From 2023, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) plans to put a cap on the number of international students admitted to both psychology and political science study programs.
The chairman of UvA’s board, Geert ten Dam, says that this is a matter of urgency because, with the massive influx of international students in the Netherlands, the Dutch are being outnumbered and outcompeted in those two studies.
The university can’t handle the number of international students, and a line has to be drawn not to overflow it. The point is that: natural-born citizens also need to become a priority when it comes to higher education.
Desperate times call for desperate measures
Legally, universities in the Netherlands are not allowed to exclude international students, which is why school boards are only testing whether putting the cap in place will truly make universities more accessible to Dutch students.
However, with a reputation for being the most popular university in the country, UvA simply can’t wait any longer.
According to the NOS, the number of international students in attendance is just too great, sharply increasing from 31,000 to 41,000 in just five years! 😮
“The workload is too high, the numbers too large. We are reaching the point that Dutch students from Hoorn, Emmen or Amsterdam-West cannot go to popular studies, because they are being outcompeted by students from abroad”, Ten Dam tells the NOS.
Next to that, about two-thirds of international students now make up the psychology study program — exceeding the number of Dutch students by quite a lot.
Housing shortage calls for rule on maximum capacity
the fact so many international students in the netherlands (and dutch students) are unable to get housing, and now have to live on other ppl’s couches / stay in hotels is MAD to me
They’re struggling more and more to find a home in Amsterdam. Getting an apartment to rent has become a hundred-to-one shot, leaving many to sleep in tents as a last resort.
With high rent prices and house shortages, it’s already becoming unattractive to come to Amsterdam for higher education.
What do you think about UvA’s plan to limit international students? Tell us in the comments below! 👇
One of the biggest problems of your life is getting solved: if you’re shopping in HEMA, you don’t need to go to the cash register anymore! Yey!
No, this doesn’t mean that you can walk out without paying, but the process will be a lot easier.
According to RTL Nieuws, from September, instead of walking to the cash desk, an employee will come to you with a checkout app on their smartphone and allow you to pay that way. What a relief, right? 😅
The app accepts debit cards, credit cards from Visa (finally!), Mastercard, and payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay.
From the beginning of this month, Hema will start with a three-week trial period, working together with ING and a payment processor CCV, which developed the SoftPOS app.
Easy-peasy shopping experience
Not only will internationals without specific Dutch bank cards be able to breathe a sigh of relief, but HEMA also thinks it will provide a better customer experience for those who come to pick up an online order.
“Now they can pay directly to the employee who hands over the package to them,” a HEMA spokesperson tells RTL Nieuws.
Don’t worry, the old method is going to stay as well
If you are a non-tech person, don’t worry! You don’t need to have any apps or even a card to visit HEMA.
You can still go to the cash register and pay using good ol’ cash, even if you might look a bit old-school (but hey, that’s hip!) The goal of this upgrade goal is to have fewer queues in the stores, so you’ll also be winning with a lower waiting time.
Show me the receipts
Don’t worry; it will be possible to receive a digital receipt if you provide your 06 phone number or email address. However, you can also still go with the paper receipt if you want.
The Netherlands is already quite comfortable with cashless payment methods — and who knows, in the future, this may also be brought into other stores. 👀
What do you think about this handy new upgrade? Would you miss it if, at some point, cash payment would disappear? Let us know in the comments!
Racing his way to the very top, Formula One champion Max Verstappen was appointed as an officer in the Order of Oranje-Nassau yesterday! 🎖
The 24-year-old was awarded the royal distinction by Minister of Sport Conny Helder this Thursday, reports the NOS.
Home is where the heart is
Verstappen responded to the honour with a post on Twitter, thanking the family and loved ones that nourished his racing career.
Grateful for his wings, he also thanked his team, Red Bull — which he mentioned had become a second family to him.
Being appointed an Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau is an incredibly proud moment for me and came very unexpected for me so early in my career.
I want to thank my family and loved ones, but also Red Bull who have been like a second family to me. We achieved this together. pic.twitter.com/V1JI7Xdixh
Before popping the champagne once again, Verstappen made sure to credit his loyal fans for their continued support in an official press release by the government.
An inspiration to many
Driving straight to the point, Minister Helder also congratulated him on helping to put the Netherlands on the map.
Commending his years of hard work, she called him an inspiration to many and said that he was the first Dutchman to have driven to the title of Formula One champion. High praise indeed!
As part of the Order of Oranje-Nassau, Verstappen joined an illustrious order containing other sporting greats such as Johan Cruijff and Louis van Gaal, and artists like M C Escher.
What is the Order of Oranje-Nassau?
As an Officer of Oranje-Nassau, Verstappen has essentially joined an order of Dutch chivalry! The Order was founded in 1892 by the then-Queen Regent Emma, as an honour to bestow on those who accomplish great acts of service to Dutch society.
The Order has several ranks — ranging from Member, Knight, Officer, Commander, Grand Officer, to Knight Grand Cross.
And he’s already off to the races!
Hot on the heels of his Formula One victory over Lewis Hamilton last year, fans will no doubt be looking forward to Verstappen’s performance at the Dutch Grand Prix starting today. 🏎
Whichever way things go, it’s a racing certainty that Verstappen’s journey to success has only just begun!
Are you a fan of Max Verstappen? Tell us what you think of his latest victory in the comments below!
Thinking of relocating to the lowlands? Think again. As of July, rent just became 3% more expensive than 12 months before — making it the highest it’s ever been since 2014.
The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) just confirmed everything we already know about the Dutch rental market: It’s crazy expensive.
Prices in private sector housing contributed the most to the rental market jump, which rose at 3.8% in a single year. Those in social housing paid an average of 2.6% more.
Welcome to the Randstad, our housing market is 💩
If you check Funda, Kamernet or any website listing rental properties, you’ll notice the closer you get to the big cities, the steeper rent prices become.
It’s no surprise that your typical rent for an apartment the size of a cardboard box now clocks in at 3.6% more expensive in Amsterdam.
In the Netherlands there are municipality-wide waiting lists for getting below-market rent-controlled apartments. In Amsterdam the waiting list is like 20 years long.
And the city of Utrecht follows not too far behind, charging woners (residents) 3.5% more for rent.
Prices to rent an apartment in North Holland are 3.4% more expensive than the year before. In Drenthe and Friesland, they increased by 2.5%.
Half your income spent on rent
The Dutch housing association, Woonbond, voiced their concerns about the sky-high rent on folks in the Netherlands.
“Higher rent is accompanied by a higher energy bill. Housing together is therefore rapidly becoming more expensive for tenants,” the association tells RTL Nieuws.
A previous agreement between housing associations and Minister of Public Housing, Hugo de Jonge, stated more than 500,000 households with a low income will receive a rent reduction in 2024.
However, as inflation, gas prices, and other costs continue to rise, such a reduction is not nearly enough to compensate for struggling tenants, who simply want higher allowances and lower rent prices.
Next to that, tenants urge the Dutch cabinet to come up with additional measures that’ll prevent them from paying high rent for poorly insulated homes.
Woonbond suggested that single-glazed windows become the norm in homes from now on, until a rent reduction can take effect.
We might technically (and meteorologically) be in the autumn now, but summer hasn’t given up just yet. Today and the rest of the weekend will stay unusually warm.
So don’t pack away the shorts and sandals! You might be able to have another beach weekend to round up the summer — just stay alert for regional showers, writes Weerplaza.
Climate change said 👏🏻no👏🏻 I’m from the Netherlands, it’s should be POURING RAIN atm😭😭😭 I hate this hit weather. pic.twitter.com/Ivor1AeOvK
The hot weather is unusual for this time of year when the Dutch temperatures typically stay below the 23-degree mark.
“It’s (a very hot) Friday, Friday!”
The temps will stay at over 23 degrees in most places, and climb to a staggering 25-28 degrees in the south. The skies will stay dry all day.
If you’re going out this Friday night, you might want to pack an umbrella, however. The few clouds that will accompany the sun during the daytime turn thick and grey at night, creating chances of local showers.
So far, the nighttime temps are the only thing reminding us that fall is upon us, as they reach the somewhat uncomfortable 13 degrees Celsius.
Beautiful, but risky Saturday
The temperatures will remain unchanged on Saturday. However, the chance of rain will increase, and the south of the country is likely to experience a rather strong shower in the afternoon.
Other than that, Saturday looks like it’s going to be another lovely summer’s day in most places.
Sunday is for relaxing
If the threat of rain on Saturday stressed you out, you can find comfort in the fact that Sunday most likely will stay dry.
Well, at least dry in the sense that there’s little chance of rain. Sunday will see temperatures up to 28 degrees, and high levels of humidity across the country.
How will you be spending the warm fall weekend we’re headed into? Tell us in the comments below!
Would-be watch thieves in Amsterdam took to their heels after the woman they were holding at gunpoint revealed that her watch was a fake. 😳
The incident took place on Monday at around 10:45 PM down the Westerstraat in Amsterdam’s Jordaan district, reported Het Parool. It involved two balaclava-clad thieves on a scooter attempting (and failing) a drive-by robbery.
A woman trying to get into her car was given the shock of her life when a scooter screeched to a halt beside her and she felt something hard press against the back of her skull.
Turning, she found herself staring down the barrel of a gun while her masked assailants demanded she give up her watch.
In a karmic twist of fate, however, the two robbers exhibited near-instant regret at their attempted theft of the watch. The woman revealed that it happened to be fake…causing them to speed off without their prize. 💨
Although the specific type of replica was not made known to the media, we do know that the woman was reported to be uninjured following the scuffle and scram.
Time is money
Watch-related pilfering is sadly not uncommon in the Netherlands. RTL Nieuws has already made note of particularly pesky watch thieves (dubbed the “Rolex Gang”), tracing their crimes as far back as 2019.
That summer alone, nearly 70 people were reported to have been burgled of their pricey baubles in a trend that sadly shows no sign of ceasing.
Have you ever had a run-in with the Rolex Gang or similar? Tell us in the comments!
Love being a couch potato? Well — ordering your potatoes from the couch might become harder. The municipality of Amsterdam has ordered three flash delivery service locations to close, starting in September.
So, which services must the ‘Dammers say doei to? One Getir and two Flink locations in Amsterdam West have been told they must close by September 14. If not, they face a whopping €20,000 fine.
According to Het Parool, Flink, one of the biggest delivery apps, says they plan to battle out the order in court.
Not meeting requirements
Alderman Reinier van Dantzig (Urban Development) of the Amsterdam municipal council said that these branches don’t meet the basic requirements for supermarkets — which is what they were hoping for.
Initially, the municipality believed the branches functioned as regular supermarkets — think Albert Heijn and Jumbo.
However, they recently discovered the branch served as a flash delivery centre, which doesn’t quite have the same vibes as the farmer’s market.
Amsterdam has since banned new flash delivery branches to protect residential areas from late-night nuisances: Think mopeds buzzing through the night and a group of staff members catching up on each other’s lives — but at three in the morning, and outside your bedroom window.
Getir is being told to get-gone. Image: Depositphotos
High popularity in the Netherlands
Flash delivery services have become very popular in the Netherlands in recent years for a good reason — they promise to deliver your groceries in just a few minutes after ordering.
Especially under lockdown, more and more people started to use them to do their daily shopping.
However, this speedy delivery comes with issues. Some locals are annoyed by the racing staff trying to deliver orders within 10 minutes. Plenty of Amsterdam residents want these services off their streets.
A sneaky loophole
Previously, in some areas, so-called dark stores were forbidden because of the nuisance for the surrounding neighbours.
They complained about the heavy traffic at their door, noise, and delivery bikers on the pavement waiting for their next orders. This led the city hall to order their closure, and these closing orders were upheld in court.
Following the court judgement, some dark stores created a facility for paying customers and then claimed to be supermarkets — which would mean that the ban on dark stores would not touch them.
With the new closing order, the city responds to what it sees as a loophole. As a spokesman explains, these hybrid facilities (supermarket and storage for delivery) don’t meet the requirements to be considered a supermarket.
Of course, the delivery companies can be expected to go to court faster than they deliver your bananas — and again, the court will have its final say.
What do you think of the municipality’s decision? Tell us in the comments below!
It’s probably once been the cause of a heated conversation among your friends. iPhones or Androids? The debate over which is the better phone remains unanswered, especially in the Netherlands.
iPhones and Androids remain the top two brands for mobile/smartphones in the country, but with wildly different features and specs, it can be impossible to make a decision when you’re looking to buy a new phone.
Thinking about what you want in a new phone is the first thing to think about when you’re researching. Image: Freepik
One study even showed that Dutchies use their smartphones more than laptops or tablets! So what’s the deal with these two top dogs?
What are the differences between iPhones and Androids in the Netherlands?
Well, one might say trying to compare iPhones and Androids is like comparing *cough cough* apples and oranges. But there are still some differences to keep in mind when it comes to these two top brands.
Money, money, money
First, there’s the million euro question — which phone is better in terms of overall costs and prices?
On the one hand, iPhones are known for being expensive, luxury smartphones (not favourable for stereotypical stingy Dutch people).
On the other hand, Android phones are usually more affordable but not as sleek and refined.
Say what you want about Dutchies, but they’re saving every last cent they find. Image: Depositphotos
iPhones are also notorious for being a little fragile and expensive to maintain. One serious fall is enough to shatter your screen (and heart), and independent phone repair shops in the Netherlands could charge you an arm and a leg to get it fixed.
Android brands tend to be a little sturdier in that sense, and because they’re usually cheaper to buy here, they’re also cheaper to repair.
And finally, when it comes to buying your phone subscription, you’ll find that in the Netherlands, most mobile phone plans with Apple are more expensive than plans with Samsung or Sony.
Keep on looking for that perfect phone plan, you’ll find it one day. Image: Unsplash
This is not always the case if you get a solid deal with one provider, but it’s likely to turn out that way.
Of course, these aren’t the only costs to keep in mind, but they’re the most obvious ones to consider when you need to buy a new phone.
Model after model
iPhones weren’t as popular in the Netherlands as they are now, but, in spite of the higher costs, they’ve picked up sales in the last few years.
According to a study by RTL Nieuws, about 36% of Dutch smartphone users own an iPhone. Claiming victory at the top of the market, 43% of smartphone users have some version of a Samsung device.
However, when it comes to longevity, iPhones are proving to be the victors. Interestingly, half of all iPhone users in the Netherlands still use a model that’s at least four years old.
Some phones just outlast other ones. Image: Depositphotos
It seems like plenty of Dutchies made a one-time investment in Apple and haven’t come back for more. 😅
Meanwhile, more than one-third of Samsung users have a phone from the Galaxy S set, the latest series in models! This may be partly because older Samsungs can’t run updates with newer Android software.
Do these differences matter when you live in the Netherlands?
In short, not really!
Firstly, app availability in the Netherlands doesn’t make a huge difference because you can access all the essential Dutch apps on both iPhone and Samsung models.
For example: Transportation apps like NS and government apps such as DigiD work like a charm either way, so there’s no need to worry about whether you can check train schedules or important documents. 😉
Accessibility to language isn’t a problem either. If you want to get used to Dutch, both phone brands support Dutch keyboards, you can set your phone to be in Dutch, and both Siri and Bixby (Android’s Siri equivalent) operate in Dutch. Handig!
You can access the DigiD app on all smartphone devices! No need to worry about clunky browsers. Image: DutchReview
However, if you want to enjoy the comfort of your native tongue, geen probleem, you can always adjust the phone to operate in your language.
Meanwhile, phone subscriptions will likely be different depending on the phone brand you want to get. However, it’s safe to say that generally, you can expect the newest phone models to be the most expensive, regardless of the brand.
Whew, sometimes that phone bill is just disappointing to look at. Image: Depositphotos
Choosing a phone in the Netherlands boils down to your preferences — how much you’re willing to pay for a phone, whether you care about aesthetics, and if you’re into always having the latest phone models.
Do your research!
The key to making the right choice for a new phone is researching your potential phone.
Designs, sizes, and cameras are constantly changing and with new iPhones, Samsungs, and Sonys every year, the sky’s the limit!
Take some time to look at Dutch mobile phone plans and providers, or check with your other subscription providers to see if you can get a deal.
Pssst! Sometimes your internet and TV provider can give you a deal for a mobile plan.
You might also get lucky and happen to find a really good discount deal or bonus with a provider that’s really looking forward to selling older phone models. Sometimes, it just takes a little extra digging to find what you like!
So, iPhone or Android, which is the winnaar in Nederland? The answer is simple: which one do you like best?
Do you have any tips for researching a new phone in the Netherlands? Tell us your experiences in the comments!
Living costs have been uncomfortably high so far this year, and there’s been little sign of improvement. That is, until now.
If you feel like your wallet has been unusually empty lately, you’re not alone. But hey, the Dutch government might have a plan to better the dire conditions! Armed with €16 billion euros to spend, they’re setting out to ease the financial tension for Dutch folks.
"Menstrual poverty. energy poverty. Transport poverty. Something different every day. There is poverty in the Netherlands because the costs of daily living are too high for many people and the incomes too low. These are not standalone issues, but are a system issue." https://t.co/SZ9JtduCKv
— RTwittNews ★ Агентство 🔻 / Z / ☭ (@aglb66) August 16, 2022
These happy predictions come from a government leak to RTL Nieuws and are yet to be confirmed.
Low-income boost
If you’ve been living (or more like, trying to survive) on a minimum wage lately, you can comfort yourself with a superb 10% pay increase from January 2023. Now that will certainly alleviate all your money issues, right? 🤔
In addition, low-income folks will get more help with paying those energy bills, as the energy allowance of €1,300 this year will be extended to next year.
The rent allowance and healthcare allowance will also increase, the latter to about €412 a year. Yay! You might finally be able to afford more than the bare minimum health insurance!
Dutch students will also see a slight increase in their income, as €250 million will be directed towards the student financing section of the government’s budget.
Next year might also be a beneficial time to have a child (you know, except for the global recession and the looming threat of climate change), as €750 million will be allocated to the child budget.
Oil & gas in better weather?
Next spring, you’ll pay less for both petrol (17 cents less per litre) and diesel (11 cents less) — which is happy news for the odd Dutchie that doesn’t bike to work. 😉
In more climate-friendly news, the tax on oil and gas extraction will be increased quite heavily. This is expected to generate €2 billion in 2023.
Taxes, taxes, taxes
If you’re filthy rich, you might not be too happy about this, but it’s worth mentioning. The corporate tax, capital tax, transfer tax on the sale of real estate, and the taxes paid by major stakeholders and directors will all be increased.
All in all, these tax increases will yield tons of money in the coming years, several billion euros in fact.
What are your thoughts on the potential for more cash in the government’s 2023 plan? Tell us in the comments below! 👇
The Netherlands is well known for its affordable college tuition — with lower fees than most EU countries, it’s an attractive option for international students. But we’ve got some bad news, not only will the cost of living go up, so will the cost of Dutch university!
University fees are set to increase by €105 in the next academic year, raising the previous cost of €2,209 per year to €2,314, Het Parool reports.
This increase in pricing will affect students all over the country. With the price of renting on the constant rise, alongside the cost of living, students will find themselves struggling to keep up with the monetary demands of university.
Though a grant is given to students to help with the costs of university: €109.90 a year for students residing at home, and €273.90 for students living outside of the home, this funding is surely not enough to even chip at the cost of university.
In fact, the grant for students living at home barely even covers the extra €105 they will be expected to pay!
The price hike will hit all Dutch universities. Image: Depositphotos
With the cost of living increasing (what feels like almost daily!), students will also be expected to cover the building costs of rent. In certain parts of the Netherlands, rent can push their budgets to nearly an extra €1,000 per month, not including any other necessities!
Students in Amsterdam especially will struggle, as the Dutch city is the most expensive in the country. On average, landlords in Amsterdam charge students a whopping €307 (!) more than what is recommended by the government.
Amsterdam students who rely on public transport can expect to pay between €4-8 per trip, depending on the transport they choose: bus, tram, or train.
If students plan on visiting cities outside of the Amsterdam area, they might choose to invest in a monthly pass, the likes of which could add an extra €362.40per month for free access to all public transport types in the Netherlands.
So, from the looks of things, students will likely have to skip out on the nights out and shopping trips. An unfortunate thing, as university is intended not only to be a learning experience, but also a time of fun and impulsivity.
The good news for students who plan on working while they study is that theminimum wage is set to increase by 10% next year. Yet, even with this increase we may see a lot of students cutting back to keep up with increasing rent, bills and electricity costs.
Your bi-weekly meet-up at the local bar may well become a bi-monthly thing, so prepare to strap up your wallets and try to find an extra €105 (on top of everything else!) to fork out to university.
What are your thoughts on the increase? Tell us in the comments below!
