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These are the four BEST (and worst) Dutch cities for expats in 2021

Nicole Ogden 🇹🇭 🇺🇸
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These are the four BEST (and worst) Dutch cities for expats in 2021

Four Dutch cities have been ranked in Internations’ Best & Worst Cities for Expats 2021 list! The Hague and Rotterdam stood out from the crowd, while Amsterdam and Maastricht performed, well, poorly.

It’s official: some Dutch cities are better for expats, while others failed to make a splash. The survey conducted in Expat Insider 2021 looks at the quality of life, job opportunities, easiness of making friends, etc., according to Internations.

However, zero Dutch cities made the top ten list this year or in 2020. That’s okay, we know the Netherlands is a super place to live. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Leader of the pack: The Hague (#19)

Coming in in 19th place, and top for the Netherlands is The Hague! The city was well-regarded for its good transportation (ranked #9 for best public transport in the world!), ease of getting around without speaking the language, housing affordability, job opportunities, and work-life balance. 😊

The Hague also takes the 23rd spot in the Getting Settled Index, making it one of the easier spots to put down roots. 🌱

READ MORE | The work-life balance in the Netherlands is the best in the world

Dutch runner-up: Rotterdam (#28)

All work and no play? No way! Rotterdam is the 17th best city in the world for urban work-life balance. The Dutch economy is going strong and career opportunities are plenty!

Rotterdam also ranks #25 for local friendliness. Who said the Dutch were cold?

Middle of the pack: Amsterdam (#31)

Although the Dutch capital came in #31 overall in The Best and Worst Places for Expats, at least it came in 9th place for the best place to have a career, with this Dutch city taking their work-life balance very seriously!

Amsterdam ranked #30 in terms of getting settled, but the housing situation is definitely not the best — as evidenced by its #44 spot in the Finance & Housing Index. 😬

A for effort: Maastricht (#50)

Maastricht, unfortunately, didn’t do so well this year in the rankings, being in the bottom ten for worst cities to live in for expats.

The city takes the #41 spot in the Finance & Housing Index, only doing slightly better than Amsterdam. This means that finding affordable housing and living comfortably is difficult. 💔

Maastricht also took the 42nd spot for the Getting Settled Index. Further their quality of life, and the general happiness level is lower than the other four Dutch cities.

But hey at least we didn’t come in last place, right? Sorry, Rome! You’re still bella! 💘

Top 10 cities for expatsBottom 10 cities for expats
#1 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia#48 New York, USA
#2 Málaga, Spain#49 Moscow, Russia
#3 Dubai, UAE#50 Maastricht, The Netherlands
#4 Sydney, Australia#51 Paris, France
#5 Singapore#52 Cairo, Egypt
#6 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam#53 Tokyo, Japan
#7 Prague, The Czech Republic#54 Istanbul, Turkey
#8 Mexico City, Mexico#55 Johannesburg, South Africa
#9 Basel, Switzerland#56 Milan, Italy
#10 Madrid, Spain#57 Rome, Italy

What did you think of the best and worst Dutch cities to live in 2021? Do you agree with the rankings? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: annanahabed/Depositphotos

Netherlands calls in the troops to bolster booster shots and tests

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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Netherlands calls in the troops to bolster booster shots and tests

Talk about calling in the big guns (although, thankfully, not literally). The Dutch Ministry of Defense has been asked to help with administering booster vaccines and tests.

And boy, is it about time! The Netherlands currently sits at the very bottom of the ranks in terms of how many people have received their booster. Time for some tough love. 💪

About 750 soldiers will arm themselves with needles or test kits. They’ll be trained by doctors to administer vaccinations in the coming weeks, but from today, will assist with coronavirus tests after the recent wave of infections left test centres overflowing.

If infections worsen, the operation can be scaled up to include 1,500 military personnel, reports the NOS.

A slow start, now a hard push

The military is not the only way the Dutch are jump-starting their (lacking) booster shot campaign. A group of general practitioners are campaigning their plan to vaccinate more than 100,000 immobile people at home before the holidays.

Meanwhile, the GGD (Municipal Health Service) says that the National Acute Care Network (LNAZ), the Red Cross, the National Association of General Practitioners (LHV), healthcare institutions and other umbrella organisations are also stepping in to kick the booster process into gear. Retired general practitioners will also be asked to don their white coats once more.

READ MORE | Weekly update: infections rise slightly, while deaths skyrocket

There are also calls to utilise other resources in the booster campaign. “Once again, the thousands of nurses who work in district nursing could make an important contribution to booster vaccinations,” says Jos de Blok of Buurtzorg Nederland.

Sorely needed

The Netherlands is currently only offering booster shots to select groups: people aged 80 and over, adults living in care facilities, and patient-facing healthcare and social support workers.

Once these groups have received their jabs, other groups will be invited for their next shot. However, with the current COVID-19 crisis the government is facing and the impending holiday season, the government has stepped on the gas to administer booster shots faster, leaving fewer vaccinated people in the hospital.

What do you think about the actions taken to speed up the booster shot process? Is it enough? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: Ministry of Defence/CC4.0

Thuisbezorgd finally offering full-time contracts (hoera!)

Caitlin Elston-Weidinger 🇩🇪🇺🇸
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Thuisbezorgd finally offering full-time contracts (hoera!)

Thuisbezorgd is taking a revolutionary step that will certainly (at least hopefully) change the industry: full-time contracts for its employees!

Today one can hardly leave their apartment without getting run over by a sea of frantic cyclists clad in vibrant colours rushing to clock in as many deliveries as humanly possible.

Previously, Thuisbezorgd’s orange (rather patriotic, no?) garbed drivers could work up to 12 hours per week on contract. But in a win for the workers,  employees can now opt for 16, 24, 32, or even 40-hour contracts, reports NU.nl. 

Courier Pandemie!

Since the start of the pandemic, people across the world have grown all the more dependent on the ease of delivery service options. And while the gig economy has transformed our cities and consumption habits, many delivery companies have resisted change.

Governments and food delivery executives have been at legislative odds since America’s gig economy rapidly crept into the EU, with some states outright banning their operations and others demanding basic worker protections or employment contracts. 

Life in any bustling Dutch city today increasingly entails dodging a seemingly endless fleet of delivery food and grocery service employees speeding down the bike lanes, from Thuisbezorgd to Gorillas. 

Thuisbezorgd’s decision this Wednesday is a trailblazing step towards ensuring stable and secure working conditions in one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.

A future in question 

In addition, this new model also guarantees couriers an hourly salary that exceeds the minimum wage, while also offering employment insurance and social security. 

While the explosion of delivery services has been a disappointment or even a public nuisance for some, for many it has become a staple for its perceived safety and convenience.

What is certain is that these delivery services are not going anywhere. So rather than worrying about the company’s future performance on the stock market, let’s celebrate the expansion of workers’ rights for its many many riders! 💪

How do you feel knowing your next order will be delivered by a happy and protected courier?

Featured Image: Fokkebok/Depositphotos

Dutch police catch woman smuggling eight songbirds through Schiphol

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
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Dutch police catch woman smuggling eight songbirds through Schiphol

“Chirp, Chirp” — did you hear that? It might be someone trying to smuggle live animals past Schiphol’s custom control. We’re not joking. In October, a woman was caught in the act while trying to smuggle eight songbirds from Suriname to Russia. 

During her pitstop in the Netherlands, officers found the animals hidden away in a karaoke set — yes, a literal karaoke set. 

And she’s not alone

You might be surprised, but this story is not an unusual one. According to nu.nl, Dutch police and customs control confiscated a total of 647 live animals in October alone.

In another incident, officers at Schipol airport found 145 (!) reptiles and amphibians in a smuggler’s suitcase. So far, no arrests have been made. After spending a night in jail our songbird smuggler was let go again. 

Of course, we’ve heard of drug smugglers before — remember the pineapple-cocaine incident? But why animals? 🤔 

So, what’s so great about animals?

Most of the time, it’s because the animals are protected in their country of origin, such as the songbirds in Surinam. 

This means they can be sold for a really high price on foreign black markets. Alongside living and breathing animals, the trade with products made from protected plant and animal species is also flourishing. In October, Dutch police dealt with over 2,300 of these cases. 

The Netherlands is actively partaking in the global combat against the illegal trade with protected plants and animals. 

It’s especially important to protect biodiversity and the well-being of the animals which are being smuggled. We’ll take a wild guess here and say the eight birds were not too comfortable in that karaoke kit. 

🐦😠🐦😠

What do you think of this wild (tee hee) story? Let us know in the comments!

Feature Image: DutchReview/Canva

Dutch hedgehogs are struggling this winter: here’s why

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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Dutch hedgehogs are struggling this winter: here’s why

Hedgehogs are getting ready to hibernate for the upcoming winter but with an overabundance of hoglets (baby hedgehogs!), animal shelters all over the Netherlands are the busiest they’ve been all year, according to RTL Nieuws.

These precious little ones can be found foraging in November around forests and parks, and other heavily vegetated areas — you may even find one in your garden! 

Environmental concerns for hedgehogs

Winters are becoming milder and starting later and hedgehogs in the Netherlands are beginning to nest later too. As a result, hoglets don’t have enough fat to hibernate through the winter months, facing starvation and sickness. 

Hedgehog shelter Egelopvang Den Haag and many other sanctuaries are becoming overcrowded with the wild hoglets found in the worst possible condition. With the help of many vets and volunteers, these shelters do their best to nurse hoglets and hedgehogs throughout the winter but there are plenty of things you can do, starting in your own garden:

  • ❌ Don’t leave traps or pesticides: Hedgehogs are garden-friendly and regular, old friendly animals. They feed on plenty of unwanted insects and pests, and protect biodiversity. 
  • 🍃 Keep your gardens green: Autumn leaves, dry grass, branches, moss, you name it. Hedgehogs use these to forage and build shelter safely, so don’t throw anything away!
  • 💧 Leaving out food: Dry cat food and water provide hedgehogs with enough nutrients to survive. Avoid foods like peanut butter and milk, even if the Dutch love them. 
  • 🚑 Call your local pet shelter: Treating hedgehogs yourself without the supervision of a licensed vet or animal specialist is a no-no. If you see a struggling hedgehog, carefully pick them up with a towel, call your local dierenambulance (animal ambulance), and await instructions. 

Consider volunteering at a shelter, looking into taking care of hedgehogs at home, and making local outdoor spaces like gardens and parks just a little more cozy for these animals. 

Have you seen hedgehogs in the wild? Tell us your experiences in the comments below!

Featured Image: Egor Kamelev/Pexels

Cooling units set up outside Dutch funeral homes to tackle rise in COVID-19 deaths

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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Cooling units set up outside Dutch funeral homes to tackle rise in COVID-19 deaths

The Dutch funeral organisation, DELA has made the decision to set up extra cooling units outside of their funeral homes in order to keep up with the rise in coronavirus infections and deaths.

Speaking to RTL Nieuws, DELA spokeseman Martijn van de Koolwijk, explains that “it is one of the first measures when there is an oversupply of deceased bodies.”

Rising coronavirus infections and deaths

And why are Dutch funeral homes worried about too many bodies? The rising coronavirus infections and deaths. Koolwijk explains that this measure was also taken at the beginning of the year, when infection numbers were at yet another peak.

“At the beginning of the year, refrigerated containers were placed at funeral homes in 14 cities,” he says. “They were removed again when the number of infections and deaths decreased at the beginning of the summer.”

Now, the organisation has deemed it necessary to roll out the coolers once again with the units being added to funeral homes in Nijmegen, Leiden, Bilthoven, Geleen, Eindhoven Roermond Roosendaal, and Goes Den Bosch.

“It is one of the first measures that can be taken quickly,” Koolwijk says.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for the latest coronavirus news and updates.

Feature Image: Buurserstraat38/Depositphotos

PCR tests and quarantine: Dutch health experts advise strict measures for travellers to the Netherlands

Christine Stein Hededam 🇩🇰
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PCR tests and quarantine: Dutch health experts advise strict measures for travellers to the Netherlands

While many of us have been busy booking flights for the holidays, the National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM) has been busy recommending new travel restrictions.

And what are they? The RIVM advises the Dutch government to enact new travel restrictions for the Netherlands — but don’t go cancelling your Christmas travels just yet!

Mandatory PCR tests for all travellers to the Netherlands

What would these look like? Amongst others, the RIVM urges mandatory coronavirus tests for all travellers — including people who are members of the double jab club (aka fully vaccinated). For unvaccinated travellers from outside the EU, they also recommend a quarantine obligation.

And that’s not all that’s on the table, according to De Jonge’s tweets the Dutch cabinet is also looking to discuss the following:

“We also want to make agreements in a European context about:
✈️pre-departure testing for non-EU travellers
✈️ quarantine obligation for everyone on arrival from a very high-risk area and for unvaccinated on arrival from non-EU areas”

No strict travel measures yet

Thankfully for nervous internationals, the government is looking to other European countries before enacting new regulations, reports the RTL Nieuws.

The Dutch Minister of Health, Hugo de Jonge, wants to consult with other EU countries to avoid a “patchwork” of travel restrictions across Europe, says a ministry spokesperson. Additionally, the Dutch government hopes to receive advice on the Omnikron variant that’s apparently been laying low in the Netherlands since before its rise to international fame.

What do you think of the potential travel restrictions? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: samwordley@gmail.com/Depositphotos

Major Dutch cities want to reduce the speed limit to 30km/h

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
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Major Dutch cities want to reduce the speed limit to 30km/h

In a letter to the cabinet and the house of representatives, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht are rushing a decision to reduce the maximum speed limit within the cities to 30 kilometres per hour.

While almost half of the roads in these cities already have a 30 kilometres per hour limit in place, half are still far from adequate as their roads are getting busier, says AD.

Take for example Amsterdam, which — according to the city’s alderman for Traffic and Transportpoints, records that 80% of their traffic accidents happen on roads with a maximum speed of 50 kilometres per hour. That’s alarming! 🛑

All in all, this urgent push by the four cities really comes down to reducing the number of fatal road casualties. “In the past, we gave cars too much space in cities, now quality of life is paramount. If we want to better protect pedestrians and cyclists, we have to take action,” says Amsterdam’s alderman for Traffic and Transport.

Limitations

There are legal restrictions surrounding this 30 km/h mission, however. For example, there’s a legal liability if a road has a lower speed limit but do not have speed bumps — therefore the city becomes liable in case of an accident on such road.

Yet, as the cities argue in their letter, these speed-reducing items such as speed bumps do get in the way if installed on major roads. Emergency services vehicles like ambulances and fire trucks can’t rush on-site if all roads had speed bumps according to RTL Nieuws.

The Dutch house of representatives is expected to debate road safety in a session tomorrow, and hopefully, the decisions and arguments don’t leave us like deer in headlights.

What do you think of the proposed plan by the major cities to reduce the speed limit to 30 km/h? Tell us in the comments!

Feature Image: z1bjkeee/Depositphotos

Weekly update: infections rise slightly, while deaths skyrocket

Nicole Ogden 🇹🇭 🇺🇸
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Weekly update: infections rise slightly, while deaths skyrocket

The RIVM has released its weekly coronavirus figures from November 23 to November 30. The number of hospitalisations has increased slightly, while the number of deaths went up significantly.

The number of hospitalisations and ICU admissions have increased slightly while the number of deaths significantly increased.

Over the past week, the RIVM has reported 155,152 new infections in the Netherlands. A slight increase compared to last week’s report of 153,957 infections.

The percentage of positive tests decreased to 21.4% compared to 22.2% from the week before.

Deaths

The number of patients who have died from coronavirus-related complications has increased drastically in the past week. This week, 367 people passed away, compared to 265 people the previous week.

Hospitalisations

Both the number of admissions to the nursing ward and the ICU has gone up. The past week saw 1,629 new admissions to the nursing ward and 367 new patients in the ICU. The week before, there were 1,662 and 265 respectively.

Evening lockdown

On Sunday, November 28, the Netherlands entered an “evening lockdown” which is expected to last for at least three weeks.

This means that restaurants, bars, cafés, cinemas, parks, gyms, amateur sports and other venues close at 5 PM. Supermarkets and other essential shops are an exception to this rule.

Schools, however, are allowed to stay open but with additional measures of wearing a mask for those in Group Six and higher.

Omicron variant in the Netherlands

The Omicron variant was discovered to have been in the Netherlands as early as 19 and 23 of November, well before 13 passengers on a KLM flight from South Africa tested positive for the new variant.

The variant was present in the Netherlands before the variant was globally classified, and it was not clear whether the people who had Omicron in mid-November had been to South Africa before testing positive.

Year-long QR code for those who recovered from coronavirus

If you have recovered from the coronavirus, you can receive a proof of recovery QR code as a corona pass which is valid for one year.

Until recently, if you recovered from coronavirus, you would get a code that was valid for only 180 days — now, that validity is extended to 365 days.

However, this year-long QR code is valid only in the Netherlands. The current European policy is 180 days for a proof of recovery QR code.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for the latest news and coronavirus updates.

Feature Image: IgorVetushko/Depositphotos

The Netherlands had the Omicron variant before it was globally classified

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
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The Netherlands had the Omicron variant before it was globally classified

’twas before the two KLM planes, the hotel escaping couple, and the WHO’s classification as a variant of concern — that the first Omicron cases were in the Netherlands.

In fact, some Dutch cases of the concerning coronavirus variant can be detected as far back as 19 and 23 November.

In samples taken by the Dutch lab, Saltro, the Municipal Health Service (GGD) reported that some samples collected on these dates contained an abnormality in the spike of protein found in the virus. 🦠

Of these concerning samples, two cases have now been confirmed to be Omicron. However, it’s not yet certain whether the individuals have been to South Africa. Following this discovery, the GGDs have launched an investigation into the cases and contacted the people involved.

Ramifications

The World Health Organization (WHO) currently assesses the current Omicron global risk as “very high” with uncertainties on the degree of vaccine immunity and effectiveness.

The two KLM planes that landed from South Africa in Amsterdam carried 13 cases of the Omicron variant — which at that time, were thought to be the first in the Netherlands.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook and Instagram for the latest on the coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Feature Image: Polina Tankilevitch/Pexels

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