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‘Stage?’ All you need to know about internships in the Netherlands

Emma Brown
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5
‘Stage?’ All you need to know about internships in the Netherlands

If you’re a student at a Dutch university or someone who wants to spend a few months in the Netherlands, you might want to consider an internship (known as stage) here.

With more people undertaking degrees and employers expecting a large amount of experience to go along with it, doing an internship can give you (and your CV) that final boost for landing your perfect job.

But how do internships work in the Netherlands? Let’s have a look.

Internships in the Netherlands: are they difficult to find?

It’s fair to say that there are no shortages of internships to apply for in the Netherlands since many companies are always looking for interns.

This doesn’t mean that you’ll just stumble into an internship, but if you’re actively searching, then chances are pretty good you’ll find one.

READ MORE | Tips on how to work your way through college in the Netherlands

However, by far, the easiest way to find internships in the Netherlands is by hitting the keyboard and either going on LinkedIn or just checking a company’s website. 😉

An-interviewer-at-a-Dutch-company-shaking-an-intern's-hand-during-their-Dutch-internship-in-the-Netherlands
Dutch job interviews are usually quite laid back! Image: Depositphotos

The interview process is usually quite simple — it usually consists of a single interview, and they tell you either on the spot or within a few days if you got the internship or not.

Laws to do an internship in the Netherlands

To apply for an internship in the Netherlands, most companies require you to be a European Citizen OR currently be enrolled in an educational institution as a student.

READ MORE | Can I work in the Netherlands? Complete guide to work permits and visas to land a Dutch job

After you graduate, you’ll no longer be able to do a study-based internship in the Netherlands. However, there are certain circumstances where this rule does not apply — you can talk to the specific company about this.

Want to do an internship but don’t have the elective space or time while studying?

In the Netherlands, it’s relatively common for students to prolong their studies by half a year so they can complete an internship at the end of their studies!

Are internships in the Netherlands paid?

Generally, internships in the Netherlands are not obliged to be paid.

However, most Dutch companies do offer some form of compensation ranging from €100 -€500 per month or more.

Person-sitting-on-their-bed-working-on-a-laptop-in-the-moring-during-their-Dutch-internship
In many internships, you will also be able to work from home on some days. Image: Pexels

Some companies will also cover your travel expenses, depending on how far you live. This should all be discussed between you and the company.

What’s an internship in the Netherlands like?

Even though Dutch working culture is generally very relaxed and informal, that doesn’t mean that you can slack off. You’re expected to produce high-quality work and do your best.

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #116: Have a great work-life balance

This is a time for learning, so use it well!

However, you’re not in it alone, and you’re not expected to know everything. As an intern, you will usually receive lots of support from your boss and colleagues, who will help you understand the ins and outs of the company.

But do be aware that, after a while, you’ll likely be expected to have at least one important role within the company — so work hard, and it should all pay off. 💪

photo-group-of-Dutch-colleagues-taking-a-coffee-break-and-talking
One thing about internships in the Netherlands is that you’ll be a part of the team in no time! Image: Depositphotos

What are the working hours and duration of an internship in the Netherlands?

As an intern in the Netherlands, your work schedule can range from a few days per week to a full working week. Most often, internships are full-time, and you work as if you were a regular employee.

On the one hand, this is good because if they want to keep you on after your internship, well, then you’re already used to the schedule and the daily running of the company!

On the other hand, this can be bad news for people who are also full-time students.

It’s worth noting that in the Netherlands, internships that offer full working weeks are mainly for students who have a year or a semester off to work as part of their degree.

Without time off from studying, it’ll be impossible to go to classes AND work four or five days a week.

student-staring-at-the-camera-on-laptop-while-doing-internship-in-the-Netherlands
If you’re also attending classes at university, doing a full-time internship may be hard. Image: Depositphotos

Don’t fret, though! Some practicalities can be discussed with the company, and they may be able to work around your study schedule if it suits them. Many companies in the Netherlands are flexible and open to discussion.

The duration of an internship can also vary. Internships in the Netherlands can be everything from three months up to a year. Again, this will have to be discussed with your employer.

The difference between internships, placements, traineeships, and volunteer work in the Netherlands

Aren’t these all the same thing? Nope. Here is a rundown of the different types of work experience in the Netherlands and when you can complete them.

Internship during your studies

This is an internship you will be doing while still enrolled in an educational institution. You may be working as an intern a few times a week before classes, or you may have a semester off to work (either completely off or the internship will be part of your elective credits).

READ MORE | Speaking Dutch at work: your guide to workplace idioms in the Netherlands

Either way, you’re still in the process of completing your degree. These internships are great opportunities to kill two birds with one stone.

Once you graduate, you will not only have a degree but also the experience to go with it!

Final year research project or dissertation

This is a sort of work placement that you will complete as part of the final product for your degree.

The research can be done for a particular company, and the topic is chosen by either the firm or yourself. The results of the study are put in a report and often presented to the company.

Dutch-Employer-and-intern-discuss-internship-work-contracts
Any sort of working experience will look good on your resume. Image: Freepik

Post-graduate internship

These internships are normally full-time and are open to people who have recently finished their degrees but don’t yet have all the experience needed to land a job in their field.

Some of these internships lead to an offer by the company to fully employ the intern after the internship period is over.

If not, then you will still have gained some experience that will help you when applying for that dream job!

Traineeship

A traineeship is where you combine working with training — so the employer essentially trains you in order for you to gain some sort of qualification.

Traineeships can be full-time or part-time but most often, they’re full-time positions.

READ MORE | 7 handy things to know before starting your university hunt in the Netherlands

While many are unpaid, you can still be lucky and find one that is. Traineeships are open for people in education (often they are for students of universities of applied sciences called hogescholen in Dutch).

Volunteer work

Volunteer work is pretty self-explanatory. This is work that you have volunteered to do and is unpaid. It may seem crazy to be working for no money, but it’s highly valued on your resume!

Of course, this isn’t going to pay the bills, so it must be something that you do if you have the finances from elsewhere.

What should I take into consideration when applying for an internship in the Netherlands?

Photo-of-woman-looking-up-requirements-for-Dutch-internship-in-the-Netherlands
There are a number of things to consider when applying for an internship in the Netherlands. Image: Freepik
  • Are you an EU citizen? You have the same rights as you would any other job (no permit or additional documentation needed!) — check out our permit guide for more info. Just remember that you legally need to take Dutch health insurance to work in the Netherlands.
  • Are you a non-EU citizen? Then you need to establish if the internship will be part of a study programme or like a paid job.
  • If it’s part of your studies, you won’t need a work permit, and you can continue as usual on your student visa.
  • You will need to take out Dutch health insurance for this, but due to your low payment, you will be eligible for healthcare allowance — which should cover most of the cost of your healthcare.
  • If the internship is not part of your degree programme, then you will be subject to the usual working rules. So make sure that you have a valid permit for this and bear it in mind before applying.
  • How’s your Dutch? Many places in the Netherlands will ask for some Dutch experience, but not all! Make sure to check each internship posting’s requirements.
    If you already know in advance that you want to do an internship in the Netherlands, consider learning some Dutch to give you an extra boost.

How do I find and apply for internships in the Netherlands?

You can often find internship positions through your university. If not, a simple Google search should bring up some results!

In the Netherlands, internships are also posted on regular Dutch employment websites. When using these, just remember to include “internship” in the search bar and see what comes up.

photo-of-international-student-looking-for-Dutch-internship-online
Google, our friend and helper! Image: Freepik

Other ways to find internships in the Netherlands are to attend job fairs or through LinkedIn.

It can also be a longer-term strategy to follow companies and organisations on LinkedIn that you’re interested in. They will often post their own internship openings on their LinkedIn pages.

More and more Dutch companies are using the latter to post internship openings and it’s a great way for you to check out if they hire people with your academic background. (You can often see who currently works at the company and where they studied).

When you do find somewhere suitable to apply, expect to have to send a resume and a motivational letter — just like you would a regular job.

And, as we said at the start, you’ll also most likely be invited in for an interview since they want to make sure they’ve got the right person for the job!

Good luck!

Did you know that the DutchReview offers Editorial internships? If you’re interested in writing, love creativity, and are full of ideas, have a look at our internships page.

Have you done an internship in the Netherlands? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in December 2018, and was fully updated in April 2023 for your reading pleasure.

It’s official: The Netherlands is STILL Europe’s drug capital

Simone Jacobs
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It’s official: The Netherlands is STILL Europe’s drug capital

With the abundance of Dutch “coffeeshops”, it probably doesn’t come as a shock that the Netherlands is one of Europe’s drug capitals.

The wastewater of over 100 European cities was analysed in a study conducted by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).

The results? Well, they are no surprise to us.

Dutch cities Amsterdam, Utrecht and Eindhoven were among the top 20 cities for levels of cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis, and more.

EMCDDA and drugs in European wastewater

Wastewater samples from 104 European cities were collected and tested for traces of cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy (MDMA), amphetamine, methamphetamine and ketamine.

What was the main goal? To determine the use of the different drugs in each city.

All the drugs tested for were found in almost every European city that participated in the study. However, the amounts found in the wastewater did vary across the different cities in 2022. 

Helaas pindakaas, Dutch cities still had some of the highest values for five of the stimulant drugs. 

Amsterdam isn’t the cannabis drug capital?!

Claiming spots in the top five highest drug-consuming cities is (*drum roll please*) Amsterdam!

But, you might be surprised that Amsterdam isn’t Europe’s cannabis capital! Nee, that honour actually goes to the Swiss city, Geneva. 

READ MORE | Legal to cultivate cannabis? Amsterdam wants to give it a try

Amsterdam is, however, the drug capital for ecstasy…again. Yep, that’s right! In fact, ecstasy consumption seems to have increased between 2021 and 2022, from a daily average of 125 mg per 1,000 people to 182.32 mg.

Dutch cities and drugs

The study also found high concentrations of amphetamine and methamphetamine in Dutch cities.

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #56: Have a liberal attitude towards party drugs

Utrecht has the highest amphetamine consumption of the three Dutch cities, while Amsterdam has the highest of the other four drugs tested for in the country. 

Certain drugs, mainly cocaine and ecstasy, show higher traces during weekends, indicating that these are most likely consumed for recreational purposes. Dutchies are definitely partying up a storm!

How do you feel about the Netherlands being a drug capital? Tell us in the comments!

Televisie in the Netherlands: your guide to the best and worst of Dutch TV

Bobby Salomons
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Televisie in the Netherlands: your guide to the best and worst of Dutch TV

So you’ve been in Holland for a while and keep hearing Dutch friends, co-workers and weird people at the bus stop talking about this mystery thing, Televisie — and all the magical things it does.

You probably want in on this because you want to be part of the buzz — and hey, we can’t blame ya. Well, grab your notebook and allow us to help you find out more about TV in the Netherlands!

TV channels in the Netherlands

Televisie means television. If you haven’t figured this out already, seek medical attention immediately. And we know most of you cool Americans, cold Canadians, warm Australians, and fuzzy Antarticans are all: “Whuttt? Why would I watch television!? So last quarter of 2016!”

Okay, first of all — get out. Now that you’re out — get in, it’s cold. This is Holland, after all. Here’s the thing: do you know why Dutch people speak such excellent English? Televisie!

woman-learning-Dutch-fast-and-easy-with-tv-channels-in-the-netherlands
On your couches. Get set. GO! Image: Depositphotos

Unlike the snooty Germans and haughty French, we don’t just dub over everything — we subtitle with passion and, as a result, have an eerie ability to mimic the English language.

It’s a good thing, not just for us but also for you! Because you can watch your favourite shows in their native tongue and simultaneously start learning basic Dutch.

READ MORE | How long does it take to learn Dutch?

It’ll give you the chance to reminisce over Cornhole, Arkansas — or wherever you’re from — and feel more at home in that weird country under the sea by looking into the local minds.

Let’s go through a quick set of networks:

Public TV channels in the Netherlands: NPO 1, 2 & 3

Public Channels have a reputation for being incredibly boring — but in the Netherlands, this is much less the case. Though they have a strongly informative character, public TV channels in the Netherlands still draw the biggest crowds and are major entertainment players.

READ MORE | The one where the cast of Friends tried to speak Dutch — and failed

NPO channels don’t feature a lot of “full-English” TV shows or movies. However, most of the news and informative shows do heavily feature English content, with the hosts freely conversing in proper, high-level English with guests and experts.

So if you speak English, you should be able to understand segments that relate to the English-speaking world.

Where can I watch the news in the Netherlands?

The most-watched news show in the country is the NOS Journaal (8PM) and the informative show Nieuwsuur (news hour) — the latter is complex, but sneak a peek once in a while. At the very least, you can tell from footage and routine English commentary what is keeping the Dutch busy.

Where can I watch sports on Dutch TV?

But there’s more: Sports! The Dutch are avid football fans, as in soccer, not “American Egg Ball”. 🏈😉

three-young-men-watching-football-on-tv-channels-in-the-netherlands
It’s called FOOTBALL! Image: Freepik

Watching football is a fantastic way to connect with your blind neighbour’s guide dog, the girl on the poster at the bus stop or your sweaty colleague at work.

NPO broadcasts a wide array of sports as segments on the news or as part of the infamous “Studio Sport” with proper summaries and games/events in full.

READ MORE | 11 Dutch sports that are 100% weird (but wonderful)

Believe us, everyone in the Netherlands has some sort of connection to sports. Just say: “Did you see Studio Sport last night?” and be prepared to get married very soon. Or divorced, if already married, and then re-marry a Dutchie.

Other programs on NPO

Of course, as silly as it sounds, kids’ shows like Sesamstraat (Sesame Street, duh) will help you understand basic Dutch. And recognizing colors.

If you’d like to see shows that keep the Dutch up at night, watch with or ask friends about Boer Zoekt Vrouw (Farmer seeks Wife), De Wereld Draait Door (The World Keeps Turning — not a soap!) or De Rijdende Rechter (The Travelling Judge), conversations guaranteed!

Where do I sign up for NPO in the Netherlands?

Even without a cable subscription, NPO is freely available and has a great online presence, including a solid app! Google it!

Commercial TV Channels in the Netherlands: RTL 4, 5, 7, 8 & Z

Irregular numbers and a letter? Why? Channel wars. RTL is the far-out biggest commercial network on Dutch television, and channel numbers 1 to 3 were already associated with NPO, so they picked 4. 🤺

Then came RTL 5, and all of a sudden a pesky competitor showed up. Competitor SBS snagged 6 and so RTL skipped a number. And “Z” stands for Zaken, Dutch for “Business”.

Where can you watch Hollywood movies and American television in the Netherlands? RTL!

Aside from the obvious suppliers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and all the other streaming services that come tumbling out of the woodworks these days, RTL features a lot of Hollywood movies and series on RTL 5, 7 and 8 as well as various series on RTL 4.

READ MORE | 9 Dutch actors in Hollywood you probably didn’t know were Dutch

However, their strongest assets are Dutch shows like Ik Hou Van Holland (I love Holland), Help! Mijn Man Is Een Klusser (Help! My Husband’s a DIY’er) and “RTL Late Night”.

These shows are as Dutch as it gets, both in terms of culture and language. However, they are immensely popular. Having at least some understanding of what they’re about will probably help you connect much faster.

Male friends watching tv-channels-in-the-netherlands together in a bright room
Intellectual content? Maybe not, but highly entertaining! Image: Freepik

As far as Help! Mijn Man Is Een Klusser goes — it’s unhappy, slightly overweight housewives living with their kids in a wreck of a home their husband once promised to fix but never did.

The Dutch version of Denzel Washington, John Williams, comes to fix the place and the drama — how much do you really need to understand to enjoy drama? Just watch! So much crying…

READ MORE | 11 movies about Dutch culture to watch

RTL Z is for doing business. You don’t need to speak Dutch, just read the stock exchange graphs. 📈

Trashy TV Channels in the Netherlands: SBS 6, Net 5, Veronica & SBS 9

I like to call them “SBS Sex”. Because it’s as trashy as life gets. Really, SBS is often called the “Camping Channel of Holland”, because every camper full of Holland‘s worst in France, Germany or Spain is blaring SBS 6 day and night.

READ MORE | 7 destinations for a romantic camping getaway in France

Everything on these channels somehow relates to sex. Chasing pedos (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing), hot gossiping, documentaries and after 1 AM — all sex-ads! Yum!

Man throws crisps frightened while watching horror movie on tv-channels-in-the-netherlands
Is he watching a horror movie or SBS 6? Guess we’ll never know… Image: Depositphotos

Want to see the dumbest news in the history of mankind? Look no further than Hart van Nederland (Heart of Holland). Are you in desperate need of knowing more about Hannie (49, single, not particularly attractive, weird accent even for Dutch) and how someone stole her goat?

Well, you are in for a treat! On the upside, the Dutch used in this show is of such a low level it may as well be grunting — which is understandable for even very basic speakers.

Featuring the worst (or best?) weatherman

Up until recently, part of Team Clusterfart was Piet ‘Frickin’ Paulusma, who may or may not be fully mentally capable, and is the world’s worst weatherman. He also ends every weather report with “Oat Moarn!” which is Frissian for: “F- You”.

To be honest though, we kind of love Piet Paulusma, and when he sadly passed away in 2022, the world really stopped and took a moment to mutter “Oat Moarn“.

Another decent show on there is Lachen om Home Videos (our Funniest Home Videos) — aside from host Jochem van Gelder babbling before and after commercials, all of it is in English! Including the hilarious, original video commentary!

Veronica for the home-sick Americans

But where can you watch American shows in the Netherlands? Veronica — it is surprisingly decent!

You like sitcoms? Watch Veronica after 6 PM! The Big Bang Theory? Check! According to Jim? You got it! And the list goes on.

READ MORE | 21 YouTubers that’ll help you learn Dutch super fast

Unfortunately, they have no problems airing episodes in non-chronological order or suddenly cutting off mid-season and starting a new show. Also, from 4 AM till 6 PM, they have Disney XD for your inner child.

Net 5 and SBS 9 focus on women, featuring many English-language movies and series that’ll tickle your uterus (We know, that’s not how it works.)

Before you run to your television, never to leave again — thanks for tuning in. We hope this gave you some sort of picture of what to watch and expect from Dutch TV.

How do you like Dutch TV? Have we missed out on anything? Let us know in the comments below!

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in April 2017, and was fully updated in April 2023 for your reading pleasure. 

Trains halted between Leiden and The Hague in the following days after serious rail incident

Simone Jacobs
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Trains halted between Leiden and The Hague in the following days after serious rail incident

Damage to train tracks from an earlier accident in Voorschoten will leave trains between Leiden and The Hague at a standstill in the coming days.

According to the NOS, the collision between a train and building equipment has caused a great amount of damage to the tracks. Trains between Leiden Central Station and The Hague Central Station will not run until they have been repaired.

READ MORE | BREAKING: Dozens injured and one dead following serious train accident in Voorschoten

Leiden Central Station gets busy

The NS cancelled all trains to and from Leiden Central due to the accident earlier this morning. 

However, many commuters were unaware, which led to the train station becoming “irresponsibly busy”. The station was closed, and passengers were encouraged to use other forms of transport. 

Train traffic from Leiden in the direction of Utrecht, Haarlem, and Schipol is expected to be suspended until about 1 PM. There will be rail replacement buses running, so passengers can expect delays of up to 30 minutes. 

Investigations begin

The Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministrie) is launching an investigation into the train accident at Voorshoten to determine whether criminal offences have been committed. 

The Dutch Safety Board (Onderzoeksraad Voor Veiligheid) will also investigate the cause of the accident. 

Injured passengers

19 people were taken to the hospital, including the train driver. The driver is reported to be doing well and has suffered a few broken bones.

It has been confirmed by a spokesperson of the construction company, BAM, that one of their employees was killed in the crash. 

BAM was conducting rail work on the track when an NS night train crashed into a crane left on the track, apparently belonging to BAM. 

King Willem-Alexander visited the crash site after expressing condolences to the victims and their relatives. According to the king, aid workers have done a “fantastic job”. He wishes strength to the relatives of the deceased BAM worker.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for the latest news and updates.

Tilburg bed and breakfast refuses Romanian guests (and we’re not here for it)

Lyna Meyrer 🇱🇺
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9
Tilburg bed and breakfast refuses Romanian guests (and we’re not here for it)

Shortly after Alexandru Hegyi booked a room in a Tilburg bed and breakfast, he received a message from the owner. “We have an agreement with the municipality of Tilburg, our accommodation no longer receives Romanian people,” she wrote.

Following research by Omroep Brabant, this sort of shameless discrimination seems to be standard procedure for the owner of this B&B. As a result, the accommodation has now been removed from Booking.com.

Nationality-based discrimination

After Dr Hegyi shared his frustration on social media, the owner of the bed and breakfast confirms to Omroep Brabant: she indeed refuses all Romanians who want to stay with her.

The reason? She is still paying off a €25,000 fine because some Romanians once had illegal sex workers operating out of her accommodation.

According to the owner of the B&B, her flat-out discriminating measures result from an agreement with the municipality of Tilburg. In a letter, they apparently asked her not to host Romanians anymore.

The municipality of Tilburg, however, denies these claims with great certainty. And, of course, when asked by Omroep Brabant for a copy of the letter, the B&B owner has become unreachable. 🤔

Preventing the normalisation of discrimination

Back in Romania, Alexandru Hegyi is still shocked at what happened. This kind of “discrimination in the heart of the European Union” is outrageous, he writes on his social media channels.

Booking.com may have taken down the listing, but that’s not enough. Hegyi wishes to see the matter discussed at a higher level. Therefore, he will not only file a formal complaint with the municipality of Tilburg, but he’s also in contact with several Romanian politicians.

READ MORE | The student housing nightmare: a tale of discrimination, fraud and protest

In the Netherlands, politicians are also concerned. GroenLink councillor Nermin Agovic is worried about the normalisation of discrimination. He is taking questions about this case to Tilburg’s municipal council, and has reached out to Alexandru personally.

It remains to be seen whether further measures will be taken, as Tilburg’s anti-discrimination agency (RADAR) is currently investigating the case.

What do you think about this shocking incident at a Tilburg B&B? Tell us in the comments!

Schiphol strikes again: Dutch airport to ban night flights within two years

Francesca Burbano
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Schiphol strikes again: Dutch airport to ban night flights within two years

Sorry night owls, but Schiphol airport intends to ban all overnight flights by the end of 2025. 

This measure is intended to prevent noise nuisance around the airport for people living in the area, reports the airport’s interim CEO, Ruud Sondag, to Het Parool. 

What do the measures mean?

According to Sondag, Schiphol will be locked between midnight and 5 in the morning, meaning that no air or freight traffic will be able to use the runways. It’ll only be possible for planes to land and start taking off again after six o’clock. 

Sondag plans to ban the noisiest aircraft from November, such as the outdated Boeing 747. But that’s not all, as private jets, which account for approximately 17,000 flights, are also on the ban list.

The only exceptions to this rule will be with trauma helicopters, police helicopters, and coast guard aircraft. 

READ MORE | Flying during the May holiday? Schiphol to limit travellers once again

However, this decision will have consequences on holiday flights to and from Schiphol airport. With far fewer night flights, flying to your dream vacation will now become a lot more expensive. 🏖️

Restoring trust with local residents

The decision to cancel night flights is mainly because Sondag wants to restore the trust of local residents, who have to deal with the excessive noise from the planes. 

READ MORE | Crash landing: Schiphol airport plummets in world rankings

“We have to choose local residents who have been experiencing nuisance for so long,” Sondag reports to Het Parool. There will also be a new Schiphol Fund for more noise protection initiatives. 

Schiphol predicts that the changes in place will reduce the ‘serious nuisance’ that about 17,5000 nearby residents face. In fact, the ban on overnight flights alone will cut down on ‘serious sleep disturbances’ by over 54%. 

In addition to this, the airport will no longer press forward with plans for a new runway.

What do you think about night flights being banned within two years? Tell us in the comments below!

BREAKING: Dozens injured and one dead following serious train accident in Voorschoten

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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BREAKING: Dozens injured and one dead following serious train accident in Voorschoten

At approximately 3:30 AM, a train en route to The Hague collided with building equipment left on the tracks at Voorschoten. There have been multiple injuries and one death, spokespersons confirm.

According to the NOS, rescue services have confirmed that one person has been killed as a result of the crash, and many others have suffered injuries. The identity of the killed passenger has not been released.

Two of the train’s carriages remain on the tracks, while another two are located in the meadow. It is believed the train collided with a small construction crane.

Multiple injuries

Hollands Midden has confirmed that a total of 30 people have been injured, with 11 of those being cared for in surrounding homes. Anyone with serious injuries has been taken to nearby hospitals.

Translation: Several dozen people are being treated for injuries at the site and are being brought to hospital if necessary. Specialists are working to secure the train.

Among the injured is the train driver. However, their condition is unknown, NS spokesperson, Carola Belderbos, tells the NOS.

No trains to or from Leiden until 4 PM

As a result of the crash and damage to the tracks, there will be no trains to or from Leiden until at least 4 PM today.

An investigation must be carried out at the site, and traffic will only continue once the tracks have been repaired.

The Mayor of the municipality of Voorschoten, Nadine Stemerdink, has released a statement: “This is an incredibly tragic accident. I sympathise with the victims. Unfortunately, there is also a fatality. My thoughts go out to all the family and friends of those involved.”

Prime Minister, Mark Rutte has also released a statement.

Translation: A terrible train accident near Voorschoten, where, unfortunately, one person died, and many people were injured. My thoughts are with the relatives and with all the victims. I wish them all the best.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for the latest news and updates.

Here for the oat milk lattes: alternative video for Amsterdam’s Stay Away campaign released

Eva Gabriella
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Here for the oat milk lattes: alternative video for Amsterdam’s Stay Away campaign released

Oatly or Alpro? Brits are being driven into a new definition of ‘coffeeshop’ as a new campaign video depicts how oat milk lattes and fancy museums are all the rage. 

Wave doei to Amsterdam’s sex, drugs, and booze. This new campaign video by communication strategist Lars Duursma sheds light on a more wholesome visit to the lively city. 

Duursma believes that rather than making sure tourists are Staying Away, the campaign videos are encouraging rowdy tourists to come and misbehave instead, reports Het Parool. 

Follow the rowdy crowd

Duursma claims that his Stay Away campaign will likely be more effective, as “a lot of research has been done that shows that people are more likely to be persuaded by people who look like them.” 

READ MORE | In the Netherlands, rules are rules (but only when it’s convenient)

And he’s not wrong! British tourists responded by insisting that “Amsterdam as a city is a party, outgoing, where you can enjoy yourself… as long as the soul is here, it will never stop.”

Especially since you’ll receive a fine of €140 for misbehaviour which will only cost you €40 more than running a red light on your bike.🚦

So then, what’s the alternative?

Oat milk and fancy museums… ‘nuff said.

Duursma went on a two-hour wandeling (walk) through Amsterdam’s red light district to interview several British tourists in their natural habitat. (After dark, of course.)

The results? A 30-second clip highlighting more reasons to avoid the party aspect of the city, such as €11 pints! 🍺

However, there are other things you can do while visiting Amsterdam. One quote from the videos literally states that “I came here to party, but all I ended up doing was drinking oat milk lattes and visiting high-priced fancy museums.”

Do you think Duursma’s video is a better alternative to keep rowdy tourists away? Tell us in the comments below!

Heineken continues investing in Russia (but can’t do deposits for cans)

Naomi Lamaury
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Heineken continues investing in Russia (but can’t do deposits for cans)

The Netherlands’ most popular beer is about to get a bitter taste, as Heineken chooses profits over environmental action and solidarity with Ukraine.

The multinational Dutch brewery is refusing to comply with new statiegeld (deposit) regulations for metal cans in the Netherlands. It was also revealed that Heineken is still active in Russia, despite their promise to halt business after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

Statiegeld from April 1

Heineken, one of the Netherlands’ largest beer suppliers is refusing to follow new regulations which require Dutch companies to start, as of April 1, selling metal cans with a 15-cent statiegeld, reports NU.nl. 

Heineken says that they will continue to produce cans without the deposit symbol all the way until May, even though The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) has made it clear that this is breaking the law.

READ MORE | Recycling in the Netherlands: an international’s guide

From April 1, cans sold in the Netherlands should be produced with a statiegeld symbol so that they can be returned by buyers and then recycled. This already applies to most glass and plastic bottles sold. 

Still investing in Russian business

While Heineken is facing fierce criticism for their decisions in the Netherlands, their activities in Russia are not getting much better reactions, reports NU.nl.

Despite Heineken pledging to stop all business activities in Russia as soon as possible after the invasion of Ukraine, a research platform revealed that the branch in Russia is still actively investing in the business more than one year after the invasion. 

READ MORE | Here’s how you can help Ukraine from the Netherlands [UPDATED]

The research organisation emphasised that Heineken has recently introduced 61 new products and hired new employees in Russia. 

Translation: Heineken fails to put a deposit logo on cans. “61 new products succesfully launched in Russia.” “But this. Nope”

Heineken previously said that the Russian branch operates independently from the Dutch headquarters. However, it’s now clear that the new products in Russia were introduced after consultation with the Dutch office. 

Heineken, any comments…?

Responding to fierce criticism, Heineken apologised that they didn’t make their plans in Russia clearer, but insisted that keeping the business thriving was necessary to find a good take-over buyer. 

“We recognise that we should’ve been clearer about the need to introduce new products and that questions about this are understandable,” writes Heineken on their website. “We realise that this casts doubts on our pledge to leave Russia. We apologise for this.”

Heineken also says that they haven’t yet found a suitable buyer, and don’t want the Russian part of the company to go bankrupt.

They cite the risk for their 1,800 employees in Russia and the risk of criminal prosecution for deliberate bankruptcy which is punishable in Russia. Heineken hopes to sell the Russian part of the company by the first half of 2023.

Companies have had time to adapt

Now responding to the second scandal, the company justified its actions regarding the statiegeld deadline by asserting that they aren’t ready to complete the entire transition by April 1 and that they don’t want to waste cardboard and metal cans.

Heineken told NU.nl that retailers only began accepting cans with the statiegeld symbol from April 1, so they “couldn’t switch earlier.”

It’s worth noting that this regulation was supposed to come in in 2022, but was already delayed by multiple months. 

The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) in turn responded that if Heineken does not change their decision, they will intervene: “And we will. Companies have had enough time to adapt.”

Will you continue to buy Heineken beer? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Rotterdammers can now catch a metro DIRECTLY to Hoek van Holland beach

Simone Jacobs
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Rotterdammers can now catch a metro DIRECTLY to Hoek van Holland beach

Need to break away and head to the beach after a busy day of work? Well, lucky Rotterdammers are now just one train ride away from feeling the sand between their toes. 🏖️

The Metro aan Zee is the train that will take you from the centre of Rotterdam to the new stop, Hoek van Holland Strand, in just 40 minutes. And the best part? It will bring you as close as 100 meters from the beach!

Before the new stop, the metro would only take you as far as the Hoek van Holland harbour, reports the NOS. From there, you would have to walk a few minutes and take a bus to the beach. Niet leuk!

How often does the metro to the Hoek van Holland beach run?

The metro runs three times per hour on weekdays and Saturday afternoons, but only every 30 minutes in the evenings and on Sundays. 

Translation: A nice milestone for the @RETRotterdam, @Metropoolregio and @rotterdam. Amid great interest, the Hoek van Holland Strand metro station was opened. A metro station right on the beach of Hoek van Holland.

READ MORE | Hikes and walks in Rotterdam: 12 places for the perfect nature escape

On Sundays from Ascension Day and during the summer holidays, the metro will run every 15 minutes. Hoera!

Why was the new metro stop delayed?

The Hoek van Holland Strand stop was supposed to be up and running years ago, but issues with permits, malfunctions, and security software problems caused delays. 

Translation: What a luxury that we can finally take the metro directly to the beach of Hoek van Holland. We had to wait a long time for it. @RETRotterdam

RET director, Maurice Unck, tells Rijnmond that the budget of €365 million also needed an extra €90 million due to unforeseen costs. 

READ MORE | Best beaches in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide to Dutch beaches

The entire timetable of the metro was run without passengers as a test leading up to the opening of the new stop. With everything now running flawlessly, it will be smooth sailing for future beach visits.

Will you be taking the metro to the Hoek van Holland beach? Let us know in the comments!

Feature Image: Kees Torn/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-SA-2.0

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