Think you’re lucky to find a space outside to enjoy your beer on a sunny day in Amsterdam? Now, it’s even more of a luxury, as the terrace tax is doubling for some bars and restaurants.
Tax rates vary across the capital, reaching as high as €170 per square metre in the centre, the NOS reports.
Catering entrepreneurs will be hit by the HUGE increase in one blow to make up for the time the terrace tax was temporarily removed during the coronavirus pandemic.
Since the terraces are on public, municipal land, Alderman Hester Van Buren believes it is a reasonable fee used to “keep everything accessible”.
Sure, Dutchies know the value of the lively “terrasjes”, it’s top of their list of ways to spend a nice day. But now, while they peruse the menus in the fresh air, they might notice some changes.
But the terrace tax increase depends on where you are, as each municipality ultimately decides the amount.
Utrecht and Amsterdam have high rates, while terrace owners in Rotterdam don’t pay for the first 50 square metres. In the Hague and Lelystad, there is no terrace tax at all.
Increases in price and decreases in funding
However, alderman Boomgaars told NOS that while their patch of sunny seating goes untaxed, subsidies for culture, sports clubs, or property take the hit instead — especially since municipalities will receive significantly less government support from 2026.
More tax announcements are enough to make you crave an ice-cold beer, but you might want to check the price first. 🍻
Pim Evers from the trade association Koninklijke Horeca Nederland fears that the tax will force catering businesses to charge much more. In Amsterdam, prices could reach €4.5 to €5 for a whistle.
Those costs got you up in arms? You’re not the only one — the catering entrepreneurs from the capital want to take protest action against the decision.
How do you feel about the increased terrace tax? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
If you’re thinking of buying a house in the Netherlands as an international, the first question that probably pops into your mind is: “Am I even eligible for a Dutch mortgage?”
Put simply: it depends! Who are you? Are you living in the Netherlands? What is your work situation? Do you have debt? Are you stressed? (Yes, it’s a real question!)
Rustig aan (Take it easy!). Let’s run through all the requirements and establish once and for all whether you’re eligible for a mortgage in the Netherlands.
What are the requirements for buying a house in the Netherlands?
If there’s one thing we all have in common, it’s that everyone’s situation is different.
Mortgage advisors know this, and will take a number of factors into account before deciding if you’re eligible for a Dutch mortgage.
For internationals in the Netherlands, this includes factors such as:
Your nationality and visa
Your work and income
Your debt (and savings!)
With each of these factors, there are a number of requirements that you must meet in order to be eligible for a mortgage in the Netherlands — but the good news is that they’re not too bad!
Let’s run through them.
Your nationality and buying a house in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, your nationality shouldn’t stop you from being eligible for a Dutch mortgage. Image: Depositphotos
Worried that Dutch mortgages have a beef against the British, an argument against Australians, a setback for South Africans? The quick answer is to stop.
While the banks do care where you come from, there is a solution for everyone. The particular rules and hurdles will depend on a number of factors, such as whether you’re an EU citizen or not.
Am I eligible to buy a house in the Netherlands if I am an EU citizen?
In short, yes! If you hold an EU passport, then the process of getting a Dutch mortgage is going to be basically the same as if you were a born and bred Dutchie.
Which country you’re from should have niks (nothing) to do with it.
Instead, all you need to be eligible for a Dutch mortgage is to be registered at your local municipality and a resident of the Netherlands. Pssst! You’re a resident if you are registered!
Am I eligible to buy a house in the Netherlands if I am a non-EU citizen?
Are you from outside the EU? Then this means the process might involve a few more requirements. That being said, this doesn’t mean you can’t get a mortgage in the Netherlands!
Many internationals in the Netherlands are eligible for Dutch mortgages, and they succeed in buying a house! Image: Freepik
Dutch banks will likely just have a few extra requirements — like wanting to know the number of years you have been living and working in the Netherlands.
What has this got to do with your eligibility? Some banks may only be willing to loan the money for a mortgage if you’ve been living here for more than just a few months.
In some cases, banks may even want to see that you have been living here for at least five years.
However, don’t let this news bring you down — there are still plenty of Dutch banks that will not have such strict requirements when it comes to the duration of your residence in the Netherlands.
It’s just worth noting that the longer you are living here, the more options a mortgage broker has for arranging that Dutch mortgage for you!
Am I eligible to buy a property when I’m not living in the Netherlands?
In short, yes — if you plan on moving to the Netherlands.
You can begin the buying process of a property in the Netherlands from abroad. In fact, mortgage experts can help you with this. However, in order to secure a mortgage in the Netherlands, you have to be registered and living here.
This means that at some point during the buying process, you will have to move to the Netherlands and register yourself at an address — unless you’re paying all cash, of course.
Your work, income, and buying a house in the Netherlands
Many internationals are happy to call the Netherlands their home! Image: Freepik
Of course, another important contributor to your eligibility for a Dutch mortgage is going to be your current work situation. Do you have a permanent contract? Are you a freelancer? How much do you earn?
All of these factors will play a role in determining your eligibility.
Am I eligible for a Dutch mortgage if I don’t have a permanent work contract?
Perhaps your employer hasn’t given you that permanent contract yet. Does this mean you aren’t eligible for a Dutch mortgage? Absolutely not!
Instead, you can ask your employer to write you a ‘declaration of intent.’ This is a letter stating that your employer will give you a permanent indefinite contract after the current contract expires.
Often banks will then give you a mortgage based on this letter of intent.
Am I eligible for a mortgage in the Netherlands as a freelancer?
Yep! You don’t even need an employer in order to buy a home in the Netherlands.
For example, if you are self-employed as a freelancer (ZZP’er), then you just have to prove that you are an active freelancer and submit proof of income.
In this case, you are eligible to get a mortgage in the Netherlands, but again, you must reach a number of requirements, including:
You need to have been active in your Dutch business for at least one year and have closed off one financial year. The longer you have your business, the better the chances are when it comes to getting a mortgage. When it comes to the amount of money you can get with a Dutch mortgage as a freelancer, it goes as follows:
The banks will calculate your “salary” by taking your average profit for the past three years. If your business hasn’t been around for three years, they’ll deduct a percentage of the profit because your business hasn’t proved it has the longevity to survive yet
You need to have registered at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KVK). Having your business registered elsewhere (such as a foreign chamber of commerce) really complicates things and lowers your chances of getting a mortgage.
In other words, once you move here, it is — in the case of obtaining a mortgage — best to move your business here as well. It’s worth noting that this is actually quite a quick process, however. Simply register yourself for a one-time appointment at the KvK.
Freelancers are also eligible for a Dutch mortgage! Image: Depositphotos
Debt and your eligibility for a Dutch mortgage
This is one of the most-asked questions that mortgage advisors receive in the Netherlands. So let’s wrap up by getting into it.
Can I get a mortgage in the Netherlands if I have debt?
What a question! And, as with almost anything related to getting a Dutch mortgage, the answer is: it depends.
However, it’s nice to know that having debt isn’t the end of the road — it might just mean your borrowing power is lower.
Unsure of whether or not your debt is simply too high to get a mortgage in the Netherlands? This means it’s time for you to sit down with a mortgage consultant.
Am I eligible for a Dutch mortgage if I have student debt?
Now, this is the queen of the question kingdom. It’s also a normal question: after all, a lot of us internationals in the Netherlands are saddled with student debt. Let’s talk about it.
Am I eligible for a Dutch mortgage if I have student debt from abroad?
International student loan debt is considered the same way student loan debt from the Netherlands is considered.
The consultant will have to write a statement and explain how much the student loan will affect monthly expenses, and determine how long it will take to repay this loan.
Based on this information, the consultant can make a thorough calculation of the impact of the student loan on the borrowing capacity for a mortgage in the Netherlands.
So, will this affect your eligibility mortgage in the Netherlands? Again, this depends on how much debt it is! Any debt is taken into account when determining your maximum borrowing power.
There are a number of things to consider when it comes to getting a mortgage. Image: Freepik
Am I eligible for a Dutch mortgage if I have Dutch student loans?
Ok, buckle up, gang because this is going to involve some maths.
If you have student debt from the Dutch system (DUO) then a percentage of that initial loan amount is going to be deducted from your monthly mortgage allowance.
The percentage depends on when you took out a student loan.
If you took out your student loan before September 2015, then a charge of 0.75% per month on the original loan amount is taken into account and will be deducted from your potential monthly mortgage.
However, if you took your student loan out after September 2015, there’s a different loan system in place. Under this new system, only 0.35% per month is assumed.
Put simply, this amount is deducted from what you can spend on the mortgage on a monthly basis. Because this amount is lower, the maximum mortgage that you can get is also lower (makes sense, right?).
If you no longer have high debt or you have enough savings, it can certainly be worthwhile to just pay off your Dutch student debt to maximise how much you can borrow from a Dutch bank for a house.
That being said, it’s worth noting that Dutch mortgage experts are no strangers to dealing with clients who have student debt, and many people manage to obtain a mortgage in spite of this.
I’m single, does this mean I won’t be able to get a Dutch mortgage?
Who says you have to wait until you’re in a relationship to become a homeowner? While many of us may think that owning a house in the Netherlands is a distant dream if you’re single. This isn’t necessarily the case.
In fact, as of 2024, singles with a minimum income of €28,000 will be allowed to borrow an extra €16,000 towards their mortgage.
In doing this, the Dutch government hopes to help single people get their feet on the property ladder.
If there’s one piece of advice that you should take away from this article, it’s this: don’t be discouraged.
Everyone is saddled by some restriction or other when it comes to their eligibility for a mortgage in the Netherlands, yet, in spite of this, many people — including internationals — manage to get one anyway!
If ever in doubt, reach out to the experts. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Are you eligible for a mortgage in the Netherlands? Tell us your experience in the comments below!
Perhaps the promise of better weather has you planning a day trip or weekend away during the upcoming month? If you’re intending to take the train, there are some important changes to know! 👇🚊
ProRail and the NS are planning renovation work on three train stations across the country, and warn travellers to expect cancellations and delays in the coming days.
At present, the list of stations includes Amsterdam Centraal, Zwolle, and Tilburg.
Amsterdam Centraal: Expect additional transfers & longer travel times
ProRail has announced that they’ll be hard at work renovating sections of the track at Amsterdam Centraal — as well as parts of the route to Amsterdam Bijlmer — from April 29 to May 4.
NS advises travellers to use alternative public transport or hop on temporary train-replacement buses, as train travel will likely be hectic during this period.
NS suggests taking the bus, if you can! Image: Depositphotos
Zwolle: No trains from April 29 to May 1
Similarly, work will also be carried out around Station Zwolle.
ProRail states that no trains will run to and from Zwolle from April 29 to May 1, but travellers can expect additional buses to cover sections of the route.
Tilburg: No trains from April 28 to May 12
As a fourth platform is being added to Station Tilburg (and the first is being renovated), no trains will run to or from the station for 15 days between April 28 and May 12.
The 72-year-old Amsterdam resident died in October of last year, after being infected with the coronavirus for a total of 613 days.
According to de Volkskrant, the virus underwent dozens of mutations over more than a year and a half until it eventually became a new virus variant.
How did this happen?
Virologists believe that coronavirus can mutate into new variants after prolonged infection in immunocompromised patients.
That’s what happened with the so-called Omikron and Alpha variants, for example.
This same process was documented in the 72-year-old Amsterdammer, who had a rare bone marrow disease and had previously undergone a stem cell transplant.
During the 613 days the man carried the virus, he occasionally became sick, but there was no way to get rid of his infection.
“Again and again, the virus managed to evolve,” research leader Matthijs Welkers tells de Volkskrant — until eventually, a kind of “super coronavirus” emerged, which was completely immune to antibodies.
The patient died of his illness in October of 2023.
No further infections
As far as it is known, the patient did not infect anyone else with his particular variant.
And even if he did, Matthijs Welkers says it’s unsure how the virus would have behaved — or whether it would have even survived in another person.
Attempts to grow the virus in human cells in the laboratory have failed, and more research is needed to determine whether this mutation is more dangerous.
Researchers worry that older and more harmful variants of coronavirus can emerge again in chronically ill patients like this one. The Amsterdam man, for example, carried an early version of the Omikron variant.
Currently, Amsterdam UMC — where the man was admitted — is studying around 15 other patients who have been carrying the virus for the past few months or even years.
What do you think of this case of ‘super coronavirus’? Share your thoughts in the comments.
When 20-year-old Dutch-Moroccan influencer Armani L’Goumani agreed to participate in a Moroccan dating show, she never imagined that something as mundane as her outfit would send the internet into an absolute frenzy.
According to news broadcaster Rijnmond, who reached out to L’Goumani for comment, the influencer was at the airport — en route to the Netherlands — when she was stopped by customs.
“I was told to report to the nearest police station for some questions regarding an ongoing investigation.” L’Goumani revealed.
Her ‘crime’? Being a woman in a short skirt, apparently
As reported by Rijnmond, L’Goumani was accused of indecency and romanticising dating culture — the former of which can carry a prison sentence of up to two years and a fine of €50.
The ‘crimes’ were committed in this YouTube video, uploaded by the Moroccan account Kawaliss. 👇
The cherry on top of her list of supposed offences, however? The fact that she’d let her dog choose her perfect date. 🐕
She sets the record straight on TikTok
In response, L’Goumani posted a video to her half a million TikTok followers, clarifying the situation. 👇
In the video, the influencer explains that she was personally invited to participate in the show and that the clothes — yes, even the skirt that has social media users foaming at the mouth! — were approved beforehand.
(Funnily enough, as revealed in the video, the much-hated skirt wasn’t technically even a skirt, but a skort — essentially, a skirt with a pair of shorts sewn on underneath. Hardly immodest… 🤨)
Whilst the Moroccan authorities have yet to offer clarity on L’Goumani’s situation, it’s reported that she’s in the process of contacting a lawyer.
What do you think of L’Goumani’s story? Shoot us all your thoughts in the comments below!
We’re nearing the most wonderful day of the year: King’s Day. As the Netherlands turns orange, Dutch railway company NS is working overtime to make sure partygoers will be able to get home safely.
The company has announced a special “Orange timetable” for King’s Night and King’s Day on April 26 and 27, with more and longer trains running to some major Dutch cities.
Accommodating the crowds
If you’ve ever taken the train on King’s Day, you know how it gets: compartments are packed with people dressed in orange, drunkenly singing Dutch hits, as the air oozes alcohol and sweat.
To curb this phenomenon, the NS will run extra trains to Amsterdam, Arnhem, Breda, The Hague, Eindhoven, Groningen, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and Zwolle this year.
The intentions of tourists in the Dutch capital have been endlessly questioned — are they just there to enjoy the joints? Or run riot in the Red Light District?
One thing’s for sure: They always need a place to stay. Well, that just got a whole lot harder with these bans, NU.nl shares.
Bans are here to stay (and tourists aren’t)
Along with the restrictions on construction, the number of overnight hotel stays per year is capped at 20 million. Last year, there were more than 20.6 million.
And, for perspective, that doesn’t include nights in holiday rentals, B&Bs or cruises.
This is just one more shield in Amsterdam’s line of defence against overcrowding. The city has previously enforced stricter conditions for new hotels, like sustainability targets.
The only remaining loophole concerns new hotels for which construction is already underway. After that, there will be no more new places to stay.
Knowing what currency is used in the Netherlands is critical if you’re heading to the land of windmills and tulips.
Money makes the world go round, so allow us to enlighten you on what you’ll need to pay in Amsterdam and beyond.
The euro, used in many European countries, is the currency the Netherlands uses today. The euro is used all over the aptly named “Eurozone” so if you’re planning on visiting most of the neighbouring countries to Holland, sorting out your currency is easy!
Right, the easy part is done. You know what currency you’ll need. But here come the trickier questions, like:
If you’re travelling to the Netherlands for a short stay, the first thing you need to do is let your bank at home know that you will be leaving the country.
Otherwise, they may mistake the foreign transactions as theft and potentially freeze your account!
There are many banks to choose from, but if you’re just in the country for a short visit or until you have something organised, there are some important things for you to be aware of.
Your bank cards might not work in the Netherlands
Using banking apps can make the payment process much easier. 😉 Image: Unsplash
Unfortunately, many of your bank cards are unlikely to be accepted in the Netherlands.
The Dutch are not so big on credit cards, including Visa Debit or Debit Mastercards, so in supermarkets and smaller stores you’ll either need to pay with a Dutch debit card or cash.
A foreign debit card may work at the grocery store in some cases, but this is rare. Smaller stores may sometimes accept credit cards, but this could come with a small fee.
Luckily, if you’re paying at a restaurant, tourist destination or hotel, major credit and debit cards like Visa, MasterCard and American Express are often accepted.
There are a couple of ways that you can exchange money and get Dutch currency.
Knowing the right exchange rates can be tough! Image: Unsplash
Avoid converting your money in the airport or train stations as these third parties may charge high fees and give a terrible exchange rate. Hotels, bars, and vendors are also notorious for giving tourists a bad deal.
The best way to get cash in the Netherlands is to use your card at a Dutch ATM. By using your card to convert your cash, you’ll get your card provider’s exchange rate — which is closer to the “mid-market” rate that you see in the news.
Of course, make sure to check your bank’s foreign transaction conversion fee and overseas ATM fee before you go.
Tip: If the ATM offers you a choice of converting the money for you or letting your bank convert it, always let your bank convert. A quick calculation will show that you will have saved a bunch of moolah.
How to find an ATM in the Netherlands
There tends to be a lot of ATMs dotted around, so finding an ATM isn’t usually too difficult.
ATMs can be found almost anywhere in the Netherlands. Image: Depositphotos
There are even apps for locating the nearest VISA, MasterCard/Maestro and Amex ATMs. If your card doesn’t work at one ATM, don’t give up! Just try an ATM from a different bank.
The go-to method for paying online in the Netherlands is the fabulous iDEAL system. Unfortunately, this can only be used with Dutch bank accounts, but once you’ve set yourself up with one, using iDEAL definitely lives up to its name.
Of course, if you desperately need to purchase something online and don’t have iDEAL, don’t stress — some bigger web stores also accept credit cards.
Ah, the classic Euro bank notes, which are always sticking out of your wallet. Image: Unsplash
Transferring money in the Netherlands
Sending money to your home country can be ridiculously expensive if you don’t know the right way around it. But even local transfers can give you a headache if you aren’t aware of simple transfer tricks
Transferring currency within the Netherlands
Let me introduce you to the mistress of all Dutch people — the humble Tikkie.
Tikkie: the boss of payment requests in the Netherlands. Image: Depositphotos
Here’s a typical scenario: you’re out with some Dutch friends for dinner, one person pays and then casually remarks, “I’ll send you guys the Tikkie.” When I first heard this, I thought it was some kind of Dutch version of the tuk-tuk, a vehicle that would take us home. Sadly, it wasn’t.
A Tikkie is a payment request that you can send through WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and more.
When you receive the Tikkie, you simply click on the link and are taken directly to the bank app on your phone so you can send the money in one click. Super easy!
Of course, to jump on the Tikkie bandwagon, you’ll need a Dutch bank account and a Dutch, Belgian, or German telephone number.
Transferring currencies internationally
This next tip is guaranteed to save you a ton of money. Forget making international payments through dinosaur bank transfers. What you need is TransferWise. Sending money to and from the Netherlands has never been cheaper or easier.
You simply create a TransferWise account which you link to your bank account. Then you select how much you want to send and it’ll show you the (super low) transfer fees that they’ll charge.
Before the euro: the Dutch guilder
From the 17th Century until 2002, the currency used in the Netherlands was the Dutch guilder.
The name comes from the old Dutch word gulden which means golden, indicating that the coin was originally made from gold. When the conversion was made, 2.20371 Dutch guilders would equate to one single euro.
How have you found dealing with the currency in the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments below.
According to the rental website Pararius, 17,594 rental homes were available to new tenants in the first quarter of 2024 — about 27.9% less than in 2023.
One reason for the drop in available apartments is that many landlords are choosing to sell their rental properties because they have become less profitable. This is due to changes in government policy that increase interest rates and taxes on rental homes.
As a result, more Dutch homes become owner-occupied, there are fewer homes to rent, and rental prices in many Dutch cities are shooting up drastically.
So, what’s the damage? Well, at the beginning of 2023, the average rent price per square meter in the Netherlands was €16.85. As of April 2024, it’s €18.30.
The average prices have also increased for all of the Randstad cities:
Amsterdam renters pay on average €27 per square meter (5.1% increase)
Utrecht renters pay on average €20.67 per square meter (4.2% increase)
The Hague renters pay on average €19.53 per square meter (6.6% increase)
Rotterdam renters pay on average €19.39 per square meter (9% increase)
The largest rental price increases were in Deventer (18%), Hilversum (12.9%), and Groningen (12.1%), while a few places dropped in price slightly (Almere, Dordrecht, and Helmond).
Have you noticed this increase in Dutch rental prices in 2024? Tell us about it in the comments below.
Houses in the Netherlands are known for being so tall and narrow they can look like they’re stretching up towards the sky. Now, their prices are rising sky-high too.
ABN AMRO predicts a 6% increase in owner-occupied house prices this year compared to 2023, according to NU.nl.
This would mean a record high for Dutch house prices. 😥
House prices smash through ceilings
House prices have been falling since July 2022. But if ABN AMRO’s predictions are true, this year could see the highest house prices… EVER.
Why is this happening? There are several contributing factors:
So, when you combine this with more flexible transfer tax rules and less competition from large-scale investment companies, you get better opportunities for first-time buyers (even if it does mean buying in an increasingly pricey market). 💭
Have you had experience recently withbuying a house in the Netherlands? Tell us about it in the comments below.
