One person has died, and several people fell ill after drinking Möet & Chandon champagne spiked with the drug MDMA. Now, a suspect has been arrested.
In February 2022, the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) issued a warning that MDMA may be present in the three-litre bottles of Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial champagne.
Police have now arrested a 35-year-old Polish man in the German town of Weiden in relation to the case, says RTL Nieuws.
Negligence and trafficking
The arrested suspect is accused of trafficking narcotics, as well as manslaughter and inflicting bodily harm from negligence.
It’s alleged he was responsible for the storage and distribution of bottles, and can possibly explain how the bottles became laced with MDMA.
The NVWA reported that the champagne itself was not spoiled but rather tainted with MDMA after manufacturing.
Serious illness and death
According to the NVWA, at least four people got seriously ill in the Netherlands, and a group of restaurant-goers in Weiden fell ill after drinking champagne at a restaurant.
The restaurant owners recall them all falling to the ground, and a 52-year-old man even died from drinking champagne. The remaining victims were taken to the hospital for treatment.
What about my bubbles?
Got a bottle chilling in the fridge? Here’s what you should know.
There are a few surefire ways to tell if your bubbles are off — for one, the tainted champagne won’t even have bubbles. The champagne also had a reddish-brown tint and smelled like anise.
The investigation is ongoing, but police can’t say how many of these contaminated bottles are in circulation.
A new train provider wants to shake up the European rail business — and they’re starting with cheap day trains to Paris and Berlin. Basel is also on the cards.
Say goodbye to short-haul flights when you need a new European city fix on the cheap: in 2024, you can hop on a train for as little as €10 instead.
GoVolta, a FlyWise subsidiary and owner of the night train company GreenCityTrip, wants to provide an affordable alternative to air travel, reports Treinreiziger.nl.
With the plan, the company hopes to run a service between:
Amsterdam and Berlin once a day
Amsterdam and Paris once a day
Amsterdam and Basel three times a week
Cheap trains, but what’s the catch?
Alright, there’s no such thing as a free (or cheap) lunch. GoVolta offers these cheap in the same way that companies like RyanAir and FlixBus offer things for cheap: they offer a whole bunch of paid extras.
That means that while your ticket may only be €10, you’ll need to pay for luggage and choosing a seat.
Maarten Bastian, CEO of GoVolta, explains that was to make the prices comparable to a plane.
“Otherwise, the plane is the cheapest, and people don’t choose the train. We don’t want that.”
Of course, those €10 tickets are going to be limited. €50 to €60 for a return trip is more likely for Berlin, while Paris is more likely to be €80.
And that’s not all…
But before you go booking your (unreserved seat) ticket, there’s another pretty big catch: the train journey will take way longer than it does now.
Due to the trains and the timetable that GoVolta will use, the journey to both Paris and Berlin will take about eight hours.
Compare that to the Eurostar, which takes you from Amsterdam to Paris in less than three-and-a-half hours, or the current Berlin travel time of about six hours.
Plans for the future
GoVolta’s plans for rail domination don’t stop there. The company wants direct trains to Munich and Copenhagen.
They also have a plan for trains from Germany to Paris and from Antwerp or Brussels to Germany.
Timetables and expected start dates
Curious about how you can jump aboard? Here’s the lowdown:
🇩🇪 Amsterdam to Berlin
The Amsterdam — Berlin line is expected to start from May 1, 2024. The company plans to run a daily train.
Image: FlyWise
🇫🇷 Amsterdam to Paris
If you’re seeking a bit of ooh-la-la, rest assured, knowing you’ll be able to chow down a real French croissant sometime in the summer of 2024. The exact date is not yet known.
Image: FlyWise
🇨🇭 Amsterdam to Basel
Feeling a little more Swiss? A train to Basel is also planned for sometime in 2024, with an expected return ticket price of around €50 to €60.
Image: FlyWise
Will these new train services get you off short-haul flights? Tell us in the comments below!
The Netherlands is known internationally for its liberal stance towards drug use, which begs the question: what are Dutchies’ drugs of choice?
Thankfully, new research by the Trimbos Institute has given us the low down on the Dutch’s favourite way to get high.
And the winner is… you guessed it
The most popular drug of choice is laughter — just kidding, it’s cannabis, obviously.
According to the Trimbos Institute, cannabis was the drug of choice for over one million Dutchies in 2022. One in four 18 to 24-year-olds lit it up last year. 🔥
The researchers also concluded that people are actually becoming a bit too comfortable with the casual use of cannabis.
In fact, nearly a quarter of users were found to have a problematic relationship with the use of the drug.
Runner up? Ecstasy
So what do the Dutch turn to once the cannabis clouds start looking a bit boring? Something that’ll make anything look pretty, ecstasy. 💊
Thanks to the return of festivals after a corona-induced draught, ecstasy use has risen to pre-pandemic levels, making it the second-most popular drug in the Netherlands.
Just how popular? The Institute found that 550,000 people in the Netherlands popped a pill last year.
A rise in drug use
However, ecstasy isn’t the only drug in the Netherlands enjoying some love.
In fact, the country experienced an overall rise in drug use last year, with the percentage of cocaine, ketamine, mushroom, and LSD users increasing across the board.
The only drug to see a drop in popularity? Laughing gas.
Perhaps laughter isn’t the best drug, after all. 👀
Nothing can go wrong with a bit of television at the end of a long day, right? Wrong.
Word to the wise: if you’re a wanted criminal, perhaps don’t put on a show about wanted criminals.
And, for the love of gouda, don’t watch it with your wife next to you.
One Dutch man learned this lesson the hard way.
An unfortunate recognition
When the 55-year-old man decided to kick back and enjoy some Opsporing Verzocht (aka Netherlands’ Most Wanted) with his wife, he probably wasn’t expecting to make an appearance.
However, his 15 minutes of fame came for him when the show depicted footage of him during the robbery of a Rotterdam jewellery store — and his wife was quick to recognise him (and perhaps her birthday present?).
Close your eyes and picture a steaming burger bun, juicy patty, and cheese that melts and bubbles. 🍔
If you live in the Dutch municipalities of Amsterdam, Haarlem, or Zwolle, seeing these images on a billboard could be a thing of the past.
The cities want to ban all meat advertisements on municipality-owned advertising spots, like bus shelters.
Why? Climate change, of course.
But will it work?
While it’s an interesting step by the municipalities, whether it will reduce meat consumption is still unclear.
“You are introducing extra regulations again with this, while we already have a lot of them,” Henriette van Swinderen, Director of the Bond van Adverteerders (Associaton of Advertisers), tells RTL Nieuws.
“We’d rather look at other ways about what we as an industry can do to play a role in behavioural change.”
But for Sjoukje Goldman, a researcher in sustainable marketing at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, the intention is different.
“This is a way to convey a message. As a municipality, you make a statement with this.”
Following in footsteps
The municipality of Utrecht already voted to ban meat advertisements earlier this month. Previously, the city also banned fuel, car, and air travel ads.
Meanwhile, Bloemendaal has also decided that the city will no longer show ads for meat, dairy, or products that are sourced from fossil fuels.
What effect do you think banning meat ads could have? Share your opinion in the comments below!
Gefeliciteerd, you’re learning Dutch! That’s more than many internationals in the Netherlands — but how can you take it to the next level? Here’s why Dutch classes are your best option if you’re looking to really get a grip on the language. 💪
Maybe you’ve been taking the self-study approach up until now, but things are getting tricky and your learning has stalled. Fair enough! Life happens and de versus het can wait.
However, you don’t have to struggle through it alone, Dutch classes are your rainbow after the storm. Language classes will give your motivation and your method the oomph that will improve your Dutch by leaps and bounds. Here’s how. ✨
1. You’ll have a plan to succeed
Imagine this: You’re teaching yourself Dutch on a mobile application and you’re met with the phrase “De appel spreekt een beetje nederlands” (The apple speaks a bit of Dutch).
Echt?! When will you ever use that phrase in the real world? Is it really helping you?
Taking a Dutch class will help you make sense of the confusing phrases from language apps. Image: Depositphotos
More importantly, do you know the reason why the sentence is structured like this? Do you know how to say, “I speak a bit of Dutch”?
Before you can run, you need to know how to walk. Instead of tumbling through random phrases, going to a Dutch class will give you a structured plan and lay the foundation for you to start your language-learning journey.
Your teacher will start with the basics and then build on that knowledge base. You’ll learn what you need to achieve different language levels and have study materials that will focus on getting you there — step by step.
Wondering what you would learn in your Dutch class? Based on the CEFR levels:
On your way to becoming a basic user at level A1-A2, you should be learning simple, everyday vocabulary and building conversational skills. You should also be introduced to basic Dutch grammar.
Becoming an independent user with level B1-B2, you should be mastering complex sentences and grammar, expanding your vocabulary, and improving your conversational skills to a more fluent level.
To become a proficient user at a level of C1-C2, you should be focusing on expanding vocabulary, improving writing skills, and building conversational skills to a near-native level by working on intonation and accent.
2. Your niggling questions will be answered
“Am I pronouncing this right?” 🤔
“Why does that word go there in the sentence?” 🥴
“What the frick is the difference between je and jij?” 😭 — these are just some questions that will baffle you while you’re learning Dutch.
Geen probleem! Dutch classes to the rescue. 🦸♂️
Professionally trained teachers are one of the best things about taking a Dutch class. Image: Depositphotos
You know what a class has? A professionally trained teacher! Your teacher will be there to answer questions: big, small, and silly.
You’ll no longer have to rely on your well-intentioned, but very confusing Dutch friend for a breakdown of Dutch grammatical rules — and that’s going to immensely help your understanding.
Why? Even questions you think are stupid or silly could derail your progress when you don’t know the answers to them. That’s why anything you’re unsure of should be clarified by a professional.
They’re not stupid questions, and getting the answers to them will both keep you motivated to learn and help you reach a better understanding of the Dutch language.
3. You’ll have more incentive to learn
Everyone needs a little nudge to get into the learning gear sometimes. When you’re studying at home by yourself, it’s easy to procrastinate and lose interest in studying the difference between want and omdat.
You’ll be fired up to learn Dutch and get your work done to keep up with your class. Image: Freepik
Going to Dutch classes helps put an end to this. You have set class times so you don’t have the choice to leave your studies until “later”.
You also won’t want to disappoint your docent (teacher) who will be checking up on your homework — yes, you probably will get homework, and that’s a good thing! 🤓
Spending geld (money) on a Dutch course will also keep you motivated to stay on top of your studies. You wouldn’t want to put that money to waste, right?
4. You’ll meet maatjes to practise Dutch with
Ditch those English-speaking friends! Nee, just joking, but you do need friends who also want to speak Dutch with you. What better place to find some maatjes than a Dutch class.
In Dutch class, you’ll meet new people who will speak Dutch with you! Image: Depositphotos
You’ll be surrounded by other internationals who are going through the same thing as you. They’ll also need someone to practise Dutch with and there you are — instant friends!
You and your new friends will be in it together. You’re all in the same class, learning the same thing at the same time so it will be easy to practice new content and perfect it together.
5. You’ll be prepared for Dutch life in the Netherlands
When you arrive in the Netherlands, it can be overwhelming when everything is in Dutch: road signs, contracts, and menus.
You’ll want to be able to understand Dutch in these circumstances. For example, can you identify your favourite foods on a menu? (Hint: Keep an eye out for kaas 🧀).
After Dutch classes, you’ll be ready for ordering your favourite wine in Dutch at a restaurant. Image: Depositphotos
Some Dutch classes cover themes and specific subjects related to life in the Netherlands (for example, Sintercoklaas), which will not only act as a way to learn Dutch but also to familiarise yourself with Dutch culture.
Practice makes perfect, and you definitely practise a lot in Dutch classes. The classroom is also the ideal environment to role-play the everyday situations that you may encounter while living in the Netherlands.
Rehearsing ordering from the menu at a restaurant or even a simple conversation with the teller at the supermarket can build your confidence and improve your Dutch for daily errands. We know you’ll surely want to be able to say, “Nog een biertje alsjeblieft!” (Another beer, please!). 🍺
By taking Dutch lessons, you’ll have willing participants and a Dutch teacher to correct you on any errors that you can avoid when it’s time to put your skills into practice.
Did taking a language class give your Dutch a boost? Tell us about your experiences in the comments!
Yep, a lot of people like the Netherlands enough to stick around for almost a decade. Most of them live in Amsterdam (of course), followed by Amstelveen, The Hague, Eindhoven, Rotterdam and Utrecht.
Two-thirds of expats still stay after three years, and one in 10 expats end up becoming Dutch, according to NRC.nl.
Why the Netherlands?
Expats like the Netherlands for unsurprising reasons: it’s safe, people speak English, there are good career prospects, and companies here have good reputations.
When you put it like that, the Netherlands is irresistible. And it’s not for nothing: the Netherlands has made an effort to attract so-called ‘knowledge migrants’ for the past 20 years.
The end of an era?
That being said, the Netherlands will probably become less attractive when the 30% tax ruling is scrapped.
This tax benefit has already shrunk significantly in the past years because the government was losing out on some serious bank.
The number of expats tripled since 2015, so the Dutch government started to run particularly low on cash.
But still, there is much to love in this flat country, so it looks like most of us are going to stick around for the time being.
How long have you lived in the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments!
Well, turns out that after receiving much scrutiny from the European Union and the United States, that idea has gone down the drain.
America strikes back
The decrease would mean that several companies would lose take-off and landing slots at the Amsterdam airport — including the American budget airline JetBlue.
Safe to say, the US of A was not thrilled about this, the NOS reports…😬
On Monday, there was a meeting where the US pushed back against the reduction and even threatened to strike back by banning Dutch airlines (such as KLM) from landing in the US.
“Baffled” by the “blackmail”
While KLM is reportedly pleased with the Dutch government jumping to their defence, the local residents’ organization Schiphol Watch has been left “baffled”. 😱
Flights need to be scrapped for a reason, explains Alfred Blokhuizen of Schiphol Watch, to shield the environment from both noise and air pollution.
The government's experimental regulation is being suspended. This means that the maximum of 460,000 flights no longer applies. We are disappointed by this development seeing as the regulatory scheme gave local residents clarity and certainty. https://t.co/CrrVVutITmpic.twitter.com/CAsL8UcaeW
That’s why he’s horrified by the fact that the Netherlands has let themselves be “blackmailed” by another country into compromising the size of their airport.
The Nature and Environment Federation of North Holland is hoping to “reverse this decision on day 1 after the elections”.
However, Minister Harbers promises to try and maintain a balance between Schiphol’s size and its surrounding environment. Good luck to them! 👀
How do you feel about the decision to abandon Schiphol’s downsizing plans? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
With all kinds of essential information and services exchanged online in the Netherlands, internet privacy and security are more important than ever.
Moving to a new country is already stressful as it is. From your municipal registrations and Dutch healthcare to banking and taxes, it can be a handful to remember all your accounts, usernames, and passwords.
But not to worry — technology is a wonderful thing, and password managers are just one useful invention that’ll make your life much easier.
Curious about staying secure and organised when you move to the Netherlands? We’ve teamed up with NordPass, the leading password manager, to store your login credentials and clear your mind. Check out their deals and stay secure.
1. A password manager will store all your details more securely
It’s unsafe to use the same username and password for multiple sites and accounts, and you’re more likely to wind up in a data leak. Each site should have a different password.
Keep all your data in one safe place. Image: Depositphotos
A password manager is a handy programme that keeps track of all your usernames, passwords and other secure information.
You won’t have to worry about all the different logins to your social media platforms, work accounts, and government websites (think taxes and healthcare).
Password managers store website logins, credit card information, and account credentials in one easily accessible and incredibly safe space.
2. It’ll be easier to log in to all of your online accounts
Of course, storing usernames and passwords isn’t the only thing password managers can do.
You won’t have to write down or make a mental note of a password ever again. Image: Depositphotos
Password managers will autofill your data into the website, account, or app you want to log in to — you can log in with just one click, ultimately saving a lot of time. Some can even remember credit card details or passport information!
Lucky for you, NordPass is a great cloud-based password manager with the top security measures and a variety of plans. Get alerts in case of data breaches, autofill important credentials, and never worry about forgetting passwords again with their upcoming Black Friday deal.
And if you want to make it even easier for yourself, a good password manager will let you use your fingerprint reader or face ID on your laptop or phone to log in with a password manager.
3. You’re less likely to deal with password resets
Say goodbye to irritating password resets and email loops!
Begone, annoying emails and confirmation text messages! Image: Depositphotos
With a password manager to remember your details, you won’t have to worry about forgetting which usernames, emails, and passwords you use for which accounts.
Say goodbye to verification emails, waiting for text messages with codes, or opening a million and one tabs to swap out your password.
4. Password managers can generate strong passwords from the get-go
If you’re signing up for a new account or service or changing passwords, password managers can whip up an extra tough password to crack, with all the capital letters and special characters you could ask for.
For reference, a 12-character password with lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters takes 62 TRILLION times longer to crack than a six-character password with just lowercase letters.
You also won’t have to waste any more time brainstorming a new password (or remembering it, for that matter).
5. Cybercrime in the Netherlands is at its highest level in years
Cybercrime across the world is becoming increasingly common, and unfortunately, it’s no exception in the Netherlands.
Review your online security and privacy measures, personally and professionally. Image: Depositphotos
The Dutch National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV) has urged everyone to take precautions and adapt their security.
While we hope you never have to worry about security breaches, it’s better to be safe than sorry — you’ll want to make sure your individual and work passwords are being stored securely.
6. You can be notified if your information is in danger
While we hope you never have to worry about your information getting stolen, you can never be too careful.
A good password manager will tell you if your data has been breached. Image: Depositphotos
Password managers can send you alerts if your data has been breached on any website or app you use — this feature also comes in handy when you’re travelling and have to log in to public WiFi networks.
7. You’ll only ever have to remember one password
With a programme to remember your login credentials, you can free up your mental space and think about which FEBO snack to grab on your way home.
Rest easy and free up some mental space. Image: Depositphotos
Rest assured, your unique usernames and passwords will be kept track of by the password manager.
Instead of remembering ALL of your passwords, you’ll only need to remember the master password to your password manager accounts.
How to pick the right password manager for you
With all kinds of new technology on the horizon, you can find the perfect password manager for all your needs. Password managers come with a variety of features you should look out for.
Multi-platform support
Using a password manager on different types of devices and platforms is useful and convenient.
For ease of use, a password manager should be able to work on Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS.
Whether you have different types of devices for work and personal use, a password manager that can work on all your devices will make your life a breeze.
Device syncing
Being able to access your details across your devices is a must for all you internet surfers.
Easily use your accounts across devices. Image: Depositphotos
If you expect to be travelling around a lot or just want the convenience of synced password managers, you’ll want to go for a cloud-based manager that lets you access your passwords with an internet connection.
Additional cloud and file storage
If you’re working with a lot of sensitive documents or want to be able to store financial credentials, it’s possible to get a password manager that encrypts your files.
Some password managers encrypt your data on cloud storage or allow you to store documents from external file-hosting programmes like OneDrive and Dropbox.
Recovery options
Of course, there’s always a chance you could forget the master password to your password manager.
If you want to be extra safe or have a tendency to be forgetful, the top password managers will have ways for you to reset or recover the master password.
Password sharing
Generally, most tech experts wouldn’t recommend sharing your passwords with other people — but there are a few situations where it’s handy.
For example, encrypted password sharing comes in handy when you work at a company, have a side hustle, or simply need to share the family Netflix password with your sibling or if you need credit card details from your partner.
Password managers are a useful tool that should be utilised to their full potential. With fully protected credentials and easy logins, surfing the web has never been easier.
What are your experiences with password managers? Tell us in the comments below!
Are you an international working in the Netherlands? Do you love the afternoon borrels but hate that your colleagues mostly speak Nederlands? Oh, and how do you feel about the Dutch lack of hierarchy?
We’re sure you’ve got some opinions about it all! So, why not share them for a good cause?
By partaking in the #ShareMyVoice survey, you can share your thoughts on working in the Netherlands and address everything you have to say — from your biggest concerns to your highest praises.
The very best part? Your participation will actually make a difference and help improve the lives of the thousands of internationals working in the Netherlands (like you and me!).
Now, you may be wondering: “What exactly is this whole ‘Share My Voice’ thing about?” We’re glad you asked.
Share My Voice is a research initiative by the Kenniscentrum Arbeidsmigranten(Knowledge Centre for Migrant Workers), which conducts research surveys among international workers in the Netherlands.
Their goal? To make the lives of internationals easier!
It’s time to speak up. 🗣️ Image: Freepik
This time, they’re interested in learning more about internationals’ experiences with employment and working conditions in the Netherlands.
And that’s where you come in — because what better way to find out where the clog pinches than by asking the ones wearing it? ⚡️
Easy: As an international working in the Netherlands, the results of the Share My Voice research campaign directly impact the quality of your day-to-day life.
There are hundreds of thousands of internationals working in the Netherlands, and they (we!) bring great value to the Dutch economy and the country as a whole.
That’s why Het Kenniscentrum Arbeidsmihranten makes it their mission to keep us happy. 😌
Over 2.5 million Dutch residents are internationals! Image: Freepik
If happiness is not enough for you, maybe some material incentive will get you. Yup, each respondent has a chance to win one of five €100 Amazon vouchers, or one of 20 vouchers worth €25. 💸
I’m in! How can I participate?
Fantastisch! Contributing to the research campaign is easy as pie. All you have to do is take the survey and share your opinions on employment and working conditions in the Netherlands.
The whole thing takes around 10 to 15 minutes, and will go over five major employment-related categories:
Training and career opportunities
Job security and wages
Health and safety
Communication and participation
Working hours
Between meetings? Perfect time to take the survey! Image: Freepik
You can expect questions like “How satisfied are you with your current wage or salary?” and “How satisfied are you with the working hours at your place of work?”.
Do you have something to say about these topics? Great, because this is your chance to do so — judgement-free! The next survey runs until December 18, giving you just over a month to share your voice.
Don’t have time right now? Bookmark the page for later! 🔖
Who’s asking?
This survey is one in a larger series by Het Kenniscentrum Arbeidsmigranten. As an independent foundation, these lovely people are dedicated to finding out more about expats who work in the Netherlands.
Previous surveys have looked into housing, integration, training, and more. With the information gathered, Het Kenniscentrum Arbeidsmigranten wants to find out more about those who have moved to the Netherlands for work — and how they can best be assisted.
Have you taken the survey? Tell us what you think in the comments below!
