It’s a Friday, it’s sunny, and nothing could possibly go wrong today… right? Wrong, say the NS and ProRail.
We apologise in advance to all commuters, but the NS expects “significant adjustments” to the timetable on various rail routes around Schiphol today.
Just how significant is “significant”? Well, as a ProRail spokesperson tells the NOS, around one hundred trains will be cancelled between the hours of 5:20 AM and 3:15 PM.
As such, this timetable adjustment will not only affect Schiphol, but almost the entire Randstad, too.
But… why?
The reason for this Friday morning mess? Rail work, of course.
Over the past two weeks, ProRail has been renewing some tracks around Schiphol Airport.
Among other things, the workers have replaced switches in the railway tunnel and checked the lighting and technical installations to make sure everything works smoothly.
This is all part of bigger renovation work being done on the Schiphol tunnel. 👇
The only problem? Since no trains have run over the tracks for the past two weeks, ProRail cannot immediately let normal trains run over them.
Instead, they’ll need to remove the rust from the rails — and that’s what’s happening today.
Whatever brings you to the Dutch capital, whether it’s an epic stag night or a romantic couple’s getaway, we’ve got the list of the best hotels in Amsterdam.
If you’re looking for affordability, a luxury stay, or a unique experience, finding a hotel in Amsterdam can quite a task. With over 500 hotels in and near Amsterdam’s city centre, choosing the perfect one can be a challenge.
Luckily, as Amsterdam locals, we’re here to spare you the time. Here are the greatest hotels in Amsterdam!
And let me tell you: these beds are so comfortable! Image: Lyna Meyrer/Supplied
Located in the charming Oud Zuid district of Amsterdam, The Alfred offers you the perfect mix of city hustle and relaxation. Though located in a quiet area, everything your heart may desire is right at The Alfred’s doorstep: a gym, little shops, cafés and restaurants.
If you want to delve into some of Amsterdam’s tourist hotspots, the stunning Vondelpark and the big museum square are just a 12-minute walk away. Don’t feel like walking? Easy, just rent one of the hotel’s bikes, or opt for public transport.
The Alfred Hotel was recently renovated, and now sports modern, clean, and spacious rooms in various sizes, from the classic double to big family rooms.
TIP: To save 20% on your room, book directly on The Alfred’s website!
Zoku’s innovative hotel rooms are an architectural dream. Image: Zoku/Supplied
A hotel that functions like an office-away-from-home, Zoku is a relaxed place to live, work, and socialise while you work in the city (and do a little bit of exploring while you’re in the Dutch capital!).
Zoku offers shared dorms, private rooms, and even personal lofts, so there’s sure to be a way to stay in comfort while getting that remote work done.
Want to make it feel a bit more personal during your stay? Zoku offers to add a finishing touch to your room by choosing your preferred artwork from their art swap, making it really feel like home.
TIP: To save 15% on your room, book directly on Zoku’s website!
3. Aparthotel Adagio Amsterdam South: Enjoy your own studio
Inside the hotel, you’ll find luxury apartments with plush equipment. Image: Aparthotel Adagio/Supplied
If you’re staying in Amsterdam, but prefer to have more of your own space, then Aparthotel Adagio in Amsterdam South is just the place to go!
With comfortable studios and one or two bedroom apartments on offer, these flexible living spaces just outside the city centre are perfect for longer stays.
Each studio or apartment comes with an equipped kitchen, including an oven, hob, and counter space for meal prep, as well as a comfortable bed and free Wifi. They also have a private car park, a 24-hour reception, and an onsite gym. 🤸♀️
Even the lobby in this hostel is comfortable and welcoming. Image: ClinkNOORD/Supplied
ClinkNOORD in Amsterdam is a youth hostel offering a budget-friendly solution to staying in the city, but with the added bonus of having built-in exploration buddies extra of easy socialisation.
Stay in a shared dorm of up to ten people and make some new besties, or choose a private room and bond over dinner in the canteen.
Prefer the bottom bunk? At ClinkNOORD, you have to option to book ahead of time, and make sure you’ve got the right bed for your stay.
Love unique experiences? Well, this hostel is located in a 1920’s converted laboratory in Amsterdam Noord, a gratis (free) five-minute ferry ride from Amsterdam Central Station.
The interior of Boat&Co is to die for. Image: Abuzer Van Leeuwen/Supplied
Boat&Co is an apartment hotel right on the water of Amsterdam. Each apartment has a fully-equipped kitchen, a living space, a dedicated work area, bathroom, and, of course, comfy beds!
Want to hit the bike paths like a real Dutchie? An added perk of booking directly with Boat&Co is that you can get free use of a bike during your stay.
Even better, because popular Amsterdam areas like Westerpark and Jordaan are only a few minutes cycle away, you’ll be all the more grateful for your speedy wheels.
TIP: Book directly on Boat&Co’s website to get 25% off!
If you’re a lover of high-rise views, the Marriot Leidseplein is the best choice to see across the city. A 5-star luxury hotel, your stay here will be nothing short of fabulous.
Within walking distance of iconic museums such as the Anne Frank House or the Rijksmuseum, it is in an ideal location. The Marriot also has a 24-hour fitness centre and a sauna for extra comfort.
The hotel offers a range of different room types, from the classic double to the huge family room.
The bedrooms inside this long-stay hotel are just wonderful. Image: Hotel Wittenbug/Supplied
With a grand 5-star rating on TripAdvisor, Hotel Wittenburg is a modern hotel with contemporary Dutch interior design.
Situated in the Plantage district, a great area for tourists who like to be close to the city, and built into an 18th-century building, you’re sure to feel the rich history of Amsterdam during your stay.
The hotel has a minimum stay of seven days, so if you’re planning on packing up and getting away for a week or more, it’s a perfect choice. Plus, the hotel has a 24-hour reception, a gym, a garden, courtyards — and is even dog-friendly! 🐕
When you started searching for hotels in Amsterdam, we’re sure staying in a renovated crane wasn’t the first idea that came to mind, but even so, the Faralda Crane Hotel has completely redefined the meaning of five-star accommodation.
With three luxurious suites inside the crane, you’ll feel (quite literally) on top of the world during your stay. The hotel also offers a tonne of luxury experiences: private dining, private boat tours, and even a champagne breakfast! 🍾
At SWEETS hotel, you can actually stay inside Amsterdam’s bridges — another unique hotel concept in Amsterdam.
These bridge homes once housed the city’s bridge keepers, who opened and closed the bridges for passing traffic. Today, 28 of the homes have been converted into short-term stays for tourists in Amsterdam, each one with its own quirks and design features.
The bridge houses are best suited for couples or stays for friend groups, as only those over the age of 21 are allowed to stay. Inside each house, you will find a comfortable bed and bathroom, alongside a mini-fridge and safe for security keeping. Some even have kitchenettes!
📍 Location: Each bridge house has its own, separate location. 💰 Price range: €125 – €222 per night
10. Kimpton DeWitt: Sleep in at a boutique hotel
Image: Abuzer Van Leeuwen/Supplied
Kimpton DeWitt is a luxury hotel in the centre of Amsterdam. The hotel has over 250 rooms, and as a five-star hotel, the amenities in their luxury rooms can’t be beaten.
Each room comes with a Nespresso Coffee Machine, bathrobes, a smart TV, and even a Bluetooth speaker.
With a cocktail bar on site, you can end a night out with a few final drinks with friends, and collapse into a soft bed before you start all over again the next day. Or, if wine is more your style, check out one of their hosted wine evenings. Cheers! 🥂
11. Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam: In the heart of De Pijp
Image: NH Hotels
Avani Museum Quarter Amsterdam is your stylish retreat in the heart of the city’s vibrant cultural district and is just a stone’s throw away from iconic museums like the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.
The sleek, modern design of each room is complemented by warm, welcoming touches, creating a cosy oasis after a day of exploring Amsterdam’s artistic treasures.
Our favourite part of this hotel isn’t the brand-new renovation, the friendly staff, or the indulgent breakfast buffet. It’s the iconic view out of the canal-side windows, where you can see the Amsterdam skyline, boats drifting lazily down the water, and bikes whizzing by. You won’t want to leave your room!
Found your hotel in Amsterdam? Great! While you’re here, make sure you check out some of Amsterdam’s iconic sites, or even take a short day trip to one of the Netherlands’ many beautiful cities.
Do you have a favourite hotel in Amsterdam? Tell us in the comments below! 👇
The sun is already shining and the temperature is finally into the double figures. Well, just about.
Today, it will be about 10 degrees today, and a few clouds remain, but Buienradar confirms there will also be plenty of blue skies to enjoy.
In het zuiden wisselen zon en stapelwolken elkaar af. In het noorden is er meer bewolking aanwezig, maar ook daar lost de bewolking geleidelijk wat op. Hoe ziet het er morgen uit?! Check: https://t.co/GOcfh0MsTOpic.twitter.com/KtO41mpMWb
Translation: In the south, sun and cumulus clouds alternate. There are more clouds in the north, but the clouds are gradually dissipating. What will it look like tomorrow?!
The weekend is warming up
It just gets better — by tomorrow there won’t be a cloud in the sky.
And Saturday? It will feel HOT (by Dutch standards, at least), with southerly regions set to enjoy temperatures as high as 16 degrees.
No fear, the north won’t be far behind at a (slightly balmy) 13 degrees.
The Netherlands is known for many things: windmills, canals, and oh yeah, ASML. Now, the world-renowned company has hinted at moving its operations elsewhere — but why?
Let’s just say, it’s not as simple as the company wanting to “find itself.”
Who are ASML? ASML designs and manufactures lithography machines that help make computer chips — so you could be using the product of an ASML machine to read this article!
The main reason: ASML needs more staff
You’d think that with such a huge population in such a small surface area, the tech giant would have no problem finding sufficient staff for its operations, but it’s not that simple.
The company requires highly skilled technical employees to keep its wheels turning, and they can’t all be sourced among the Dutch.
In fact, according to ASML CEO Peter Wennink, 60% of its employees come from abroad. However, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for ASML to find such international employees.
Why? According to the NOS, one reason is due to a change in the way international workers are taxed in the Netherlands.
The 30% ruling is on the way out
One huge benefit of working as a skilled international in the Netherlands used to be the 30% ruling.
As part of this ruling, highly skilled highly skilled and eligible expats could receive 30% of their income tax-free for five years.
However, as of 2024, this has changed. Instead, the amount has been reduced to 30% for the first 20 months, 20% for the following 20 months, and then 10% for the final 20 months.
In turn this means that fewer highly skilled internationals are encouraged to work in the Netherlands for companies like ASML.
However, it’s not just high taxes that are leading to problems for ASML.
Remember the housing crisis?
The struggle to find housing in the Netherlands is very real in 2024, and ASML employees are not immune to it.
In fact, employees have been struggling so much to find housing that ASML has resorted to buying up housing and getting involved in housing construction projects to try and ease the crisis faced by its employees.
The result? ASML aren’t impressed
While ASML hasn’t outright announced that it will be leaving the Netherlands. It has been dropping some worrying hints.
“You see all kinds of movements that make it more difficult for internationally operating companies that need international talent, for example, to do business in the Netherlands.”
As a result, sources in The Hague tell RTL Nieuws that the outgoing cabinet has sprung into action.
A plan to prevent the company’s departure is being drawn up under the code name Beethoven. 👀
This doesn’t mean a complete departure
However, these hints don’t mean that there will be a complete departure of ASML from the Netherlands.
Jos Versteeg, analyst at InsingerGilissen tells RTL Nieuws that the company upping shop and leaving is “very unlikely.”
That being said, Jim Tehupuring, investment expert at 1 Vermogensbeheer, tells RTL Nieuws that he does see at least part of the company shifting to another country.
He just doesn’t know “whether that is 30% or 70%.”
Regardless of what the company decides to do, there is one thing we can be sure of: any move will take time. Years in fact, according to Tehupuring.
What do you think of ASML’s hints? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
After battling the notorious Amsterdam housing market for months, despairingly feeling like I was never going to find a place to live, I was eventually put in touch with a landlord whose tenant had just moved out.
So desperate that I would’ve willingly settled for a gazebo in Vondelpark, I couldn’t believe my luck when he showed me around his houseboat.
Now, picture the next few months of idyllic canal life: a boat passes you by filled with jovial Amsterdammers eating olives on cocktail sticks and sipping prosecco.
The native city wildlife surrounds you and, just like in a fairy tale, a band of squirrels sweeps the deck. An expedition of stoned tourists on pedalos crashes apologetically into your boat with a look of regret.
The idyllic houseboat life. But… where does your poo go? Image: Depositphotos
Whilst these are all notable and welcome features, what I love most about a houseboat life are the questions that people ask about it — so here are the answers to some of the gems I’ve collected. 👇
1. Where does your poep go?
Ah yes, the burning question. Do you have to pump out your own poo? Or does a person come and do it for you? Does it just go straight in the canal? Or does it get stored inside the boat?
No, my dear friends, this isn’t Kevin Costner’s Waterworld; we are connected to mainland Europe via a sewage pipe. (Luckily.) 💩
Although, I prefer to let people envisage me heaving a putrid bucket of feces through the boat, over the drawbridge, and tipping it into the street like a medieval chambermaid.
2. Do you get internet on a houseboat?
Yes, but it’s dial-up. I’m joking, of course.
The gap between the boat and the land is about a metre — if the conceptual being that is the internet can cross the Atlantic, you would have thought it could just about reach us on our canal boat. 🕸
It’s just like any other house! Image: Depositphotos
3. Can you just drive to England?
Surprisingly enough, it has been done before! Pensioners Terry and Monica Darlington and their dog, Jim, successfully crossed the English Channel in their canal boat named Phyllis May in 2004.
This quote from Terry summarises the mild peril they experienced on the voyage: “The dog [Jim], who was on tranquillisers, howled like a drunk.” 🧭
4. Do you get seasick?
The majority of the time, movement-wise, I forget entirely that I’m on a boat. So, no, I don’t get seasick.
However, occasionally some reckless hooligan comes hurtling down the canal, breaking the speed limit which sends all houseboats into a frenzy.
I once woke up with an aggressive start and thought my world was crumbling down as I rocked like a baby in a 30 ft cradle, with possessions falling to the ground all around me. ⚓
5. Will you be friends with all your boaty neighbours?
Sometimes, people immediately assume you are part of some quirky little club. Having said that, though, I would love to make friends with my boat neighbours and be able to hop over the stern to borrow a cup of sugar.
Some houseboats have sleek modern design. Image: Depositphotos
Unfortunately, however, houseboats are by nature are quite long. The neighbour’s front door may be as far as 100 m away, so I have a higher chance of bumping into my land-dwelling neighbours.
But sure, I can check with my little houseboat club whether or not we water-dwellers are allowed to mingle with land-dwellers. 👀
Do you have any other burning questions about living on a houseboat? Let us know in the comments below!
Want to make the move to the Netherlands without having to splash all your cash? Here’s how to do that in true Dutch fashion (A.K.A. saving money like a pro).
Not only is your to-do list for moving a mile long (finding a new place to live, setting up bank accounts, getting health insurance, and more) — but moving can also be ridiculously expensive.
So how can you save money when moving to the Netherlands? Here are eight expert tips! 💡
1. Negotiate a relocation package with your new employer
If you’re moving to the Netherlands for a sparkling new job, why not ask your employer for a relocation package?
Many employers will happily pay for your moving fees and occasionally even arrange temporary accommodation while you look for a permanent residence. Wat leuk! (How nice!)
Often, this comes in the form of up to €7,750 your employer can reimburse tax-free for your moving costs.
Tips to negotiate a relocation package:
Check in with your HR department first: they might have a standard package that they offer to save you the hassle.
Get a good idea of your costs and present them to your HR representative.
Make a list of your “must-haves” and your “would-like-to-haves.”
Explain to your new company the benefits: perhaps you can work sooner if they’re willing to help out with the move.
Don’t be afraid to ask your employer for help with your move. Image: Unsplash
2. Ask your movers for a fixed rate instead of an estimate
Movers love to estimate costs, however, some shady ones may end up blowing your budget on the final invoice. This number can run upwards of thousands above the initially estimated price. 😱
Instead, press your movers to give you a fixed rate. This way you’ll be able to avoid any hidden fees and charges and keep your Excel budget sheet happy! (And have more money to spend on delicious stroopwafels and biertjes (beer)when you arrive in the Netherlands. 😉)
TIP: Collect quotes from multiple moving companies and put your haggling skills to the test to negotiate the best rate.
3. Set up your health insurance ASAP
You’ve just touched down in the Netherlands, excited and ready to start your new life. You step out into the world, and the next thing you know, BAM! You walk onto the bike lane and collide with a cycling Dutchie.
Yet, as you lay in your hospital bed, you breathe a sigh of relief: you’ve already taken care of your health insurance, so your medical costs are covered.
Trust us: you don’t want to end up with a broken leg AND a hefty bill. Image: Depositphotos
When coming to the Netherlands to live or work, you are required to take out health insurance. You have up to four months to get health insurance from when you register at a municipality or start working. However, your premiums are backdated to the date of your arrival in the Netherlands, so you don’t save any money by waiting the full four months.
By taking out health insurance zo snel mogelijk (as soon as possible), you can avoid any shocks when it comes to payments and treatment.
Warning: If you take more than four months to sign up for health insurance you’ll be slapped with a big fine.
4. Move and exchange your money smartly
Imagine you have $1,000 USD that you want to convert to euros to use in. How many euros you’ll get heavily depends on who converts it. Here’s an example:
✈️ At the airport: €820-€850 (depending on the exchange office)
🏙 In Amsterdam city centre: €845-€860
🏦 Through your bank: €828.50
🖥 Online: €868.56
Banks and money exchange places can take a huge chunk of your hard-earned coin, especially the ones at the airport. Instead, transferring your money online gives you some of the best rates and can save you up to €20-€50 — and it can go directly into your Dutch bank account!
This is one of the easiest ways to save money when moving to the Netherlands — go you!
5. Buy your furniture in the Netherlands (and let go of the rest)
Forget the old couch that you’ve had since uni or the rugs that you got from your relative.
Shipping your belongings overseas is ridiculously expensive — and you can buy everything you need in the Netherlands.
Buy your furniture in the Netherlands so you have an excuse to go eat meatballs at IKEA. Image: Pexels
You’ll save a stack of money on a moving company since most companies charge you by weight and space, and save yourself a bunch of stress waiting for it to get to your new house. Win-win! 🙌🏼
You don’t have to shop new either: you can find great quality bargains on Facebook Marketplace, Marktplaats, or at second-hand stores (kringlopen).
6. Scoop out the best deals for your utilities
To truly enjoy life in your new Dutch home, you’ll need things such as electricity, gas, internet, and a phone and TV provider.
To save you some stress (and money!), it might be worth scouring the web for some of the best utility deals and providers before you arrive in the Netherlands.
Setting up utilities like water is essential when moving to the Netherlands! Image: Unsplash
You’ll find that you’re often able to get package deals from certain providers, grouping, for example, internet and TV, or gas and electricity. Sometimes, going for these deals is your cheapest option. Other times, however, purchasing services separately works out cheaper. Your best bet here is a good price comparison tool!
7. Make use of kortingen (discounts) where you can
Thought looking for discounts and offers was for grannies on their way to a bingo game? Think again! The Dutch areall about spending as little money as possible, even if it means elbowing that same granny in Kruidvat for a 1+1 (buy one, get one free) deal. 👀
Here are some ways you can find discounts to make your wallet happy:
Get store cards for shops you visit often for discounts and free gifts.
Download discount apps to help you stay on top of all the hot sales.
Make use of corporate discounts on health insurance, gyms, travel, etc.
You can also apply for government benefits if you meet certain criteria. For example, if you live in rented accommodation, have Dutch health insurance, or have a child who attends daycare or is under 18, you may be entitled to benefits from the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration.
8. Don’t buy a car (right away)
We know that cars are really convenient and it can be nice to drive to work or school on your own and avoid sitting next to (gasp!) other people.
However, the costs of owning a car in the Netherlands can be substantially more than in other countries. 💸
Cycling is the best way to get around in the lowlands. 🙌🏼 Image: Unsplash
Instead, make use of public transport, shared car networks, and hire cars for your first few weeks at least. And remember: biking is king in the Netherlands. 🚲
Now that you’re so well-versed in these money-saving tips, you’ll blend right in with your new country’s compatriots. 🇳🇱😉
Do you have any tips for saving money when moving to the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!
LeydenJar, a Dutch manufacturer developing batteries that can store huge amounts of energy, has announced that it will open its first factory in Eindhoven.
The young innovators shared plans to begin production in 2026, as they continue to create the world’s most energy-dense battery.
LeydenJar’s super-chargers might be small, but they’re extremely powerful! 👇
What does LeydenJar do?
LeydenJar started in solar technology, before a failing project proved more hopeful in the battery world.
Now they are focused on their greater, greener vision:the “battery of the future” — a battery that holds twice the amount of energy and can be recharged in just 5 minutes.
Better battery life means longer driving ranges, shorter charging times, and vastly increased functionality for all electrical goods. Fully charged phone in just a few minutes? Ja, please!
Speedy, superior AND sustainable
LeydenJar’s new Eindhoven home, the PlantOne factory, will produce enough power to fuel four million smartphones annually. So, how are they contributing to a greener future?
Well, their flagship anodes (a part of the battery) are made of pure silicon (AKA one of the most useful elements to humankind) instead of conventional graphite-based batteries.
This means they can store up to 70% more energy. 🤯
Higher energy density and thinner designs are the key here — and a single charge lasts muchlonger.
Even better, the climate change impact of LeydenJar’s production is decreased by up to 85% when compared to regular batteries.
With its new Eindhoven factory, LeydenJar will continue its mission to reduce society’s greenhouse gas emissions, working towards the EU goal of being net zero by 2050. 🙌⚡
Do you currently own an electric or hybrid vehicle in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!
In the Netherlands, both men and women are allowed to go to the ballot boxes — because they are equal in the eyes of the law. Seems normal right? Right, but the right to vote for women was only introduced in the Netherlands in 1919.
More than 90 years ago, women going to the ballots to cast their votes wasn’t seen as a very “normal” thing.
So let’s talk about the history of women’s suffrage in the Netherlands and see how far the country has come.
The early days of the women’s suffrage movement in the Netherlands
The Constitution of 1848 did not explicitly state that the right to vote applied exclusively to men.
According to the law, one had to pay a certain sum of taxes to vote and to be in possession of that right as a citizen — which women did not.
Women were not allowed to vote and were taken for granted by the legislature. According to Dutch law, they were emotionally unreliable and quite incompetent and, therefore, had no civil rights.
Introducing Aletta Jacobs
In 1883, the physician Aletta Jacobs tried to make use of the lack of the explicit exclusion of women in the electoral law.
She tried to register herself as a candidate in Amsterdam but was blatantly refused.
This led to a constitutional revision in 1887, in which it was explicitly stated that the right to vote applied only to men.
The ‘First Feminist Wave’ led to protests in the United States and Great Britain in the 70s of the 19th century.
This was mostly centred around the lack of suffrage for women. These protests also came to the Netherlands in the late 1980s, as various associations for women’s suffrage were established.
The Vrije Vrouwen Vereeniging (1889-1903, Free Women’s Association), started by Wilhelmina Drucker, and
The Vereniging voor Vrouwenkiesrecht (1894-1919, Association for Women’s Suffrage), started by Wilhelmina Drucker, Annette Versluys-Poelman and Aletta Jacobs.
The rise of the middle-class bourgeoisie
In the period after 1870, a certain feminist consciousness developed among the ‘well-to-do’ women in the Netherlands, under the influence of the international women’s suffrage movement in England and the United States.
This women’s movement fought against the deprived position of women in Dutch society.
The aim was access for women to all forms of education, the right to work in the public service under the same conditions as men, and the same right to management as well as sexual liberation for all women.
Which women’s organizations were involved in women’s suffrage?
Vrije Vrouwen Vereeniging (VVV) (1889-1903)
On October 2, 1889, the Vrije Vrouwen Vereeniging (VVV) was established.
The aim of the association was “to promote the social importance of women” as well as fight for their “mental and political development”.
Four years later, the VVV organized a public meeting with its main theme as ‘women’s suffrage’.
They also got some support from socialist circles. Due to the fact that only rich men could vote, socialists who were fighting for general suffrage teamed up with the VVV to fight for the general right to vote.
The collaboration was short because prominent socialists of that time — such as Henri Polak and Frank van der Goes — thought the demands of women were over the top and that they had gone too far.
Vereeniging voor Vrouwenkiesrecht (1894-1919):
On 5 February 1894, a number of women from various religious and political backgrounds set up the Vereeniging voor Vrouwenkiesrecht in Amsterdam.
In the beginning, the society had great difficulty recruiting new members. In Amsterdam and other neighbouring cities, spouses, family and friends often exerted pressure on women not to become members of the society.
The Vereeniging voor Vrouwenkiesrecht at a demonstration in Amsterdam, 1914. Image: Unknown photographer/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
Men were allowed to join but not on the board. Due to the efforts of the association, an understanding of the struggle for women’s suffrage gradually became a reality.
By the year 1900, the society could count more than 1,089 members spread over 15 cities in the Netherlands.
Due to the huge success and the subsequent attention from the Congress of the World Women’s Suffrage Union in Amsterdam in 1908, the society saw a sharp increase in its number of members.
Nederlandse Bond voor Vrouwenkiesrecht:
A number of members who had left the Vereeniging voor Vrouwenkiesrecht founded the Nederlandse Bond voor Vrouwenkiesrecht (Dutch bond for women’s suffrage) on 25 February 1907.
This association’s aim was to ‘fight for women’s suffrage’. They thought that women first had to learn how to lead and judge independently, and only then could they participate in political life.
Neutrality and impartiality were better guaranteed here. The difference between this Association and the other ones was that they allowed men in management positions, and as a result, succeeded in gaining wider support for women’s suffrage with the general public.
They believed that in order to achieve women’s suffrage, men also had to join the fight!
Members of this Association were generally of ‘better descent’ and gentler than the members of the Society for Women’s Suffrage.
The Constitution Revision of 1917
In 1917, the various protests and public speeches by women ultimately led to a constitutional amendment whereby women were given the right to be elected.
This meant that they were allowed to stand for election, but still were not allowed to vote for others. In 1918, Suze Groeneweg was elected as the first woman in the Lower House for the SDAP.
Suze Groeneweg, the first-ever female member of the Dutch House of Representatives. Image: Unknown photographer/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0 NL
The right to vote in 1919
Passive women’s suffrage was followed in 1919 by a bill by Henri Marchant, which introduced general women’s suffrage.
This bill was accepted by the Lower House, and on 18 September, Queen Wilhelmina signed a law that gave women full suffrage.
In the first elections that followed, in 1922, seven women were voted into the Lower House.
Political contributions to the progress of women
After 1919, some futile attempts were made to establish a women’s party in the Netherlands. However, this idea did not appeal to many, as feminists and other women rather chose to organise women’s groups within existing political parties.
The 1922 elections showed that women did not vote that differently from men. The political atmosphere before the introduction of women’s suffrage was practically the same.
However, more and more women were voted into the Lower House in the 1920s.
The International Congress of Women in 1915, including Aletta Jacobs. Image: LSE Library/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
Which women were active in the movement for women’s suffrage in the Netherlands?
Aletta Jacobs (1854-1929)
She was a radical feminist and a woman with a political acumen. Jacobs took up the electoral issue when she wanted to be the first woman to stand for election in Amsterdam in 1883.
According to the constitution on the right to vote, it didn’t say anywhere that she was not allowed to register and run for office.
Technically, women were allowed to run for office and could also be voted for, because the law spoke of every ‘Dutch’ citizen. The city council of Amsterdam interpreted the text differently and refused to allow Jacobs to run for office.
Jacobs appealed to the Supreme Court but was unsuccessful.
In 1893 she joined the Vrije Vrouwen Vereeniging (VVV) (Free Women Association) when they also started fighting for women’s suffrage.
From 1903-1919 she was president of the Vereeniging voor Association for Women’s Suffrage. She also played an important role in the international women’s suffrage movement.
Wilhelmina Drucker (1847-1925)
Wilhelmina Drucker was a radical feminist and co-founder of the Free Women’s Association (VVV) in 1889.
Wilhelmina grew up under difficult circumstances due to her father refusing to marry her mother and legally recognise her and her siblings as his children.
She and other Dutch women set up a weekly magazine for girls and women called De Vrouw (The Woman) in 1888. A year later, she founded the Free Women’s Association which would later become the Vereeniging voor Vrouwenkiesrecht (Association for Women’s Suffrage).
She was a strong advocate for women’s rights, lectured around the Netherlands and was also known to have helped in founding several women’s trade unions.
Due to the difficult circumstances surrounding her upbringing, she also played a huge role in the fight for unmarried women and their children.
Rosa Manus (1881-1942)
Rosa Manus got into the women’s suffrage movement in 1908 at the Congress of the International Woman Suffrage Alliance (IWSA).
At that conference, she met Wilhelmina Drucker and the American suffragist Carrie Chapman Catt, who would become her partners and friends in the fight for women’s suffrage.
She was a member of the Vereeniging voor Vrouwenkiesrecht and would later serve as the Society’s secretary.
She was also very involved internationally in the work of the World Association for Women’s Suffrage and the International Women’s Union for Peace and Freedom.
Rosa Manus was also Jewish and, unfortunately, was deported by the Nazis in 1940 and transferred to Ravensbrück concentration camp in October 1941.
Although the circumstances around her death aren’t very clear, historians suggest that she was probably gassed at Bernburg in 1942.
Annette Versluys-Poelman (1853-1914)
Annette Versluys-Poelman was co-founder and president (1894-1902) of the Society for Women’s Suffrage.
Under her inspiring leadership, the association became an independent movement that gained influence in many cultural and political circles.
She also founded the Onderlinge Vrouwenbescherming (Women’s Mutual Protection Society) and fought for the rights of unmarried mothers and their “illegitimate” children.
Esther Welmoet Wijnaendts Francken-Dyserinck (1876-1956) and Lizzy van Dorp (1872-1945)
Esther Welmoet was a Dutch journalist and feminist and also co-founder of Dutch Girl Guiding and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).
Lizzy van Dorp was a Dutch lawyer, politician and feminist. Van Dorp studied law at the University of Leiden and, in 1901, became the first woman to obtain a law degree in the Netherlands.
On 25 February 1907, they founded the Nederlandsche Bond voor Vrouwenkiesrecht (VVK). They had left the Society for Women’s Suffrage out of dissatisfaction with the Society’s direction.
They found that members with a more moderate way of thinking did not receive much attention or have a say on important issues within the association.
Clara Meijer-Wichmann (1885-1922)
Clara Meijer-Wichman was a German-Dutch lawyer, writer, anarchist and feminist.
She was involved in the establishment of the Utrecht section of the Nederlandse Bond voor Vrouwenkiesrecht in 1907, and was active as a board member until she left the league in 1911.
She was very active in the anarchist and feminist movements, and published many articles which were hugely critical of the Dutch criminal justice system.
On 21 March 1920, she gave a lecture on crime, punishment and society. In this lecture, she came up with a proposition that crime comes from social injustice and that she believed most ‘crime’ would disappear with equitable social relations.
Clara Meijer-Wichmann died aged 36, after giving birth to her daughter Hetty Clara (1922–2012). Jonas “Jo” Meijer, her husband, continued to publish her work after her death.
Today, we thank these women for their enormous efforts towards a more equal society.
What strikes you the most about the women’s suffrage movement in the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments.
With Easter steadily approaching, many of us may be keen on getting our fill of delicious Easter stollen. Unfortunately, if you bought one from a Jumbo supermarket, you may need to hit the brakes on that thought! 👀
In a recent press release, Jumbo warned that some of its feeststollen (party stollen) may contain potentially carcinogenic compounds.
Yikes, which stollen?
If you’ve recently purchased a La Place Kleine Feest Stol (Small Party Stollen) with Amarena cherries, pistachio, and hazelnuts… well, you’d best be asking for a refund. 👇
The feeststollen in question! Image: Jumbo/Press release
Product: “La Place Luxe Kleine Feeststol met Amarena Kers, Pistache & Hazelnoten 400g” EAN code: 8718452752058 Best before: March 6, 2024 and March 12, 2024
If you’ve bought this stollen at the store or online and would like your money back, you can simply pop back and hand it over — no receipt needed!
Deciding on a school for your children is a huge responsibility — and while the Dutch education system is known for its quality, you may be wondering if it’s the best choice for your child.
There’s a lot to say about the IBDP, and in today’s interconnected world, the value of an international education cannot be overstated.
But what are the benefits of the IBDP, and how can your child benefit from it?
1. Preparation for a future beyond school
Set your children up for success! Image: Depositphotos
In our ever-changing world, we don’t know what careers will exist in the future. The goal of any education is to prepare students for their future, wherever it may take them.
That’s why the IBDP focuses not just on academic excellence but also on character development, leadership skills, and a deep understanding of the world.
This prepares students to be creative, agile and resilient, setting them up for success in university and their careers — wherever they may choose to pursue them.
2. Cultural diversity and global awareness
Fostering an international mindset is the best way to create global citizens. Image: Depositphotos
One of the most significant advantages of an international education is the exposure to people from diverse cultures.
International schools not onlyteach cultural understanding, but the children actuallylive it through their day-to-day life within the community.
This cultural diversity fosters global awareness, empathy, and a profound appreciation for different ways of life, preparing students to become true global citizens.
3. Excellent language proficiency
Oftentimes, English is not just the main language spoken at school but also in the friend group. Image: Depositphotos
It’s no secret that multilingualism is a highly valued skill in our interconnected world.
If they aren’t already, international school students become multilingual by following a curriculum taught in a different language than their mother tongue or attending a multilingual programme. 💬
The result? They have all the tools to communicate effectively across borders and cultures — and that’s a valuable asset in all aspects of life.
4. A rigorous academic curriculum that prepares for university
Quality teachers make a huge difference in your children’s schooling. Image: Depositphotos
The IBDP is renowned for its comprehensive curriculum — and is one of the best ways to prepare your children if they want to attend top universities worldwide. 🎓
Universities around the world see IBDP graduates as highly qualified for further studies, and students often feel more prepared to take on university-level classes.
5. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Fostering an international mindset is the best way to create global citizens. Image: Depositphotos
The international education model strongly emphasises critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Students are continuously encouraged to think independently, analyse complex issues, and develop creative solutions. Students are given real-life problems to tackle, making learning come alive.
These skills are not only essential for the IBDP, but for life. 💪
6. Global networking opportunities
An international education allows students to grow outside of their comfort zone. Image: Depositphotos
An international education offers unparalleled opportunities for students to build a global network of peers and mentors.
How? International schools often provide their students with unique opportunities thanks to partnerships with international organisations, universities, and schools.
These connections can be invaluable in students’ future academic and professional ambitions and provide them with a competitive edge in a global job market. ⚡️
Universities around the world see IBDP graduates as highly qualified for further studies, and students often feel more prepared to take on university-level classes. 💪
7. Educational continuity and adaptability
IBDP schools have some of the best learning resources out there! Image: Depositphotos
For nomadic families, having your children in an international school can offer consistency in curriculum despite moving between countries.
Your children learn to navigate unfamiliar environments, develop resilience, and embrace change — but the curriculum will be familiar, and there should be no learning gaps.
The highly acclaimed IBDP offers many benefits that can impact your child’s life.
From cultural diversity and language proficiency to critical thinking skills and global networking opportunities — the international approach to education is designed to prepare students for success.
What is your experience with international schools in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally written in September 2021, and was fully updated in October 2023 for your reading pleasure.
