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Want to rent in Amsterdam? You’d better cough up an €8,600 deposit first

DutchReview Crew
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Want to rent in Amsterdam? You’d better cough up an €8,600 deposit first

It seems the rental horror stories from the Randstad just keep getting worse: an overview from !Woon reports that security deposits go as high as €8,600. 

In 2025, tenants reported unfair deposits, cameras in the home, exorbitant housing prices, rental scams, and rat problems unaddressed by landlords in Amsterdam. 

The !Woon foundation, which, according to their website, “informs, advises and supports residents”, found that a majority of reports filed with them concerned security deposits. 

Not only are many ridiculously high, but nightmare tales from renters show that refunds are seemingly no longer standard practice, according to Het Parool.

Ah, the magic of Amsterdam. 

Sky-high deposits and rents

It seems landlording in Randstad is only constrained by one’s audacity. 

For instance, 17 square meters? To some, that’s a shoebox. To an Amsterdam landlord with the power of imagination, though? That’s €1,850 in rent, reports !Woon. 

It’s certainly not news that prices have been steadily climbing for years (as reports from the Dutch Bureau of Statistics tell us). 

READ MORE | €16,000 per month: meet the most expensive rental house in Amsterdam

As more and more rental properties disappear from the market, however, landlords are throwing caution to the wind in the form of deposit requests as well. 

Even when deposits are high, refunds are not a given — withholding them seems to now be part of the “business model” of landlording, reports Het Parool.

The Good Landlordship Act

The Good Landlordship Act (Wet goed verhuurderschap) was introduced to keep landlords from engaging in indefensible rental practices in Amsterdam. 

In conjunction with the Affordable Rent Act (Wet betaalbare huur), which puts a ceiling on rental prices, these laws intend to contain the massively unfair rental practices running rampant through the Randstad. 

According to !Woon, however, many reports show that landlords are circumventing, or in some cases, flat-out ignoring the laws, particularly in Amsterdam. More than 90% of reports came from this area. 

READ MORE | Amsterdam landlord charges €1,950 in rent, rental committee reduces it to €95

In the case of the Affordable Rent Act, which functions on a points-based system to help landlords ethically set their rental prices, this is plainly visible. 

For example, in one instance, a landlord whose property was listed at a point-score of 163 (equivalent to a rent of  €1,032) was charging  €1,900 in rent, reports Het Parool. 

When the problem was flagged, the landlord promptly took the property off the rental market, citing personal reasons. 

What’s the solution?

The !Woon foundation suggests amending the existing Acts. 

The Good Landlordship Act, for instance, doesn’t specifically address failure to refund deposits as a punishable violation on the part of the landlord. Essentially, there is no incentive for the landlord to comply. 

A potential solution, therefore, could be to make this violation subject to fines from the Gemeente. Seems only fair, right?

READ MORE | Here’s how to check if you’re paying too much rent in the Netherlands (and how you can reduce it)

In general, though, the two acts are seen as recent wins for renters and generally good attempts to regulate the madness of this rental market. 

Unfortunately, Amsterdam landlords will try anything they can to get around them. The best bet is to make the legislation airtight. 

Have you experienced landlord troubles in Amsterdam? Let us know in the comments! 

The best credit cards for expats in the Netherlands

Liana Risseeuw 🇱🇰
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The best credit cards for expats in the Netherlands

Choosing the best Dutch credit card often involves wading through pages of information on interest rates, annual fees, and handy benefits. 

In this guide, we’ve sourced the most popular credit cards in the Netherlands — for personal use, travel, and all your business-related financial needs — and put them into one place.

READ MORE | Banking in the Netherlands: the complete guide

Here’s how to get the most bang for your buck! 💳✨

TIP: In a hurry? These are our all-around top picks for credit cards in the Netherlands. 👇

💳 Best personal credit card: ING Credit Card
🏢 Best business credit card: American Express Business Green Card
👩🏻‍💻 Best credit card for freelancers: N26 Business Mastercard
🛫 Best travel credit card: American Express Platinum Card

This post might have affiliate links that help us write the articles you love, at no extra cost to you. Read our statement.

Best Dutch credit cards for personal use

If you’re looking for a personal credit card that’ll offer you some powerful rewards, you can’t go wrong with the options below.

ING Credit Card: Best for everyday use

ING-credit-card-silver-on-top-of-an-orange-ING-credit-card

The ING Credit Card is the easy choice for a daily card that’ll cover your essentials, shopping trips, and anything else, at the low price of just €2 per month.

Not the biggest fan of credit, but still want the functionality? ING’s Debit Mastercard and Visa Debit cards may be right up your alley.

Check it out

ABN AMRO Credit Card: Best for expats on a budget

abn-amro-credit-card-netherlands

At just €2.55 per month, this ABN AMRO credit card is super easy on your wallet.

Don’t let the price fool you, though, because this baby also comes with 180-day purchase insurance and supplementary travel insurance for flight or baggage delays.

Check it out

Rabocard: Best starter credit card

rabobank-logo-credit-cards-netherlands

Costing a maximum of €2 per month, depending on your banking package, the Rabocard is one of the cheapest credit cards available in the Netherlands.

However, cheap doesn’t mean stingy, as the card’s standard lending limit of €1,000 per month can be raised to a generous €10,000, depending on income.

Check it out

Best Dutch credit cards for travel

Frequent flyers, on the other hand, often have different requirements for their credit cards. While most of these cards aren’t widely accepted for day-to-day purchases in the Netherlands, they’re great for buying flights!

Their benefits can range from flight benefits to a smoother travel experience, and their credit card of choice will need to do some heavy lifting to open those doors for them.

Our top picks are:

American Express Platinum card: Best for luxury travel

american-express-platinum-credit-card-netherlands

With open access to Schiphol’s exclusive Privium Plus benefits — such as faster security and border checks, priority parking, and the luxuries of the Privium Lounges — the American Express Platinum card ensures that your journey is as relaxing and stress-free as possible.

Of course, good things don’t come cheap, and neither does the AMEX Platinum card! Costing €65 per month, you’ll also need a gross yearly income of €30,000 to apply for this card.

Check it out

Flying Blue Platinum American Express card: Best for KLM frequent flyers

american-express-flying-blue-platinum-credit-card-netherlands

At €55 per month, the Flying Blue Platinum AMEX unlocks the door to KLM’s handy Flying Blue loyalty programme, with the ability to earn Miles whenever you book a flight.

You can spend your Miles on countless exclusive rewards, such as baggage allowance, seat upgrades, or even a reward ticket!

Check it out

Mastercard Black: Best for affordable travel perks

mastercard-black-credit-card-netherlands

A cheaper alternative to the AMEX Platinum and Flying Blue Platinum cards, the ICS Mastercard Black offers great benefits for the price, including continuous travel insurance and access to over 1,800 lounges in 75 different countries.

Costing €225 per year, this credit card also provides you with worldwide travel insurance and a handy Priority Pass, with which you can access smooth airport transfers and priority at security checks.

Check it out

Best Dutch credit cards for business

Perhaps you’re a businessperson or freelancer? Then these handy cards might be far more your speed.

Qonto Metal X Card: Best for international business banking

qonto-metal-x-mastercard-credit-cards-in-the-netherlands

For €20 a month, the Qonto Metal X Card packs some truly powerful features in a slim package.

Offering major pros like commission-free foreign transfers, comprehensive travel and purchase insurance, and a sky-high payment limit, it’s the ideal card for doing business overseas.

Check it out

N26 Business Mastercard: Best for freelancers

n26-business-mastercard-credit-card-netherlands

With nifty cashback features, in-depth spending insights, and deposit protection, the N26 Business Mastercard is a fabulous asset in any freelancer’s arsenal.

Even better: depending on your N26 plan, you may even be eligible for travel insurance to cover delays, emergencies, and cancellations.

Check it out

American Express Business Green Card: Best affordable AMEX business card

american-express-business-green-credit-card-netherlands

The AMEX Business Green Card comes with comprehensive financial security, combining flexible spending limits, deferred payment plans, and a thorough overview of your business expenses.

Costing €85 per year, it also provides you with membership reward points for every euro spent.

Check it out

Visa World Card Business: Best for small businesses

At €45 per year, the Visa World Card Business is an excellent choice for new start-ups and small businesses.

Jam-packed with handy features such as flight delay insurance and SafeGuard Support in the event of emergencies, it also offers the ICS’ 24/7 Fraud Protection system, so you can rest assured that your capital is as safe as can be.

Check it out

How to get the most out of your Dutch credit card

Hoera, you’ve got yourself a Dutch credit card… but how can you make the most of the new asset in your wallet?

Here are some handy tips and tricks that’ll serve you well during your time in the Netherlands:

Get a discount on your trip back home

Stunning though the Netherlands is, a trip back to your family and home country can really be the best mood-booster known to man. Travel, unfortunately, can be a rather expensive hobby.

Well, with your fancy new credit card, you’re in luck! It can help you score discounts on flight tickets, handy upgrades, and even travel insurance.

young-female-passenger-scores-seat-upgrade-with-her-dutch-credit-card
Having a Dutch credit card makes it easy-peasy to nab seat upgrades for you (and your furry friends)! Image: Freepik

Choose a prepaid credit card for the best of both worlds

Prepaid credit cards function very similarly to debit cards, where you load a certain amount of money on your card in advance and can only spend up to that value. This often makes them a safer option than traditional credit cards.

However, where prepaid credit cards differ from debit cards is that your card needn’t be affiliated with a bank or banking account to operate. In addition to this, they offer many of the vast benefits that credit cards do — from cashback offers to travel insurance and more.

3 things to know about credit cards in the Netherlands

It’s only natural to have a few questions about what it’s like to own a Dutch credit card.

Let’s run through some important things you need to know. 👇

1. A credit check is generally mandatory

In order to apply for a credit card in the Netherlands, applicants will need to complete a BKR assessment.

man-looking-over-the-requirements-for-a-credit-card-in-the-netherlands
In general, you can anticipate a credit check when you apply for a credit card. Image: Depositphotos

Also known as the Bureau Krediet Registratie (Credit Registration Office), this assessment determines how much money you have borrowed and whether you’ve paid those bills on time.

READ MORE | The best banks in the Netherlands for internationals in 2026

Many credit card companies will refuse your application if you have a negative BKR.

2. Many credit cards have an income requirement

Depending on your desired credit card, you will very likely have to meet a certain monthly or yearly income requirement to be eligible.

Some banks (such as ING) may still offer you a credit card even if you don’t meet all their income criteria, but your spending limit may be drastically reduced.

3. It’s easy to avoid paying interest on your credit card

One important thing to know about credit cards is that you’ll be billed for all expenses charged on your card at the end of every month.

As long as you pay any outstanding balances within your card’s grace period, you won’t need to pay any interest on this money.

Have you used any of the credit cards on our list? Tell us all about your experiences in the comments below!

Credit cards in the Netherlands: Frequently Asked Questions

Are credit cards common in the Netherlands?

What credit cards are accepted in the Netherlands?

Can I pay with a credit card in the Netherlands?

The 14-year-old assassin who lured Nazis and traitors to their deaths

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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The 14-year-old assassin who lured Nazis and traitors to their deaths

Freddie Oversteegen was just 14 years old when she became an assassin for the Dutch resistance during the German occupation of the Netherlands.

The teenager would ask her victims if they would like to go for a “stroll” in the woods. The men would never return.

Freddie is credited with the deaths of multiple German soldiers and traitors during the war. How did a young girl manage to do this you may ask? She wore her hair in braids of course. Well, that among other things. 

The women of the Dutch Resistance: meet Freddie Oversteegen

Freddie belonged to a group of three young women who would sabotage and assassinate soldiers and traitors during the German occupation. The women were part of a small cell of seven which consisted of her sister, Truus, and Hannie Schaft, known as “The girl with red hair.”  

While all three women carried out acts of brave resistance against the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, this article will focus on Freddie, the youngest of the three — and the first to kill. 

Communist background

Freddie was born in 1925 and initially lived on a barge with her family in Schoten. Freddie and Truus’ parents raised them to resist.

Her parents hid Lithuanian refugees in the hold of their ship before the beginning of World War II. The family would also later hide a Jewish couple in their home during the 1930s. 

READ MORE | A forgotten hero: how a Philips director saved 6,000+ Jews during WWII

Once their parents divorced, Freddie and her sister were raised primarily by their mother, who taught them communist principles. Given the principles they were raised with, it’s no surprise that the sisters resisted the German occupation of the Netherlands. 

Work for the Dutch resistance 

When the war began, Freddie and Truus handed out anti-Nazi pamphlets on the streets — an act that caught the attention of Frans van der Wiel, the commander of the Haarlem Council of Resistance.

He came to the Oversteegen residence one day and asked whether the sisters would be willing to join. He hoped that their innocent looks would help the resistance.

Freddie was just 14 years old at this point. But with the permission of her mother, and the promise to “always stay human,” the sisters joined the Council of Resistance. 

Truus recalled in an interview for the book ‘Under Fire: Women and World War II’ that it was only after joining the resistance that Der Wiel revealed that he planned for the girls to sabotage bridges and railway lines. “We told him we’d like to do that,” Truus said.

The girls followed through: they blew up bridges and train tracks. But they also smuggled Jewish children out of the country and out of concentration camps.

A cycling assassin

However, this work was not the only thing that Der Wiel had in store for the two sisters. Truus recalled that he also told them they would need to “learn to shoot — to shoot Nazis.“

“I remember my sister saying, ‘Well, that’s something I’ve never done before!'” Freddie would be the first of the three women to carry this act out. 

Freddie was just a teenager when she first assassinated someone. In an interview with the BBC, her son speculates that her first victim was a Dutch woman who planned on handing over a list of Jewish people to the Germans.

She approached the woman in the park, asked her for her name — to see if she had the right target — and then shot her.

Freddie was quite small and wore her hair in two braids which made her look innocent and enabled her to get away easily. Her method of attack was often a drive-by. Truus would cycle a bike whilst Freddie sat on the back and shot.

“We always went by bike, never walked, that was too dangerous. I always made sure the coast was clear. That worked very well.”

Luring Nazis and collaborators to their deaths

As if the idea of a young girl conducting a cycle-by shooting isn’t shocking enough, Freddie and her sister are most famed for their second assassination technique — luring men, often German soldiers, to their deaths. 

Freddie would meet soldiers and collaborators in the taverns and ask them if they would like to go “for a stroll.” Upon accepting the offer, the targets would be led to the woods and shot in a surprise attack. 

Members-of-the-Dutch-Nationalist-Social-Party-being-shamed-by-members-of-the-Dutch-resistance
Collaborators were publicly shamed. Image: Jan Arkesteijn/Wikimedia commons/CC3.0

When speaking in a television interview about her attacks, Freddie talked of the strange compulsion to help her victims up again “Yes, I’ve shot a gun myself, and I’ve seen them fall, and what is inside us at such a moment? You want to help them get up.”

Drawing the line

When asked about the attacks against soldiers and collaborators, Freddie described them as a “necessary evil.” However, the three women assassins did have to draw the line at one point. 

The resistance had asked the women to help take the children of a senior Nazi officer hostage. They planned to exchange the children for captured members of the Dutch resistance. But if the negotiations soured, they would have to kill them. 

READ MORE | Hannie Schaft: the Dutch spy who was executed by the Nazis

At this point, Freddie, Truus, and Hannie refused to carry out the mission. “We are no Hitlerites. Resistance fighters don’t murder children,” Freddie told one interviewer. 

Legacy

Once the war was over, Freddie remained the quieter of the two Oversteegen sisters. Truus became an artist and lectured about her time in the Dutch resistance. 

It was only in 2014 that Freddie was really recognised for her efforts during the resistance. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte awarded her and Truus the Mobilisation War Cross.

Her son, Remy, described the moment as a highlight in his mother’s life. Streets in Haarlem were even named after Freddie and her sister. 

In an interview with VICE, Freddie said that once the war ended, she coped by “getting married and having babies.” However, her son, Remi, believes the war never stopped for his mother. In an interview with NH Nieuws, he claimed that “The war actually lasted 80 years for Freddie.”

Freddie expressed a similar sentiment herself when talking to VICE about conversations with her sister “we never had to say ‘remember when,’ because it was always at the top of our minds.”

Freddie Oversteegen passed away on December 5, 2018 — one day before her 93rd birthday. 

What do you think of this brave teenager? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

Feature Image: Ministerie van Defensie/Wikimedia Commons/CC1.0

Dutchman sentenced to prison for trying to fake his own death

Kriti Swarup
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Dutchman sentenced to prison for trying to fake his own death

Financial issues can pile up, and sometimes it feels like the only way out is to die. A man from Almelo had just that thought and faked his own death to avoid the financial burden.

But helaas, authorities caught on to his ploy. Even though it included posing as a funeral director and a forged Spanish birth certificate.

According to NOS, the Zutphen court sentenced him to 120 days, of which 103 were conditional. The judge described what unfolded as “serious,” noting death threats he made to municipal workers.

Dead on paper

Here’s how the 31-year-old set out to wipe his identity from the Dutch public records.

The first step involved turning up at the municipality of Enschede in the guise of an uitvaartondernemer (funeral director) to file a death report for himself.

It didn’t hold up for long.

Cross-checks at the local crematorium showed no record of anyone by that name ever arriving. This raised eyebrows.

The scheme fell through when he returned to pick up the death certificate. Staff had his photo on file and recognised him immediately.

Then he tried to become a Spaniard

Determined to get a fresh start, the man attempted to register with the municipality of Zwolle under a Spanish name.

The paperwork had problems.

The birth certificate from Spain was drawn up in Dutch, and the notarial declaration cited a law firm nobody could find.

Most importantly, for someone whose parents were supposedly Spanish, the municipality workers found it suspicious that his Dutch was flawless.

He also made a number of threats

Alongside the identity fraud, the Almelo local made a number of threats.

In one incident, he posed as his own social worker and threatened municipal workers that “his client” intended to shoot all staff with a machine gun.

He also told a neighbour in Doetinchem that he would open a gas valve at his home. The following day, he carried through on the threat and then rang the emergency services himself.

Responders found no danger of an explosion.

The sentence took into account a psychological finding of a serious personality disorder. He’s required to undergo treatment as a condition of release.

What do you think about this case? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

Dutch people are being advised to open multiple bank accounts and take out cash

DutchReview Crew
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Dutch people are being advised to open multiple bank accounts and take out cash

Amid increasing tensions between the US and Europe, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) is advising Dutch residents to be prepared for payment system outages by carrying cash and having access to multiple banks. 

According to RTL Nieuws, DNB has given this advice as a precaution, warning that “society will grind to a halt” if people are unable to make payments. 

While payment systems are still functional at the moment, the risk of cyber attacks and service suspension is worrying. 

Having access to multiple banks and carrying cash ensures that you will be able to access your money regardless of issues among individual banks or payment systems. 

Are these fears overblown? 

Short answer, no. 

While the payment systems used in the Netherlands are highly functional, they are also often foreign. 

READ MORE | Dutch savings accounts: Best interest rates in the Netherlands in March 2026

RTL Z also recently reported on the high reliance of Dutch banks on US tech, detailing how erratic political moves from America have flipped US-European banking relations on its head. 

If US services were, for some reason, suspended suddenly, the Dutch system would freeze up. 

And your money? Well, it would freeze right along with it. 

What can you do?

The best way to ensure continued access to your funds in the case of escalating conflict is to move it around, both digitally and physically. 

READ MORE | How to open a bank account in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide

DNB firstly advises Dutch bank account holders to diversify which banks they put their money into. This way, in the case of one bank being inaccessible, you don’t lose access to all your finances at once. 

The bank also advises having “sufficient cash on hand for a period of 72 hours” in case ATM systems go down. 

READ MORE | These are the best digital banks in the Netherlands in 2026

This allows groceries and basic businesses to continue functioning (at least partially) while negotiations take place. 

What the future looks like

While reliance on America for systems and services once seemed a given, the new administration’s tactics show a new era has begun. 

According to Steven Maijoor, director of supervision at De Nederlandsche Bank (speaking with RTL Z), the assumption of a good relationship between the nations has played a role in the underdevelopment of European banking services.

READ MORE | The best credit cards for expats in the Netherlands

Ultimately, developing independence and, as Maijoor says, ‘sovereignty’ from foreign services is key. The digital euro, which does not yet exist, would help in reaching this goal. 

The DNB is also working to implement “offline card-payments,” reports RTL, which would allow payments to be registered but actually paid at a later time.  

In the meantime, perhaps look into opening a new bank account, and head to the ATM for some cash.

What do you think of the DNB’s advice? Let us know in the comments! 

The NS wants to solve cramped rush hour trains by making them… shorter?

Kriti Swarup
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The NS wants to solve cramped rush hour trains by making them… shorter?

The Dutch Railway (NS) has decided to play around with the length of trains to ensure that more passengers find a seat during peak travel hours.

According to NS, the rail infrastructure in the Netherlands has been encountering more disruptions than usual. In 2025, there will be up to 30% more work compared to the years prior.

These disruptions mess up the schedules of long and short trains, resulting in passengers boarding overcrowded or empty trains.

Their solution? To make long trains shorter and short trains longer. Here’s why that might just make sense.

The hypothesis

NS will conduct an experiment to determine if varying train lengths can reduce the frequency of unexpectedly crowded trains.

Until the end of March, NS will test different train lengths. Long trains will be shortened (from 10 to 8 carriages), and short trains will be lengthened (from 6 to 8 carriages).

When a long rush hour train breaks down, the replacement is often a short train that cannot fit all commuters. Now that the backup trains will be a bit longer, the reiziger has a better chance of finding a seat.

READ MORE | Dutch TrainTok? This TikToker shames people running to catch Dutch trains

“Every morning, we have forty trains in the wrong location, meaning trains that are too short. We hope to reduce that by 30% with this adjustment,” NS spokesperson Carola Belderbos tells RTL Nieuws.

By running trains with a fixed composition more often, more passengers are expected to be able to find a seat despite a disruption in the schedule.

The proof

According to Belderbos, this plan has been calculated in computer simulations, but the trial will show real-life results.

The director of passenger association Rover, Freek Bos, is a bit sceptical.

“Trains will be shorter during peak hours. This applies during disruptions, but also during normal situations. This automatically leads to more crowded trains during peak hours. Not all passengers will be happy about that,” Bos tells RTL Nieuws.

@dutchreview

Train delays are just the perfect way to start the day 😅

♬ Elevator Music – Bohoman

Despite doubting the plan in practice, Bos is committed to measuring the results with your help.

He is urging passengers to report overcrowded trains via Rover. The passenger association usually notices these problems faster than NS does. “This way, passengers can help keep NS on its toes,” he tells RTL.

Dig what you’re reading? Get more of it! Join our WhatsApp channel or Instagram broadcast to get the latest news straight to your pocket.

5 things to know about getting a prepaid SIM in the Netherlands

Liana Risseeuw 🇱🇰
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5 things to know about getting a prepaid SIM in the Netherlands

Prepaid SIMs are often referred to as one of the handiest tools in an international’s arsenal when they’re adapting to life in the Netherlands. Let’s dive into why! 👇

First things first: what exactly is a prepaid SIM? This refers to a SIM card for which you pay upfront for all the data, call minutes, and texts you intend you use.

This pay-as-you-go system is great because of how flexible and affordable it is, but there are also some important things you should know before you buy one.

1. You can get a Dutch prepaid SIM in five minutes

Unlike with their SIM-only counterparts, getting one of the best prepaid SIM cards is refreshingly straightforward.

You can find them everywhere, from a Schiphol Airport kiosk to your local supermarket’s checkout counter. Need to stop at a corner shop for some chewing gum? Hoera, you’ll find prepaid SIMs there, too.

photo-of-a-woman-calling-using-prepaid-sim-on-phone-in-the-Netherlands
Easier to find than stroopwafels. 👀 Image: Dreamstime

Most major Dutch providers offer their services in prepaid form, so whether you’d like a snazzy prepaid plan from KPN or a more affordable one from Simyo, you’ve got plenty of options!

And, even better: many of these prepaid plans now come in eSIM form. This means you can download your Dutch number directly into your mobile phone, without needing to head to a brick-and-mortar store or potentially lose your existing SIM card while swapping it.

2. You won’t require a BSN or Dutch bank account to buy one

In the Netherlands, a mobile plan or SIM-only subscription typically requires two things you won’t have during your first few days in the country:

  •  a BSN (citizen service number), and
  • a Dutch bank account.

Until you’ve registered at your local gemeente (municipality), most mobile subscriptions are off the table. And no Dutch mobile number means no registering at your local GP, no two-factor authentication codes via SMS, and eye-watering data roaming fees if you’re not from the EU.

So what’s an international to do if they’ve just landed in the Netherlands and desperately need a Dutch SIM card? 🤔

The answer’s simple, my friend: get a prepaid SIM. As you won’t be paying for a subscription, you won’t be asked for your BSN or Dutch bank account information.

3. You won’t need to commit to a long-term SIM contract

One of my favourite features of having a cheap prepaid SIM is the fact that most of them are monthly terminable.

In simple terms, a monthly terminable subscription is a mobile data plan that doesn’t auto-renew. This allows you to cancel your subscription after the month is over, without needing to hop on a call with customer service. (Or, worse: be forced to pay for a year’s worth of cellular data you won’t use. 😱)

This flexibility is especially handy for international students, tourists, or other short-term visitors to the Netherlands, as you needn’t commit to a long-term plan.

Plus, a monthly terminable subscription gives you the freedom to check out multiple providers and see which one offers the best coverage and features for you.

4. You can use one prepaid SIM all over Europe

Thanks to the EU’s snazzy “roam like at home” policy, you can kiss costly roaming fees goodbye.

This is because EU policy states that all calls (to mobile and fixed phones), text messages, and data use within the European Union are charged at domestic rates.

In simple terms, that Dutch prepaid SIM of yours is valid throughout most of Europe. Hoera, for your wallet! 🥳

photo-of-students-using-their-phone-with-prepaid-sim-at-Dutch-university
Quite a relief if you are a student living in the Netherlands. Image: Dreamstime

However, although roaming fees are waived, most providers will still have a fair use policy in place. This refers to a data cap that providers can set on the amount of GBs you’re allowed to use at a domestic rate outside of the Netherlands.

It’s always a good idea to check your prepaid provider’s fair use policy. Even though the vast majority of providers have pretty generous limits, you’ll still want to double-check so that you don’t overshoot your monthly data limit.

5. You’ve got full control over all your mobile costs

With prepaid SIMs, you’re fully in the driver’s seat. There are no surprise bills at the end of the month, as you only pay for the data (and messages/call minutes) that you actually use.

Many providers also have handy mobile apps. These let you manage all aspects of your prepaid plan, from handling top-ups, switching plans, or transferring to a SIM-only subscription, instead.

No Dutch bank account? No problem! Lots of these apps will also allow you to use an international bank card to purchase your prepaid SIM and top-up.

Good to know: If you’re someone who often forgets to cancel subscriptions you’re no longer using, prepaid SIMs will help you avoid any financial headaches. Unless you specifically opt for a plan that auto-renews monthly, you won’t be charged for failing to top up your prepaid SIM at the end of the month.

Whether you’ve come to the Netherlands for your studies, you’ve been headhunted by a snazzy multinational corporation, or you’re just here to scoff some stroopwafels, a cheap prepaid SIM can be a handy tool for staying connected.

Have you ever used a prepaid SIM in the Netherlands? Tell us all about your experience in the comments below!

It’s official: The Netherlands has the best cheese in the world

Kriti Swarup
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1
It’s official: The Netherlands has the best cheese in the world

A small group of North Holland dairy farmers just claimed the most sought-after title in the cheese world. So yes, it’s true: Dutch cheese is the best in the world.

According to NU.nl, CONO Kaasmakers from Westbeemster beat more than 3,000 competitors from 25 countries to claim the title of best cheese in the world at the 2026 World Championship Cheese Contest.

The contest was held in Madison, a student town in Wisconsin, USA.

The task: eat cheese for three days straight. (How do you become a judge?)

On March 5, the judges finally put down their samples and declared a winner: Beemster Royaal Grand Cru, which retails for around €24 per kilo in supermarkets.

What does the best cheese in the world taste like?

Slice into a Beemster Royaal Grand Cru, and you’ll find a firm, slightly crumbly hard cheese with a rich, nutty character.

The texture comes from ageing the cheese on planks of spruce for a full year before it’s ready. As the cheese matures, it draws its flavour entirely from 100% North Holland pasture milk.

The milkiness combined with the woodiness from resting on the plank? A bite of heaven.

READ MORE | Let’s talk kaas: cheese tourism in the Netherlands

Good cheese starts with good milk, and good milk starts with happy cows. CONO’s farmers put their herds out to graze for at least 185 days a year, with each cow spending more than ten hours a day in the field. (How do I become a Dutch cow?)

“When a cheese scores so highly with an international jury, you know that everything is just right,” master cheesemaker Sjoerd Hiemstra says in a press release. “From the milk to the making of the cheese to the ripening.”

The final score? 98.68 out of 100.

A very close race

Second and third place both went to Switzerland — Appenzeller Purple Label (98.45) and Alter Fritz (98.41), respectively.

The winning margin was less than a point across the top three finishers. Speaking on behalf of CONO, Nicole van Gorp tells Nu.nl that “We can say for two years that we make the best cheese in the world.”

The Netherlands didn’t stop there, either. Three more Beemster products took home gold: Beemster 30+ Mature, Beemster Jalapeño, and Beemster Smoked.

Now in its seventh decade, the World Championship Cheese Contest is widely regarded as the most rigorous technical cheese evaluation on the planet — 56 judges, 148 categories, three days of blind tasting.

And the Dutch came out on top. 💪

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ASM needs more highly-skilled migrant workers, calls on government to reconsider immigration policies

Kriti Swarup
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ASM needs more highly-skilled migrant workers, calls on government to reconsider immigration policies

The Netherlands is making it harder to attract international talent, and ASM says that’s a move that may come back to bite us.

As a leading supplier of semiconductor equipment, ASM is experiencing a boom in the face of AI. It’s preparing to open a new research and development centre in Almere.

But there’s just one problem.

The new research centre is a project worth several hundred million euros, and the technical industry is “crying out for talent,” according to Verhagen. However, it’s talent that the Netherlands can’t supply alone.

Paul Verhagen, the company’s CFO, is pushing for a change in Dutch immigration policy. In an interview with BNR Zakendoen, he warns that without expat-friendly policies, the company may simply have to set up shop in other countries.

International talent is a necessity

The new facility in Almere needs specialists that the Dutch education system simply doesn’t produce in sufficient numbers.

That means immigration policy becomes the business of chipmakers.

Verhagen argues the government needs to develop different policies for highly skilled workers.

The CFO tells BNR, “You’ll have to look at immigration policy and differentiate between highly educated and less educated workers. We’re only looking for people with academic degrees.”

What ASM needs from Dutch policy

Central to Verhagen’s argument is the 30% ruling — the tax benefit that allows eligible expats to receive 30% of their salary tax-free.

READ MORE | The 30% ruling in the Netherlands: The easy guide in 2026

The scheme has already been reduced and is set to drop further to 27% by 2027. Phasing it out entirely was also previously on the table.

Verhagen says the negative consequences are already showing up in ASM’s hiring: “I’ve already seen plenty of examples where we haven’t been able to attract people who we could have if the scheme hadn’t been tightened.”

Verhagen is also disappointed by the government’s plans to scale back English-language university programs. As a company dependent on internationally trained engineers, he says, “For technical education, the more English, the better.”

“This is not a threat”

ASM operates across multiple countries, and Verhagen makes clear: the investment decisions will follow the talent.

“That’s not a threat. It’s a simple fact,” states the CFO. “If you don’t have the people, you can’t start an R&D facility here,” he adds.

Verhagen acknowledges that prioritising certain groups sits awkwardly with Dutch notions of fairness.

At the same time, he reiterates that the semiconductor industry is flourishing, and the Netherlands stands to benefit enormously… only if it has access to enough talent.

“It’s hard to prioritise certain groups. I understand that’s difficult for politicians, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t do it, because ultimately, it’s in everyone’s interest to invest in the country’s future earning capacity,” he concludes.

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Fireball meteorite seen shooting across Dutch skies; houses in Germany damaged

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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Fireball meteorite seen shooting across Dutch skies; houses in Germany damaged

A dazzling fireball blazed across the skies of the Netherlands on Sunday evening, sparking a wave of gobsmacked social media posts.

At 6:50 PM, a brilliantly bright object streaked across the horizon for around seven to eight seconds, long enough to be unmistakeable, but short enough that many people missed it entirely.

Sightings poured in from across the country, including Rotterdam, Utrecht, Almere, Breda, Haarlem, and dozens of other cities and towns.

Reactions ranged from wonder to alarm. One witness in Haarlem described it to NH Nieuws as looking like “a burning plane crashing.”

Others assumed something had exploded, with some convinced they’d just witnessed a bombing.

What exactly was it?

It was almost certainly a meteor: a chunk of space rock that enters the Earth’s atmosphere at high speed and burns up, producing an intense streak of light.

Marco Langbroek, a lecturer in aerospace engineering at TU Delft, was quick to pour cold water on social media theories that it was artificial space debris, writing on X that the evidence points to a natural object.

Dutch air traffic control confirmed to NOS that the object didn’t show up on radar, most likely because it was travelling at too high an altitude.

Translation: Stunning fireball over the Netherlands this evening! It’s likely a #meteor: a piece of space debris that burns up in the atmosphere at around 100 km altitude. So it’s NOT a meteorite: that would actually hit our Earth’s surface…

Landed in Germany

While the Netherlands and Belgium got the light show without the consequences, Germany was less lucky.

Police in the southwestern state of Rhineland-Palatinate confirmed that meteorite fragments damaged roofs and houses in several areas, including the Hunsrück and Eifel regions, and near Koblenz. No injuries have been reported.

The Werkgroep Meteoren (the Dutch Meteor Society), which has been tracking meteor sightings for around 80 years, compiled trajectory data from nearly 1,500 witness reports across five countries.

The data suggests the fireball travelled from France toward Germany, consistent with where the damage landed. The group is asking anyone who saw it to submit their observations.

Did you catch the fireball on Sunday evening? Share what you saw and where you were in the comments below.

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