Our prayers have been answered! The House of Representatives has seen the light and decided to cancel the planned fare increase for Dutch train, bus, and tram tickets.
Yup, that’s right. Those planned rate increases on 1 January were looming over our heads — but now, they have (rightfully) been banished.
The answer is fuel prices, an increase in personnel costs, and the loss of coronavirus-related support for public transport, Het Parool reports.
However, before any of this could actually happen, “a large parliamentary majority” — that is, the VVD, D66, CDA, PVV, SP, BBB, Volt, and SGP — have swooped in to save the day by supporting a change of plans.
Instead, the goal is for The House of Representatives to release €300 million to help stave off an increase in transport prices, as well as prevent “unprofitable” bus routes from being scrapped in 2024.
Trying to keep train prices on track
Train ticket prices, in particular — which are predicted to increase by 7% on January 1 — are an issue this “parliamentary majority” is aiming to combat.
Ideally, the NS will be gifted with an additional €120 million to keep ticket prices the same as this year, and our wallets can heave a sigh of relief. 🚝
Dutch politician Miriam Bikker also shows her support for this cause. Arguing that public transportation essentially makes the Netherlands go round. Without being able to commute to school or work, “the community crumbles”. 👀
Are you happy about this plan to keep transport fares the same? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The Netherlands is the best place to live for expat families? It’s true! The land of stroopwafels and bikes came out top for the honour, according to a 2018 HSBC Expat Explorer survey.
It’s really no surprise in a country with a great economy, great childcare, great healthcare, great education system, excellent English and a life revolving around biking. (Okay, okay, we’ll quit talking up the Netherlands now — just kidding).
No, but seriously, why exactly is the Netherlands among the best places to live for expat families?
1. Children’s wellbeing and health
The Netherlands is at the top of its game when it comes to children’s well-being and health, making the Netherlands an obvious choice for expats with kids. In fact, according to a 2020 UNICEF report, Dutch children were ranked the happiest of all.
The Netherlands also has countless international schools. Image: Freepik
The Netherlands is a top spot for expat families because of its education system. The Netherlands has an exceptional education system, which is made even easier for expat families due to the ease of integrating a child within.
This is especially so if your child speaks English. The quality of learning is also excellent, and an awful lot of children then go on to go to university. In fact, according to OECD research, 42% of Dutchies aged 25-64 hold a tertiary degree — that’s well above the EU average of 37%.
3. Affordability of childcare
Childcare in the Netherlands is seen as being very affordable, especially in comparison to other countries. Dutch child benefits and childhood allowance mean that people have affordable childcare, especially when working or studying within the Netherlands.
This goes for expats too. So rest assured you can take your children to the Netherlands, still work and have some money left at the end of it (unlike some places)!
4. Generous maternity and paternity leave
Family time is important! Image: Freepik
Yep! Even if you don’t have a family yet, you’ll benefit from the minute your bun is taken out of the oven. Mothers in the Netherlands can take advantage of 16 weeks of paid maternity leave while being paid 100% of their regular earnings.
Meanwhile, new dads can take up to five weeks off at 70% of their regular paycheck.
5. It’s easy to settle with the best non-native speakers in the world
If you are a native English speaker or speak English fluently, you’re in luck. The Dutch are the best non-native speakers of English. As modest as they are, it’s hard to struggle to settle in the Netherlands because the language barrier is very small in comparison to other countries for expats.
This makes it easier to secure jobs, integrate children into school and, in general, to survive the start of your life in NL. It’s definitely a heck of a lot less stressful for this reason!
Why do you think the Netherlands is the best place to live for expat families? Tell us in the comments below!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in September 2019, and was fully updated in September 2023 for your reading pleasure.
We know that Dutch people love to decorate their homes for special occasions — but usually, they stick to the windows. These homeowners in the village of Doorn, Utrecht, however, took the decor on the roof.
In solar panels, the roof displays the letters L, U, L — lul, a.k.a. the Dutch word for penis. 🍆
Neither local residents nor the municipality were amused by this dirty display. But we are.
An accidental…penis display
Contrary to what we would love to think, this grapje (joke) is not the work of a hilarious mastermind. Instead, it’s the (accidental) collaboration of three neighbours, AD writes.
Now, you may be wondering: how do you accidentally spell “penis” across the roofs of three houses? Well, a mistake was made when the solar panels of the middle house were placed on the wrong side — the front of the house instead of the back.
“The solar panels were placed on the other side of the house after the error,” the resident of the middle house tells AD. Both of his neighbours already had panels in the shape of an L. 👀
“Because of the skylight, that was not possible [on our roof]”, he explains, “so they were laid around it — in the shape of a U”. And ta-da: LUL was spelt out neatly, in 24 panels. Each is more than 1.5 metres long and 1 metre wide. Across three roofs.
A work of art, if you ask us. 🤌
“Niet leuk”, say residents and the municipality
Another resident, Peter, says he’s not happy about the accidental “curse word” at all, “and I don’t see the humour in it either.” … Come on now, Peter.
What does the municipality say? They’re not so sure. “We have to decide whether or not this is acceptable,” says council member Rob Jorg. “There are no permits for solar panels, but that doesn’t mean you can just do everything.”
Well, we guess at least they’re sustainable. 🤷♀️
How would you feel about having “penis” written across your roof? Tell us in the comments!
One rabbit owner experienced a nightmare this week in Almere. Okkie the rabbit was sitting in his pen in the back garden when a 15kg box of dog food was thrown on top of him.
The culprit? A PostNL delivery driver.
The deliverer threw the heavy package over a 1.91-metre fence, not knowing the rabbit pen lay on the other side.
Okkie broke his pelvis after the package landed on him. A vet later advised his owner, 41-year-old Roeland Vreeswijk, to have the beloved pet put down.
A witness and a scream
Initially, Vreeswijk was left completely unaware of what had happened to Okkie.
A boy living next door heard the rabbit let out a scream and later witnessed the PostNL worker — who returned later to move the package — holding the food.
When Vreeswijk returned home, it was the little boy and his security camera that would tell the story of what led to poor little Okkie’s fatal injury.
The PostNL worker left no note to explain what happened. “There is, of course, a lot of pressure on those guys. But at least put a note in the mail that something went wrong,” Vreeswijk tells Omroep Flevoland.
People on Twitter are calling for the PostNL employee to be sacked.
— Massa-immigratie = geweld en discriminatie (@PaulZoetermeer) September 20, 2023
Translation: @PostNL I’m assuming the deliverer will be fired?
An apology from PostNL
The manager of the PostNL employee paid Okkie’s family a visit to offer flowers and their sincere apologies. The worker in question will have a talk with their management later this week.
Vreeswijk is happy with the company’s response, telling Omroep Flevoland, “We had a nice conversation, he apologised. All vet costs will also be reimbursed.” — and here’s the tear-jerker — “But it will not bring Okkie back.”
Someone pass the tissues to this writer, alsjeblieft. 🥲
Do you think PostNL’s response is enough? Tell us your thoughts in the comment below.
Whether you’re fresh off the plane or a bona fide Dutchie, here are the biggest changes likely to hit your wallet next year, according to RTL Nieuws.
🩻 Health insurance premiums increase
We can be sure of a few things in life: death, taxes, and health insurance premium increases.
Yet, while last year’s increase only averaged around €8, it’s shooting up to €12 this year. How exactly your health insurance providers pass that increase on is up to them.
Annoying right? Meanwhile…
👩⚕️ Healthcare allowance decreases
What is this madness? First, they’re making health insurance more expensive. Now, they’re also reducing zorgtoeslag, the healthcare allowance for people on lower incomes.
While the maximum healthcare allowance in 2023 was €154, this will decrease to €127 in 2024.
🚌 Public transport becomes more expensive
You know how some countries are making public transport cheaper to save a little place called Earth? Well, the Dutch say, “Nah, pay more.”
Regional transport prices are expected to rise by up to 11%. Meanwhile, the cost of those trains you use to explore your adopted home will increase by 3.5%.
💸 You’ll probably pay more tax too
Yeah, why not take another whipping to the wallet while we’re here? Here’s the crux of the tax changes:
For high-income earners, you’ll need to pay a 49.5% income tax rate for any money earned over €76,000. If that had been correctly adjusted for inflation, the number would be €80,000 — but, helaas.
For middle-income earners, you’ll now pay 36.97% tax on any amount over €38,468. Again, if properly adjusted, that number would have been €40,826.
For freelancers and small business owners, the portion of profits where you don’t have to pay tax is reduced from 14% to 12.7%.
For those who have savings in the bank, the tax rate will increase from 32% to 34%. The point where you start paying tax remains at €57,000 — a number that would have normally increased relative to inflation.
For drinkers and smokers, yep, there’s more tax on that, too. The excise duty (what a sexy term) will be increased, bringing in approximately €100 million for the government.
🚗 Fuel will also become more expensive
Okay, technically, there was a nice reduction in fuel costs in 2023 because of the high energy prices. Good things never last, so the reduction will finish on January 1.
The result? Gasoline is expected to become a whopping €0.21 more expensive, and diesel €0.135 cents — despite fuel prices already being at record highs.
🏡 Housing and child allowances increase
What? More money IN your pocket? Yes, apparently, that is possible — but only for some.
The housing allowance (huurtoeslag) will increase by €416 per year, dependent on individual circumstances.
For those with offspring, the child allowance (kindgebonden) will also increase. The first child will equate to €750 per year, with a maximum of €883 per year for two or more children. This number is also dependent on your circumstances, income, and relationship.
Have you been affected by the cost of living increases? Tell us your story in the comments below!
Is it fireflies? Fireworks? Nee, it’s Studio Roosegaade’s latest art installation, SPARK — and it’s simply stunning. ✨
After displaying in cities such as Melbourne, Bilbao and London, it’s time for Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde to bring his twinkling baby home.
The Dutch premiere of this gorgeous light artwork will take place in Leeuwarden on 3, 4, and 5 November — and it’s free for everyone.
But what exactly is it?
SPARK is an artwork consisting of thousands of biodegradable “sparks.” The piece is inspired by fireflies and offers an eco-friendly silent alternative to fireworks.
Picture yourself, Disney princess-style, surrounded by a sky of thousands of silent sparks. Can’t imagine it? Here’s a sneak peek. 🌟
The goal of SPARK is to celebrate the interconnectedness of people and nature whilst also offering a sustainable alternative to the traditional fireworks that are used during festivities such as the Olympic games and New Year’s Eve.
“SPARK has a more hypnotic effect than traditional fireworks. It brings peace, like a campfire. And just like a campfire, it brings people together,” Roosegaarde explains in a press release.
I’m in! Tell me how to see this
Grab your favourite people, perhaps a hot flask, your childlike wonder, and head to Leeuwarden’s Oldehoofsterkerkhof.
The Netherlands has something to celebrate:the Eise Eisinga Planetarium has just been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 🥳
The planetarium, which is located in Franeker, Friesland, is the oldest working planetarium in the world — and now one of the youngest World Heritage Sites!
According to UNESCO, to be included on the World Heritage List, “sites must be of outstanding universal value and meet at least one out of ten selection criteria.”
A glorious planetarium… built in someone’s living room
The Eise Eisinga Planetarium was built between the years of 1774 and 1781, by none other than Eise Eisinga himself.
Who was he? Just a wool manufacturer who really liked astronomy. So much so that he decided to build a planetarium in his canal house.
Yup, you read that right. The hobby astronomer casually suspended a grand mechanical model of our solar system from the ceiling of his living room — and according to the BBC, his calculations were so accurate that they’re still correct to this day!
Eisinga’s house is open to the public, and besides the planetarium, visitors may also see Eisinga’s living quarters, as well as his wool-combing ateliers.
A long time coming
The house in Franeker has been a national treasure for a long time. Some 200 years ago, it was bought by William I, Prince of Orange — and in 1967, it became a Dutch national monument.
The Netherlands first proposed the inclusion of the planetarium on the World Heritage Sites list in 2021.
A year ago, members of the UNESCO committee visited the house — and by the looks of it, they were left starstruck. ✨
On Tuesday, during a committee meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the committee decided that the planetarium was an “iconic example of an 18th-century orrery, representing exceptional creativity in both its extraordinary technical design and execution and artistic expression.”
Have you ever visited the Eise Eisinger Planetarium? Let us know in the comments!
Are you looking to accelerate your career, or perhaps embark on a whole new one? If yes, then you’ve probably played with the thought of going back to school and getting an MBA.
Now, we have some thoughts on where to take one. Hint: it’s in the Netherlands.
While almost any certificate with those three capital letters is likely to add some nice figures to your paycheck, you’ll want to take in a city that’ll contribute to your professional and personal growth. That’s why we suggest hitting the books in Amsterdam.
What is an MBA? In case you didn’t know: MBA stands for Master of Business Administration. You can think of it as strapping a rocket to your career — it’s a degree that teaches you the arts of management, strategy, finance, and all things business. 🚀
1. You will connect with people from around the world
There are a lot of things to consider when going abroad to continue your education. One of them is how to get back to your home country and visit friends and family, as well as the costs of doing so.
In that respect, living and studying in Amsterdam as an international is a breeze. You can easily hop on the plane from Schiphol Airport or catch the train home if you’re from the continent.
While spending a holiday with your family is always nice, those flight and train routes can bring you much more than your mom’s home-cooked meals.
There are tons of internationals living in Amsterdam, so you’ll easily find your crowd. Image: Depositphotos
Embarking on an MBA in Amsterdam means that you’ll be constantly exposed to fresh perspectives as you’ll inevitably interact with people from around the world.
The result? You’ll have the opportunity to see the world from a different angle, challenge your own views, and become more confident in your opinions!
Ultimately, connecting with people from around the world won’t just bring benefits to your professional life; it’ll make your personal life richer as well.
2. You will live in a bustling business hub
Amsterdam is a great city to live in as an international. It’s incredibly easy to navigate as an English speaker, there’s always something to do, and it’s relatively easy to make friends.
As an MBA student, though, Amsterdam offers you much more than good memories of nights out.
The Dutch capital has a bustling business life, centred in the glossy high-rises in the Zuidas district, which is a mere 12 minutes by metro from the central station.
Look at those shiny high-rises! Fancy a corner office? Image: Depositphotos
Overall, Amsterdam is known for its pro-business environment. According to the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2022, the Netherlands has the third-best business efficiency in the world.
While the IMD ranking focuses on the country overall, the Dutch capital deserves its very own mention. For example, the municipality has an Impact Entrepreneurship Action Programme.
It focuses on strengthening the ecosystem for all impact enterprises, from startups to large corporations. Amongst its action points is better financial and social value, as well as internationalisation.
Nothing is as exciting as a new office. Image: Depositphotos
Thanks to advantageous business laws, a good fiscal climate, and a wealth of incubators and coworking spaces, there is an incredibly high concentration of baby companies in the Dutch capital — many of which are started by students!
4. You can secure job opportunities in vibrant sectors
A lot of international students come to study in the Netherlands with the intention of moving away after graduation.
However, if you speak to just a handful of those, you’ll quickly see that the last part of that plan (leaving the lowlands) is often ditched for a dream job on Dutch soil.
And that makes sense! As an international, you can find a job with one of the many multinationals that are headquartered in the Netherlands, such as Asics, Pepsico, MSD, Cisco Systems, Nike, Netflix, Fujitsu, or SABIC (to mention just a few).
There are plenty of opportunities to land an English-speaking job in Amsterdam (and beyond). Nonetheless, it never hurts to practise your Nederlands. 😘
The best way to rock up to a business meeting in the Netherlands? On a bike, of course! Image: Depositphotos
So, considering staying in the Netherlands after graduation? Good on you!
If you’re the lucky holder of an EU passport, then living and working here should be easy peasy. If you’re from outside the EU, then you need to consider your visa options.
We have good news, though. With an MBA, you’re rightfully considered a highly educated person. This means you can get the so-called ‘Orientation year highly educated persons’ residence permit, which allows you to live and work in the Netherlands without any restrictions for one year.
You can apply for the permit up to three years after graduation. Then, once you’ve found a job here, your employer can hopefully help organise a longer-term visa.
5. You will learn from the best
The Netherlands has a high standard of education, and its universities are consistently top-ranked. When it comes to business schools, four Dutch schools ranked in the Financial Times’ top 100 in 2022!
So naturally, graduating with an MBA in Amsterdam sets you up for success both within the Netherlands and abroad.
Learn from people who have already mastered the business scene! Image: Depositphotos
Aside from international recognition (which is a pretty good starting point if you ask us), an MBA in Amsterdam also allows you to learn from the city’s many entrepreneurs and CEOs who have already successfully conquered business life.
6. You benefit from the Dutch hands-on approach to education
What is it that’s so great about education in the Netherlands, you may ask? Well, Dutchies know that while theory is great, excelling in your job is all about practice — and as a prospective MBA student with a few years of work experience on the CV, you probably agree.
This is why Amsterdam should be at the top of your radar when looking for a place to bridge theory and practice.
With all the startups, medium-sized companies, and multinationals present in the city, you have ample chances to work with real-life cases that suit your career path.
Who wouldn’t want to live here? Image: Depositphotos
You get the opportunity to interact with everyone from student innovators to industry leaders and apply the skills you learn, both in your MBA programme and outside of it.
As you network with Dutchies, whether start-up heroes or CEOs, you’ll probably notice this: they tend to be very direct. And while it may seem rude at first, their hands-on, no-bullshit attitude is pretty efficient.
7. You will enjoy the ease of living in the Netherlands
We’ve given you six very practical reasons why taking an MBA in Amsterdam is a good choice.
And while there are a lot of pros to studying in the Dutch capital, there are also a lot of reasons why it would be great for your personal life— and those are almost as important when moving abroad for your studies!
Did you know that the Netherlands also has one of the best work-life balances in the world? Image: Depositphotos
First of all, living in the Netherlands as an international is easy. Essentially, everyone speaks English, people tend to be welcoming and curious about your culture, and once you get over their directness, Dutchies are very easy to get on with.
Secondly, Amsterdam is a super vibrant city with tons of cafés, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Whether you’re looking to pass a chill afternoon or dance the night away, there’s always something to do.
It’s the third Tuesday of September, and you know what that means: it’s Prinsjesdag (Prince’s Day).
Today, The Hague will be filled with crowds as King Willem-Alexander will announce the plans for The Netherlands’ budget in 2024.
This will take place at 1 PM at the Royal Theatre.
Though rooted in a tradition that dates back hundreds of years, this year’s Prinsjesdag will be a little… different.
What is Prinsjesdag?
Prince’s Day is one of the most important days in Dutch politics. It’s a ceremonial day where the Dutch government reveals the key plans for next year’s budget.
Who will be present?
King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, and princesses Amalia and Alexia will make their way from Noordeinde Palace to the Royal Theatre at 1 PM. For 18-year-old Princess Alexia, this will be the very first Prinsjesdag, Trouw.nl reports.
Besides the royals and the Senate, The Hague also expects thousands of people. In fact, Prinjesdag is one of the busiest days for the city, and people were already seen lining up at Noordeinde Palace early this morning. 😳
Climate protestors will also… “attend”
A few hundred metres down from the hustle and bustle of Prinsjesdag’s, climate activists will be blocking the A12. They have been doing so every day for a week and a half — and don’t plan to back down today.
While the protests shouldn’t get in the way of the Royals’ big day, they require police attention. The result? There will be less of a police force present at Prinsjesdag.
Mark Rutte’s last hurrah
Today is also the last Prinjesdag with Mark Rutte as the prime minister of the Netherlands.
Due to the resignation of his cabinet, no big plans will presented today, writes the NOS. An outgoing cabinet (typically) doesn’t make any big decisions for upcoming years.
One thing we do already know, thanks to leaked information, is that the government plans to allocate €2 billion to help low-income individuals and families.
€2 billion allocated to “security of existence”
As the king sits on his million-euro throne wearing his million-euro outfit, he is expected to talk about “security of existence” (oh, the irony 👀). This is a term that has become a buzzword in Dutch politics, according to Trouw.nl.
The past year has seen some unfortunate developments in the Netherlands, from the collapse of the government to the return of the 80’s moustache — helaas, we have one more niggling piece of bad news to add to the list.
In fact, it’s not just niggling, it’s itchy. Experts have found Asian tiger mosquitos in no fewer than eight different provinces this year, RTL Nieuws reports.
And if the name didn’t already suggest this: they shouldn’t be here.
Tiger mosquito? What the heck is that?
With a name that borders on Sharknado territory, you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking this was some made-up insect. However, this nightmare of a creature is real and poses quite a threat.
Sure, the tiger mosquito is capable of disrupting your sleep, but it’s not our eye bags that have experts worried. The species can spread up to 20 different dangerous diseases, such as Zika and Dengue fever.
Ok, how’d it get here?
In true 70’s fashion, experts believe this dangerous insect simply hitchhiked to the Netherlands.
As holidaygoers return to the Netherlands from sunnier climates, such as in the Mediterranean, they accidentally give this stowaway a ride in their campervans, cars and caravans.
The experts at the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) will not release the exact figures concerning just how many of these striped insects are in the Netherlands until next year.
However, the Stop Invasive Exotics platform foundation is pushing for the NVWA to warn holidaymakers about these dangerous souvenirs.
Someone pass the insect spray. ✋ 🦟
Did you have tiger mosquito on your bucket list for 2023? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
