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Travelling to or from Amsterdam by train this week? Prepare for trouble

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Dutch Railway operator NS is sticking to its New Year’s resolution of making things hard for its passengers. This week, travellers between Utrecht and Amsterdam will face the most difficulties.

Those who frequent the Amsterdam-Haarlem-The Hague line may also have to deal with some major annoyances. The reason? Work on the rails.

From February 14 to 26

The NS thought the beginning of the long-awaited Voorjaarsvakantie (Dutch spring break) was the perfect time to start working on some of the country’s busiest train tracks.

So, from Wednesday, February 14, to Monday, February 26, ProRail will be busy with werkzaamheden (construction works) on tracks two to eight at Amsterdam Central Station.

As a result, timetables for trains between Amsterdam and Utrecht have been adjusted, while trains on the Amsterdam–Haarlem–The Hague line will have to be shorter (and, in turn, accommodate fewer passengers).

As the NS writes, this has various consequences on train travel:

  • Fewer trains can run than travellers are used to,
  • Trains can also be a lot busier,
  • Trains may depart from other tracks,
  • Travel times will be longer,
  • Travellers may have to add extra transfers to their travel.

Long story short: It is recommended that you travel outside rush hours or use the detour routes whenever possible.

Oh, and don’t forget to check 9292 for the latest travel updates.

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‘Animal exploitation’? Dutch PETA urges amusement park to remove plastic animals from carousels

The Dutch amusement park industry was left speechless when PETA Nederland, the well-known animal rights organisation, urged De Efteling to remove horses and other animals from its carousels.

“It is not of this time to exploit animals for entertainment”, says PETA Nederland spokesperson Janneke Hogervort to the AD.

“Amusement parks don’t mean it that way, but children get the feeling that it’s normal to use animals purely for our pleasure.”

PETA Nederland argues that De Efteling is one of the largest amusement parks in Europe and that they have a big influence on other parks. Even if they just mention that they’re considering changing their carousels, it will bring up an “important discussion”.

Puzzled reactions

Needless to say, people were confused and amused — “I try to find the right words without laughing,” says the President of the National Association of Fairgrounds, Atze J. Lubach-Koers.

“There is no adult with a full mind who thinks this is necessary. Maybe we should tell PETA that the horses are not alive.” You said it. 😅

Translation: “The Efteling has the oldest carousels in the Netherlands, the oldest dates back to 1865. Don’t think we should demolish them.”

Even the Dutch Animal Protection organisation was baffled: “We had to look at the calendar when we read the news about removing horses from merry-go-rounds because apparently April 1 is now in early February,” said spokesperson Niels Kalkman.

It’s all about conversation

PETA Nederland suggested swapping horses, elephants, and giraffes with cars, airplanes, and spaceships, among other things.

De Efteling has said it will “follow” the conversation — but hasn’t confirmed if they’ll actually change anything.

READ MORE | 14 thrilling theme parks in the Netherlands in 2024

Of course, PETA was just looking to stir the pot, and it’s certainly not the first time they’ve done so. Previously, they’ve urged LEGO to get rid of farm sets and asked American food manufacturers to stop making animal crackers. 🦓

“It’s in our style to stimulate this kind of discussion in a slightly provocative way. We don’t mind. The conversation is the most important thing to us,” says Hogervorst.

Do you think theme parks and fairs should get rid of animals in their carousels? Tell us in the comments!

All aboard! This new night train is coming to the Netherlands in March

Going to sleep in flat ol’ Netherlands and waking up in a green mountain paradise? Yup, thanks to European Sleeper‘s newest night train to Germany, it will soon be possible!

In so-called Saxon Switzerland, a national park located south of the city of Dresden, you’ll find breathtaking sandstone cliffs, unique rock formations, deep canyons, lush valleys, and amazing lookout points. 🏔️

It’s a great place for an outdoorsy getaway. And the best part? As of March 25, 2024, it’s just a train ride away!

To Saxon Switzerland and beyond

Just in time for spring, European Sleeper, the creators of the Good Night Train, are adding not just one but two stops to their night train route: Dresden (Saxon Switzerland) and Prague. 😍

This means that the international route will now service the major cities of:

  • Brussels
  • Amsterdam
  • Berlin
  • Dresden
  • Prague

How does it work?

Taking the night train is as easy as pie! Simply hop onboard the train from any of the following Dutch train stations: 

  • Roosendaal 
  • Rotterdam Centraal 
  • Den Haag HS
  • Amsterdam Centraal
  • Amersfoort Centraal 
  • Deventer

Next up, head to your seat, couchette, or sleeper cabin, nestle in, and fall asleep to the chugging of the train. Next stop: your chosen destination! 🚂

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The Dutch parliament is proposing increased online gambling tax by 2025

Last year, the Netherlands announced a big change in the Dutch gambling scene. As of July 1 2023, the country imposed a ban on advertising gambling out in the open, on our TV screens, in magazines, and over the radio — but that’s not all. 

Now, new changes are being proposed. 

So, what are the proposed changes for Dutch gambling sites? 

Let’s start with the first: 

If the Dutch cabinet agrees, the Dutch gambling scene may see increased taxes for online gambling operators.

This comes after two Dutch MPs proposed an increase in online gambling tax in October of 2023. The increase may be implemented as early as 2025. 

The gambling industry is certainly a good area to find some extra money, with the best online gambling sites (according to plainenglish.io) bringing in plenty of turnover. 

But let’s take a step back for a second. What exactly is being proposed? 

Submitted to the Dutch parliament in October of last year, the proposal in question suggests that gambling operators should be asked to cough up more tax. 

If the proposal is accepted, it will amend article 5, paragraph 1 of the Netherlands’ Gambling Tax Act.

This means that online gambling site operators in the Netherlands will see their tax increase by a whole percentage, rising to 30.5%.

Why is the tax changing?

This story actually starts with increased taxes on alcohol. From January 2024, the excise duty on alcohol was increased by 16.2%. However, the result of this increase isn’t exactly good. 

Firstly, it is expected to cost a casual €74 million, and secondly, it will likely affect small businesses in the Netherlands. 

So, how can the Netherlands bring in some more money and prevent further tax increases on other goods? One way is by setting their sights on the Dutch gambling industry. 

By proposing an increase in tax on gambling sites, the amendment suggests a method that would kill two birds with one stone: the government can bring in more money, and they can also prevent increased taxes in other areas.  

Sounds like a plan if you ask us! 

Why should gambling sites in particular pay more tax? 

It’s an interesting avenue to go down for the Dutch government, but to be fair, they’re looking in the right place.

The Dutch gambling scene is super popular, which in turn means they are super profitable. 

According to the amendment, the ever-growing popularity of online gambling sites has led to the industry enjoying significant turnover. 

This isn’t exactly news, either. In fact, the average Dutch person gambles on average two times per week using online gambling sites.  

And those frequent users bring in a lot of money to gambling companies. 

Just how much? Well, since the legalisation of online gambling sites in 2022, gambling companies earned a cool €1.1 billion in their first year.  

Still enjoying a good turnover

As explained above, should this proposal be implemented by the Dutch government, this change will come as the second major change in two years for the Dutch gambling scene. 

In July 2023, the Netherlands began ripping down the many cheesy gambling posters on bus stops, silenced the ear-splitting gambling advertisements that perforated podcasts, and halted the vibrantly coloured TV ads depicting people with confetti, a deranged smile, and a shower of money.

All of this was part of an important rule change whereby the Netherlands imposed a ban on advertising gambling out in the open, on our TV screens, in magazines, and over the radio.

However, given the addictive nature of gambling, and the huge turnover the industry brings, it doesn’t seem to be suffering much as a result of the ban. 

When will this change take place? 

At the moment, the increased tax on Dutch gambling sites has yet to be implemented. For now, it’s just a proposal. 

This means that it must first be accepted by the Dutch government. 

However, should this happen, things could change quite quickly, as MPs are advising that the Dutch government implement this tax increase as soon as 2025. 

Let’s see what’s on the cards! 

A financial limit for gamblers

This isn’t the only change making its way to the Dutch gambling industry, however. 

On top of increased taxes, the House of Representatives has approved the Christian Union party’s proposal to restrict online gambling.

This would mean that a financial gambling limit would be set for all gambling platforms. 

And what would this limit look like? Gamblers will only be able to gamble up to €150 per month across all gambling platforms. 

Initially, it was proposed that this limit would only apply per platform. 

Now that the decision to impose this limit has been reached, the parliament aims to impose it before the summer

Gambling companies have a duty of care to their customers, and that duty can’t be fulfilled if they don’t prevent their customers from falling into financial ruin.

Indeed, it looks like the Dutch gambling sector will see many changes in the coming year, let’s hope they are for the best. 

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Dutch rail operator NS has just unveiled a massive timetable change

From 2025, the NS wants to make train travel an even more enticing option for travellers. How? By widening the reach of its rail networks and connecting existing stops more often.

(And hopefully more reliably! 👀🚆)

On the cards to start December 15, 2024, this is actually one of two major changes that the NS has planned for the following year, according to a new press release.

The second of which is the more widespread availability of the high-speed rail line, in particular, and the faster Intercity Nieuwe Generation high-speed train.

Hoera, there’ll be a ten-minute Sprinter to The Hague

In a bid to save us from battling our way, gladiator-style, to a seat aboard a train on the jam-packed Den-Haag-Centraal-Rotterdam-Centraal-Dordrecht line, the NS has a new Sprinter planned.

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #26: Complain about the NS

Dubbed the ‘TienminutenSprinter‘ (Ten Minute Sprinter), it’s intended to solve the long wait times for connecting trains along the route — and the utter chaos of attempting to wrangle a free seat for yourself.

The high-speed rail line will be expanded

Starting next year, the high-speed rail network will be expanded to either Almere and Lelystad or Hilversum and Amersfoort.

Due to this, all Intercity trains from Enschede will run to Utrecht Centraal or Den Haag Centraal in 2025.

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The existing high-speed rail network will be expanded. Image: Freepik

The NS also intends to extend its high-speed rail network to Groningen or Leeuwarden, but speed restrictions on existing infrastructure prevent this from being possible in the near future.

A dedicated Airport Sprinter is also in the works

Is getting to Schiphol Airport a Herculean hassle sometimes?

Well, we may just have mumbled our last grumble on the subject, as the NS notes that it’s also working on a special Airport Sprinter to ferry travellers to and from Schiphol Airport.

Do you prefer travelling internationally by train? Then you’ll be happy to know that the NS also plans on doubling the number of daily trains to Brussels from 16 to 32!

Yep, it’s all looking up in 2025. 🚝

What do you think of the NS’ proposed new timetable? Tell us all your thoughts in the comments below!

One of the best NS discounts just got very complicated, here’s why you’ll pay more

It’s happened to all of us: you’re standing at your platform when someone comes up to you and says “Hey, do you mind if I tell the conductor I’m travelling with you?”

No, it’s not because you emit maternal energy and this person is feeling particularly vulnerable. It’s because they’ve bought a ticket with a 40% joint travel discount — without a travel buddy.

If you say yes, this person can simply say “I’m with them” when a conductor checks their ticket and… ta-dahh, they’ve saved 40% on travel costs.

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

By doing this, many train travellers save money — and the NS wants to put an end to it.

A more complicated process

From April 22, the process of getting a joint travel discount will become much more complicated.

The NS has announced that those who wish to travel using the discount will now have to buy the ticket using a code that must be generated by the person they are travelling with.

They can then use this code to purchase an e-ticket online or activate the discount on their own NS subscription. When a conductor scans their ticket, they will see which NS cardholder they are travelling with.

READ MORE | 7 ways you can level up your Dutch life with a personal OV chip card

In doing this, the NS claims it hopes to provide “more clarity” — but all this sounds a tad bit more confusing than just buying a ticket at the machine.

In reality, the goal of this change is to make sure that people no longer try to dodge the full price of a train ticket.

You heard the NS, cough it up. 🥲

Do you make use of the joint travel discount? Tell us your thoughts on this change in the comments below!

Ready for the Dutch Carnival? Here are some fun facts and words to know!

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Are you reading for Dutch Carnival? Here are some fun facts and handy vocabulary for this southern celebration in the Netherlands. 

Apart from celebrations like King’s Day and Sinterklaas; the southern provinces of the Netherlands (Limburg and Brabant but also some parts of Drenthe) have something else going on: Carnival!

I have also gathered some fun facts and terminology to maximise the fun for you this year!

Fun Facts about Carnival in the Netherlands

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There are many fun facts about Carnival in the Netherlands. Image: Unsplash
  • Dutch Carnival marks the start of the Christian fasting season of Lent. It’s celebrated on the sixth Sunday before Easter and ends on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
  • The first Carnival took place in Den Bosch around the late 14th and 15th centuries. It was primarily an adaptation of a pagan celebration.
  • In Germanic folklore, the number 11 is known as the “fool’s number”, and it holds a significant role in the celebrations as well.
  • The costumes are important! Dutchies put a lot of effort and care into them. They are called pekskes in the local dialect.
  • The music band is called Zate Hermeniekes (literal translation: tipsy brass bands). They can be found on every corner to entertain the entire city with their music.
  • A protocol committee selects the Carnival Prince in secret every year

Dutch Carnival terminology

During this time, whether you know how to speak Dutch or not, you might realise that everyone is using a rather strange language around you.

READ MORE | In need of a giggle? This American comedian perfectly explains the hilarity of learning Dutch

Don’t panic. It’s all because of the Carnival. With our small dictionary, you won’t only be able to understand what they are saying, but you can join the fun as well!

1. Alaaf

You can use this word for greetings and everything else. In doubt, just shout ‘Alaaf‘!

It’s traditionally accompanied by a crooked salute in which you bring the fingers of your right hand up to your left temple.

2. Boerenbruiloft

This is a mock ceremony of a bride and groom who carry the love for Carnival.

As we’ve mentioned before, Carnival is all about reverse roles. So, here the bride and groom both dress as farmers regardless of their status.

3. Carnavalskraker

This is a special song made especially for this occasion. 

The best way to enjoy it is by shouting with the rest of the group while downing your 11th drink. Don’t forget to dance polonaise (explained below) while you are at it!

4. Dweilorkest

This is the name of the orchestra that plays music around the city. 

The word dweilen is literally translated as “to mop”, but in this situation, it means “to amble”. It comes from partygoers ambling from bar to bar. Suitable!

5. Hossen

This means dancing. Preferably, a lot of it!

6. Polonaise

This is a dance where people hold onto each other’s shoulders.

They form a line and parade around to party music. Even though it also can be described as a Polish dance, this version is quite different. You gotta see it to believe it!

7. Prins Carnaval

Prince Carnaval is an elected city ruler by a city’s Carnival society.

He goes as far as receiving the key to the city during the celebrations. Therefore for the upcoming 3 three days, the Carnival Prince has control of the city and their Kingdom of Fools.

READ MORE | Celebrating Carnival in the Netherlands: your ultimate guide

8. Sleuteloverdracht

This is the symbolic gesture of handing the city’s key by the mayor to Prins Carnaval on the first day. In some cities, this is done precisely at 11:11 am.

9. Vastelaovend

This word is also known as Fat Tuesday. This is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and the last night of the Carnaval.

That’s it from us! Do you have any other words you can add to the list? Don’t forget to let us know in the comments!

It’s official: Dutch universities will significantly limit the number of English-taught courses

It’s a tale as old as time — the Dutch complaining about the anglicisation of the Netherlands and the growing number of international students flocking to the country. (While making bank off the latter’s tuition fees. 👀💸)

This year, however, fourteen Dutch universities have prepared a plan of attack against this serious threat: curbing the flow of foreign students and capping the number of English-language courses.

Reprioritising Dutch students is the goal

According to RTL Nieuws, previous efforts to attract international students to the Netherlands did not take into account any of the disadvantages.

In recent years, international students contributed to overcrowded lecture halls, a high workload for teachers and extra pressure on the oversaturated housing market.

As a result, many Dutch students find it hard to secure places at their universities of choice, particularly when foreign students enrol in large numbers.

READ MORE | Why is there a housing shortage in the Netherlands? The Dutch housing crisis explained

The same local students also tend to have a rough go of finding accommodation — with many of the Netherlands’ big cities continuing to face dire housing shortages.

What is the proposed solution?

One important point of consideration outlined in the bill being drafted by Minister of Education Robbert Dijkgraaf is a numerus fixus programme.

In simple terms, this is a fixed limit on the number of students allowed to enrol in a course.

This will be coupled with shelving some of the English-language courses that can be switched entirely to Dutch and expanding the selection of Dutch-language courses.

In addition to this, no new English-language courses will be added for the foreseeable future.

What do you think of the universities’ decision? Tell us all your thoughts in the comments below!

Winter’s back! These parts of the Netherlands might get snow today

It’s time to get that scarf out from the back of your closet! 🧣 Meteorologists expect a layer of snow to cover parts of the Netherlands today.

After the end of January saw unusually warm temperatures and dryness, today will be an “interesting weather day”, Hart van Nederland reports.

Snow in parts of the Netherlands

Wondering if you’ll be walking in a winter wonderland today? Let’s see.👇

As you’d expect, it’s mostly the north of the country that has a chance of seeing a few centimetres of sneeuw today — especially the provinces of Drenthe, Groningen and Friesland.

READ MORE | Why does it rain so much in the Netherlands?

Further down, a thin blanket of snow may also fall above the Amsterdam-Twente line.

In the evening, at around 5 PM, heavy precipitation is expected in Zeeland, but it’s unsure whether that will result in snow or plain ol’ rain.

A wet carnival weekend

Celebrating Carnival this weekend? Expect to be holding a biertje in one hand and an umbrella in the other. ☔️🍺

Although temperatures will stay mild at around 10 degrees Celsius, we can expect a fair amount of rain. But hey, I guess you can just get drunk enough not to care. 😉

After this weekend, the Netherlands will see warmer and dry weather throughout.

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

How to sell your house in the Netherlands: 7 tips

Selling a house in the Netherlands is certainly easier than buying one — but don’t be mistaken, selling your home is not as simple as waving the keys above your head and waiting for the best bid to come in. 

There are a number of steps you can take to make the process easier for yourself and to ensure you optimise your home’s value. Let’s run through them! 

1. Get the professionals involved 

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The best thing you can do when selling your house in the Netherlands is get an expert involved. Image: Depositphotos

There are many things that, as adults, we can do on our own without a helping hand — but selling your home in the Netherlands without some professional help will prove to be quite difficult. Especially when the entire process is in Dutch. 

The best thing to do to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible is to get the professionals involved. You should consider enlisting: 

  • a licensed appraiser (taxateur) to value your house, 
  • a real estate agent (makelaar) to walk you through every step of the sale such as determining how much you should sell for, getting your home online, arranging a stylist and floorplan, hosting viewings, etc.  

2. Make sure you know its actual worth

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It’s important to get the right experts involved when you decide to sell your home in the Netherlands. Image: Freepik

Before you get your home up on the market, you need to know how much it’s worth. There are a few people you can turn to for this:

The first option is a registered and licensed appraiser (taxateur) which will set you back approximately €750.    

However, if you choose to get a real estate agent involved in selling your home, it’s worth noting that they can also provide this service.

An experienced realtor can inform you about the value of your house, how much the asking price should be, and estimate how much it could actually sell for. 

3. Make sure your house looks its best for the market 

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Even something as small as new light bulbs can help improve your home’s look for potential buyers! Image: Depositphotos

While we’re sure your house is gorgeous, you need to make it look extra fabulous for the viewing. We all love a house that looks lived in — but it still needs to be just as tidy as when your mother-in-law comes to visit.

Scrub everything until it shines, and give the walls a lick of paint. Even better, real estate brokers can offer the help of stylists who will make your house really shine for viewers.

They can even arrange to get professional pictures taken and create a floor plan for when the house goes online. 

Heads up: If you’re selling your house, you’ll likely want it on the biggest Dutch housing platform: Funda. But to do so, you’ll need a broker — the website, unfortunately, doesn’t work directly with owners.

4. Go ahead with those renovations — it will be worth it in the long run

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Investing in some renovations may actually earn you some extra money in the long run. Image: Freepik

Thinking of adding a snazzy conservatory to your kitchen? It’s definitely worth considering!

In many cases, a stylish renovation can add to the value of a home, especially since emotions also come into play when people are preparing to potentially massively overbid for your house — and there’s a high chance they will in 2024. 

But stop and drop the hammer — before you decide to pull up the floorboards, consult with a professional about whether it’s the best idea. They can tell you whether the time and effort will pay off (literally) when you sell. 

5. Allow plenty of time for viewings

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Hosting a viewing takes time, make sure you take this into account. Image: Depositphotos

Once your house has sparkled and caught the eye of many potential buyers, you’re going to need to set aside some time to host the viewings. 

If this isn’t possible, geen probleem (no problem), it’s time to get a professional involved!

Real estate brokers can manage everything to do with showing your home. They will take care of the correspondence, set a date and time, and host the viewing for you. 

In fact, they will do more than just host. There may be some aspects of your house that you didn’t realise were valuable, a broker is trained to spot these and highlight them for viewers. This, in turn, can add some extra value to your home in the eyes of potential buyers. 👀

A realtor will also be able to answer any legal questions that viewers may have about the house, such as the leasehold and Homeowners association — so if you plan on taking on the challenge yourself, make sure you know your stuff! 

6. Consider your offers carefully — you’ll probably get a lot of them

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You’re going to receive a lot of offers — consider them carefully. Image: Freepik

Given the ongoing Dutch housing crisis, you will likely receive a lot of offers once your house is on the market.

In fact, the entire process may be a very speedy one. In 2024, the time between putting a house up for sale and selling it can be as short as just two months.

This means that you will have a lot of options when it comes to who you choose to take over your home. As a seller, make sure to properly consider the offers given to you. While one hopeful buyer may offer more than another, you need to consider other aspects of the sale.

Take a look at their resolutive conditions, for example. Do they suit you? And what about the buyers themselves? What are their intentions for your home?  

A resolutive condition is a condition given by the buyer that is written into the housing contract. This means that the sale will only go ahead if this condition is met. For example, a potential buyer may have the resolutive condition that they can also keep all the furniture in the house if you accept their offer. 

7. Don’t celebrate too early

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Remember, in the Netherlands there is a cooling-off period when you sell a house in the Netherlands. Image: Freepik

It’s important to be mindful of when everything is actually final. You may have snagged a buyer and shaken on it — but bear in mind that the buyer can also pull out at the last minute.

This could be for a number of reasons such as:

  • The cooling-off period: In the Netherlands, when a buyer makes an offer on a house and it is formally accepted, they have three days to reconsider their offer. This means that if they decide they actually don’t want to buy the house, they can withdraw their offer with no legal consequences — as long as it’s within the three-day timespan.
  • Inability to arrange their mortgage: Another potential reason why a buyer may pull out last minute is if they are unable to secure a mortgage loan after all. It sucks, but it happens.

The moral of the story is don’t pop the champagne until everything is certain and certified, trust me, you’ll save yourself a lot of heartache.


Selling your house in the Netherlands can be quite the challenge if you do it alone — but with the right knowledge and help, you can ensure that the process will be smooth sailing.

Ready to sell your home at its best value? Tell us about your experience with selling your house in the Netherlands in the comments below!