There was a time when going to the supermarket meant you could fully switch your brain off for half an hour.
Wander the aisles, accidentally buy €4 olives you didn’t need, stare blankly at yoghurt for six minutes, then dump everything onto a conveyor belt while a cashier handled the difficult technological challenge of scanning a cucumber.
Those days are gone. Now we all work at the supermarket.
I don’t even grab a basket anymore without instinctively reaching for one of those handheld scanners, especially at Dirk. The expectation is clear: congratulations, sir, you are both customer and unpaid employee.
Fine. I’ll play along. I’m an honest citizen. I will dutifully scan every item myself like the little tax-paying adult I am.
But why is this process still somehow so terrible?
The barcode battle is real
Half the time I’m rotating products like I’m trying to crack a safe because the barcode is hidden under six layers of packaging.
Then the scanner refuses to recognise it anyway. Or it scans the wrong thing. Or I’m suddenly in a life-or-death standoff with the machine because I dared to buy two of the same bread rolls.
And yes, there is one beautiful promise behind the whole system: scan items directly into your bag while shopping. Efficient. Elegant. European. In theory, you should glide majestically past the tills afterwards and leave within seconds.
But no. Because first, you need to queue for the self-checkout anyway.
The random inspection lottery
Then comes the real fun: the random inspection. Now, I have nothing against the employee doing the checks. They didn’t invent this nonsense.
But why does it feel like I’m selected approximately 50% of the time? Especially when I’ve bought enough groceries to survive a medium-sized apocalypse.
No, no. They start pulling things out like customs officers at Schiphol. Tomatoes. Crackers. Frozen spinach.
“Ah yes, and this paprika?” What are we doing here exactly? I’m already doing your scanning for you while the supermarket quietly reduces its labour costs. The least you can do is pretend to trust me.
When the whole thing collapses
Inevitably, something goes wrong. A bread roll needs a mysterious bakery code from 1987. An item scans incorrectly. The machine freezes. Someone needs to enter an employee code. Then another employee code. Then a supervisor appears like the final boss in a video game.
In the past month alone, three out of maybe ten supermarket visits ended with some sort of self-checkout disaster.
One time, I had to rescan the entire order from scratch. The entire order. At that point, just hand me a name badge and schedule me for a shift on Thursday.
And yes, obviously, this is a small suffering. The world contains war, climate change, and Microsoft Teams meetings. Perspective noted.
But still.
Either trust me, or hire cashiers again
You cannot simultaneously make me do the work, monitor me like a criminal, interrupt the process every four minutes, and then still have the system collapse because somebody bought an “artisan multigrain triangle roll” that requires authorisation from head office.
If self-checkout is the future, then at least make it work smoothly. Some Dutch supermarkets have been experimenting with checkout-free shopping entirely and, well, that’s going about as smoothly as you’d expect.
Otherwise, just bring back the cashiers who scan 43 items per minute with the speed and precision of an F1 pit crew while I stand there dissociating next to a Toblerone display.
If you’d rather avoid the whole ordeal, there’s always grocery delivery. Honestly, at this point, the cashiers were better at this than all of us.
Have you had a self-checkout meltdown recently, or have you somehow mastered the system? Let us know in the comments.
Most people have heard the stereotype that the Netherlands is a land filled with cheese — and they’re not entirely wrong.
Dutch cheese is famous and delicious, and ranges from:
Pasteurised to unpasteurised milk 🥛
Slices to wheels 🧀
A few weeks to years ⏰
Who knows how many flavour profiles 👌
There is so much to consider when picking a Dutch cheese to eat!
If you have ever found yourself wondering what cheese you’re eating or which cheese is which, this is your complete guide to Dutch cheese varieties. 🧀
Goudse kaas: the Dutch staple (Gouda)
Ah yes, the classic Dutch cheese — and no, it doesn’t refer to “golden” cheese (although if you love cheese as much as we do, you probably think it’s a sort of gold).
You probably know Goudse kaas by its English name: Gouda. This particular cheese comes from the city of Gouda, in South Holland.
Doesn’t this look like something you’d find at the end of a rainbow? Image: Depositphotos
Gouda has a mild, nutty, and almost tangy flavour with a fudgy texture. This cheese pairs great with dessert wines and fruits, but it’s also the standard cheese for a delicious boterham (sandwich). 😋
Historically, farmers and merchants traded Gouda in this region, but now, it’s the catch-all phrase for Dutch cheese varieties made in a similar style.
Fun fact: this cheese was (and still is) so good that French soldiers would steal it from Dutch farmers in the 19th century.
🛒 Where to buy: All Dutch supermarkets, cheese shops, Gouda cheese market 🥛 Pasteurised: Often, but can be made with unpasteurised milk 🧀 Texture: Semi-hard to hard ⌚️ Ageing time: One month to three years
Beemster: cheese from below sea level
This cheese combines two undeniably Dutch things: the iconic dairy product and being underwater.
Beemsterkaas has a production style similar to Gouda, but the difference lies in the milk. Specifically, Beemster cheese is made from milk from cows that eat grass grown on a sea-clay polder four meters below sea level. Fancy, right? 🐮
Beemster cheese is hard to mistake with its bright packaging. Image: Depositphotos
Because of the cows’ special diet, the cheese made from that milk has a unique flavour. The cheese has a particularly sharp, salty flavour due to its extended ageing. Talk about artisanal!
You could slice Beemster for a sandwich, cube it for crackers or eat it by itself, and it pairs nicely with ports and red wines. 🍷
🛒 Where to buy: All Dutch supermarkets, cheese shops 🥛 Pasteurised: Yes 🧀 Texture: Hard ⌚️ Ageing time: Two months to two years
Edam: the internationally-beloved cheese
Named after the Dutch town north of Amsterdam, Edam cheese is known for its international reach. It ages well and doesn’t spoil, making it the perfect cheese to pack up and send all over the world. ✈️
And it’s not just the Dutch who love Edam cheese. From Indonesia and Belize to the Philippines and Scandinavia, people from all over the world serve Edam during parties, celebrations, or simply for an afternoon bite!
Unique in both shape and taste, Edam cheese is like none other! Image: Depositphotos
This Dutch cheese has earned its spot on the dining table in many countries. 🤗
Edam has a smooth texture and a nutty, salty flavour that gets sharper as it ages. Edam pairs particularly well with dark beers, making it the perfect match for a borrel snack.
🛒 Where to buy: Cheese shops, Edam cheese market, most Dutch supermarkets 🥛 Pasteurised: Yes 🧀 Texture: Semi-hard ⌚️ Aging time: Four weeks to 10 months
Boerenkaas: cheese straight from the farmhouse
Boerenkaas directly translates to “farmer’s cheese” — because it’s straight from the farm! 🧑🌾
Only Dutch cheese produced on a farm using traditional, controlled methods can be sold as boerenkaas.
This Dutch cheese is special because farmers often make it with milk from other farm animals, including goats, sheep, and even buffalo!
Goudse Boerenkaas is a classic in the Netherlands. Image: Depositphotos
Some renditions of Boerenkaas also include spices like cumin, as well as other seeds, herbs, and spices that a farm might grow on-site. 🌿
Boerenkaas has different tastes and textures depending on how long it ages — from grassy, nutty notes to a butterscotch sweetness and the crunchiness of milk proteins, boerenkaas has a full range.
Similar to Edam, boerenkaas pairs well with full-bodied red wines or a classic Dutch beer — Dutch cheese for Dutch tastes. 🇳🇱
🛒 Where to buy: Cheese shops, farmer’s markets, some Dutch supermarkets (usually larger supermarket branches) 🥛 Pasteurised: Possible, can be made with unpasteurised milk 🧀 Texture: Semi-hard ⌚️ Ageing time: Typically one to two years, but as short as six months and up to seven years.
Leyden: the classic spiced cheese
Also known as Leidse kaas, this semi-hard cheese is traditionally from Leiden. Producers make it with Dutch cows’ milk and other herbs, usually cumin and caraway seeds.
These herbs give it a little extra spicy kick, so you can eat it in pretty small servings (although we won’t stop you if you want to eat more! 😁)
It’s not Leyden cheese without its iconic red rind and cumin and caraway spots. Image: AlexanderVanLoon/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0
Leyden is the most common type of komijnekaas (cumin cheese), a cheese that includes cumin as an ingredient. It makes a delicious pairing with bread or beer if you’re looking for something to eat at a borrel. 😉
🛒 Where to buy: Cheese shops, farmer’s markets, particularly in Leiden 🥛 Pasteurised: Yes 🧀 Texture: Hard ⌚️ Ageing time: Around two years
Nagelkaas: clove cheese from the Dutch islands
You have the Frisian people to thank for this delicacy. They developed this somewhat rare Dutch cheese in the islands all the way north of the Netherlands!
Nagelkaas gets its unique name and flavour from this unique spice. Image: Depositphotos
Nagelkaas, translated to English, literally means “nail cheese” — and no, that doesn’t mean there are nails in it. This Gouda-style cheese is made with skim pasteurised milk, cumin, and cloves that look like construction nails (still no real nails, we promise!), which is where this cheese variety gets its name.
This cheese is quite spicy (due to cloves and other spices), so a small slice on a cracker is enough to give you an idea of the flavour.
🛒 Where to buy: Cheese shops, farmer’s markets, some Dutch supermarkets (Albert Heijn, Jumbo) 🥛 Pasteurised: Yes, with skim milk 🧀 Texture: Firm, similar to Goudse kaas ⌚️ Ageing time: Six months
Limburger: an unmistakable cheese
Limburger cheese gets its name from the Dutch area of Limburg. People in this province still make cheese, so it’s considered quintessentially Dutch.
But Germans and Belgians try to steal the show by also making their own version of Limburger.
Why is this an ‘unmistakable’ Dutch cheese variety? Well, once you smell it, it’s a dead giveaway. Limburger cheese is made with a particular bacterium that gives it a very unique scent. 👃🏼
It might look like your usual Dutch cheese, but you’ll know it when you smell it. Image: John Sullivan/Wikimedia Commons/Public domain
Once you remove Limburger from its rind, the flavour becomes quite mild. It has a spicy-sweet flavour combination, which goes well with fish, on crackers, and even a German or Belgian beer (we won’t snitch!)
🛒 Where to buy: Cheese shops, some Dutch supermarkets (Albert Heijn), farmer’s markets 🥛 Pasteurised: Yes 🧀 Texture: Semi-soft ⌚️ Ageing time: Two to three months
Parrano: the Dutch-Italian lovechild
Don’t let its looks or taste fool you, this fully Dutch cheese is similar to your typical Gouda. It’s a harder cheese with a mild, nutty taste.
But it also shares similar taste, texture, and ageing methods with Parmigiano Reggiano from Italy — not quite Italian, but not quite Dutch either.
Parrano is best served as a garnish or cooking ingredient in your dish — so if you’re looking to give your food a little Dutch-Italian kick, Parrano cheese is a great option!
🛒 Where to buy: All Dutch supermarkets, cheese shops 🥛 Pasteurised: Yes 🧀 Texture: Semi-hard ⌚️ Ageing time: Five months
Who knew there was so much to learn about when it came to Dutch cheese varieties? We hope you’ve learned just a little more about this delicacy. 😌
What’s your favourite Dutch cheese? Tell us in the comments below!
Let’s paint a picture: you’re clashing with a family member, a neighbour, or a landlord — but legal action is far too costly and time-consuming for your circumstances.
Mediators are legal professionals who help reach agreements and resolve tensions between people in a peaceful and more constructive way.
Let’s face it, people in the Netherlands are not about the drama. Mediators are a common first step before taking conflicts to the courtroom and are often successful in solving disagreements.
So, how does mediation work, and how can a mediator help you?
What is a mediator (bemiddelaar)?
You can think of a mediator as your middleman during tricky conversations. Image: Freepik
Not really sure what a mediator does or where they work? Geen probleem!
Essentially, a mediator — called a bemiddelaar in Dutch — is a neutral (often third) party who oversees a conflict and helps those involved reach an agreement that everyone considers acceptable.
Mediators can resolve issues in a variety of cases, such as family matters (e.g. divorce, estates, etc.), civil and commercial matters (for example, concerning rental agreements or issues between shareholders), and social matters (such as the dismissal of an employee).
Overall, mediators are trained to handle all kinds of conflicts that life may throw at someone, which makes them quite adaptable to any circumstance you may find yourself in.
GMW Lawyers are experts in many areas of law — including mediation. What makes them a great option for internationals? They can offer their services entirely in English and have an understanding of what it’s like to be an expat in the Netherlands. Intrigued? Plan a consultation with them now.
What do mediators in the Netherlands do?
Mediators in the Netherlands have the following responsibilities:
First, and most importantly, mediators adopt a neutral stance to help the parties solve their conflict without any biases.
Then, they help create a mediation space where the parties can reach a solution while maintaining the relations between those involved in the negotiation.
Naturally, they also have the important task of making sure both parties are fully informed about their legal rights and obligations.
While they’re not relationship therapists, they make sure parties are communicating and expressing their emotions about the conflict. This often helps create a mutual understanding between parties and allows them to be open to solving problems in a constructive way.
Is it compulsory to use a mediator in the Netherlands?
Sometimes, you need a mediator in order to resolve your issues. Image: Freepik
Nee. It is completely voluntary to use a mediator in the Netherlands. Parties always choose a mediator together, often without a judge, and neither party is actually obligated to take part in the mediation.
In the Netherlands, there’s also something known as judicial mediation. This is where a judge may recommend using a mediator instead of legal proceedings — however, this is also voluntary.
Why should I opt for a mediator in the Netherlands?
While it’s not mandatory, there are many pros to using a mediator in the Netherlands.
There can be more satisfactory results for each party
Mediations tend to be more flexible than taking things to court, making it easier to reach “customised” agreements about the conflict or dispute.
It’s not about taking as much as possible from the other side in order to emerge the winner, it’s about making sure both sides get something they need.
It can preserve relationships
Settling disputes with a mediator is also usually more constructive and amicable than legal proceedings. Mediators have everyone’s best interests in mind and don’t envision the solutions as a win-lose situation.
This usually means people walk out of mediation with an acceptable solution to their problems while maintaining a good relationship with the other parties involved — and let’s face it, we all hate icy stares.
They can be faster and more confidential
If parties want to move on from disputes and avoid lengthy investigations, mediation is a great option.
They usually move faster than legal processes and are carried out in complete confidentiality. This means that no information about the mediation process or agreement is disclosed to the public.
Mediation is the least invasive option when it comes to your privacy, which can be especially important for conflict cases involving people you want to keep good, close relations with.
Ok, I want a mediator in the Netherlands, how does it work?
Getting a mediator in the Netherlands is quite a straightforward process. Image: Depositphotos
Mediation is a straightforward process with six core steps from beginning to end.
1. Proposing mediation
As mentioned above, mediation can be done on a voluntary basis (one or more parties suggest mediation) or on a judicial basis (a judge or one of the parties suggests it).
Either way, one party can suggest mediation as a way to resolve the conflict at hand. If the other agrees, hoera! It’s time to work things out.
2. Selecting a mediator
Once the parties have agreed to resolve their issues through mediation, they also have to decide and agree on a mediator that suits their conflict.
The participants have to be completely confident in their choice of mediator. One way to ensure this is by seeking out recommendations from legal firms or private organisations that train and employ mediators.
GMW Lawyers offer mediators who cover the many issues that an international in the Netherlands may face. If you’re looking for help with company, employment, family, liability and property law — they’ll guide you through the process, all in English. 💪
Then, the chosen mediator will explain the mediation procedure to the parties and help everyone collect information about the situation.
The mediator will be present until the dispute is resolved. Image: Freepik
This information allows the mediator to get an understanding of each party’s position and interests in the conflict.
Equipped with this information, the mediator should then be able to summarise the exact problems to be solved between the parties.
4. Determining needs and interests
At this point, we get to the important part. The mediator helps establish what exactly each party needs (and may be interested in) from the negotiation.
5. Negotiating and exploring options
Finally, the mediator discusses possible solutions and helps both parties determine the best possible outcome for their needs and interests.
When the parties agree on a solution with the help of a mediator, the terms of the agreement are written down and signed.
Of course, it’s also possible that the mediation only leads to a partial agreement or no agreement at all, depending on how the all-important negotiation step goes.
However, it’s worth noting that in most cases, mediation proceedings end in a solution for all.
🤔 Is mediation legally binding?
Generally, the agreements reached through mediation are not legally binding unless both parties agree to formalise them. If the mediation results in an agreement, it can be written into a contract, which can then be submitted to a court for validation.
What’s the cost of mediation in the Netherlands?
As with any legal issue, the cost of mediation in the Netherlands can vary depending on the mediator’s experience, the complexity of the case, and the duration of the process.
According to the government, mediators in the Netherlands charge around €150 per hour. However, real-world rates are often slightly higher. The good news? This cost is often shared equally by both parties.
While mediation itself is cost-effective compared to litigation, parties may also choose to involve lawyers, which will add to the overall cost. However, the good news is that, even with legal representation, the cost of mediation is often still much lower than going to court.
Don’t be afraid to search for alternatives to the big, scary courtroom. In the Netherlands, mediation is a great and common option if you’re looking for a hassle-free, affordable, and civil way to solve disputes.
Would you use a mediator to solve a dispute? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
Imagine telling your international friends that you test kids’ cycling skills to see if they’re ready to tackle Amsterdam’s bike frenzy for a living. Bizarre, right?
Right. But oh so Dutch. With all the quirks of the Netherlands, there are a few wacky and funny jobs unique to Dutch culture — here are some of the best.
1. Running a fish doorbell (visdeurbel) in the Dutch canals
As you may imagine, many fish (and other fascinating water creatures) migrate through the maze of Dutch canals — but with the Netherlands’ sophisticated water management system, sometimes they face a closed gate.
In Utrecht, an underwater live stream is set up in front of the water gate, allowing people to watch and alert the visdeurbel “master” when the gate needs to be opened to let the fish pass.
Anyone can watch the live stream and press the “doorbell” if a fish is waiting, which takes a picture. If pictures of fish accumulate quickly, the lockkeeper knows it’s time to open the gate and let the fish pass to continue their migration.
Want this unique Dutch job? As the lockkeeper, your job is to let the fish through — but also to keep a photo album of the “leukste fish pictures.”
2. Baking oliebollen for the cold Dutch winters
Everyone living in the Netherlands will agree that Dutch winters are long. Luckily, the Dutch have already perfected a treat to get through the long winters: steaming-hot deep-fried dough dunked in icing sugar, otherwise known as oliebollen!
During New Year’s season, the oliebollen stands come out onto every Dutch street corner. Image: Depositphotos
The oliebol makers bring their stands to the streets every winter to sell the popular New Year snack and warm up passersby on cold winter days.
The classic editions are plain or with raisins, but if you’re feeling more indulgent, you can get them stuffed with a warm, yummy filling like Nutella or apple jam.
4. Maintaining the monster that is the Dutch water management system
With much of the Netherlands below sea level, the Dutch have become experts at managing the water, notably with dikes, dams, and polders (reclaimed land from the sea).
The Netherlands’ unique relationship with water makes it constantly vulnerable to flooding, rising sea levels, and sinking land — hence the existence of the Dutch Rijkswaterstaat since 1798.
With over 10,000 employees, the Rijkswaterstaat government office is almost like its own bustling town, working to maintain and build up the country’s extensive water infrastructure.
People at Rijkswaterstaat work a wide range of jobs, from managing dams and building bridges to collecting data and developing new technologies.
3. Fishing bikes (and more) out of the canals
What are the Dutch most known for? Bikes and canals! That combination doesn’t always mix, so many bikes end up — you guessed it — in the water.
Someone’s got to fish the bikes out, and the Dutch have a solution! They have special boats with crane claws that retrieve around 12,000 bikes yearly (and that’s just in Amsterdam!). These fietsvissers (bike fishermen) undoubtedly have an incredibly unique Dutch job.
And it’s not only bikes that are fished out of the canals. Walking around Dutch cities, you will often see people using fishing rods with a magnet on the end looking for sunken metal treasures (or junk). Although this isn’t a job, it does get an award for the most Dutch hobby.
5. Delivering anything and everything with a bakfiets
In many countries, delivering mail and food by bike is normal, but the Dutch didn’t stop there. They deliver just about anything using a bakfiets (cargo bike).
Whether it’s your new coffee machine, internet box, or vacuum cleaner — if it fits in the bakfiets, that’s likely how it’s going to get to your door. Even daycare and preschool teachers often transport up to 10 kids on one bike when going to and from school and on excursions!
Thankfully, the Netherlands has no mountains, and today’s cargo bikes are typically electric because bakfiets delivery riders sometimes bike 50 to 60 kilometres a day.
6. Refilling the wall of fried Dutch snacks
We’ve already established that the Dutch love their hot, fried snacks. And they’ve found a pretty genius way to sell them — in wall-to-wall automatic lockers that keep the food warm until you take them out.
Dutch people take fast food very seriously; look at these next-level hot snack lockers. Image: Depositphotos
Thanks to this automated system, FEBO and Smullers workers deal with fewer hungry customers up front, but they are still responsible for restocking the delicious Dutch snack walls (without being tempted for a bite).
7. Making traditional wooden clogs (still!)
Believe it or not, there are still people in the Netherlands dedicated to making clogs (klompen). That’s because there are still a few true old-school Dutch people (and many Amsterdam tourists) who buy and wear the shoes.
Traditionally, it takes seven full days of work to carve out a pair of shoes from a block of wood. Add another four to six weeks for the shoes to dry fully before they can be hand-painted or varnished, and you have a big job!
Today, only 12 official clog makers are hanging on to traditions in the Netherlands. You can experience the daily life of these Dutch makers at Zaanse Schans or Simonehoeve.
8. Hunting for old bikes around the city
With more than 22 million bikes (for around 17 million inhabitants), bikes are often deserted or lost everywhere around the country.
There are so many bikes in the Netherlands that the city must go around daily to clean up old bikes. Image: Depositphotos
Therefore, municipalities need to hire people to go on bike hunts in their urban forests to keep the city clean, or before we know it, we’ll all be drowning in bikes.
Workers scope out the streets for old, abandoned-looking bikes or bikes parked where they aren’t allowed. They often leave a tag on the bike and, after a few days, stack all the still-tagged bikes on the back of their small trucks.
In many Dutch cities, unclaimed bikes are resold at huge depot sales — a handy tip for new students looking for affordable and legal bikes.
9. Testing illegal drugs for safety
The Netherlands is known for being relatively open-minded and forward-thinking about certain topics, such as weed or the Red Light District.
Similarly, although hard drugs like ecstasy and cocaine are technically illegal, the Dutch have taken the approach of safety first. For this, they’ve created test centres in most major Dutch cities where people can anonymously hand in drugs to be informed of the risks.
Scientists at these centres don’t fancy lab coats and test that pink pill you bought from a stranger to check for possible risks and analyse what it’s made of.
In exchange, health institutions know what drugs are currently sold and consumed on the market and can immediately initiate campaigns about new substances with severe health risks.
10. Secretly co-piloting with the King
As if flying across the skies wasn’t a cool enough job, a few pilots have co-piloted with the Dutch King by their side.
Since King Willem-Alexander has a passion for flying, he has secretly flown commercial flights around Europe (as many as twice a month!) and the rules of flying state that every pilot needs a partner.
The Dutch king is fully licensed to fly commercial planes and makes the most of it under a hidden identity. Image: Depositphotos
This job tests both your piloting skills and your spy skills to ensure the King’s identity stays hidden. This means not letting out a chuckle when the king introduces himself as “Alex” over the intercom.
11. Testing kids for their bike license
The first time you hop on a bike in the Netherlands is often a feeling of great pride — until you see the 10-year-old child in front of you who is somehow way better than you.
But don’t feel bad. Dutch children are taught from day one how to make their bike their number one way of transport — even earning a “bike license” after an official bike test (verkeersexamen).
Thought cyclists in the Netherlands didn’t follow any rules? Well, this elaborate exam suggests otherwise, involving a theoretical and practical section.
Volunteer graders carefully watch to see if students are indicating before turning, stopping at red lights, and staying on the correct side of the road.
We’re not surprised at the number of times we referred to ‘bikes’ in this list of respectable and utterly Dutch professions. 🇳🇱
What other jobs were you surprised to hear exist in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!
In what politicians are calling the most significant change to the country’s asylum system in a quarter-century, the Dutch Senate voted on Tuesday to approve the EU’s Migration Pact implementation law.
The pact takes effect across Europe on June 12, which left the Eerste Kamer (the Senate, the upper house of the Dutch parliament) with little time to deliberate, reports Nu.nl.
At its core, it’s an attempt to bring the asylum rules of EU member states into closer alignment.
The goals are faster procedures, quicker removal of people whose applications are rejected, and fewer arrivals overall, according to the Rijksoverheid.
Who, what, where
While the fundamental rules apply equally to all EU countries, member states have room to add their own stricter elements on specific points.
The main changes include a mandatory border procedure at EU external borders under which people with little chance of being granted asylum can be detained. The Netherlands already runs this procedure at Schiphol.
Standardised identity checks, health screenings, and a unified fingerprint database also apply across the board.
For those whose applications are rejected, the pact wants to introduce return hubs. These are facilities in countries outside the EU where deportation can be processed.
Significantly, the pact also brings a solidarity mechanism into play. If one country faces an overwhelming influx, others must contribute by either accepting a share of asylum seekers or making a financial payment.
The Netherlands, whose asylum reception centres are notoriously overstretched, is choosing to pay rather than take in more people, reports Nu.nl.
How has the Netherlands gone further?
The Dutch government didn’t just copy and paste the European rules. In fact, it exceeded the European baseline.
Six of the nine measures from the Asielnoodmaatregelenwet (emergency asylum law) — a bill the Senate rejected earlier this year — have been embedded into this implementation.
Two notable measures among these are that indefinite permits are eliminated entirely and that the maximum length of a temporary permit drops from five years to three, reports Nu.nl.
The Netherlands also chose to apply the distinctions of the dual-status framework more strictly than Europe required.
Asylum seekers are divided into two groups: those fleeing war, and those fleeing personal risk.
In the Dutch interpretation, those in the first group (war refugees) have less scope to bring family members over than those seeking protection on personal grounds.
Will any of this actually work?
Minister for Asylum Bart van den Brink has already tempered expectations, warning explicitly against treating the Migration Pact as a Holy Grail, reports Nu.nl.
Last month’s European Commission report found most member states still aren’t ready for the June 12 start date.
The IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst, the immigration service) is also battling a significant backlog of pending applications.
On top of that, VluchtelingenWerk (the Dutch Refugee Council) has questioned whether deportation processing outside EU borders can be carried out without violating people’s basic rights.
The judiciary, meanwhile, is bracing for a surge in court cases from asylum seekers looking to challenge the less favourable status assigned to them under the dual-status system, according to Nu.nl.
Do you think the EU Migration Pact will make a real difference to the asylum situation in the Netherlands? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
KLM has postponed flights to certain parts of the Middle East yet again. This is the latest extension of a suspension that has now been running since late February.
All flights to Dubai have been cancelled until August 2. Meanwhile, flights to Riyadh and Dammam in Saudi Arabia are also off the table, cancelled until July 12.
The airline cited the ongoing security situation in the region in its official statement.
Rolling back further and further
What started as a precautionary suspension of a few days has now stretched to five months. KLM grounded its Gulf routes on February 28, initially through March 5, after hostilities involving Iran in the region.
Since then, the airline has pushed the deadline back repeatedly, through March, April, May, and now well into the summer.
In its statement, the airline says it is “continuously monitoring the situation” and cannot commit to a return date.
What does this mean if you have a booking?
If your KLM flight to or from Dubai, Riyadh, or Dammam has been cancelled, the airline says affected passengers can rebook free of charge or request a full refund via the KLM website.
KLM says it will contact affected passengers directly, but you can also manage changes yourself via the KLM app or the My Trip portal on klm.com.
Have your travel plans been thrown off by KLM’s extended cancellations? Let us know in the comments below.
The Netherlands has officially blocked the US takeover of the company that keeps DigiD running, with the government’s investment watchdog recommending a full ban on national security grounds.
Months of parliamentary hand-wringing over DigiD’s fate have finally produced a definitive answer.
The Dutch government has stepped in to stop Kyndryl (a New York-listed IT giant) from acquiring Solvinity, the cloud company that stores all the data powering your DigiD.
What is Solvinity and why does it matter?
If DigiD is the key to Dutch bureaucratic life, Solvinity is the safe where all the keys are kept. The Amsterdam-based company stores the data that allows DigiD to communicate with the Belastingdienst (tax office), health insurers, pension funds, and other essential services.
Without Solvinity doing its job quietly in the background, none of that works. Which is precisely why the prospect of an American company owning it set off alarm bells across the Tweede Kamer (House of Representatives) earlier this year.
Why the DigiD takeover was banned
State Secretary Willemijn Aerdts (D66, Economic Affairs) referred the proposed deal to the Bureau Toetsing Investeringen (BTI — Investment Review Bureau), which evaluates proposed acquisitions for national security risk. The BTI’s conclusion was unambiguous: block it entirely.
Aerdts accepted that advice in full, citing the need to protect “the public interest.” She was at pains to stress that the BTI’s process was “country-neutral, risk-based, and proportional,” and that the Netherlands continues to value American tech companies and their contribution to the Dutch economy.
US law is at the heart of the concern. American legislation can compel US-owned companies to hand over data to the US government, or even to cut off services entirely, giving Washington theoretical leverage over Dutch citizens’ access to their own digital government.
Kyndryl hits back
NOS reports that Kyndryl has responded by saying it is “extremely disappointed” by the decision, and has described the process as “politicised.” The company had consistently maintained that Dutch data would not be at risk under its ownership.
Solvinity is currently in British hands; while the company is Dutch in origin, it was already foreign-owned before Kyndryl came along.
It’s worth noting that Dutch MPs had already flagged this risk back in January, warning that losing control of DigiD’s infrastructure could let Washington “shut down our digital government with one push of a button.”
Today’s decision suggests the government agreed.
Do you think the Netherlands was right to block the Kyndryl takeover, or is this protectionism dressed up as security policy? Let us know in the comments.
If your morning coffee has been feeling suspiciously expensive lately, that’s because it is.
New research by the Consumentenbond (Dutch consumers’ association) shows that the average price of supermarket coffee has shot up by a whopping 74% over the past five years.
But what does that really mean for your wallet? Let’s break it down.
Here’s how much you’re paying per cup
The Consumentenbond compared prices across filter coffee, coffee beans, pods, and Nespresso capsules between April 2021 and April 2026.
Coffee beans were the most expensive, with the cost per cup doubling from €0.09 to €0.18. Meanwhile, the cost of pods rose by 78% (from €0.09 to €0.16 per cup), and filter coffee climbed 70% (from €0.10 to €0.17).
Although Nespresso capsules saw the smallest increase (at 46%), they’re still the priciest option surveyed, at €0.38 per capsule on average.
How to pay less for your coffee
Of course, the Consumentenbond report isn’t just doom and gloom. Depending on where and what you buy, there are several actionable tips to avoid overpaying for your cup of joe.
1. Switch to house brands
Store-brand coffee is on average 33% cheaper than premium labels, and some budget options cost less than half the price of their branded equivalents.
According to the report, the cheapest options currently available bring the cost per cup down to around €0.04–€0.09 for filter coffee, €0.08 for beans, €0.09 for pods, and €0.17–€0.22 for Nespresso-compatible capsules.
2. Pick the right supermarket
For premium coffee brands, Nettorama, Dirk, and Vomar offer you the best deal, with prices 5% below average.
Albert Heijn, Jumbo, and Plus are all near the average, while Spar is the most expensive option at 8% above average.
3. Head to a drugstore
The Consumentenbond notes that Kruidvat and Trekpleister often stock premium brands like Douwe Egberts and L’Or at much lower prices than popular supermarkets.
As of May 20, a 500g bag of Douwe Egberts Aroma Rood beans costs €8.69 at Kruidvat… versus a steep €10.99 for the same bag at Albert Heijn.
Why has coffee become so expensive?
Unfortunately, it isn’t just a single factor driving prices up.
Harvests have been poor in major coffee-producing countries like Brazil and Vietnam, with extreme drought and heavy rainfall resulting in much lower yields.
Closer to home, higher costs for labour, energy, and transport in the Netherlands have pushed coffee prices up even further.
New EU sustainability requirements, which require producers to invest in greener cultivation and fairer working conditions, have also added to costs.
Have you adjusted your coffee-buying habits? Let us know in the comments below!
Museum MORE is here to redefine your concept of a “museum trip” completely. Not only is this museum the largest museum of modern realism in Europe, but it also has two incredible, unique locations (one of which is in an actual castle!).
With two locations welcoming around 200,000 visitors between them each year, Museum MORE is a popular yet understated option for all you art lovers out there.
The two locations are in Gelderland: an architecturally stunning purpose-built museum in Gorssel and a genuine 16th-century castle full of history and art in Ruurlo.
So, what exactly is modern realism?
Modern realism is art that uses visible reality as its anchor: think paintings, drawings, and sculptures that look recognisably like the world around us. Not abstract, not conceptual, but grounded in what the eye actually sees.
Museum MORE offers a mix of historic pieces and more recent modern realism. Image: MuseumMORE
Museum MORE describes its collection as “top figurative art from the 20th century to the present, with an emphasis on the 1920s and 1930s.”
Important names include Carel Willink, Jan Mankes, Charley Toorop, and Pyke Koch. These renowned artists worked in the Dutch tradition of precise, psychologically charged realism.
But MORE Museum isn’t just about looking back. Its mission is to bring realistic art to life by exploring the boundaries of reality itself. The result is a museum that feels alive rather than archival.
An education in duality
The collection at Museum MORE combines a strong Dutch core with an international context. Both locations feature permanent collection presentations alongside temporary exhibitions, bringing in artists from the Netherlands and abroad.
And that’s kind of the point. As MORE puts it, they want to showcase art that “seduces, moves, convinces, and stimulates,” art that brings “beauty, joy, doubt, and daring.”
The Museum MORE Gorssel location may not be a castle, but that doesn’t make it any less stunning. This light-filled beauty of a building was designed by renowned museum architect Hans van Heeswijk, whose credits include the Mauritshuis in The Hague and the new entrance of the Van Gogh Museum.
Each location may offer a different energy, but the one thing they have in common is high-calibre modern realistic art. Image: MuseumMORE
The building was once the old village hall of Gorssel, dating from 1914, with contemporary pavilion-style extensions built around the original monument.
The atmosphere here is one of renewal and discovery: international, open, and a little playful. You’ll find a broad presentation of the permanent collection alongside two temporary exhibitions and a smaller rotating presentation.
Hans van Heeswijk took his talents from Gorssel to Ruurlo as well, making contemporary design feel at home in a building that has stood since the 1500s.
The atmosphere here is stately, enchanting, and deeply narrative. The permanent presentation centres on Carel Willink, one of the great Dutch magical realists, tracing the development of an artist who went from restless experimenter to unmatched master.
One exhibition rotates on the upper floor at any given time, so it’s worth checking the Ruurlo website for the most up-to-date information.
Practical information for your trip
Keen as a bean to check out Museum MORE? Here’s everything you need to know, from opening times and ticket prices to accessibility.
Gorssel
The museum Gorssel, located in a small but charming town in Gelderland, is easily reachable by car and public transport.
The museum is also fully wheelchair-accessible, with a dedicated entrance to the right of the main revolving door, a lift, loaner wheelchairs (free of charge, bookable up to 3 days in advance), and a wheelchair-accessible toilet on the ground floor.
Museum MORE’s Gorssel location is a stunning, light-filled architectural feat of imagination. And it’s full of art, too! Image: MuseumMORE
And don’t worry, you can bring the kids along! Children under 12 always get in free. The museum also has Kunsthuisjes: creative activity corners in the entrance hall where young visitors can draw, search, colour, and build their own still lifes.
During school holidays, there are extra activities, family days, and interactive tours. A digital family audio tour is available year-round. Perfect for the summer break!
The museum’s own Café MORE serves coffee and lunch, and is open even without a museum ticket.
💰 Price: Adults pay €19.50, children 12 to 18 pay €8.50, and kids under 12 enter for free. Museumkaart holders also enter for free
⏰ Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM
Kasteel Ruurlo
Also located in Gelderland, Kasteel Ruurlo is easily accessed by car. In terms of accessibility, the castle has a lift and welcomes visitors with mobility needs, but it’s worth knowing what to expect before you arrive.
As a historic building, it has some quirks, such as heavy doors and raised thresholds. Some rooms can still be accessed despite obstacles like these by alternative routes.
Yep, that’s a real-life castle. Kasteel Ruurlo seamlessly mixes regal history with a wealth of culture and art. Image: MuseumMORE
On the practical side, there’s a lift, a disabled toilet, a free loaner wheelchair, and reserved parking in the main car park. Bear in mind that the entrance to the castle is a short walk from where you park.
Families are very welcome, and children under 12 enter for free. The sprawling castle grounds are a paradise to explore. What’s more, just next door to this location is the largest hedge maze (heggendoolhof) in the world!
Within the castle grounds, the Oranjerie Ruurlo serves lunch with views over the castle and its English landscape garden, with no museum ticket required.
Amsterdam and Houten are officially hitting the brakes on speeding cyclists, launching new pilot programs that cap speeds on certain fietspaden at 20 km/h.
If you’re a speedy e-bike rider, this new 20 km/h boundary sits noticeably lower than the standard national e-bike limit of 25 km/h.
Several municipalities put their names forward, and Amsterdam and Houten were chosen to go first, as the AD reports.
Where and when
Houten kicks off the trial on June 8, with the pilot centred on the Fossa Iberica, a narrow, well-used street behind the Castellum shopping centre.
The Fossa Iberica sees upwards of a thousand cyclists and moped riders on a typical day, with a notoriously problematic intersection in the mix and a string of accidents logged since 2023, reports AD.
Amsterdam follows suit in September. Amsterdam alderman Melanie van der Horst has been pushing for exactly this, telling the AD that growing congestion and the surge in electric vehicles have made the city’s cycle paths increasingly hazardous.
She argues that a lower limit would give elderly cyclists and parents with children the confidence to cycle safely again.
Speed signs will be installed at both locations, accompanied by cameras that record the position, speed, and type of each passing road user. Cyclists will also be surveyed on how safe they feel at the spot and what they make of the new rule.
The goal isn’t punishment — it’s data. According to AD, the Ministry of Infrastructure wants to understand whether the limit shifts behaviour and whether that translates to fewer incidents.
Minister Vincent Karremans cited 281 cyclist deaths and 81,000 emergency room visits in 2025 alone as the driving force behind the urgency.
However, there’s a catch
Unfortunately, the enforcement side falls flat, as the police won’t be issuing fines. Stretched too thin, with other priorities taking precedence, they’re not part of this pilot.
Local Houten residents are already sceptical, reports AD.
After all, cities including Amsterdam have been battling the fatbike problem for years, trying bans, zones, and now speed limits, with varying degrees of success.
Only time will tell if this pilot program is effective.
Do you think this plan will be effective in slowing things down? Share your thoughts in the comments.
