It wouldn’t be Schiphol without some kind of disturbance. This time, it’s from November 20 until December 3 due to work being done on the tracks. Again.
Check your travel plans and prepare ahead of time! Trains will run either on an adjusted schedule or not run at all during much of November and some of December.
The dates in question
First, there will be no Intercity direct between Rotterdam Centraal and Amsterdam Centraal on November 18 and 19, says the NS.
While we all hope these works will be done soon, there is some bad news: the NS says the work on Schiphol’s train station is expected to last until 2028.
Now is the time for us all to practice patience.
What do you think of all these works being done in all these train stations? Tell us in the comments!
Hoera! The daunting plan to increase the NS’s travel rates by 2024 has been rightfully abolished…at the expense of international train prices.
Up until Tuesday, people living in the Netherlands were under the impression that come January 2024, the railway company NS’s travel rates would increase by 3.5%.
In fact, traveller interest group Rover warned that ticket prices could rise by 6.5% in 2024, reports the NS. Ouch.
However, last week, our prayers were answered, and the plan was stopped in its tracks. 🚝
Keeping trains attractive
That’s right — to keep travellers’ wallets happy, the House of Representatives voted in favour of having the government allocate €120 million to maintaining current ticket prices.
According to Tjalling Smit from the NS Board of Directors, this budgeting is a welcomed improvement “at a time when many things are becoming more expensive” in the Netherlands.
Goed nieuws: treinkaartjes en abonnementen houden volgend jaar dezelfde prijs als in 2023 dankzij geld dat is vrijgemaakt door het kabinet https://t.co/HVexj9rYM5
By January 1, travelling abroad from the Netherlands via train will become 7.85% more expensive, to be exact.
Considering renting an OV bicycle instead of taking the train? Just know that the NS will increase the rate for those too, raising the price from €4.45 to €4.55 per 24 hours. 🚲
If you want to see the whole price list for NS products in the year 2024, you can find that here.
Are you happy about this news? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
It looks like the Dutch obsession with tompouce has reached its climax. Literally. HEMA’s shelves are now stacked with a baby pink, tompouce-inspired sex toy.
Just when we thought crompouce and sushi-tompouce were the peaks of Dutch ingenuity, we are once again left in awe.
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A toy for your tom-puss… 👀
Last year, HEMA made it its mission to focus on sexual pleasure “without embarrassment” — AND THEY SURE DID.
So, what does the toy look like? Well, natuurlijk, the air pressure vibrator sports the colours of the popular Dutch snack: a mix of hot pink, baby pink, and creamy white.
It also comes with five different pressure settings, a waterproof design and a handy little pouch to store it in. The best part is you won’t end up with an actual bun in the oven! 👀
Interested? We don’t judge. It can be yours for the price of €35. 😏
While this certainly is one of the cutest-looking vibrators we’ve ever seen, apparently, compared to other sensual toys, it doesn’t take the cake. 🍰
Customers seem to agree: HEMA’s “air pressure vibrator tompouce” is “not as good as the original”. Too bad it can’t be returned after a quick taste test. 😬
But fear not, because we’ve done the research and scoured out the alternatives. The “original” in question? The Satisfyer Pro 2 — seems to be a true fan favourite.
For the fifth year in a row, our beloved NL snatched up the title as the number one country with the highest English proficiency. Which came as a shock…
…to absolutely no one.
This year, the EF English Proficiency Index set about ranking 113 countries to determine which one is the most proficient in the English language.
*drum roll* The Netherlands came in first place. 🇳🇱
Are Dutchies TOO good at English?
Many were unfazed by this result, given it’s well-known that Dutchies have a firm grip on the English lexicon. 🗣💪
Many internationals even blame the Dutch population’s smooth ability to transition into English for the fact that they can’t pick up the local language.
There were a total of 2.2 billion test takers, with the median age being 26 years old and 55% of the participants identifying as female, EF reports.
Interested to see if your country landed among the top 10? Check out the results in the table below!
You might be wondering, what’s so good about being able to speak English anyway?
Well, aside from allowing you to communicate with clueless internationals, English proficiency has a correlation with “economic balance, productivity, and potential”, according to EF’s findings.
Also, since innovation is apparently dependent “on the frictionless flow of ideas”, the Dutch’s ability to communicate well with other nations might explain why they’re so darn innovative. 🤔
So much for making the Netherlands “Dutch again”. 🤷♀️
Why do you think the Dutch are so good at speaking English? Share your theories in the comments below!
Other nominees in the running for this year’s ‘European City of the Year’ included Estepona (Spain) and Exeter (England) — but they proved to be no match for the Netherlands’ Amersfoort.
Yup, good ol’ Amersfoort stole the show, snatching up the award for best European city in 2023. 👑
High-quality uniqueness
After a trip to the charming city in the province of Utrecht, the jury of the Academy of Urbanism decided it was the best in Europe. 🙌
How did they reach this decision? By taking into account factors such as “urban development qualities, social cohesion, sustainability and how the city is governed”, the AD reports.
Plus, lead assessor Jon Phipps cited Amersfoort’s “quality of life”, “innovation”, and “unique character” as some of the city’s stand-out features.
Amersfoort is basically a utopia
So, what makes this medieval Dutch city so great? All in all, it’s the happiness of its citizens. 🌟
Unlike in other Dutch cities, inhabitants don’t have the weight of a housing crisis on their shoulders; and homes are actually more affordable than in many other places!
Even the air smells sweeter in Amersfoort — literally, as it’s not being clouded by carbon dioxide. Yup, the city takes active steps to limit the amount of car use in its vicinity.
Amersfoort’s Mayor Lucas Bolsius is delighted by their win, explaining that Amersfoort has “grown enormously in the past fifty years, but the history and people have always remained central”.
Isn’t it wholesome? 🧡
Are you surprised by this year’s ‘European City of the Year’? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This year, Sinterklaas is bringing a not-so-leukpresent for those who frequent Rotterdam Centraal. From 25 to 27 November and 2 to 4 December, the station will be gesloten (closed).
The reason? Work on the train tracks.
The result? Upset Rotterdammers.
Shopkeepers, customers, and road users affected
The periods over which Rotterdam’s main station is set to be closed are prime times for festive shopping: the weekends after Black Friday and before Sinterklaas.
With all the hubbub gone from the station, stores throughout the city will miss out on some of their most important customers. And shopkeepers ain’t having it.
Pauline Buurma of the retailers’ association believes public transport around the city should be free while the Central Station is closed — “so that we can welcome everyone”, she tells the AD.
Other points around the city — like the Willemsbrug and the Maastunnel — will also close at various times, leaving drivers to find alternative routes. 🚘
Part of a bigger glow-up project
So, what’s all this for? ProRail says that closing down Rotterdam Centraal is part of a larger project: the High-Frequency Rail Transport Rijswijk-Rotterdam Program. (Wow, really rolls off the tongue!)
The project has been in the works since 2019, and the end goal is to have eight intercity trains and six sprinters running on the Rijswijk-Rotterdam route in both directions.
How will this closure affect you? Tell us in the comments!
The Dutch National Youth Council wants to put mindless dating app-swiping to good use! Together with Tinder Netherlands, they’ve created a campaign urging love-hungry singles to vote in the upcoming elections.
According to Benjamin Puygrenier of Tinder Netherlands, young adults (aged 18 to 25) are the least likely to vote during political elections.
Maybe that’s because they’re too busy getting lovey-dovey on Tinder? After all, the same demographic makes up 50% of the swipers on the popular dating app, Online Marketing reports.
Love is in the air, and so is political change!
If you’re a Tinder user yourself, keep your eyes peeled and your thumbs ready! No, you won’t be able to swipe on dreamy Dutch politicians — instead, between November 1 and November 22, you’re going to stumble upon some “Swipe Cards” while on the app.
If you swipe right on the card, you’ll be catapulted to an Instagram reel containing tons of resources to learn about the upcoming elections. 🗳️
The campaign aims to give young people instructions about how to register to vote, how to authorise someone else to vote for them, and also provides them with a voting checklist.
Youth are the future of tomorrow
The point is that young people need to stop feeling excluded or excluding themselves from the upcoming election.
Since the future of the Netherlands affects the youth just as much as any other group of people (if not more), it’s important that they engage in “topics such as mental health, climate change, and the housing crisis”, explains Kimberley Snijders, chairman of the NJR.
How effective do you think this new campaign will be? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
So, you’re thinking about getting a pet in the Netherlands? Wat leuk! Adopting or buying a pet doesn’t need to be “ruff” — as long as you follow our guide, of course. 😉
But how the heck do you get a furry (or scaly?) companion in the Netherlands? Where do you start looking, and what do you need to know before adopting a pet?
Don’t stress — we’ve got everything you need to know about getting a pet in the Netherlands. 🐶
Looking for something specific? Jump to the section you need!
Do you or your family members/roommates have allergies?
Do you have the space in your home for a pet? If you’re thinking of adopting a dog, do they have space to run around and play? Or if you’re adopting fish, is there room for a tank?
Can you afford it? Do you have the budget for animal food, cleaning supplies, a pet sitter, etc.?
Do you have time to take care of your pet?
Are you willing to clean up after your pet?
Are you planning on going back to your home country after adopting a pet? If so, can you take your pet with you?
Furthermore, it’s important to know that the Dutch government has certain rules when it comes to animal welfare, specifically about the care, breeding, and selling of animals.
What pets are allowed in the Netherlands?
Pets in the Netherlands are pretty stock standard. Here are some of the most common pet choices:
🐕 Dogs
🐱 Cats
🐰 Rabbits
🐹 Guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets
🐢 Turtles
🐟 Fish
🦜 Birds (e.g. parrots, parakeets, cockatiels)
🐀 Brown rats
So which of the above is the preferred pet in the Netherlands? If you guessed cats, you are correct! This makes a lot of sense due to the lack of space in the Netherlands.
Cats can also take care of themselves pretty well. You’ll even see a lot of house cats wandering around outside, as most Dutch households allow them to go outside and explore (especially if they live on the ground floor).
Looking for your new animal companion can be a fun and exciting experience! Image: Depositphotos
Dogs are also a common pet to have. If you get one, you’ll have to be ready to take them on walks several times a day, especially if you’re living in the city where they don’t have a lot of space to run around on their own. 🦮
Bans on certain dog and cat breeds in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is currently working on laws to ban animals with external characteristics that can be harmful to their well-being.
More specifically, these laws are set to apply to dogs with short snouts and cats with folding ears, and will prevent owners from keeping, trading, or importing animals that fall into these categories.
Where to adopt a pet in the Netherlands
Your best bet to adopt a pet is to go to a pet adoption agency or a dierenasiel (shelter). Most cities in the Netherlands have a local agency or shelter you can visit.
Most shelters in the Netherlands have a selection procedure, and they don’t always have a lot of animals (especially cats) easily available for adoption. Make sure to check their sites and social media accounts frequently!
You can also find animals on Marktplaats or adoption groups on Facebook. Just try to be careful on the internet and make sure the giver seems credible before taking the plunge.
Where to buy a pet in the Netherlands
Always try to adopt, not shop. However, while adopting a pet is a great choice, it’s not always for everyone. For example, you might be looking for a specific breed or a pet that can’t be easily adopted from a shelter.
If you truly think the decision to buy is the right choice for you, you can purchase animals:
at a local pet store (best for hamsters, birds, fish, turtles, etc.) 🐢
through a responsible local breeder (for cats, dogs, ferrets, etc.)
If you’re thinking of buying a pet from a breeder, make sure to do your research and look out for poor animal practices like excessive forced breeding of an animal.
Sometimes breeders also don’t spay/neuter their animals before giving them to you, so be wary of that too.
Warning: A lot of irresponsible breeders sell their pets on Marktplaats, and sometimes there are hidden fees for pets that come from other EU countries (e.g. transportation) — so beware!
Important matters when owning a pet in the Netherlands
Now, you’ve got your pet, what’s next? Well, there are a few important (and sometimes administrative) matters that you have to take care of as soon as possible when you get your new animal.
Dog registration in the Netherlands
If you have a dog, it’s mandatory to register them at your city’s town hall (gemeente) and the Municipal Tax Office (Gemeentelijke Belastingdienst) upon arrival. On top of that, you have to declare your dog to the municipality in the first 14 days. 🏫
Most pets in the Netherlands must have a microchip implanted in their neck or sometimes as an ear tag, so they can be identified. Some animals, like fish, turtles, etc., don’t need to be chipped. It’s wise to ask your veterinarian whether they need one.
Each chip has a unique 15-digit number which is stored in a European database, so if Buddy gets loose and runs over to Belgium, they can still be identified. Handig!
Thankfully chipping your Dutch pet is not too expensive. Your dog or cat can get their chip at the vet clinic for around €25-50, depending on the practice. 🐾 For microchipping prices of other animals, ask your vet for pricing.
Pet passports in the Netherlands
If you’re bringing your pet from another EU country, they must have their own EU dierenpaspoort (animal passport) issued by a veterinarian. 🇪🇺
A pet passport is mandatory for dogs, cats, and ferrets that are travelling in and out of the Netherlands to EU member states.
Most pets need their very own passport and microchip to travel. ✈️ Image: Depositphotos
The passport lasts for the pet’s lifetime and has information about the owner’s name, the pet’s microchip number, age, sex, breed, etc.
The Netherlands is full of qualified veterinarians and animal clinics. Just search dierenarts (veterinarian) or dierenartspraktijk (veterinary practice) on the internet to find one close to you! 🩺
You can also call a qualified veterinarian directly to your house through services like Home Vet.
There are many veterinary clinics in most Dutch cities. Image: Depositphotos
Some veterinary clinics also offer “health plans”, which provide comprehensive care packages for your pet in the Netherlands. Ask your local clinic what plans are on offer for your furry friend.
If your pet requires emergency care, it’s best to call an emergency veterinarian at a Dieren Spoedkliniek.
Otherwise, you can call the dierenambulance (animal ambulance) in your area:
Animal ambulance number
Location
020 626 2121
Amsterdam
070 328 2828 070 366 0909
Hilversum
035 683 0300
The Hague
071 517 4141
Leiden
090 0443 3224
Maastricht/Zuid-West Limburg
010 415 5666 010 476 8750
Rotterdam
065 477 2700
Utrecht
070 511 7772
Wassenaar
Pet insurance in the Netherlands
If you’re getting a pet in the Netherlands, it’s worth thinking about pet insurance. Many insurance plans will reimburse your costs for treatments, putting your beloved friend down (we know, you don’t want to think about), or even cover you if your pet is stolen or lost.
Some insurance companies, like Univé, will cover additional services for just a few extra euros per month — think of things such as physiotherapy, dental care, and travel insurance.
Naturally, the cost of the premium for your pet’s insurance will depend on factors such as the type of pet you have, its age, and the level of coverage you want. Curious to learn more? Here are a few major pet insurance companies in the Netherlands:
What vaccination your pet needs depends on the type of animal you have and the veterinary clinic you take them to.
However, the most important vaccination for most animals is the anti-rabies shot. All animals coming from outside of the EU need to complete anti-rabies treatment before they are allowed to enter the Netherlands.
If you’re taking your pet abroad, you should also make sure to get them their anti-rabies shot. 💉
Dog and cat vaccinations
Typically, dogs need seven types of vaccinations throughout their life against diseases like parvo and Hepatitis.
Cats also require vaccinations, mainly for sneezing disease. 🐈
The cost of vaccinations can range from €60-70 per treatment for dogs and cats.
For other animals, ask your veterinarian what vaccines they need.
And, most importantly, make sure you keep your pet’s vaccines up-to-date! 📆
Where can I keep my pet when I go on holiday?
You can keep your pet at a dierenhotel/dierenpension (animal boarding house) during your holidays. 🌴
Or, if you’re lucky, you might have a super sweet friend or relative who can do it for you. 👯♂️
If you have a cute pet, it shouldn’t be too hard to find someone to look after them. Image: Depositphotos
On top of that, you can also find pet sitters easily online in Facebook groups or through petsitting services:
Pros and cons of adopting vs. buying a pet in the Netherlands
👍 Pros of adopting a pet in the Netherlands
Costs of adoption are cheaper than buying from a pet store or breeder (€100-500 from a shelter)
You’re giving an animal in need a loving home
Shelters often spay, neuter, microchip, and vaccinate the animals under their care
Adopting an animal can help combat illegal puppy breeding farms
Animals from shelters are often housetrained
You can give a pet all the love and attention it needs to be happy and healthy
Keeping stray animals out of the streets
👎 Cons of adopting a pet in the Netherlands
Your pet may turn out differently than you expected. Sometimes animals from shelters can have behavioural problems, trauma, or special needs
You may not be able to find the exact breed or type of animal you want in a shelter
Sometimes shelters aren’t transparent about a pet’s behavioural issues
Shelters may be underfunded or care for their animals poorly
There might be a waiting period for your animal, so you’ll have to be patient
You have to submit paperwork and personal information to the shelter before you can adopt a pet
You could be rejected from adopting a pet if you don’t meet the shelter’s requirements
👍 Pros of buying a pet in the Netherlands
You can get the exact pet or breed that you’re looking for
If you want to get a dog but don’t have a lot of experience with them, buying from a responsible breeder gives you a better chance of getting a pet without trauma or behavioural issues
For certain animals, you can only really buy them from pet stores anyway (birds, rodents, etc.).
👎 Cons of buying a pet in the Netherlands
Oftentimes selective breeding, especially for purebred animals, can lead to health issues for the pet (e.g. hip dysplasia, blindness, deafness, heart defects, skin problems, and epilepsy).
Some breeders smuggle cats/dogs from countries with a stray animal problem and sell them for a profit (please buy from a responsible breeder)
Some animals can still have behavioural and trauma if the breeder is not responsible
Irresponsible breeders can be cruel and abusive towards their pets, forcing them to breed at a high and unsafe frequency
Getting a pet in the Netherlands: frequently asked questions
How can I relocate my pet from abroad to the Netherlands?
If you’re bringing your cat, dog, or ferret from another EU country, the animal has to have a pet passport, a microchip, be at least 15 weeks old, and be vaccinated when they are 12 weeks old.
However, if you want to bring your pet from a non-EU country, the process is a bit more complicated. You have to contact the NVWA to know what is allowed by law and what conditions must be met for relocating your pet.
Are pets allowed on public transport in the Netherlands?
Yes, they are but under certain conditions. Pets aren’t allowed to take up a seat on Dutch public transport (trains, buses, trams, etc.). However, small pets are allowed on board for free if they can be in a cage/carried bag or can fit on your lap. They must also have a short leash. 🦮
If you have a big dog, then they need to get a dagkaart-hond(day ticket) which costs €3.30 and can be purchased from the NS ticket machines or service desks. Further, the dog cannot sit on a seat and must wear a leash. They also can’t take up aisle space.
Assistance dogs (either in training or service) can travel for free but only with a harness, cover, or brace indicating the name of the assistance dog organisation and they don’t need a dagkaart.
Dogs may travel for free on ferries and express boats. They may also travel on the Waterbus/Aqualiner for free, but they must wear a short leash.
What should I do if my dog is aggressive?
If your dog is aggressive, then it’s best to try and find a solution to fix the dog’s behaviour. If a dog bites or attacks another person or animal, then the dog owner can be prosecuted by the Public Prosecution Service (OM).
The Netherlands has dog behaviour therapists, and there are even some dog training/behaviour centres in the country that can help with aggression.
How much does pet food in the Netherlands cost?
The amount you’ll spend on pet food in the Netherlands is dependent on a couple of things: your type of pet, their size, their weight, dietary restrictions, whether they prefer canned or wet food, whether you want to buy gourmet or supermarket food, etc.
As a general guide, however, you should expect to budget these amounts for your type of pet:
€30-€50 per week for a dog
€10-€20 per week for a cat
€10-€20 per week for a small animal (ferret, rabbit, hamster, etc.)
€10-€15 per week for a fish
How much does it cost to spay/neuter my pet in the Netherlands?
The costs of spaying or neutering your pet in the Netherlands can vary depending on the weight and size of your pet. However, you can typically expect to pay the following:
Male dog castration: around €80
Female dog neutering: around €250
Male cat castration: around €85
Female cat neutering: around € 170
Is the Netherlands pet-friendly?
Yes, the Dutch love their pets! There are lots of pet-friendly areas.
You can tell if an area allows dogs if there is a sign with a dog and a green circle. If there’s a sign of a dog with a red circle, then dogs aren’t allowed. If there’s no sign, you can always ask! 🐕
Some beaches in the Netherlands allow dogs to run around without a leash, while others may only allow dogs to be leash-free for certain months of the year.
Further, many restaurants in the Netherlands allow you to bring your pet to dine with you indoors. Especially at casual restaurants and cafes, your furry friend is often welcome as long as it’s not too busy. For outdoor dining, pets are generally allowed.
It’s not uncommon to see a pet in a shop in the Netherlands too, but each business can make its own rules. Of course, always make sure to check what the rules are for bringing your pet into certain areas and in the Netherlands.
That was our pawsome guide on adopting or buying a pet in the Netherlands! So are you sold on getting a pet yet?
Next up: finding your new furry friend! 🐈❤️
What kind of pet are you thinking of getting? Tell us in the comments below!
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in January 2022 but was fully updated in November 2023 for your reading pleasure.
Oké, the Dutch have finally crossed the line. They’ll put pink icing and cream filling on just about anything, and the internet isn’t too happy.
We’ve already raved about the delicious crompouce: a crisp, cream-filled croissant covered in pink icing. However, it looks like this new sweet treat just isn’t exciting enough for adventurous palates.
For those who don’t know what that is (because why would you?), it’s the Dutch deep-fried fish snack called kibbeling, married with the pink icing and cream filling of tompouce.
“Why would anyone actually come up with that?” you may be wondering. Well, a fish stall in Gouda recently went viral on TikTok for coming up with the ‘kibbelpouce’.
Although this specific snack isn’t for sale (it was created for the fish stall’s TikTok account), people are still doing crazy things with that icing, reports AD.nl.
The world is your oyster(pouce)
People are really exercising their creative muscles with these creations: have you heard of hamburgerpouce? How about sushipouce?
Or, if you’re looking for a healthier option, try the cucumberpouce! (Even we don’t understand that one.)
Amsterdam’s Stay Away campaign is definitely seeing some success, with a decrease in the number of stag dos and rambunctious tourists.
The Dutch Stay Away campaign was launched this past March, and tourist numbers have been dropping since. Specifically, there are 22% fewer tourists now compared to 2019, which was the last year before COVID-19 restrictions.
For now, it looks like the goal to reduce the number of wild tourists in Amsterdam is working. Those who came to Amsterdam for its red-light districts and coffee shops are getting a reality check: some things are definitely not cool.
No more stag dos in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, reports the UK online newspaper The Independent. How popular? Well, around 20 million tourists come to the city each year, of which 2.4 million were British in 2019.
Fed up with rowdy tourists keeping them up all night, the Dutch government took it upon themselves to control this with the Stay Away campaign. And it’s working.
Of course, people can still come to Amsterdam if they want. No one is being forced to literally stay away.
That being said, there are consequences. That’s the whole point of this campaign: to show that if you get too drunk and messy, you can get arrested, a criminal record, a fine, hospitalisation, and permanent health damage. Talk about a buzzkill!
What are your opinions on the Stay Away campaign? Tell us in the comments!
