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One in five Dutch people want to overthrow the Dutch government

Lyna Meyrer 🇱🇺
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One in five Dutch people want to overthrow the Dutch government

Do you think of the Dutch as an organised, orderly people that prefers to doe normaal? Well, it turns out there is another side to Nederlanders: one in five is in favour of overthrowing their government.

Wait, what?! Yep, that’s what the Dutch Social and Cultural Planning Bureau (SCP) discovered in a recent study.

Little trust in the government

Overall, the Dutch population is feeling niet zo goed about the current political situation in the Netherlands. (Especially considering the outgoing Prime Minister and his right-wing successor, we can’t say we’re surprised.)

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #98: Talk back to authorities

Another one in three think tougher measures are needed against the government. 👊

The overall consensus is that “people feel that politics does not listen to them and that big problems are not solved.”

Violence or peaceful protests?

If this news has you thinking about packing your bags because you’re afraid anarchy will reign in the Netherlands soon, rest assured.

Most people firmly disapprove of violent protests and demonstrations (you know, those in which people throw fireworks at police officers or set cars on fire).

That being said, according to the SCP, 6% of the Dutch think that violence should be used against the government. 😳

Are you surprised by the dissatisfaction of the Dutch? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Two deaths, 18 eye injuries, and an injured toddler: how the Netherlands brought in the New Year

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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Two deaths, 18 eye injuries, and an injured toddler: how the Netherlands brought in the New Year

With a stockpile of fireworks waiting to be lit, New Year’s Eve in the Netherlands is never a calm affair — and the end of 2023 was no different.

While the entire country went BOOM, in a tale as old as time, hospitals and emergency services were kept busy.

This year, the Netherlands has seen not one but two deaths caused by fireworks.

A 19-year-old man lost his life after an incident involving fireworks in Haarlem last night. This follows the death of a 26-year-old on Saturday after a firework exploded while being lit.

In Uden, a 17-year-old has been left seriously injured after a firework exploded in his face.

Eye injuries

He wasn’t the only one to take a firework to the face. Hospitals have also been reporting their usual New Year’s Eve cases: eye injuries.

As of 7 AM this morning, the Eye Hospital in Rotterdam has admitted a whopping 18 victims, two of whom are under the age of 12.

The culprit? You guessed it, fireworks.

One opthalmologist described it as an “old-fashioned horror night”, comparing it to surgery in the trenches.

Toddler seriously injured

A two-year-old toddler has been left seriously injured following a fire on a balcony in Den Bosch. However, it is not yet clear if fireworks are to blame.

The fire occurred shortly after 12:30 AM.

Police pelted with fireworks

Police across the country spent part of their night dodging fireworks — and not due to any unfortunate misplacement.

Officers in Amsterdam, The Hague, and Delft had fireworks thrown at them, and in Hedel, Gelderland, the firework fever was taken to a whole new level — even a fire brigade was targeted.

As a result of residents losing their minds (perhaps it was all the sparkles??), the municipality declared an emergency order.

One death due to shooting

However, fireworks weren’t the only problem last night. In Capelle aan den IJssel, someone was shot dead during an argument at a party.

Police have not arrested anyone as of yet.

What was your experience with New Year’s Eve in the Netherlands? Share it in the comments below!

30% ruling, higher mortgages, vape ban: this changes in the Netherlands in 2024

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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30% ruling, higher mortgages, vape ban: this changes in the Netherlands in 2024

As you stumble from bed today, bleary-eyed but full of hope (or terror) for the year ahead, the Netherlands is greeting you with a slew of changes.

From taxes to vaping, here’s what to expect in the shiny, full-of-promise and not-yet-tainted year that is 2024, according to the NOS.

Flavoured vapes are banned

Love your Strawberry Dream vape? You’ll need to find a new outlet in 2024. Flavoured e-cigarettes are now banned from being sold in the Netherlands.

The ban applies to both retail stores and webshops. The government hopes that only offering tobacco flavours will discourage young people from vaping.

30% ruling adjusted

Yep, the 30% ruling, which gave highly skilled and eligible expats 30% of their income tax-free for five years, is gone as we know it.

Instead, the amount will be reduced to 30% for the first 20 months, 20% for the following 20 months, and then 10% for the final 20 months.

A hotline to tattle on your dodgy landlord is here

Are you being charged €1600 a month for a leaky cardboard box? There’s a hotline for that!

As of today, every municipality is required to have a hotline to field complaints about landlords. (We hope they’re staffed with hundreds of employees, because this is an epidemic).

You can call the hotline for things like ridiculous rental costs, discrimination, intimidation, deposits that are too high, crazy service fees, or not complying with obligations.

Housing and child allowances increase, others stop

Government allowances are going through some big changes.

If you receive the childcare allowance (kinderopvangtoeslag), the child-related budget (kindgebonden budget), or the housing allowance (huurtoeslag), congratulations! You’ll get more money.

As an extra bonus, more people will become eligible for the housing allowance and the child-related budget.

However, for those receiving the healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag), this amount is being reduced. It was temporarily increased in 2023 to combat high inflation but is now being returned to its normal level.

Meanwhile, the energy allowance will disappear, and the Temporary Emergency Energy Fund (for if you are on a low income and have a high energy bill) will remain.

Wealth tax increases

Got some nice savings in your bank account? Congratulations, you now pay even more money for it!

The tax on savings, shares, and other assets will increase from 32 to 36 percent. Luckily, this only applies to amounts over €57,000.

Minimum wage rises

The minimum wage has risen to €13.27 per hour. However, more changes are coming into effect.

While minimum wages were previously calculated monthly, it’s now calculated hourly. That removes the disadvantage some people had when they were required to work 40 hours to be considered full-time, compared to people who had to work 36 hours.

Buying a house changes

If 2024 is the year that you’ll finally buy a house in the Netherlands, good news! (Except for those rising house costs, of course).

The National Mortgage Guarantee, which pays your residual debt to the bank if you suddenly can’t afford your house and need to sell it at a loss, now applies to houses up to €435,000. In 2023, you could only use it for houses sold for under €405,000.

READ MORE | Is now the time to buy a house in the Netherlands? Here’s what the mortgage experts say

That’s not all that’s changing. People buying energy-efficient homes can borrow more money as a reward.

If you buy a house with a low energy label, you can also borrow extra money, but it has to be spent on energy-saving measures.

Meanwhile, are you single? Then you can now borrow an extra €16,000 for your mortgage, as long as your salary is €28,000 or more.

READ MORE | 5 major mortgage changes hitting the Netherlands in 2024

Tax on soft drinks, juice, oat milk, and 0% beer increase

Drink water, team! The tax on the above drinks will increase from almost 9 cents per litre to 26 cents per litre, in a government effort to make soft drinks less appealing.

So why is oat milk in there too? Well, it’s a bit contentious, but dairy and soy drinks are exempt from the consumption tax because they have a high protein content — even though they can also contain a lot of sugar.

Energy price cap ends

The price ceiling that previously worked to limit to damage of soaring energy costs will be abolished. That’s because energy rates have now reduced again to approximately the price ceiling.

Are you scared of energy costs rising again? In that case, you can take a fixed-rate contract with your energy provider.

But beware: if they drop further, you’ll be stuck paying the old rate!

Kids can have a double surname

And a final big change for the Netherlands: children can now have not one, but TWO surnames!

Up until this year, children born in the Netherlands could only have their mother or their fathers last name.

That means a child named Ella, born to Jason Derulo and Miley Cyrus, could only be named Ella Derulo or Ella Cyrus.

As of today, Ella Derulo-Cyrus or Ella Cyrus-Derulo can also be born!

This change can also be retroactively applied as far back as 2016.

What change affects you the most? Tell us in the comments below!

5 things we wish we knew about utilities in the Netherlands

Christine Stein Hededam 🇩🇰
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5 things we wish we knew about utilities in the Netherlands

You’ve braved the Dutch housing market and secured your dream home, and now it’s finally time to settle in and relax. But what about utilities? 

Whether you’re moving to the Netherlands for the first time or simply moving to a new house, utilities are often the one element of our homes that we take for granted. 

So, here are the five things we wish we knew about utilities in the Netherlands — and how you can make the smartest choices when it comes to setting them up!

READ MORE | Gas, electricity, water and more: the ultimate guide to utilities in the Netherlands

1. Prices are determined by where you live in the Netherlands

One thing that’s less leuk when setting up your utilities in the Netherlands is that your Netflix binging can be more or less expensive depending on where in the country you live.

And for once, it isn’t the big, bad tech company that’s tracking you down, but the Dutch internet providers. 😝

In the Netherlands, where you live determines which internet connection is available to you (DSL, cable, or fibre).

This, in turn, determines the price of your internet! For example, cable and fibre are more expensive than DSL, and while fibre provides great connection, it’s only available to around 40% of Dutch homes at the moment. 

2. The type of monitor you choose will affect your energy prices

The Dutch love a korting, and that’s no different when it comes to utilities.

In the Netherlands, you can save on your energy by using power at “off-peak hours,” meaning you might want to charge your devices at night, do laundry on the weekend, and save the extra-long warm showers for the public holidays (though please also shower in between!). 

young-man-changing-temperature-of-heater
Check your meter or turn down the dial. Image: Depositphotos

However, to make use of the reduced night, weekend, and public holiday rates, you’ll need a smart meter. 🤓🌱 This is a special monitor that tracks the exact amount of energy you use, ensuring that you’re not paying unnecessarily high costs for your power.

READ MORE | 10 dang smart ways to save on energy costs in the Netherlands

The alternative is to have a traditional monitor. However, that’s no longer compatible with the off-peak hours discount — and that’ll show on your energy bill.  

3. You can file complaints!

In the Netherlands, the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ASM) works to ensure fair competition and protect the interest of consumers.

As there isn’t much natural competition in the energy sector, ASM sets additional rules to make energy in the Netherlands affordable as well as to secure its availability and quality. 🙌

However, if you are unsatisfied with your meter reading, then this is what you can do:

  • Inform your provider as soon as possible so that they can contact the netbeheerder (regional power network operator), who will look into the matter. 
  • If you don’t agree with the netbeheerder about the correct meter reading, you can contact the Dutch Foundation for Consumer Complaints Boards (De Geschillencommissie). They handle complaints about both the netbeheerder and your energy supplier;
  • The Geschillencommissie will provide arbitrage and give a piece of binding advice (a.k.a a non-appealable ruling that you and the supplier or netbeheerder must both comply with).

To put it simply, always contact your supplier first thing and try to work it out with them and the netbeheerder. Only if that doesn’t work should you file a dispute with the Geschillencommissie.

Also, note that the Geschillencommissie charges a fee for their services.

4. Energy providers can fine you if you want to end your contract

The energy market in the Netherlands is privatised, meaning you’re free to pick and choose — and switch — energy suppliers as you like.

This also means that, with more than 45 Dutch suppliers to choose from, there are also many different kinds of contracts, rates, and conditions for you to consider (fun! 😅). 

young-couple-chnaging-energy-providers-netherlands
Double-check your contract before changing energy providers in the Netherlands. Image: Depositphotos

However, if there’s one thing we wish we’d known about switching energy suppliers, it’s that they can charge you for doing so.

Good to know: Dutch energy suppliers are obliged to keep you connected during a switch to another provider. So you won’t be left without heating in the Dutch winter!

Even though you’re free to change energy provider at any time you wish, you are still bound to your initial contract until it legally expires.

So, if you have a fixed-term contract (which gives you a set rate for a period of usually six months to three years), you cannot change suppliers before that period ends — unless you pay a fine. 

READ MORE | To switch or not to switch: here’s how changing energy contracts can save you money

Initially, the fine would cost you between €50 and €124 per product (electricity and/or gas), but new laws mean there isn’t a fixed amount for this termination fine.

5. It can take up to a month to set up your internet

Yup, you read that right. Setting up your internet in the Netherlands can be a bit of a process, so make sure you get it sorted out as soon as possible. In some cases, it may take up to a month before you’re completely hooked up.

And since being without internet in this day and age is the equivalent of not being at all (an exaggeration perhaps, but how will you brag about finding a place to live if you don’t have WiFi?), you may want to find alternative ways to get connected. 

Tip: Get familiar with places that provide public WiFi, or ask your neighbours if you can share theirs for a while! 🤗

So, before you sit down to relax in your new Dutch dream home, make sure you’ve made the best choices when it comes to the basics.

What is something you wish you’d known about utilities in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!

This article was originally published in October 2021, and was fully updated in December 2023 for your reading pleasure.

The Netherlands must prepare for war with Russia, warns Dutch army boss

Liana Risseeuw 🇱🇰
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The Netherlands must prepare for war with Russia, warns Dutch army boss

The Dutch army commander warns that Russia is getting stronger and that the Netherlands must be ready for war.

In conversation with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, outgoing army commander Martin Wijnen states that the country needs to be better prepared in the event of Russian retaliation.

Russia is getting stronger, says Wijnen

According to Wijnen, a much stronger Dutch army is needed to combat Russia’s growing strength. “The Netherlands must not think that safety is guaranteed with us because we are 1,500 kilometres away,” he explained.

“The Netherlands must learn again that the whole society must be ready if things go wrong,” he continues. He suggests that citizens should be prepared to stockpile canned food and drinking water if needed.

In addition to this, Wijnen also pointed to countries like Sweden, Finland, and the Baltic states as examples that the Netherlands should look up to.

Due to their close proximity to Russia, their populations are already preparing for Russian retaliation to pop up on the horizon.

“There is only one language that understands Russia: that of a robust armed force,” Wijnen says.

Voluntary service could be the way forward

However, Wijnen does see a glimmer of light ahead in the form of voluntary service.

Thanks to massive personnel shortages in the defence field, the Netherlands will be adopting a more Scandinavian-like approach to military training.

As stated by RTL Nieuws, this involves participants experiencing a year’s worth of paid military training.

Wijnen hopes that this will attract two to three thousand participants per year, some of whom will hopefully go on to join the army or become reservists.

What do you think of Wijnen’s advice? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

This Dutch supermarket will stop selling cigarettes from January 1, 2024

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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This Dutch supermarket will stop selling cigarettes from January 1, 2024

Dutch supermarket giant Albert Heijn will stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products six months before a national ban comes into effect.

From July 2024, tobacco products can only be purchased from gas stations and tobacco shops. As of 2030, that will be further limited to just tobacco shops. With these steps, the government wants to discourage smoking as much as possible.

However, Albert Heijn has made the decision to implement the ban half a year early — and also extend it to vape products. The chain already stopped selling the products online in July 2023.

According to the supermarket, they want to encourage shoppers to live a healthier lifestyle. That’s a nice step — but can they quit with the plastic packaging too?

A good start

If you see cigarettes in your local store still on January 1, don’t stress. Some Albert Heijns are independently owned as part of a franchise. The owners can choose whether to stop selling in January or wait until July.

Surprisingly, this is not the first supermarket in the Netherlands to take the steps. German-owned Lidl also stopped selling cigarettes in Dutch stores in 2021.

Do you support limiting the sale of cigarettes? Tell us your opinion in the comments below!

5 major mortgage changes hitting the Netherlands in 2024

Liana Risseeuw 🇱🇰
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5 major mortgage changes hitting the Netherlands in 2024

It looks like 2024 is bringing a whole lot of changes — and the best part? More beneficial mortgage laws for first-time house hunters have finally arrived! 🏡✨

Buying a house in the Netherlands is definitely no easy feat, especially with a rampant housing crisis and skyrocketing prices.

However, for first-time buyers, there’s a small glimmer of light: Dutch mortgage laws are set to be overhauled in 2024.

READ MORE | 8 steps to getting a mortgage and buying a house in the Netherlands for expats

Let’s run through these changes and find out what they mean for you — and your wallet! 👇

1. More borrowing power for sustainable energy labels

First things first, err… what’s an energy label? Simply put, the EU classifies homes on an A-to-G scale of how energy efficient they are, with houses rated A and above being the most energy-efficient.

READ MORE | Utilities in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide to gas, electricity, and water

New Dutch mortgage laws for 2024 will allow prospective homeowners to borrow more money if their energy label is sufficiently high.

And just how much “more money” are we talking about? Well, homes rated A++++ can borrow a whopping €50,000 — and that’s ten times as much as those with an energy label C or D.

2. Increased borrowing power for singles

There’s yet another change chugging down the tracks that’ll affect how much money you can borrow in 2024 — but this one’s for singles only. 🙅🏻‍♀️

Photo-of-international-buying-a-house-shaking-hands-with-realtor-in-front-of-house-in-the-Netherlands
Hoera to more financial independence in 2024! Image: Depositphotos

From next year, singles earning at least €28,000 will be able to borrow an additional €16,000, according to RTL Nieuws.

3. No transfer tax for those younger than 35

When transferring ownership of an existing property from one owner to another, the buyer is generally required to pay a transfer tax.

Come 2024, however, this transfer tax will be scrapped for all purchase prices under €510,000 — provided that the buyer is younger than 35.

This is a €70,000 increase from the previous transfer exemption limit of €440,000 in 2023.

4. Increased National Mortgage Guarantee limit

If you’re on the hunt for a Dutch home, it’s advised that you register with the National Mortgage Guarantee or Nationale Hypotheek Garantie (NHG).

READ MORE | What is the Dutch National Mortgage Guarantee (NHG)?

This guarantee will afford you protection if you’re unable to pay your mortgage (due to involuntary unemployment or divorce) or if you’re being forced to sell your house for less than your mortgage balance.

Photo-of-couple-and-realtor-talking-after-making-an-offer-on-a-Dutch-house
The NHG keeps new homeowners safe whilst paying off their mortgage. Image: Depositphotos

As of 2024, the NHG’s limit on house prices will rise an additional €30,000 — to €435,000.

5. No more tax-free donations to family mortgages

In the Netherlands, relatives used to be able to make tax-free donations (dubbed ‘Jubelton’) to their relatives, in order to help finance their home.

Whilst parents will still be able to make a one-off tax-free donation to their children, they will no longer be able to donate tax-free sums to their grandchildren, cousins, or other relatives.

One bright spark, however? For parent-to-children transactions, the limit had been raised to €31,813.

What do you think of the new mortgage rules heading our way in 2024? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Fireworks sales in the Netherlands start today, ahead of New Year’s celebrations

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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Fireworks sales in the Netherlands start today, ahead of New Year’s celebrations

Hip hip, hoera! Fireworks sales have finally started today, December 28, a few days ahead of New Year’s Eve in the Netherlands.

You’ll only be allowed to purchase fireworks from sellers until December 30, as December 31 falls on a Sunday this year, report NU.nl.

Regular folks will be allowed to set off fireworks from December 31 at 6 PM until 2 AM on January 1.

But before you get excited about the pyrotechnics, there are 16 cities banning fireworks on New Year’s Eve:

  • Amersfoort
  • Amsterdam
  • Apeldoorn
  • Arnhem
  • Eindhoven
  • Haarlem
  • Heemstede
  • Heumen
  • Bloemendaal
  • Mook en Middelaar
  • Nijmegen
  • Rotterdam
  • Schiedam
  • Soest
  • Tilburg
  • Utrechtse Heuvelrug

While you won’t be able to light your own fireworks on New Year’s Eve, many of these cities will have a municipality-regulated fireworks show or other events planned in place of fireworks.

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #92: Be weird pyromaniacs about fireworks

Some cities have also implemented firework-free zones, so make sure to double-check your municipality’s website to see where you can legally set off fireworks.

Will you be lighting fireworks this year? Tell us in the comments!

Here are 7 ways you can reduce your gas and electricity bill this winter

Lyna Meyrer 🇱🇺
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Here are 7 ways you can reduce your gas and electricity bill this winter

Over the past two years, gas and electricity prices in the Netherlands have skyrocketed. Now, on January 1, 2024, the Dutch price ceiling on energy is expiring. So, how can you still save money in 2024?

If your New Year’s resolution is to take control of your bills and your consumption, you’ve come to the right place. RTL Nieuws has put together 7 tips to help you keep that energy bill down. 👇

1. Get insight into your energy consumption

Naturally, the best way to reduce your energy costs is to find out where your energy (and therefore your money) is going.

READ MORE | Energy prices in the Netherlands: what’s changing in 2024

You can take a look at how much energy your devices and appliances are using. This can be done with an app, a smart meter (if you have one), or by asking your energy provider.

Once you know where the energy goes, you can start making little changes that can save some big moolah.

2. Get a radiator fan

… A what?! As the name suggests, a radiator fan is a handy dandy device that can be attached to the bottom of your heater to spread the heat around the room.

READ MORE | Utilities in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide to gas, electricity, and water

This allows your radiator to release up to 20% more heat in less time — and it can considerably lower your gas consumption. 📉

3. Keep your thermostat in check

Rick Bruins of Remeha tells RTL Nieuws that about half of our energy consumption is used for heating.

To heat your home economically, you should try to keep the thermostat set below 19 degrees Celsius whenever you can. Natuurlijk, you should also lower the heating at night and turn it off in rooms that you’re not using.

photo of woman adjusting heater because of high energy bills
Heating down, sweater on. ☝️ Image: Depositphotos

4. Install a smart thermostat

Sick of forgetting to turn your thermostat down when you leave the house? A smart thermostat may be just what you need!

This tool allows you to easily control the heating in your home remotely with just a tap on your smartphone. All you need to install a smart thermostat is a WiFi connection.

Tip: Wondering how you can get the best deals for your energy in the Netherlands? We recommend PartnerPete, who can help you get the best deals for your Dutch utilities in English.

5. Get a heat pump

Installing a heat pump for your home is an excellent way to consistently save some cash on your energy bill.

A heat pump does not use any gas, only electricity. It works almost like an air conditioner in reverse by extracting heat from the outside air or the ground and using it to heat up your home.

Not only is this method sustainable, but the government will even help you out by providing subsidies for making the switch. Win-win!

6. Invest in your insulation

Though old Dutch homes are very charming, many of them are poorly insulated, meaning you burn a lot of extra energy to heat them up.

Insulating your home properly may take some effort at first, but it can save you lots of money in the long run.

Of course, you can make the biggest impact by insulating your roofs, walls, and floors, but even things such as draft strips along your windows can make a big difference!

7. Lower the temperature of your CV boiler

If you have a central heating boiler, Bruins tells RTL Nieuws, it’s worth playing with the temperature a little.

“Usually, for example, the temperature of the hot water is at 65 degrees Celsius, while this is not necessary. You can easily lower the temperature of the heating to about 50 or 60 degrees and the hot water to 60 degrees on the gas boiler.”

Since people usually shower at around 45 degrees Celsius, and your dishwasher and washing machine aren’t very dependent on hot water, this is a change you won’t notice (except on your bills 😉).

Note: You should not set the temperature of your water below 60 degrees Celsius due to the risk of Legionella (a disease-causing bacteria).

Do you have any more energy-saving hacks for 2024? Share them in the comments!

Finally! From late 2024, every mobile phone sold in the Netherlands must have THIS charger

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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Finally! From late 2024, every mobile phone sold in the Netherlands must have THIS charger

Goodbye, tangled cables! Starting December 28, 2024, every mobile phone sold and bought in the Dutch market must have a USB-C charger.

And the best part? This change will also apply to other chargeable electrical devices like tablets, headphones, video game consoles, cameras, computer mice, and e-readers, says the Dutch government in a recent press release.

From April 2026 onwards, laptops must also follow this rule.

Universal chargers

The small plug fits a USB-C port in any rotational direction and is more durable than larger USB plugs. That means you won’t have to buy a new charger every time you purchase a new electronic device, and they’ll last longer than the usual USB plugs.

As part of the decision, products will have information about the charger so customers can make sure they use a charger with the right voltage.

Everybody say dank je to Sinterklaas for this late present! 🙌

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