pokémon evolution, it’s a big shark that mostly keeps to itself offshore.🦈

@fishfactsdaily Replying to @#010 Netherland 🇳🇱 edition #netherlands🇳🇱 #sharks #jaws #fish #ocean ♬ Hoist The Colours – Bass Singers Version – The Wellermen & Bobby Bass & Eric Hollaway

But why is this happening? Well, climate change is pushing these species further north as waters warm up. While white sharks once stuck to Spain, they’re now eyeing the Dutch coast like it’s a trendy new resort.

Most still keep their distance, especially in unfamiliar waters. And, what we really should worry about isn’t the fins, but the sea foam, now laced with PFAS.

Yep, chemicals. Nature’s real horror story. 😬

So, with fins on the horizon and facts in hand, will you stay ashore in fear, or dive in with a little caution and a lot of confidence?

How to ace the KNM integration exam (and skip the boredom)

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺

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May 14, 2025

2

How to ace the KNM integration exam (and skip the boredom)

Here’s a little secret: the KNM exam is one of the most underestimated among the Dutch inburgering (integration) exams.

It sounds so simple: knowledge of Dutch society (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij). All you have to do is answer questions about life in the Netherlands, right?

Well, yes and no. As someone who sat the exam in 2021 (and is literally paid to write about Dutch society), I was surprised at how in-depth some of the questions are. For example:*

Julia attends high school at the HAVO level. When she graduates, what kind of higher education can she pursue?

Your elderly neighbour has stomach pain. What should you advise them to do?

What is actief kiesrecht?

To make matters more difficult, you’ll answer 40 questions on your KNM exam — but you have no idea which questions. There are potentially endless combinations of questions that you could be asked.

That means the only way to be fully prepared for the exam is, well, to study. 🤯

Why people fail the KNM exam

Yes, people do fail the KNM exam. Scroll through any inburgeren group on Facebook, and you’ll see it happen. How?

Well, firstly, the multiple-choice exam requires surprisingly deep knowledge of Dutch society and systems (education, taxes, banking, police, and more) a la the questions above.

Secondly, the whole exam is in Dutch, and some words are surprisingly complicated for an A2 level.

Finally, most people study for the exam by leafing through textbooks filled with boring content and Dutch language that’s also way above an A2 level — the level often required for most of the other exams.

photo-of-young-girl-bored-studying-for-integration-exam-with-textbook — *It’s time to say doei to textbooks when studying for the KNM exam.* Image: Freepik

In one word: ugh. 😮‍💨

So, how can you ace the KNM integration exam while maintaining your sanity? A swift, entertaining, and comprehensive online course (of course).

The best way to prepare for the KNM exam: InburgeringOnline.nl

The future is here! Skip the late-night sessions with an outdated textbook and open your eyes to entertaining videos, online quizzes, and easy-to-understand Dutch from InburgeringOnline.nl.

Now, let’s be clear: this course won’t repair your relationship with your Aunt Maggie or help you drop five kilos.

All it can do is help you prepare for the KNM exam — and we think that’s pretty damn good. 😉

Here’s how it works:

Log in to the online course in your own time.
Watch a quick overview of how the course works from your new KNM study buddy, Bart, a bona fide Dutchie and experienced Dutch language teacher.
Work through each topic about Dutch society by watching lighthearted videos presented in simple Dutch and completing the related exercises.
Test yourself at the end and amaze yourself with your progress.
Profit! (Or pass the exam, whichever works).

Best of all, the content is entertaining and easy to follow. Leuk!

overview-of-the-new-knm-course-by-inburgeringonline-nl — Bart’s KNM course is super easy to navigate. Image: InburgeringOnline.nl/Supplied

TIP: You don’t have to watch the videos to get the most benefit. Listen to them while cleaning, catching the train, or riding your bike too! Passive learning at its finest. 💪

Okay, but what makes it different?

You can buy a textbook if you like — we’re not your mum. But allow us to tell you why an online course may just make your day.

First up, the videos are fluff-free. They’re entertaining, but they only tell you what you need to learn — for both the exam but also for life in the Netherlands! ✅

photo-of-a-girl-studying-for-the-knm-exam-online — *Textbooks? Nah. An online course? Ja!* Image: Depositphotos

Because the exam is in Dutch, so are the videos. However, the Dutch is ultra-clear and easy to understand, and any difficult words are translated in real-time — so you’ll never find yourself lost.

If you’re still working on your language skills, you can slow down the videos, or if you’re an old pro, you can also speed them up. ⏰

Best of all, an online course lets you prepare entirely on your schedule.

You can smash it all out in a day, or you can focus on one section each night. Need to repeat or review a lesson? Geen probleem!

The proof is in the pudding

Yes, we know it’s all about reviews, right? Fortunately, past participants say ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Here’s one example:

“[The course] helped immensely to reduce the preparation time from many months to a few days,” says Kumar Malladi (44). “When I went to the exam, everyone around thought it was too tough, where I felt weird because I could answer most questions without any issue.”

He highly recommends the course “not just for passing exams but [also for] being able to actually start the journey in integrating.”

Preparing for the KNM exam with InburgeringOnline.nl

Alright, before you click away madly to InburgeringOnline.nl, you should read this because it will save you money.

You can get access to the KNM exam preparation course for a low monthly fee. But, if you need to take your other Dutch integration exams, the full package of Dutch integration courses is heavily discounted — and what’s more Dutch than loving a korting?

Here’s how:

If you order a six month subscription to the KNM course, you’ll save 20%.

If you order a full package on a six-month or a 12-month subscription, you’ll save 45% and get the KNM course absolutely free.

Does that save you valuable money to put in your piggy bank to buy a windmill one day? Yes, it does.

See the courses

Have you taken the KNM exam? Tell us your experience in the comments below!

*Note: The example questions listed above are not real exam questions. Students who take the exams have to wear a hood, drink from a golden goblet, and vow never to disclose the actual questions on the exam, so we’ve created some similar questions instead.

11 things that can go wrong in your Dutch house

Julia de Oliveira Moritz

-

May 14, 2025

0

11 things that can go wrong in your Dutch house

Whether you’re buying or renting a home in the Netherlands, there are many things that you can encounter that are… less than ideal.

Pests, leaks, mould, loud neighbours — the list goes on. Besides these things being pretty unwelcome in our homes, fixing or getting rid of them can be costly.

1. Your roof might start to leak 🔨

You may have heard, but believe it or not, it occasionally rains in the Netherlands! That, plus the old Dutch houses, can be a recipe for disaster (by which we mean a leak).

Young-man-collecting-leaking-water-from-ceiling-while -his-girlfriend-calling-roof-repair-service-in-kitchen — *Once a roof leaks, it’s a pain to get it fixed. Image: Depositphotos*

Then, you’re left with water damage, energy inefficiency, and a huge repair bill. How huge? Well, that depends.

Finding the leak itself can be €300 to €400 alone, and the costs of repair can easily run the bill over €1000.

Add to that all the costs of repairing the water damage to furniture around it, and your bill can easily run into the thousands. That’s a fat check.

The best way to prepare for a disaster in your home? Being insured. Univé’s home insurance policy lets you choose which risks you want to be covered for. And the best part? It takes just five minutes to set up! Find the best plan for you.

2. You could fall down your narrow Dutch stairs 🪂

The Dutch are often thin and tall, just like their homes. But what doesn’t make sense is how those steps can even contain more than half of their feet. How do they not fall down the stairs more often?!

Photo-of-steep-stairs-Netherlands — *These Dutch stairs don’t mess around! Image: DutchReview*

Well, it can happen. These narrow and steep stairs can be a safety hazard, especially for us internationals who aren’t used to them. One misstep and — woops!

3. You might have some unwelcome guests 🐀

Many Dutch houses are a little too familiar with pests. Mice, moths, or rats, these little guys have no sense of privacy or personal space, and Dutch houses can be particularly susceptible to these pests.

mouse-in-shelf-eating-human-food-things-that-can-go-wrong-in-your-dutch-house — *They steal your food and don’t even pitch in on the grocery bill! How rude. Image:* *Depositphotos*

This isn’t just gross; it can also be dangerous. These infestations can cause structural damage and health hazards for those in the infested houses. We doubt anyone wants to eat food that’s been chewed on by a mouse!

(Now it makes sense why cats are so popular in the Netherlands.)

4. You could damage things that aren’t yours 🪟

Accidents happen. Maybe when you were trying to move that couch up the stairs, its legs hit the wall, and now you have a dent. There goes a chunk of your rental deposit.

photo-of-broken-vase-in-house-next-to-dog-things-that-can-go-wrong-in-Dutch-house — For example, sometimes your perfect pooch can do some damage. Image: Depositphotos

Or maybe you own your home and decided to give your place a funky renovation — and accidentally drilled a hole straight through to the next-door neighbour’s house.

We’re all human, and we all make mistakes. Sometimes, those come at a (literal) price. But that’s what liability insurance is for — covering you when you get yourself in a sticky situation. To find the best policy for you, compare plans on Univé’s site. Their plans cost as little as €3.63 per month!

5. Strangers might catch a glimpse of you in your birthday suit 🫢

The Dutch are famously somewhat opposed to curtains, and we get why. After living in the Netherlands for a while, you just want to make the most of Dutch daylight.

photo-of-dutch-houses-against-blue-sky — Those gorgeous windows tend to be left open… which can lead to accidental flashing. Image: Freepik

It’s all fun and games until you change your clothes after work and your neighbours become, um, a bit too familiar with you, if you know what we mean.

6. You could lock yourself out… in your pajamas 🔒

Speaking of being seen in a less-than-ideal outfit… One minute you’re just popping downstairs to grab your Thuisbezorgd delivery. The next, your front door swings shut behind you with a suspicious little *click*.

Yep, unlike in many other countries, Dutch front doors often lock automatically when they close. No turning required. And just like that, you’re officially locked out, in your PJs, holding nothing but a takeaway bag (and maybe your sense of regret).

locksmith-opening-door-for-locked-out-woman-in-the-netherlands — Yes, this has happened to me multiple times. Image: Depositphotos

We hope you were clever enough to leave a spare key with your neighbour, otherwise you’re left with one option: calling the locksmith. And they’re not cheap.

7. You may have to deal with dampness… and mould 💧

As much as we love those big windows, they don’t always have the best insulation, which can lead to mould.

photo-of-mould-in-corner-due-to-dampness — *It’s pretty frustrating to have to deal with mould. Image: DutchReview*

You try to keep it under control, but you can’t help but wonder if you’ll get your rental deposit back or if your landlord will blame you for it (God forbid they ever fix anything!).

But to be fair, mould can be expensive to fix. Whether it’s changing the windows or repainting the mouldy parts of your walls, it can cost some money. Why is being an adult so expensive?

8. You could have noisy neighbours 📣

The Netherlands is very densely populated, especially in the cities. As a result, people often have neighbours above them, beneath them, and to their left and right.

Upset-woman-annoyed-about-loud-music-disturbing-her-sleep-at home-girl-yelling-and-cover-ears-with-hands-in-annoyance-noisy-neighbors-suffering-loud-neighbour-noise-at-night-noise-pollution — *We’ve all been awake at 3 AM begging for silence. Image:* *Depositphotos*

Sharing a wall with your neighbour can lead to some annoying situations. Maybe your shower-singing is a little louder than you realised, or maybe their attempts to learn the trumpet don’t seem to be going that well. Either way, someone is unhappy.

9. Your house could have structural issues 🏚️

Dutch houses are old. Like, really old. So, they can face structural problems like foundation issues, subsidence, or cracks in the walls.

two-construction-workers-fixing-structural-problems-in-dutch-house — *Nothing worse than moving into a new place and finding out it’s got structural issues! Image:* *Depositphotos*

The fact that they’re built on water doesn’t help with this issue either, and let’s face it, sometimes houses are just built cheaply.

All these things can lead to some pretty frustrating issues you’ll have to deal with — make sure your house is strong before you rent or buy it, or you could be facing a hefty bill!

10. Your doorbell may somehow be wired to your neighbour’s unit 🔕

Let’s say you’re waiting for a package. The app says it’s arrived. But your doorbell? Silent.

delivery-man-ringing-doorbell-in-the-netherlands — You can ring as long as you want, poor delivery man… Image: Freepik

Turns out many older Dutch buildings have ancient doorbell systems, and no one knows who maintains them. Sometimes, if a neighbour renovates or changes their own doorbell, it can break the connection for the whole building.

The result? It’s not uncommon for your doorbell to ring in your neighbour’s apartment, or vice versa — or for it to not ring anywhere at all. Until it’s fixed, we recommend you invest in a sticky note that reads “bel kapot (doorbell broken).”

11. You might have to deal with plumbing issues 🪠

We saved the best for last: plumbing. A toilet doesn’t flush, a sink drain is clogged, and there’s air in your pipes.

photo-of-man-under-sink-fixing-plumbing-issue-things-that-can-go-wrong-in-your-Dutch-home — Sometimes, you need an expert. Image: Freepik

Sometimes, these things are just out of your control, especially because Dutch houses are built so close to each other. Often, apartments will share pipes, and suddenly, one person’s problem becomes everyone’s problem.

Clearly, a lot can go wrong in your Dutch home — but luckily their charm makes up for it. ✨

What’s the worst issue you’ve faced in your Dutch home? Tell us in the comments!

Cycling like a Dutchie? First, you have to pass their bike exam!

Cara Räker 🇩🇪

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May 14, 2025

4

Cycling like a Dutchie? First, you have to pass their bike exam!

We all know that the Dutch love their bikes, and they love cycling. However, we were a bit surprised to find out that they also love their safety.

After all, Dutchies holding hands, cruising around with umbrellas, and checking their phones on bikes is not an unusual sight. And what’s a helmet again? Traffic lights, who?

But as it turns out, first impressions can be deceiving.

Rumour has it that almost every Dutchie has had the chance to take a proper bike exam at some point in their life — yep, the legendary verkeersexamen (traffic exam). 🚲

What does a verkeersexamen entail?

The traffic exam is organised every year for school children between the ages of 10-12 by Veilig Verkeer Nederland (Safe Traffic the Netherlands).

While you may never have heard of it, the programme has been running at most Dutch schools for the past 85 years. Who would have thought that the Dutch are so committed to safe cycling?

The verkeersexam consists of a practical and a theoretical section. Students must answer 25 questions about basic traffic etiquette for the theoretical section. They pass the test if they correctly answer at least 16 out of 25 questions. 🎓

Pssst: Would you pass the theory test? 🤔 We prepared three sample questions below. Check it out!

More than just theory

For the practical part of the exam, the students must demonstrate what they have learned in the real world. A designated route will be provided around the neighbourhood for bike novices.

While they ride, keen-eyed volunteers are set up along the route. Did the cyclist indicate a turn to the right with the correct hand signal? Did they stop at the red traffic light? Every move is watched, recorded, and graded. 🖊️

If all goes to plan, the successful graduates receive a diploma to show off their accomplishments. (Just to forget everything again a few years down the line, it seems.)

Would you pass the theory exam? 🤔

Let’s see, shall we? We selected (and translated) three questions for you from an actual VVN practice test. There are nine categories with two or more questions each, so there’s definitely more to learn.

But let’s give you a little taste — ready, set, go! 🚦

⛔️ Category 1: Traffic Signs (verkeersborden)

Why are traffic signs important?

A) They make sure everyone sticks to the rules
B) They make sure pedestrians don’t get into arguments with each other, drivers, or cyclists
C) They make sure that you know what you have to do and what to look out for
D) They add a little colour to the overall traffic so that it doesn’t get boring

So what’s your answer? If you guessed C, you are correct! 🎉

🚦Category 2: Priority rules (voorrang)

What do you do if you approach a crossing and are faced with a stop sign?

A) You stop if there is traffic from the right.
B) You stop if there is traffic from the left.
C) You always stop, even if there is no traffic.
D) You slow down, but you don’t have to halt.

More difficult this one, huh? Well, the answer is…C! Stop means stop, obviously.

🚚 Category 3: Big vehicles (grote voertuigen)

You are approaching a red traffic light on the bike. A big truck is already in line. Where do you wait?

A) To the left of the truck.
B) To the right of the truck.
C) There is ample space in the back of the truck on the left.
D) At the back of the truck to the right, with ample space.

What’s it gonna be? Think about it… Ready? It’s D! It’s important to avoid the blind angle (dode hoek) and stand where the truck driver can see you.

Congrats on completing the quiz! How did you do?

First things first: Bike check!

Sadly, we can’t make sure that you’re fit for the practical, but we can help you figure out if your bike is fit for traffic. First of all, you obviously need to buy a good bike.

Okay, then we can get started with the fietscheck (bike check). If you have (or visualise) your bike in front of you, these are the things you have to cross off the list:

✅ Is the red backlight up and running?
✅ Is the white front light bright and shiny?
✅ Is the saddle adjusted to the right height? (Your toes should just about reach the ground when you sit on it.)
✅ Is the bell working?
✅ Are there orange reflectors in the spokes?
✅ Are all the spokes in place?
✅ Is the chain neither too loose nor too tight?
✅ Are the tyres properly inflated?

Check, check, check on all of these? Congrats! At least you would be allowed to take your very own bike exam (if you were a Dutch middle school child, that is.)

Stay safe! What to remember when cycling in the Netherlands

If you have cycled at least once before in the Netherlands, you know that most adult Dutchies seem to have forgotten that they likely took a bike exam once.

There are many types of cyclists, and only some will have mercy on you.

So, if in doubt, stick to the right side of the road. And just because traffic lights don’t seem to exist for some Dutch people, they do for most cars — and they should for you too.

@dutchreview Turns out it’s not as easy as riding a bike. #amsterdam #amsterdamcity #dutchreview #netherlands #nederland #Meme #MemeCut #tourists #Meme #MemeCut ♬ original sound – DutchReview

Finally, if you’re not sure who should stop for whom, look out for the big white triangles (haaientanden or “shark teeth”) painted on the bike paths. If the tip of the triangle is pointed at you, you need to give way to other cyclists, pedestrians, and cars.

Good luck! It’s a biker’s world out there, and everyone else is just trespassing. 🚴

Do you think you could pass the Dutch bike-riding test? Tell us in the comments below!

What’s Tikkie? How to use this popular Dutch payment system

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪

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May 14, 2025

5

What’s Tikkie? How to use this popular Dutch payment system

Anyone in the Netherlands has probably found themselves in a situation where someone says the following: “Don’t worry about it, I’ll Tikkie you,” — leaving you very confused.

Did they just say they’ll tickle you? No. Did they just pay for your food? Also no. They said they will Tikkie you. So what the hell is Tikkie? Here’s the lowdown on paying up.

What is Tikkie?

Tikkie is an online payment app that allows you to forward payment requests to people via WhatsApp or pay through a QR code.

Once you open the request or scan the code, you’ll be asked to forward the money through your online banking. The Netherlands has a huge Tikkie culture, so it’s probably best to familiarise yourself with the app.

For example, if you think someone is being extra generous by buying the drinks all night, remember that you will wake up in the morning with a hangover and a pricey Tikkie on WhatsApp.

Or maybe a not-so-pricy Tikkie — every month, 10,000 Tikkie payments for under €2 are sent! We would say we’re surprised, but this is the Dutch we are talking about, after all.

How does Tikkie work?

How Tikkie works is very simple.

If someone owes you money, you enter the amount into the Tikkie app and are then asked to select who needs to pay the money from your WhatsApp contacts (it’s a wonderful power trip).

Photo-of-phone-in-hand-with-Tikkie-app-open-the-Netherlands — Simply open up your phone. Image: DutchReview/Canva

A link is then sent via WhatsApp to the person who owes money. What’s handy about Tikkie is that the person who receives the request doesn’t even need the app to respond.

On top of that, everything runs through your bank account, so no separate online wallet is needed — you’re simply directed to your current bank account through iDeal.

Tikkie can also be used as a form of payment in places such as markets, where customers can scan a QR code, which will take them to a pre-filled form on the Tikkie app. The customer then simply agrees to pay the amount.

Why should I use Tikkie?

While there are elements of Dutch culture that will remain resolutely outside of my social skill set — I will never be able to be as unapologetically direct as the Dutch — one adaptation I have easily adopted is the Tikkie culture.

No awkward questions

Not sure how to ask someone to pay you back? Just send them a Tikkie. Perfect for all of us non-confrontational folk.

No more fuss when splitting the bill

Not only can you avoid making a server’s life hard by asking to pay separately, but you can also avoid making your life harder. Forget all the confusion and fumbling in trying to determine how much you owe.

A-photo-of-a-group-of-friends-splitting-the-bill-at-the-restaurant — Tikkie makes splitting the bill at restaurants super easy. Image: Dreamstime

Simply wave your hand, slap the card down on the PIN machine (if you have enough money, of course), and throw an “I’ll Tikkie you” across the table — then figure it out later.

Instant payment — statistics prove it

No need to worry about waiting. Send your friends a Tikkie on your journey home, and (provided you have good friends) you can have your money back when you step off the train.

As soon as your payment request is received, they can follow the link and allow the amount to be deducted from their bank account. Payments tend to happen quickly, and if you don’t trust us, trust the numbers:

50% of Tikkies are paid within 30 minutes
85% of Tikkies are paid within a day.

It’s all through WhatsApp

Your friends don’t need to have Tikkie installed to pay you back, all they need is WhatsApp (and who doesn’t have that in this day and age!?)

Lars went to a party with the theme ‘Super-Dutch Things’ and we think his shirt wins 🤣😂
ENGLISH: Will you please send…
Posted by DutchReview on Monday, 16 September 2019

There’s no awkward back and forth about “it won’t open” or “where do I download it from?” If your friends can receive a WhatsApp, they can receive and pay a Tikkie — no excuses!

What about the disadvantages of Tikkie?

Let’s keep it real: everything with a pros list has a corresponding cons list. So let’s consider the disadvantages of using Tikkie.

You can forget to send a request

To be fair, the essence of Tikkie’s disadvantages is based on the fact that humans use it, and people can be forgetful.

Sometimes you slap the card down, tell someone you’ll send a Tikkie and swiftly forget about it. Tikkie only works if you remember to send one.

You have to keep track of how much is owed

Speaking of memory, it’s up to you to determine how much someone owes you. The system has no magic way of knowing what you ate/drank/bought.

A-photo-of-a-group-of-friends-having-drinks-and-splitting-the-bill — With Tikkie, splitting the bill after a night out takes seconds – no more trying to remember who paid! Image: Dreamstime

So, for those nights when the beer was freely flowing, it can be difficult to remember how much a person owes you — the only evidence of your drunken trip to McDonald’s in which you generously paid for everything is a lone stale chip on the doormat.

It’s a payment request, not guaranteed payment

People can also be sneaky. While asking someone for money in person is always slightly awkward, it does have its benefits.

They can’t simply disappear into thin air if they don’t feel like paying. That’s not the case with Tikkie.

The Tikkie app allows you to send a payment request, but this doesn’t guarantee a payment.

The request recipient can simply choose not to pay you, and Tikkie can do nothing about that. For example, just because you decided to send Mark Rutte a Tikkie for your student fees doesn’t mean he has to pay them.

So choose wisely those with whom you decide to Tikkie with.

Perhaps you know a solid group of people that you can trust to pay Tikkies, in which case, you’re probably wondering: How do I sign up? Signing up for Tikkie is easy. You need three things:

A WhatsApp account,
A Dutch bank account
A Dutch/Belgian/German telephone number

Have all these things? Great! Now, simply download the Tikkie app from the app store, input your phone number, and choose which bank account you want linked to the app.

How do you send a Tikkie?

So, knowing that you have all the knowledge, how do you wield the power? Sending a Tikkie is simple!

graphic-of-how-to-send-a-tikkie-in-the-netherlands-in-five-steps — Images: DutchReview/Canva

graphic-of-how-to-send-a-tikkie-open-tikkie-select-plus-icon — Images: DutchReview/Canva

Open up the app and enter the amount you want paid.
Choose who needs to pay it from your WhatsApp contacts.
A link will then be shared with the contact through WhatsApp. If the person does not have WhatsApp, you can also share the link via text message or email.
When the person pays the Tikkie, the money will land straight in your bank account — no fuss!

You can also use a Tikkie QR code if you don’t have the person’s contact information. They can easily scan the QR code using their camera or the Tikkie app!

Congrats, you’re free to send payment requests flying across the Netherlands (but remember, with great power comes great responsibility.)

Have you used the Tikkie app before? What do you think of it? Let us know in the comments below!

Why is there a first and second class on trains in the Netherlands?

Frank Kool

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May 14, 2025

21

Why is there a first and second class on trains in the Netherlands?

The morning commute to your office job is hardly anyone’s favourite part of the day. Standing on the crowded platform, two thoughts might come to mind.

One: If trains were at least twice as long, we wouldn’t have to squeeze between strangers for the next half hour.

And two: Or what if we just got rid of all those oppressive first-class compartments to make more room for the common person?

For a country that prides itself on equality, it seems positively medieval to have a separation between first and second class on trains in the Netherlands.

What’s the difference between first and second class on trains in the Netherlands?

Oh, trust us, we’ve all been wondering the same question. Even when you Google it, it’s hard to find any official differences (that are convincing, anyway).

If you get first-class tickets to an international train from the Netherlands, you’re looking at newspapers, complimentary meals and drinks, power outlets, lots of legroom, lounges, and TVs. Now that’s something!

A-photo-of-inside-ns-train-first-class-empty-seats-in-netherlands — The second class in NS trains has people sitting on the floor.. meanwhile, here’s the first class. Image: NS

However, you barely get anything for your fancy ticket with normal NS trains. Still, you pay considerably more for the privilege of first class over second class.

For example, to go from Rotterdam to Amsterdam on a normal NS intercity train would cost you around €19.90 each way. This jumps to €32.30 for the same commute in a first-class carriage — a hike of €12.40.

What do you get for the extra payment? A private carriage, peace, and a bit more legroom. While that’s neat, that’s pretty much it.

Oh, and if you’ve been smoking weed in Amsterdam, you might wanna check what carriage you’re in before you end up in Brussels.

A brief history of public transport class struggle

So what do we want? Class-free train travel! When do we want it? Now! 🙋‍♂️

Supporters of these egalitarian ideals may be encouraged knowing that the Netherlands is, in fact, already on a path to class-free travelling.

Originally, the Dutch railway system had no less than three classes. Some considered this a reflection of 19th-century Dutch society, made up of dignitaries, citizens, and workers. This was reduced to the now familiar two classes in 1956.

Some Dutch politicians would like to take this one step further and call for a complete ban on class division in public transport.

The SP (Socialist Party) took this matter to parliament in 2013, arguing that the current first/second class division is outdated and inefficient.

They argued that letting travellers sit wherever they want would be a win-win scenario: travellers would be happier, and Dutch railway companies would be richer. Sounds pretty good!

First class and second class train travelling in the Netherlands: the debate continues

Giving travellers the option to pay more or less for a ticket depending on how much comfort they want should not be controversial.

After all, we can choose how much we want to spend on a seat in a theatre, concert hall, or sports stadium.

A-photo-of-blue-second-class-train-seats-in-the-netherlands — Blue is the go-to. Image: Depositphotos

Others may argue that levelling the ticket price would improve the overall quality of the train.

Railway companies charge 40% extra on first-class tickets, and a loss of that income has to be compensated somehow. And no one wants to lose the opportunity to score on cheap train tickets.

A-photo-of-a-person-holding-train-ticket-at-utrecht-centraal-netherlands — A first-class NS train ticket costs more than half as much as a second-class ticket. Image: Depositphotos

So, like a lot of often-returning discussions, the final stop hasn’t been called on this ride. Maybe the class division is here to stay.

Or perhaps one day… we will see the humble labourer sitting side by side with the stately millionaire — awkwardly avoiding eye contact by staring at their smartphone.

What are your thoughts on the class division in Dutch trains? Tell us in the comments below!

DutchReview

DUTCHREVIEW

DutchReview

Recognising burnout symptoms

Burnout and Dutch labour law

Steps to take when you’re experiencing burnout

Notify your employer

Consult with a company doctor

Follow the company doctor’s advice

Sick leave in the Netherlands when struggling with burnout

Can you be fired due to burnout?

What if your Dutch employer doesn’t support you?

Reintegration after burnout

The first track of reintegration

The second track of reintegration

Dutch children are pretty satisfied

But don’t brag too much yet

Let’s end on a positive note

Russia strongly opposes Ukraine joining NATO

Will Trump, himself, attend? Sources say “yes”

Queen Máxima: the first Argentinian on the Dutch throne

How King Willem-Alexander met Queen Máxima

Family ties and controversy

Investigation

No invitation to the royal wedding

The Dutch identity according to Queen Máxima

Is there a concrete Dutch identity?

A queen for integration and inclusion

The people’s queen

You’re not on the menu

The North Sea gets teeth

Why people fail the KNM exam

The best way to prepare for the KNM exam: InburgeringOnline.nl

Okay, but what makes it different?

The proof is in the pudding

Preparing for the KNM exam with InburgeringOnline.nl

1. Your roof might start to leak 🔨

2. You could fall down your narrow Dutch stairs 🪂

3. You might have some unwelcome guests 🐀

4. You could damage things that aren’t yours 🪟

5. Strangers might catch a glimpse of you in your birthday suit 🫢

6. You could lock yourself out… in your pajamas 🔒

7. You may have to deal with dampness… and mould 💧

8. You could have noisy neighbours 📣

9. Your house could have structural issues 🏚️

10. Your doorbell may somehow be wired to your neighbour’s unit 🔕

11. You might have to deal with plumbing issues 🪠

What does a verkeersexamen entail?

More than just theory

Would you pass the theory exam? 🤔

⛔️ Category 1: Traffic Signs (verkeersborden)

🚦Category 2: Priority rules (voorrang)

🚚 Category 3: Big vehicles (grote voertuigen)

First things first: Bike check!

Stay safe! What to remember when cycling in the Netherlands

What is Tikkie?

How does Tikkie work?

Why should I use Tikkie?

No awkward questions

No more fuss when splitting the bill

Instant payment — statistics prove it

It’s all through WhatsApp

What about the disadvantages of Tikkie?

You can forget to send a request

You have to keep track of how much is owed

It’s a payment request, not guaranteed payment

How do I sign up for Tikkie?

How do you send a Tikkie?

What’s the difference between first and second class on trains in the Netherlands?

A brief history of public transport class struggle

First class and second class train travelling in the Netherlands: the debate continues