The Netherlands is home to many big beer brands like Heineken, Hertog Jan, and Bavaria, but the Dutch drink a whooooole lot of it too! 🍻
In the Netherlands, you’ll always find a couple of beers at a table full of Dutchies!
It’s always a very popular menu item, whether you’re sitting on a terrasje or at a restaurant. Lekker biertje erbij? 😉
Also, beers in the Netherlands are typically served in small glasses and not your usual pint glass — this way, drinking 10 beer glasses becomes quite manageable. 🍺
What is it?
It just isn’t possible to over-emphasise just how much the Dutch actually love their beer.
The Dutch have many occasions on which beer is always present — King’s day, New Year’s, birthdays, weddings, student association gatherings and of course, football matches! ⚽️
It’s always beer o’clock time in the Netherlands, cheers! Image: Freepik
More specific to the Netherlands, the Dutch have borrels regularly, where they let loose with some colleagues and drink!
And, is it really a borrel without beer? 🍺 Nee!
In 2019, the Netherlands was given the title of the biggest exporter of beer in the EU. They must be doing something right with their beer, eh?
Why do they do it?
The Netherlands has been producing beer for a very long time. So it’s no wonder that people have developed a liking for it!
For example, the Amstel Brewery was founded in 1870, and its first brew was produced in October 1871. Little did they know about the success it was about to gain!
Also, the Dutch love beer! It’s as simple as that.
Drinking culture is very popular in the Netherlands because it helps people in loosening up a bit.
The Dutch are pretty good at making things more fun, but it’s still important to know your drinking limits!
Why is it quirky?
It seems like it’s all or nothing when it comes to alcohol and the Dutchies — and the Dutch never pass up on beer discounts either! 🥴
In 2021, a group of friends in the small town of Gramsbergen took their tractors (yes, tractors!) to the local PLUS supermarket and bought €6,003 worth of beer.
And if that doesn’t sound crazy enough, four whole crates of beer were also completely finished that same day.
It’s not weird at all to drink heavy amounts of beer in the Netherlands.
So, if it’s ever on sale in the Netherlands, get ready for flocks of Dutchies to march into stores and clear all the beer from its shelves!
(Not to mention all the statiegeld they’ll get back from returning those crates. 😏)
Should you join in?
If you’re above the legal drinking age of 18, absolutely! 🍺
The Netherlands has a great variety of beers to offer to everyone who wants one.
Dutch supermarkets always have a range of beer packs on their shelves. If you’re with a couple more people, they also sell the aforementioned glorious beer crates. 🎉
What do you think of Dutch beer? Got any favourites? Tell us in the comments below!
We’ve brought you a list of what the Dutch are great at and why the Dutch are so happy. As a result, we decided to ask what our DutchReview readers think the Dutch suck at.
If you’re tempted to grab your pitchforks in anger, don’t shoot the messenger. 😉
So, without further ado, here are seven things the Dutch kind of suck at — with love from our readers!
1. Being polite (keeping their opinions to themselves)
The Dutch are never subtle about their opinions. Image: Unsplash
So, do the Dutch suck at being polite by being too direct? Probably. Sometimes it can come across as rude and/or unnecessary.
However, this is coming from a Brit who could probably stand to be more forthright. But sometimes, it would be good of the Dutch to tone it down a bit — some of us have delicate little feelings. 🤗
2. Queuing
Some of us love a good queue — especially the Brits. It gets stuff done systematically and sometimes, even swiftly.
The Dutch, however, don’t always like to queue, especially when things such as public transport come into play.
No way are they queuing for that! It’s a free-for-all and you have to force your way in. 😤
It could be worse, though. We could be in Germany — where queues don’t seem to exist at all. (No shade to Germans!)
3. Birthday parties
If you’ve ever been to a Dutch birthday party, you’ll know why this one is on the list.
The awkward circle of death that greets you as soon as you walk in the door… do I have to? Of course you do, and it’s bloody awful too.
Be prepared to sit in a circle, as though you’re at a kid’s birthday party. Image: Depositphotos
Parties also tend to finish early and stick to a strict schedule.
There’s no room for spontaneity in a Dutch birthday party and it would be rude to ruin their carefully planned programme — lighten up Dutchies! 😆
4. Having a variety of gourmet food
A lot of people complain that Dutch cuisine is almost non-existent. However, if you’re after a bite, there’s a lot of fried food that you can find along the city streets. 🍤
Of course, gourmet food does exist, but it’s very little in the Netherlands compared to the variety of dishes in some other countries.
Americans, especially, are used to superstores: everything under one roof.
A lot of people also complain about the huge amount of little shops (like Albert Heijn To-Go or mini grocery stores), which sell items at ridiculously high prices.
Thank the lord for Aldi and Lidl — even though they’re few and far between.
6. Driving and parking
Okay, so admittedly, there are many countries out there that are far worse — but there are whole Reddit threads and Twitter accounts dedicated to the driving and parking skills (or lack thereof) of Dutchies. 🚗
The fact that car insurance prices rise so often — due to the number of claims, so they say — is a good indication of Dutch driving skills too.
Parking is always a funny one because it’s almost as if people pull into a space and go, “Ah, that’ll do,” even though they somehow manage to block up two spaces.
At the gym, on a number of occasions, notices were given out to customers to tell them to park properly.
The car parks were filling up because people were taking up two or more spaces and parking terribly, which is not great when there’s a shortage of parking overall.
I guess all that excellent biking doesn’t translate to automobiles, does it?
7. Insisting to the world that the Netherlands is “not just Amsterdam”
The Netherlands has so much to shout about. It’s not all about Amsterdam, and we should all embrace that!
Naturally, Amsterdam is going to be the most heard since it’s got a lot going for it. After all, it is the capital city of the Netherlands.
Sure, Amsterdam is stunning — but so’s the rest of the country! Image: Depositphotos
However, it’s normal that Dutch people get sick of it, since it’s all everyone ever talks about. Sometimes, though, they’re a little harsh. Why hate on Amsterdam when it’s so wonderful!
We’re probably all guilty of talking too much about Amsterdam in the past, though. Heck, many foreigners think the Netherlands is Amsterdam!
What do you think the Dutch suck at? Did we leave anything out? Let us know in the comments!
There’s a saying that goes, “celebrate the little moments because one day you’ll look back and realise they were big moments.”
It doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, and when I first read this quote many moons ago, I rolled my eyes at the tragic Instagram-ness of the quote.
Ironically, since that very first eye roll, I’ve come to realise how very true that simple thought is. If you don’t take the time to reflect and celebrate the small moments, who will?!
My recent small moment of significance is my one-year anniversary of moving to the Netherlands. So, in honour of my first 12 months in the lowlands, I’m sharing 12 realisations, opinions, and tidbits about the Netherlands that I have gleaned over my time here.
1. Cyclists rule the roost
And that’s all there is to it. Most cyclists are impatient, and some like to take their time, but all are in it for themselves. It’s just the lay of the land (pun intended) here in the Netherlands.
Seeing people riding their bikes from every direction is normal in the Netherlands! Image: Depositphotos
2. Dutch people like to pretend they are very healthy people
I say “pretend” because some of their typical foods include: stroopwafels (I’m biased, I think these are just delicious), bitterballen (hello, high cholesterol), frikandel (whatever the hell that is) and kaassouffle (another fave, so no comment 🤐).
They also call a ham and cheese sandwich a broodje gezond — a healthy sandwich, for some reason.
But, I kid. All that cycling around keeps them fit as a horse!
I mean, look how good those bitterballen look! Image: Depositphotos
3. All Dutch people can speak English
That is something every modern tour guide, book, person, and website will tell you, and it is indeed the truth. What they fail to elaborate on is the fact that “Dunglish” is also spoken by many Dutch people.
For example, who a Dutch person’s cousin and their niece/nephew are can only be understood if you get a short family history first. Neef means cousin AND niece/nephew, but is fully dependent on context.
4. A “normal” cup of tea is black
That means no milk. It’s a personal tragedy that so few Dutchies understand why on earth I would drink milk with my tea — and even fewer Dutchies would ever do so themselves.
It may seem silly at times, but who doesn’t like a good bargain?
I have heard some crazy stories of Dutch people being cheap, like insisting on showering at the gym to save on water costs at home, but the benefits of this phenomenon are also that splitting the bill at a restaurant is a breeze.
If you’ve ever had a group dinner, you’ll understand why it’s such a relief that you can pay only for the water and broodje you had, and your mate Jelle can settle his steak, frites, and red wine on his own account.
Going Dutch is the way to go. Image: Unsplash
6. Never trust Apple weather
Ironically, even though I know this, Apple Weather is still the only weather app I have on my phone.
Dutch people swear by Buienradar, but based on personal experience, this is also not the most reliable (I can practically hear you forming your argument as I type this.)
But here’s my top advice for being fashionable and weather-ready, despite what your choice of app says: just wear whatever, pop on a jacket, and take an umbrella.
7. Never trust the weather in general
You rise in the morning and see a welcoming, sunny day.
Yet what that sunny day will fail to reveal is that its sneaky master plan is to pour buckets on you all afternoon, leaving you stranded at work with no umbrella or jacket because you were gullible and let yourself be lulled into a false sense of security.
8. The Dutch limit overseas vacations to a small number of areas
When you ask Dutchies about their valuable vakantie tijd, the destinations will include Bali, Thailand, South America, and occasionally a bit more Asia (Japan, China, Singapore).
This is a gross generalisation based on a sample of my many Dutch friends, but I don’t think it’s too far from the truth.
Also, the norm here is to take about six weeks of solid vacation time. It’s appealing, but how do you survive the rest of the year without a break? It remains a Dutch mystery, I suppose.
9. The Dutch healthcare system leaves a lot to be desired
Am I wrong? Seriously, I want to hear if I am. I have heard really tough stories from friends who have struggled to see specialists and get adequate medication to alleviate their symptoms.
Dutch doctors are notorious for prescribing paracetamol for every ache and pain. Menstrual cramps? Back pain? Headaches? Just pop paracetamol, and you’ll be good — not what most expats expect.
For any expat, it’s enough to make you take a trip to your birth country for all the procedures and meds you might need — but then you consider how expensive basic insurance here is, and you figure you may as well try to make the best of what you’ve paid for. 🤷
Paracetamol is the way to go. Image: Freepik
10. Schiphol bag scanners are the best thing since sliced bread
No joke.
There’s no hassle about trying to fit all of your toiletries into a tiny plastic bag. At Schiphol, I’m just told to “Keep everything in your bag”. Simple. It’s about time the rest of the airports join us here in the Dutch lands.
This one is for the expats: When you are coming in, or out of the Netherlands and you hand over your residence card at passport control the question they will undoubtedly ask is: “Spreek jij Nederlands?”
The answer is always: “Een beetje, maar ik leer”. Even as my Dutch improves, there’s always that split second (okay, multiple split seconds) when I think in English and get too shy to speak Dutch, so I just pretend I don’t know.
My tip? Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, just speak! Image: Depositphotos
12. The strangest Dutch word
Magnetron. It means “microwave”, but it sounds like the name of the newest Transformer movie that I’ll be able to catch in my local Pathé next month at the “Unlimited Night” screening.
There are more strange Dutch words than you’d imagine, and getting to the point where you can overhear a Dutch conversation without letting out a chuckle may take some time.
What realisations did you come to after living in the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments below!
Ah, the sun is shining, birds are singing, and spring is on its way. But you know what else is coming to the Netherlands? Hay fever season!
Anyone can develop hay fever (or as the Dutch say, hooikoorts) overnight and it can come and go every year. Personally, I never used to be affected until just before I moved to the Netherlands and, even then, it was only mild.
Then, during my first year here, it didn’t affect me at all. Fast forward to today and I honestly want to die (it’s extremely severe).
Hay fever in the Netherlands
If you’ve got it, you definitelyknow what it is. But do you really know what’s actually causing it?
Allergic rhinitis, hay fever’s official name, is a condition where the body’s immune system is sensitive and overreacts to an allergen when it doesn’t really need to. 🙆♀️
The name hay fever is a bit misleading though, as most people are not actually getting allergic reactions because of the hay (in fact, we just seem to be allergic to freaking oxygen).
Instead, there are two types of allergy you can have: seasonal and perennial.
You may be unfortunate enough to suffer from allergies all year long in the Netherlands. Image: Depositphotos
The good news is that most people are seasonal. It means that allergies happen on a seasonal basis — so throughout spring and summer due to pollen.
(In the Netherlands, you can check the daily pollen count to see just how many tissues you should bring in your bag).
If you find yourself feeling crappy for much longer, then you probably have a perennial allergy. 😓
This means that you, poor sod, have to put up with allergies all year, usually caused by dust mites, mould, or pet hair.
When’s hay fever season in the Netherlands?
You may have found that moving to the Netherlands has uncovered an allergy you never knew you had. Welcome to the club!
That’s probably because the Netherlands — being a flat, green land — has an array of trees, flowers, and over 150 types of grass.
Anyway, hay fever season is not limited to one time in the year — there are actually a few different pollen seasons. 🙃
Tree pollen usually arrives right at the start of March and stays through till the end of May.
Then there is a crossover between the two, with grass season. Grass season stays into July and then mould spores happen as we come into autumn.
So for some of us, hay fever season lasts the whole three months — fun!
Oh, and there’s no way to know how bad it will be until it happens.
What are the symptoms of hay fever?
Hay fever has many different symptoms and you may not get them all. Or, if you’re like me, you could get the whole sniffly buffet!
So here’s what to look out for:
Itchy, red, and puffy eyes
A runny or blocked nose
Continuous sneezing
Itchy skin
Lack of concentration
Fatigue — lack of sleep
Drowsiness
Itchy and painful ears
Swollen and painful throat
Coughing
Traces of blood (yes really!) in the ears, throat, and nose from continuous symptoms
What is the treatment for hay fever?
We are all desperate to answer this question, but it’s hard to do so because everyone is different. So put that tissue down and listen up, as one of these may work for you!
Antihistamines, antihistamines, antihistamines! Without these, life would be even more unbearable. You can buy different types of antihistamines, many of which are available over the counter in the Netherlands.
Tip! You can find antihistamines quite easily in the Netherlands. Stores such as Etos and Kruidvat often sell them year-round.
Chances are if you’ve really bad hay fever, a trip to the doctors is in order because you’re going to need something stronger.
If it’s reasonably mild, then a normal one-a-day antihistamine will work its magic. If you’re like me, who takes one and literally nothing happens, then you’re going to need a tablet that you can take more regularly.
The dark side of hay fever meds
The stronger the meds, the more side effects. Most are pretty intense: you aren’t allowed to drive or operate machinery (please read the leaflet on all medication!)
Of course, it’s going to rid you of your hay fever, but on a daily basis I have to choose between either:
a. having my whole face and eyes swollen and sneezing every two minutes, or
b. having barely any hay fever symptoms, but feeling completely sedated.
Both make it hard to get on with daily life and perform well at work. So what else can help you?
Get a good sleep (if you can) — try going to bed earlier, because hay fever plays hell with your sleep.
Shut the windows (at all times) even when it starts to get hot. When it does, invest in a fan and keep those windows shut so the pollen doesn’t come in!
Refrain from going outside unless absolutely necessary during high-pollen days. If you can work from home, do ask your boss, because you’re going to be no use to them in the office all sedated.
Get some nasal sprays and eye drops — these will really help, but just don’t use them too often or they will have the opposite effect!
Get some soft tissues and, preferably, balm-infused ones if you can find them. The cheapest stuff just won’t cut it, unless you want your nose to peel off. We’re talking about three months of nose-wiping, after all.
Put vaseline under your nose. It traps the pollen. It really does work!
Invest in an air purifier. It cleans the air of pollen particles. So cool!
How can I stay prepared for hooikoorts (aka hay fever) in the Netherlands?
Do all of the above, and don’t forget to take your tablets before the symptoms occur, that way you’ve beaten them to it.
Then, of course, check the pollen count for the day. There are many sites for this, even some apps — Hooikoortsis great if you want information on the go. You just need to be one step ahead of your allergy at all times, or it will hit you like a ton of bricks.
Hopefully, I’ve given you a few helpful tips on how to manage this hay fever season. You can survive it, I promise!
Do you have any tips on how to cope with hay fever in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!
The first wave ofDutch evacuees is now back in the Netherlands, following a late-night departure from Muscat, Oman.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, KLM has repatriated 83 travellers stuck in West Asia as the Israeli and US offensive on Iran and its retaliation continue to escalate.
According to KLM, flight KL9896 lifted off from Muscat Airport at 2:57 AM local time and touched down at Schiphol at 8:15 this morning.
Thousands still waiting
In collaboration with the Dutch Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (ANVR), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that there are around 1,000 Dutch nationals stranded across West Asia.
The flight is the first relief for travellers after the airspace was closed and all commercial flights were grounded in the area.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Berendsen urged stranded travellers not to wander around “haphazardly” hoping to stumble across a return flight, reports AD.
The priority, he said, is getting people back to the Netherlands safely. Anyone currently stuck in the region is advised to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the nearest Dutch embassy.
Support on the ground
The Ministry has also deployed a SCOT team to assist Dutch nationals who remain in the area.
SCOT, or the Rapid Deployment Consular Support Team, consists of specialised Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff who can be quickly sent anywhere a large number of Dutch citizens need help.
They work alongside embassy and consulate staff, assisting with tasks like emergency passport replacements and coordinating safe departures.
What happens next?
For the passengers and KLM staff on board, the landing at Schiphol signals the end of an intense journey — to say the least.
In a statement, KLM said it understands “how impactful and uncertain the situation is for everyone in the conflict area.”
The airline confirmed it remains committed to bringing other stranded travellers safely back to the Netherlands, working alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other carriers.
Stuck in a warzone? Call +31 247 247 247 immediately.
Amsterdam Centraal is a no-go zone for night trains this weekend, as ProRailwill carryout cable maintenance from March 7 to 8. Daytime services will also run with reduced frequency, so plan ahead before you head out.
ProRail engineers will be cutting and transferring cables throughout the weekend as part of the station’s ongoing renovation programme.
As a result, trains can’t run to, from, or through Amsterdam Centraal during nighttime hours on either day. Replacement buses will be in service.
What routes are affected?
Trains that would normally terminate at Centraal will instead turn around at Amsterdam Muiderpoort or Amsterdam Sloterdijk.
On Saturday morning, passengers can use the metro with their regular NS ticket as an alternative until 9:20 AM.
Night trains on the Schiphol–Amsterdam Centraal and Utrecht Centraal–Amsterdam Centraal routes will both be replaced by buses for the full weekend.
During the day, NS warns that trains will run with reduced frequency to Alkmaar, Amersfoort, Breukelen, Haarlem, Schiphol Airport/Hoofddorp, Uitgeest, Utrecht, and Weesp. Platforms 1 through 7 will be closed for the duration, which means fewer trains and plenty of platform changes.
No trains will operate at all on the Amsterdam Sloterdijk–Amsterdam Centraal–Amsterdam Muiderpoort corridor.
ProRail is in the middle of a long-running overhaul of Amsterdam Centraal that kicked off in 2022 and isn’t scheduled to finish until 2030.
The NS recommends checking the travel planner before setting off and factoring in extra travel time wherever Amsterdam Centraal features in your route.
Will the weekend disruptions affect your plans? Drop your alternative route in the comments — you might save a fellow commuter some stress.
Dutch fails — huh? It sometimes seems like the Dutch are good at everything they do. But, let’s cut to the chase. No one can be good at everything, right?
Let’s all nurse our own egos and have a look at some times the Dutch really missed the mark. 👇
7. When Den Haag paid €30,000 per squirrel to cross a road
In 2012, The Hague became concerned about the number of squirrels that were dying when crossing the N44 motorway. Sweet, right?
Their solution was to build a bridge specifically for squirrels to finish crossing. But we’re not talking about a huge, wide ecoduct that can fool animals into believing there is no highway at all.
This is what some ecoducts in the Netherlands look like. Image: rutgerdenhertog/Supplied
This was a narrow, wire bridge, just wide enough for a rodent to scurry across to safety.
Why was the Den Haag squirrel bridge a Dutch fail?
A whopping €150,000 went into building this not-so luxurious animal crossing, but no worries, because we’re saving cute, fluffy squirrels, right?
The (then) Mayor of The Hague explained that the money was used from a national fund for environmental compensation in an attempt to justify the expense.
Mate, we still think perhaps there could have been a better use for that cool €150,000.
6. The FYRA Fiasco
FYRA was, quite simply, a train that was going nowhere. When the general public starts alliterating in unison, you know something is a big deal.
The FYRA Fiasco was nothing less than a royal, giant stuff-up of epic proportions.
Recognise this? Hopefully, you don’t. Image: Wiki05/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
The Netherlands and Belgium touted FYRA as the future of travel between the two neighbours.
The Dutch government dropped a hefty €7 billion on the trains that should have travelled up to 300 kilometres an hour.
Let’s not forget this rail line already existed and had to be decommissioned for the project. They just wanted it to be faster.
Why was FYRA a Dutch fail?
The bottom line of the fiasco was that huge outlays eventually led to cost-cutting on the trains themselves.
The (so-called) High Speed Alliance skimped out by purchasing slower trains from the cheapest bidder, a young Italian manufacturer. The Dutch love a bargain, right?
In the weeks after the line opened, a huge number of the trains were cancelled or significantly delayed.
Within just four months of service, the trains were revealed to have water leaking inside, erosion and rust after travelling just a few kilometres (no joke), brakes that were only compatible up to 160 kilometres an hour, and batteries catching on fire.
That’s quite a list of grievances!
5. The Scheveningen Bonfire that went up in flames
This Scheveningen Bonfire started out like every other celebration of the annual New Year’s event. By the end of the night? It was literally raining fire.
The bonfire turned into a fire-bomb. Image: Emma Brown
New Year’s 2018 was the fateful night for the scheduled fireworks and a 48-metre-tall bonfire. Thousands turned out in droves on bikes and cars to watch.
Why was the 2018 Scheveningen Bonfire a Dutch fail?
The organisers realised the wind was too strong and blowing in the wrong direction as soon as the bonfire was lit.
But, alas, it was too late. Huge embers began raining down on people, police began evacuating the crowd, and the event turned into chaos.
Fire engines were called to put out embers that had fallen on surrounding buildings, bikes were burnt, cars melted, and houses were damaged.
A night supposed to fill the crowd with warmth quickly turned into a hell’s living room. Thankfully, no one was hurt.
If the plan was to build a tornado of fire and cause huge amounts of damage, congratulations, it was a success! But, we’re pretty happy with calling this a pretty big ol’ Dutch fail.
4. When ‘gender equality’ didn’t extend to toilet time
I’m calling it, guys. The worst thing about the Netherlands is paying to pee.Why do I have to pay 50 cents to take a whizz? 75 cents? It’s robbery.
But what makes it worse is that guys have the luxury of whipping it out whenever they need to pee.
The municipalities even encourage it with the free-standing pee stations that sit propped up on corners.
How is a woman supposed to use this?? Image: Depositphotos
Yet, for a country that ranks number four in the EU’s Gender Equality Index, the Netherlands sure doesn’t accommodate girls that gotta go.
While women may not possess the necessary equipment to pee standing up, that shouldn’t disadvantage them from riding the complimentary public urination train.
Why was female public urination a Dutch fail?
This dilemma ended up in the Dutch court system after Geerte Piening, 23, received a €90 fine after popping a squat in an alleyway after a night of drinking.
When she fought the fine, a (male) judge told her she should have used a public urinal. You know, the ones engineered for men?
3. The €2.1 million mosaic — that flew too close to the market
Vredenburg is one of Utrecht’s most recognisable town squares, in the main shopping area of the city.
The municipality attempted to update the area in 2019 with a new mosaic that covered the square.
How Vredenburg should have looked. Image: Artist impression of Vredenburg Markt by Jennifer Tee, Gemeente Utrecht
A design with a homage to classic market items was eventually chosen after a public vote: a fish, a leek, a croissant, an olive and a button. Cute, right? Well, no.
Why was the Utrecht Mosaic a Dutch fail?
There’s the story of Icarus, who flew too close to the sun. This is the story of a mosaic that flew too close to the market.
Workers painstakingly laid 490,000 tiles in accordance with the artist’s plans. The long-awaited result? The market icons were virtually unrecognisable.
The market (that the tiles honoured) made the situation worse.
With markets come dirt, grime, and fishy water. The featured tiles began to blend in with the surroundings under this delicious cocktail of mess.
The municipality of Utrecht washed away the coating, only for it to return. They attempted fancy polishes to bring out the colours and resist the dirt, but it was futile.
Amsterdam’s increasing congestion problems were set to be solved by the Amsterdam Zuid-Noord line. The line was always forecast to be a difficult engineering feat — and an expensive one.
Construction started in 2002 and was expected to take nine years and cost €1.46 billion. In reality, it ended up taking fifteen years and costing €3.1 billion. Youch.
Why was the Amsterdam Zuid-Noord line a Dutch fail?
But the worst of it wasn’t the huge cost blowout and time delay. Turns out Amsterdam’s precarious historical underground was a less-than-stable foundation for the new metro line.
The result? Houses built above it literally began to fall into the earth.
In 2008, a leak in the concrete walls caused water to seep into the metro line and collapse the ground underneath the Vijzelgracht.
People inside their houses were sitting down to dinner when they began hearing strange creaks and groans.
After running outside, they saw their houses were sagging. Some dropped 25cm into the ground.
Residents were forced from their homes, and even after the line opened ten years later, most of the buildings were still empty. Yeeesh!
That didn’t quite work out the way Amsterdam thought it would!
1. When the government accidentally employed radicalised Muslims to work with Islamic youth
The city of The Hague created an outreach program for Islamic youth, which hired youth workers to help integrate the children into the Netherlands and to identify any signs of radicalism.
Well, that backfired. Image: Unsplash
Why was the Islamic youth outreach program a Dutch fail?
These workers received a three-day training course paid for by the National Counter-terrorism Coordinator.
After the training, at least five youth workers with Moroccan roots ‘came out’ as Salafists — an ultra-conservative form of Islam.
One of the workers had ties with jihadists, may have been sending money overseas, and may have been in contact with recruiters.
Perfect role models for trying to integrate Islamic youth into the Netherlands, right?
Got a story of a Dutch fail that we missed? Let us know in the comments below!
Dutch food? Meh. The housing market? A disaster. But Dutch banks? They know what they’re doing — especially ING!
When it comes to banking in the Netherlands, ING stands out as the ideal partner for expats.
But ING is not just a reliable bank for your general financial needs; they also offer a bunch of features that make daily banking more efficient and saving money a breeze.
Whether you’re grabbing a coffee, saving money for a trip, or just keeping tabs on your spending, opening an ING account will have you covered with tools designed to make your life easier.
Here are seven of my favourite features that I use every day.
1. Round up and save
Do I like to spend money on the occasional overpriced iced coffee and sweet treat? Heck yeah. Do I feel bad about it? Not anymore.
Since I started using ING’s “Round Up and Save” feature, I feel less guilty spending money because I know each euro that goes out also means I’m putting money aside for my savings. Confused by that girl math? Let me explain.
ING’s “Round Up and Save” tool rounds up every purchase you make to the nearest euro and transfers the difference into your savings account. So, if I’m buying that iced latte for €5.70, ING will round it up to €6 and put that extra €0.30 straight into my savings.
Even better, I can accelerate my savings by rounding up to the nearest €2, €5, or even €10, making it a perfect way to build up savings without even thinking about it.
2. ING Loyalty Shop
Love shopping? ING’s got something for you: its Loyalty Shop!
This shop is filled with deals and discounts, which you can access in exchange for points. How do you get the points, you ask? By just going about your day-to-day life!
We won’t say no to €150 off a Dyson appliance! Image: DutchReview
With normal banking activities like using your ING credit card, sending a payment request or opening a savings account, you accumulate points that can be redeemed for discounts on everyday expenses like dining out, shopping, and cinema visits.
Saving up points takes no effort, and using them is a fantastic way to save money on the things you love doing. It’s a win-win!
3. Savings goals
Saving for a car? Putting money aside for a vacation? Or just building that rainy-day fund? Put your money in separate piggy banks! 🐷
Just as you would’ve done with your money as a child, ING’s “Savings Goal” feature lets you create individual savings accounts — “piggy banks” — for each of your financial targets.
You can have up to ten goals per savings account, each with its own name and icon in the ING app. When you start your savings goal, the app will ask you how much you want to save and by when.
The tool keeps you on track by clearly showing your progress and how close you are to reaching your target. If your priorities change, you can withdraw the money at any time.
Oh, and do you just want to save for the fun of it? The goal and timeline are optional, so you can use it as a stock-standard savings account, too!
4. Financial insights
In today’s economy, keeping track of your spending is crucial. That’s why ING has a Financial Insights feature that makes this simple.
This tool analyses your transactions and gives you a detailed breakdown of where your money is going each month. You’ll get a clear picture of your spending habits, from groceries to entertainment and healthcare.
With ING, you’ll always have your finances right in your pocket. Image: ING
It’s like having a personal accountant who doesn’t miss a single transaction. Can it be scary to find out how much you spend on Uber Eats? Sometimes. But you know what they say: The first step toward change is awareness.
5. ING iOS widgets
Speaking of having a clear overview of your finances, did you know you can put an ING widget on your iPhone’s home screen to check your balance quickly whenever you feel like it?
The ING widget is a game-changer if you’re anxious like me and always want instant access to your current balance without even opening the app.
I know what you’re thinking: won’t everyone be able to see how much (or little) money I have? But the answer is no! Your balance is hidden until FaceID verifies your identity.
6. Look ahead
As the name suggests, ING’s Look Ahead feature is a super smart tool for planning ahead in your financial life. No psychic abilities or crystal balls needed, just your ING app.
Staying on top of your finances has never been so effortless. Image: Depositphotos
How does it work? Look Ahead analyses your past transactions and uses the information to forecast your future expenses. It takes into account your regular bills, upcoming events, and even your spending patterns to help you avoid any nasty surprises.
This proactive approach to managing your finances lets you be prepared for the month ahead and avoid unexpected expenses.
7. Budgeting
Last but not least, the ING app’s budget feature is perfect for controlling your spending. You can set budgets for different categories, such as groceries, dining out, and entertainment.
You can indicate how much you want to spend per month on each category, and ING will track your spending.
Once you’re nearing your limit, the app will let you know, and you can adjust your behaviour accordingly (because, let’s be real, you don’t need any more trinkets from HEMA).
The budgeting tool is an excellent way to hold yourself accountable and stick to your financial goals and plans. You got this!
ING offers a range of features that make everyday banking not only easier but also more enjoyable. Whether you’re an expat or a local, these tools are guaranteed to help you manage your money better and achieve your financial goals.
So, while the housing market might be a headache and Dutch food an acquired taste, at least your banking is in good hands! 🙌
So, you’ve landed in the Netherlands; a small country with a big reputation as an international business hub.
From global giants in finance and tech to thriving startups, it’s no secret that Dutch offices are some of the most multilingual in Europe.
But if you’re thinking of working here, knowing just one language might not cut it.
Employers love candidates who can switch easily between cultures and languages. After all, multilingual professionals bring more than just words — they bring perspective, adaptability, and a global mindset.
Let’s take a look at which European languages will give you a real edge in the Dutch job market.
Ready to find a job in the Netherlands that matches the language(s) you speak? That’s Undutchables’ speciality! Undutchables is a premier recruitment company that matches internationals with jobs in the Netherlands. Want to find your next job? See vacancies in your language.
English: the universal workplace language
Image: DutchReview
English is, without question, the Netherlands’ unofficial second language. You’ll hear it in boardrooms, cafés, and even government meetings.
In fact, the Netherlands consistently ranks among the top countries in the world for English fluency, with almost 90% of Dutch people speaking it comfortably.
That means plenty of jobs require only English, especially in international companies. Roles in tech, finance, marketing, and customer service often operate entirely in English, with teams made up of people from across the globe.
So if you’re fluent, you’re already off to a great start. But adding another European language to your toolkit can make you stand out even more.
German: high demand in sales and support
Image: DutchReview
It’s no surprise that German is one of the most valuable languages in the Dutch job market. Germany is the Netherlands’ biggest trading partner, and companies on both sides of the border rely on close collaboration.
If you speak German, you’ll find opportunities in sales, account management, logistics, and customer support.
Many firms look for people who can communicate directly with German clients — and they’re often willing to pay a little extra for that skill.
French: essential for pan-European businesses
Image: DutchReview
Another major European player? France. French speakers are in high demand across international trade, marketing, and finance.
Many Dutch-based companies coordinate operations across Europe, and having French-speaking employees helps bridge the gap with partners and customers in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg.
Plus, French is spoken across the globe, so there are even more opportunities!
If you can pitch a product, negotiate a deal, or manage accounts in French, you’ll be an asset to any cross-border team.
Nordic languages: rare but lucrative
Image: DutchReview
Swedish, Danish, Norwegian — they may not be widely spoken in the Netherlands, but that’s exactly why they’re so valuable.
Native or fluent speakers of Nordic languages are rare in the Netherlands, making them highly sought after by international firms operating in Northern Europe.
Roles often involve customer relations, account management, or technical support, and salaries can be especially competitive.
If you happen to speak one of these languages, your niche skill set could make you a top candidate overnight.
Spanish, Polish, and Italian: growing opportunities
Image: DutchReview
Spanish is gaining traction, especially in tourism, sales, and multinational corporations.
With Spain’s strong ties to global business and travel, companies in the Netherlands often need Spanish-speaking professionals to support international customers.
Polish is another language on the rise, thanks to growing migration and cross-border trade. Employers in logistics, construction, and services increasingly value people who can communicate with Polish partners and workers.
And Italian? It’s in steady demand too, particularly in trade, fashion, and manufacturing. Italian speakers often work with design-oriented or luxury brands that have deep roots in the Netherlands.
These languages may not be rare, but they’re certainly versatile.
Tips for multilingual job seekers
If you’re job-hunting in the Netherlands, your language skills can make all the difference. Combine them with solid professional experience, and you’ll become a dream hire.
Here are a few ways to make your multilingual background shine:
List all your languages clearly on your CV. Include your fluency level and any official certifications (like CEFR or IELTS).
Tailor your job applications to highlight where your language skills match the company’s markets or clients.
Show your practical experience. Use examples of when you’ve used your languages at work — for instance, managing international accounts or translating content.
Keep learning. Adding one more European language (or brushing up on your Dutch) can make you stand out even more.
Network in multiple languages. Attend meetups or industry events and connect with expats and locals alike.
And the best tip? Head straight to a recruitment agency that specialises in finding jobs for people who speak different languages, like Undutchables. You can search for jobs in your target language and find your dream job in the Netherlands.
In the Netherlands’ global job market, multilingualism isn’t just a nice extra — it’s a career advantage.
Whether you’re fluent in English or one of Europe’s rarer languages, speaking more than one tongue shows that you can bridge worlds and build connections.
So are you ready? Go and get that Dutch job!
What languages do you speak that you think might help you get a Dutch job? Share in the comments below!
Moving to the Netherlands offers several challenges: from navigating the housing crisisto registering yourself, and you’ve beaten them all! But now, there’s one more challenge. How do you set up your mobile phone in the Netherlands?
Do you really need a Dutch SIM card? Are there expat-friendly mobile phone providers? And what sort of phone package should you get? These are the questions you’re likely asking, and we have the answers.
Here’s all you need to know about mobile phones and SIM cards in the Netherlands.
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Do I need a Dutch SIM card?
Even if your international mobile phone is working fine upon arrival in the Netherlands, it may be worth your while to switch to a Dutch SIM card. This is for several reasons. 👇
Firstly, if you plan on signing up for certain services (such as an IKEA delivery or even a food delivery) you are often asked to provide a Dutch phone number.
Dying for some piping hot food delivered right to your doorstep? Helaas, you’ll need to have a Dutch number first! Image: Dreamstime
This is also the case if you want to join your fellow Dutchies in sending a Tikkie, or even if you want to set up more important services, such as certain health insurance policies or hospital appointments.
Secondly, if you want to register a business, you should always use a Dutch number. If potential clients see that your number is international, they may doubt the legitimacy of your business.
Finally, the Dutch mobile phone market is flooded with various providers, with fierce competition keeping prices low and plans feature-rich.
Mobile phone plans in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, expats have three options to choose from:
Mobile phone contracts (with phone) in the Netherlands
With a mobile phone contract, you purchase a new phone and a fixed monthly subscription for calls, texts, and data. You can generally choose to pay for the phone itself upfront, or bit by bit each month, along with your monthly subscription cost.
However, getting a mobile phone contract in the Netherlands can be tricky for expats.
Mobile phone contracts are generally for long-term use. Image: Freepik
Signing up for a contract also means signing up for a certain contract duration (usually at least one to two years). This can be difficult as many internationals arrive in the Netherlands without a clear idea of how long they will be staying.
For the same reason, some mobile phone providers are reluctant to offer mobile contracts to expats.
Plus, without a few months of payslips to prove to the provider that you can pay your bills, you may be turned away on the spot.
💰 Price range: starting from €20 per month for a very basic phone, up to €62 per month for a top-line phone with unlimited calls and data. ✍️ Contract length: generally 12-24 months.
SIM-only subscriptions in the Netherlands
If you are happy with your current phone and you just want to switch to a Dutch provider, then your best bet is to opt for the SIM-only subscription (SIM only aanbieding)!
Don’t let the name fool you; with a SIM-only subscription, you will pay for your Dutch SIM card and a monthly subscription for a designated period.
When you apply for a SIM-only subscription, you will be given the option to select a plan that works best for you. Perhaps you need a lot of data, or want to call home as cheaply as possible — the price you pay and the deal you get depend on your choice!
SIM-only contracts generally offer much more flexibility than mobile contracts. Firstly, if needed, you can opt for a month-to-month (maandelijks opzegbare) subscription.
This means that you can choose to cancel your subscription whenever you like — though you may have to pay an additional fee for this feature.
SIM-only contracts tend to offer more flexibility than mobile phone contracts. Image: Freepik
Secondly, you can also adjust your subscription if you find that you call your mother a bit more than you expected or if you’re eating up far too much data on your daily walks.
For those of you who simply live and breathe your life online, SIM-only subscriptions with unlimited datamight be the best choice.
Offering you huge daily bundles, with the option to extend your data even further with additional GBs, they’re a must-have for every data-hungry user.
This option is great for expats who need to work out a plan that suits them best and who don’t want to dedicate themselves to any long-term fixed contracts.
💰 Price range: varies according to provider, from €6 to €50 per month. ✍️ Contract length: from one to 24 months.
Prepaid mobile phone SIM cards in the Netherlands
If you’re looking for something cheap and cheerful that will do the job, then a prepaid mobile phone contract is the one for you.
The cheapest option of the three, prepaid plans are ideal for commitment-phobes. 😉 Image: Freepik
For this, you buy a Dutch SIM card and then top up your balance whenever you want. Your credit will usually go towards a fixed amount of data, calls, and texts (you choose a package that suits you best).
If you leave the Netherlands, no problem! You just stop topping up your credit — just make sure you don’t set up your account to auto-renew. 😉
💰 Price range: varies according to provider, with monthly plans starting from €4 and day plans from €1. ✍️ Contract length: however long you want!
Mobile phone providers in the Netherlands
So, you want to get yourself set up with a phone provider? Great! Here is a comprehensive list of Dutch telephone providers for you to peruse:
The big three mobile phone companies in the Netherlands
There are three major telephone providers in the Netherlands: KPN, Vodafone, and Odido (which merged telecommunication giants T-Mobile and Tele2).
One of the largest and best-known mobile data providers in the Netherlands, KPN is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a subscription with extensive coverage, no matter where in the country you are.
In addition to this, KPN also offers a wide range of different mobile phone contracts as well as prepaid, eSIM, and SIM-only deals. Let op: these packages don’t come cheap, but you certainly do get what you pay for!
With a range of mobile subscriptions, SIM-only contracts and eSIMs, Vodafone is a household name! The only snag? I found Vodafone’s rock-solid network connection and flexible packages a bit pricey.
But don’t let that scare you — in my opinion, whether you prefer heading to brick-and-mortar stores or ordering your subscription online, Vodafone’s customer service and products consistently rank highly.
Rounding up the “big three”, Odido is a merger between two of the most-awarded mobile data providers in the Netherlands: T-Mobile and Tele2. With its blazing-fast SIM-only data subscriptions and widespread coverage, it’s a rock-solid choice for internationals in the Netherlands.
However, like Vodafone and KPN, many of their packages can be rather expensive. One major pro, though? I’ve found that the service you get for the price is excellent.
The majority of people in the Netherlands use these three above services, but here’s a tip: many subsidiaries and MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) run their service on the big three’s networks.
As an expat in the Netherlands, I like that Lebara is extremely international-friendly. They offer their site in English, give useful explanations of the different packages, and offer solid SIM-only and prepaid deals.
They also offer one of the cheapest deals on the market — you can pay as little as €4 per month when you go SIM-only!
Simyoruns its network through KPN and offers SIM-only and prepaid packages. One aspect I really liked about this provider is that they also offer an eSIM alternative to their packages, which not all Dutch data providers do.
This means that, if your phone supports this, no physical SIM card is needed. Under the eSIM package, you can choose an eSIM SIM-only contract or an eSIM prepaid contract.
Simpel also offers cheap SIM-only deals, starting at just €3.50 per month. Despite its low prices, I’ve found Simpel to be a reliable provider with flexible deals, depending on how many GBs or call minutes I want.
The one downside? You can only choose between one- or two-year subscriptions, so commitment-phobes beware.
When it comes to flexible and competitively priced SIM bundles, I found Hollandsnieuwe a solid option.
With monthly fees starting at €7.50, it isn’t quite as cheap as some other options on this list, but it makes up for it with excellent service and handy combo packages with Ziggo Internet.
What do I need to sign up for a Dutch mobile phone contract?
Found your match made in mobile heaven? Great! Let’s run through what you should have before you claim that beauty.
Formal identification
Formal identification means an official document, like a driver’s license, government ID card, or passport.
If you’ve made it this far in life in the Netherlands without a formal ID, we salute you — but you’ve officially hit a bureaucratic brick wall.
Signing up for a new mobile subscription doesn’t have to be stressful. Image: Freepik
Unsurprisingly, mobile phone providers will ask for proof of identity before you can sign up for a new phone subscription — unless it’s a prepaid plan.
Proof of address
Several Dutch mobile providers may also ask you for some official proof of address, so it’s always a good idea to jot down your BSN number somewhere.
Also known as your Citizen Service Number, this is a unique personal number issued by the Dutch government to every registered resident of the Netherlands.
A Dutch bank account
In general, you will need to pay for your mobile phone package using a Dutch bank account. However, some expat-oriented providers (such as Expat Mobile) do not require this.
Most likely, you’ll need a Dutch bank account to pay for your mobile data plan. Image: Depositphotos
That being said, life in the Netherlands can become quite difficult without a Dutch bank account. No need to panic, though, setting up a bank account in the Netherlandscan be nice and easy!
Dutch mobile phone insurance
Now, this one is not compulsory — but highly recommended. While most phones come with a two-year warranty, it doesn’t cover incidents such as theft or even accidental breakage.
That is why it’s always worth considering taking out mobile phone insurance when you opt to buy a phone in the Netherlands. Many Dutch mobile phone providers offer the option to take out mobile phone insurance as part of your package.
Good to know: You can also insure your phone independently of your subscription. Companies such as Revolutand Univé offer simple, affordable mobile phone insurance.
Will my mobile phone work in the Netherlands?
Whether or not your international mobile phone will work in the Netherlands depends on the type of mobile network your country uses.
However, in most cases, your foreign phone should work fine upon arrival in the Netherlands.
Why is this? In the Netherlands, the entire country uses a GSM mobile network. The GSM network is essentially a common telephone system that was initially shared by EU countries but later expanded to other foreign countries.
Provided your mobile phone uses a GSM network, you won’t have any trouble getting connected in the Netherlands. Image: Depositphotos
This means that anyone who arrives in the Netherlands from a country that also uses GSM should be able to use their phone without a problem.
However, certain regions of the world do not use the same network, meaning that internationals arriving from these regions will find their phones are not compatible with the Dutch infrastructure network.
These areas include parts of the US, Canada, Latin America, Japan, and some African countries.
If you’re coming from these areas, you will most likely need a Dutch SIM in the long run, but you’re unlikely to find yourself completely cut off from communication. After all, free Wi-Fi does exist in the Netherlands. 😉
Mobile phones and SIM cards in the Netherlands: FAQ
What do I need to get a Dutch SIM?
In order to sign up for a Dutch mobile data subscription, you’re likely going to need some kind of formal identification (like a driver’s licence or passport), a Dutch bank account, and some proof of address.
Can I keep my old number if I switch providers in the Netherlands?
If you already have a Dutch number, then many providers will allow you to keep your old number (or charge you a minimal cost for the process). On the other hand, if you have a foreign number, you will likely need to change it.
Will my mobile phone work in the Netherlands?
In most cases, your foreign mobile phone will continue to work fabulously once you land. The only exception is if your data provider uses a different mobile network to the GSM network in use in the Netherlands.
Do Dutch SIM bundles come with unlimited data?
Yes, there are a range of mobile data providers like KPN, Odido, and Vodafone (among others) that provide unlimited mobile data subscriptions.
Look at you go, stocking up on all you need to know about mobile phones in the Netherlands — and now you’re ready to make your choice, hit up some friends, and enjoy life in the lowlands!
Got a recommendation for a great mobile phone package in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!
