An obituary for a woman who is alleged to have suffered from misdiagnosed Lyme disease is circulating online. The reason? It absolutely roasts the Dutch healthcare system.
The Reddit post in r/Netherlands, showing an image of the obituary, has already sparked hundreds of interactions and comments despite being posted only a day ago.
What does the obituary say?
The obituary for Marit Boulonois, who passed on the 12th of December 2025, describes her death as self-inflicted due to her incredible suffering from Lyme disease.
One particularly harrowing statement has captured users’ attention. The obituary claims that Marit’s death by suicide was “made possible” by the poor health care in the Netherlands.
The second section of the obituary poses critical questions aimed at the healthcare system on Marit’s behalf.
The central theme? Dutch doctors are not properly trained on how to refer or treat patients with symptoms of Lyme disease due to the stigmas and incorrect handling of ME/CFS.
Here are the questions asked within the obituary:
Why is fatigue immediately reported as psychological?
Why don’t mainstream doctors find out what ME/CFS really consists of?
Why don’t general practitioners recognise the symptoms of Lyme disease?
Why don’t general practitioners refer patients to specialists?
How are people reacting?
The resounding response online has been one of sympathy and resonation.
Hundreds of comments lamenting the issue of misdiagnosis and mistreatment of chronic or complex illnesses in the Netherlands were added to the post.
One user writes, “My mother dealt with the effects of Lyme disease for years. It was incredibly difficult to get proper help. She was severely affected by it for about ten years.”
Another has a similar story, saying, “My wife has an autoimmune disease, and it took three years for her GP to finally refer her to a specialist. The specialist determined that if she had been treated sooner, her condition wouldn’t have been nearly as severe.”
Stories of falling through the healthcare cracks and being left in life-threatening situations show just how dissatisfied people are with the system.
Not the only one struggling with an ME/CFS diagnosis
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic and debilitating illness with triggers such as COVID and mononucleosis. It is characterised by intense fatigue, pain, cognitive issues, and more.
One commenter says: “My wife has ME/CFS, and we’ve had several GPs whose ignorance (even though the tests were readily available online) has caused significant damage to my wife’s health. On purpose? No, of course not. But that doesn’t mean the blame suddenly lies elsewhere.”
The same comment specifically mentioned that the quality of care is dependent on the perceived severity of the illness, saying that if you have a “complex multisystem disease”, you are unlikely to get good treatment.
Counter-arguments?
Not all commenters agree, however. Several users relay good experiences with Dutch healthcare, or show general surprise at the intensity of the critiques.
One user says their “mother was immediately diagnosed with Lyme disease after experiencing fatigue, even though she herself said it was probably mainly due to stress.”
Others show sympathy for the doctors being put to blame. The difficulty of diagnosing complex illnesses with limited resources is not a simple problem.
A critical user commented that “The Netherlands has ranked quite high on all lists of best healthcare for years. So no, the healthcare here isn’t bad. We do have a lot of problems with people who Google themselves and think they have a certain condition.”
Taken together, the comments and responses paint a plausible picture of patients being left behind by a strained, limited healthcare system.
What are your experiences with Dutch healthcare? Let us know in the comments!
Your passport isn’t the only travel document you’ll need. Image: Unsplash
So, before you head out the door, make sure to take Dutch bureaucracy into account.
Keeping all the required additional documents in your travel wallet can save you plenty of time and hassle at border control.
What documents do you need?
No official global form exists, and the rules and regulations may differ slightly between countries. It’s best to check which documents the consulate of your destination country requires.
Here in the Netherlands, the Dutch government has made it slightly easier. On the government’s official website, you can download a consent letter.
I would strongly advise having a consent letter for every trip, which includes the correct dates, rather than repurposing the same letter.
Luckily, the government website offers you a downloadable template you can use as a consent letter. Image: Freepik
The Ministry of Defence website provides more information about travelling alone with children under 18.
In short, apart from your passports, you may be asked to produce these documents:
A consent letter signed by the other custodial parent
A copy of the other custodial parent’s passport
It is always handy to show a return ticket for the child, if applicable.
Depending on your relationship status (if separated or divorced) and custody agreements, you may also be asked to supply recently issued documents such as:
You will also be asked to provide all addresses where the children will stay while abroad.
No matter where you’re off to — be prepared
When travelling from the Netherlands, in Europe or the Schengen area, it is unlikely that these documents will be checked due to the lack of border controls.
However, as you are required to travel with these documents for any international travel, it is best to keep them on hand.
Your safest bet is to be fully prepared before you travel! Image: Freepik
If you raced out of the house desperate for that well-deserved family vacation and forgot these documents, don’t fret!
It may take more time and will undoubtedly cause heart palpitations; however, the standard procedure is for the passport control officer to verify your custodian status through the Parental Responsibility Register.
They will also contact the other parent to confirm permission.
For all those new parents out there who are counting down the days for the next family holiday, make sure not to forget the practicalities in the rush.
Did you know about these important documents when flying solo with the kids? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
Ah, the Netherlands. A land of paracetamol-prescribing physicians who baulk at the mere notion of giving you antibiotics for, well, anything.
As a newcomer to the Netherlands, that can be frustrating. However, there are actually some really good reasons for this policy of minimal antibiotics in the Netherlands.
Why do doctors rarely give out antibiotics in the Netherlands?
Whenever a conversation about “essential items for moving to the Netherlands” arises, it is not unusual to hear expats recommending that soon-to-be residents bring antibiotics.
But not only is this illegal (without medical advice), it’s also not smart to take antibiotics without a prescription from your doctor.
No prescription? No antibiotics. Image: Depositphotos
It’s well known that your Dutch general practitioner will avoid prescribing antibiotics unless they are really needed — and there’s good reason for that: preventing antibiotic resistance.
“The rampant overuse of antibiotics and antifungal medicines in humans, livestock and agriculture is accelerating a crisis that is poorly understood by the public and largely ignored by world leaders.”
The article continues to say that “without concerted action, resistant infections could kill 10 million people annually by 2050.”
As a result, “2.4 million people in Europe, North America and Australia could die from drug-resistant infections, making routine hospital procedures like knee-replacement surgery and childbirth far riskier than they are today.”
Antibiotics are far more complicated than we might expect
Not all infections are caused by bacteria, and not all bacteria respond to the same antibiotics.
This is simply because of the intrinsic differences among bacteria themselves: some have a cell wall, some don’t, some follow certain metabolic routes, and others do not.
On top of this, antibiotics don’t work at all against viruses.
Antibiotics in the Netherlands: the lowest use in Europe
The Dutch have one of the lowest rates of antibiotic use in Europe (according to a Eurobarometer survey). Here, you might express your lack of surprise.
Before giving you antibiotics, Dutch doctors will often suggest alternatives. Image: Freepik
The result? Antimicrobial resistance has remained stable in the Netherlands, according to the RIVM (Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment).
This is not a coincidence, and it’s also not common: most other countries in the world experience increasing levels of antimicrobial resistance each year.
Reducing the use of antibiotics on animals
As early as 2012, following concerns over the link between antibiotic use in livestock and antibiotic resistance in humans, the Netherlands decided to take matters into its own hands.
It introduced measures, including penalties for failing to reduce antibiotic use on farms. It encouraged farmers to improve their farms to promote better animal health.
For example, in the case of dairy farms, this was done by building sheds that are good for the farmer and good for the cow.
Healthier conditions make for, you guessed it, healthier cows. Image: Freepik
A completely new system with good ventilation and cow flow, sand cubicles, more space per animal, fresh straw pens for cows close to calving, and so on.
A key factor in stabilising antimicrobial resistance is that almost no antibiotics that are important for treating infections in humans have been used on animals in recent years in the Netherlands.
Antibiotics in the Netherlands are rare, and this is good
With more and more common medications losing their ability to fight dangerous infections, it is of extreme importance to use antibiotics exclusively when needed.
These situations include when a bacterial infection has been diagnosed (with more than four days of high fever and other associated symptoms), not as a preventive measure.
This is one example of where the Dutch have been leading the way, ahead of the rest of the world.
How do you feel about antibiotic use in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below.
Is it your first visit to the Netherlands? Or you’ve just moved here? Either way, here are some things that you might find both shocking and charming!
There’s nothing like a good love-hate relationship. So, let’s talk about it. 👇
1. Whirring bicycles from all directions
At first, I didn’t realise what exactly it was: love or hate. And then it hit me. No, literally — I was hit by a cyclist. 🚲
My friends from the Netherlands told me that when you’re an international in Amsterdam (and throughout the entire country), the chances of being in an accident involving a bicycle are considerably high.
Dutch bikes dominate every corner. Image: Depositphotos
You always hear that Dutch people like to bike their way to… well, everywhere, but still you are never prepared for the chaos of so many cyclists going in so many directions.
You’re used to watching out for the cars on the road, but something might just come and hit you from the other side. Bike paths are equally as important (and scary) as roads in the Netherlands! 👀
On my first visit to the Netherlands, I was impressed by the cycling skills of the Dutch and thought it must be great to travel safely by bike.
At the same time, though, I felt extremely annoyed because I wasn’t yet used to how organised everything was. I was under the impression that bikes keep coming randomly from all over the place to mess with my mind. 🤪
2. Ah, the Dutch weather!
Rain, rain and… of course, rain. Unpredictable and constantly shifting from crazy wind to rain to snow and some sun here and there if we’re lucky. That’s the Netherlands for you. Even the Dutchies complain about it all the time as well!
In Romania, the temperature can drop to -24 degrees Celsius in cold winters, but I never felt as frozen as during my first visit to the Dutch kingdom. 🥶
I’m used to the rain; we have it in our country, and it’s almost always present in the UK. But that wind in the Netherlands is something that enters your soul and doesn’t leave till you’re safe and sound inside. 💨
The weather in the Netherlands is less than ideal, with constant wind and rain. Image: Depositphotos
Oh, but when you manage to catch a beautiful, sunny day, everything changes.
Life is better, coffee is sweeter, cyclists are your new best friends, and the sights are breathtaking: canals, charming houses, world-famous museums, lively art galleries, and colourful markets.
3. Dutch people’s directness
Speaking your mind is something that I value. But filtering is another action I’m fond of. If you have ever dealt with Dutch people, you’ll most likely want to tell them to filter their thoughts before they speak.
But Dutchies will never fail to tell you exactly what they think or feel. Their directness is something that may truly shock you at first.
Their genuine straightforwardness is something that might first appear as being rude, too honest, just too much. 😤
One piece of advice that I think will come in handy is to make sure you are good at standing up for yourself. Otherwise, you can easily become the victim in a conflict.
Over time, you learn to live with this, and sometimes, when you don’t get their blunt opinion on something, you may even start wondering what’s wrong. 🤷♀️
What are your favourite and least favourite parts about living in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below! 💬
Spotted some gorgeous, tall, blonde Dutch eye candy from across the bar?Ooh la la, time to attack! Erm, we mean to flirt with them, of course. But wait, how’s your Dutch? 😬
Now, you may be wondering: How can you possibly seduce someone in a language that sounds like a garbage disposal unit? And yes, we’ll be the first to admit that our favourite glottal language isn’t necessarily the sexiest or most seductive.
But, whether you spreekeen beetje Nederlands (speak a bit of Dutch), or are a complete newbie, there are some things you can say to wrap that Dutchie around your finger.
So, let me be your wingwoman by teaching you nine ways to flirt in Dutch (at your own risk😉)!
1. Break the ice by introducing yourself in your best Nederlands
Pro tip: After a Heineken or two, Dutch will come to you much easier. 😉 Image: Depositphotos
Alright, social interaction 101: How do you start a conversation with a stranger? By introducing yourself, natuurlijk! This may seem obvious, but for you as a language learner, this is your time to shine. ✨
How? Simple: Flex your skills and introduce yourself in Dutch! While this may seem daunting, it’s a way of showing your flirt that you’re making a conscious effort to talk to them — in their mother tongue.
Why would you submit yourself to that kind of torture? Because most people wouldn’t go the extra mile — so even if you’re struggling, introducing yourself in Dutch is a great ice-breaker!
And yes, you can teach them how to ACTUALLY pronounce your name. 🤷♀️
🇳🇱 Hoi, mijn naam is [your name]. 🇬🇧 Hi, my name is [your name].
🇳🇱 Hallo, ik ben [your name]. 🇬🇧 Hello, I am [your name].
🇳🇱 Ik kom uit [your home country]. 🇬🇧 I come from [your home country].
2. Ask if you can practise your Dutch with them
“What’s this drink called again in Dutch? … Ah yes, ‘koffie’! Silly me.” Image: Depositphotos
So you’ve overcome the first hurdle by initiating a conversation, IN DUTCH! Congrats, I’m proud of you. 🥳 Don’t panic now.
If you’re unsure what to say after you introduce yourself, why not ask them if you can practise your Dutch with them? This is a win-win situation: You get to spend time with a good-looking Dutchie while improving your skills. Lekker!
Get that free Dutch lesson! 💪
🇳🇱 Mag ik mijn Nederlands met jou oefenen? 🇬🇧 Can I practise my Dutch with you?
🇳🇱 Ik ben Nederlands aan het leren, kan jij me helpen? 🇬🇧 I’m learning Dutch, can you help me?
🇳🇱 Hoe zeg je [word] in het Nederlands? 🇬🇧 How do you say [word] in Dutch?
3. Use a strong openingzin (pick-up line), if you dare
They’re cheesy, they’re cheeky, they’re funny… they’re pick-up lines! Now, we know these can be kind of hit-or-miss, but wouldn’t you find it charming if someone tried their best at stringing together complicated, harsh-sounding words, just to make conversation?
If you said ja (yes), keep reading! If you said nee (no), skip to the next point. 👀
Even though they’re a tad bit cliché, pick-up lines can work — if you use the right ones, at the right moment. And even if they don’t work, they can still be funny, so at least they can end in laughs!
Use these at your own risk. 😬
🇳🇱 Geloof je in liefde op het eerste gezicht? Of moet ik weer voorbij lopen? 🇬🇧 Do you believe in love at first sight? Or should I walk by you again?
🇳🇱 Ben jij een camera? Want elke keer als ik naar je kijk, lach ik. 🇬🇧 Are you a camera? Because every time I look at you, I smile.
🇳🇱 Hoe voelt het om het mooiste meisje/de knapste jongen in de kamer te zijn? 🇬🇧 How does it feel to be the prettiest girl/most handsome guy in the room?
4. Lean into your buitenlandse (foreign) accent
Your accent is uniquely YOURS — lean into its charm! Image: Freepik
As an international in the country of bikes and dikes, you have a secret superpower: Your accent! Whether your Dutch has a slight hint of Italian, Vietnamese, German, or literally any other language — it’s almost guaranteed to sound better than Dutch. 😉
So, if you’re giving flirting in Dutch a shot, don’t be afraid to let your accent sneak in every now and then. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being authentic. After all, having an accent is natural, and Dutchies will love you for it!
Who knows, you may even earn yourself a compliment for your schattigeaccent (cute accent)— and for your amazing Dutch, of course. 👏
Let’s be real: Gezellig with a beautiful soft G sounds much better than an aggressive KHezellig.
5. Charm your way into a conversation using diminutives
Dutchies love the D…imunitive. Image: Freepik
Have you ever noticed how every other word in Dutch seems to end in a –je or –tje sound? Those are diminutives, and they’re added to the end of words to make them cuter. Awww!
And yup, if they can make words cuter, then they certainly also have the power to make you come across just a tad bit more charming. 🌹
In English, the equivalent would be adding -ie to the end of words, and while that might sound a bit odd to English-speakers — it’s totally normal in Dutch!
In fact, using diminutives can even give the impression that you have a good grip on Nederlands. Give it a try!
Diminutives will give you that special Dutch charm(ie). 😉
🇳🇱 Wil je graag een biertje? 🇬🇧 Would you like a beer(-ie)?
🇳🇱 Heb je een vuurtje (voor mij)? 🇬🇧 Do you have a light(-ie) (for me)?
🇳🇱 Ik hou echt van je shirtje! 🇬🇧 I really like your shirt(-ie)!
6. Complimenteer them, but don’t go over the top
If you play your cards right, this could be you! Image: Depositphotos
If you’re struggling to make conversation (I get it; flirting can be exhausting), just pay them a compliment! They’ll not only feel flattered but also impressed by your Dutch.
It’s best to stick to the safe options here, like mooi (pretty), knap (handsome)or grappig (funny). There are two easy structures for compliments in Dutch: You can either say je ziet er … uit (= you look …) or simply je bent … (= you are …).
Who doesn’t love a good compliment?
🇳🇱 Je ziet er mooi uit (vandaag). 🇬🇧 You look beautiful (today).
🇳🇱 Je bent grappig! 🇬🇧 You’re funny!
🇳🇱 Ik hou van je outfit. 🇬🇧 I love your outfit.
7. Use some Dutch sayings to really knock their socks off
It might not go perfectly, but it’s the attempt that counts, right? Image: Freepik
One thing to be careful of when learning Dutch is that not everything is to be taken literally. 😉 Nederlands has heaps of sayings and idioms that are commonly used in conversation but aren’t really that straightforward.
So if you’re feeling confident in your Dutch (and you should!), you can show your flirt how advanced your skill is by using some typical Dutch idioms — they certainly won’t expect it!
Let them think you’re a total Dutch pro.
🇳🇱 Het regent pijpenstelen. 🇬🇧 It’s raining cats and dogs. (literally: It’s raining pipe stems)
🇳🇱 Het zal me worst wezen/zijn. 🇬🇧I couldn’t care less. (literally: That would be sausage to me)
🇳🇱 Achteraf kijk je een koe in z’n kont. 🇬🇧 Hindsight is 20/20. (literally: In hindsight you look a cow in the ass)
8. Add in some playful grapjes (jokes) to make them laugh
“Wow, I’ve never met a Dutch man with that haircut!” Image: Depositphotos
Some flirtatious sarcasm, maybe even a teasing (but well-intentioned) insult — you know the drill: everyone loves some playful banter.
And hey, some gekkernijen (joking around) can be the ideal way to share some laughs, and one of the easiest ways to relieve that initial awkwardness. 😬 As long as you keep a friendly tone and positive body language, they should catch onto the joke.
The best part? You can be as direct as you want — they’re Dutch, after all! So go ahead, tell ‘em they’re wearing wayyy too much hair gel, or that their cheetah-print flared leggings make them look like they’re in three sororities at once (all while keeping a cheeky grin on your face).
Time to show off your sense of humour, Dutch-style. 😎
🇳🇱 Een date, met jou? Hmm, daar moet ik even over nadenken. 🇬🇧 A date, with you? Hmm, I’ll have to think about that one.
🇳🇱 Oh mijn god, ik hou van deze vlek op je jas! 🇬🇧 Oh my god, I love this stain on your jacket!
🇳🇱 Luipaard-print leggings? Die heb ik hier nog nooit gezien! 🇬🇧 Cheetah-print leggings? I’ve never seen those around here!
9. Use ‘Dunglish’ to your advantage
“Aaah, ‘het is echt’ (it’s really) nice and ‘zonnig’ (sunny) out ‘vandaag’ (today)!” Image: Freepik
Finally, you gotta remember that Nederlanders speak English near-impeccably! So, even if you’re not 100% confident in your Dutch (yet), you mustn’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with that sexy Dutchie.
If worse comes to worst, you can simply sneak in some English words here and there, especially if you can’t think of a Dutch translation. This will allow you to let the conversation flow more easily, all while showing off your hard-earned Dutch skills.
Dutchies even have a whole name for the practice of mixing Dutch and English — they call it Dunglish! And hey, if they can use it to their advantage, then so can we. 🤷♀️
Here’s how Dunglish can help you out!
🇳🇱 Hé, how are you vandaag? 🇬🇧 Hey, how are you today?
🇳🇱 Any chance dat ik je een biertje kan trakteren? 🇬🇧 Any chance I could treat you to a beer?
🇳🇱 Oh, het is zo leuk to meet you! 🇬🇧 Oh, it’s so nice to meet you!
Yes, flirting in Dutch can be hard, but totally worth it! Ready to give it a shot? You’ve got this — just don’t forget to be yourself. 🍀
Do you have any Dutch flirting tips? Tell us in the comments!
Bike riding, bike commuting, bike delivering, bike… fishing?
It’s no news that the Netherlands is a bike country. It is one of the main forms of transport and virtually every household owns at least one bike — but usually more like 10.
People go to work, carry their groceries, bike with their children, move furniture and basically live with their bike, all while (mostly) abiding by an unspoken list of do’s and don’ts while cycling.
Enter: water 💧
On the other hand, the Netherlands is also a country where water is part of life and there are hundreds of canals all over the country.
So with this many bikes and this many canals around them, ever wondered “what happens to the bikes once they end up in the water?”
Under the sea, under the sea. 🎶 Image: Depositphotos
Well, that’s why there is such a thing as bike fishing! If you are clueless about what we’re talking about, here is all you need to know about this pretty awesome job.
Bike fishing: what the heck is it?
It’s not fishing while riding a bicycle (although we wouldn’t put that past those Dutchies). Instead, bike fishing is the process of literally fishing for bicycles.
The rough number of bikes in Amsterdam is a whopping 881,000 (you heard that right) and eachyear Amsterdam’s water authority fishes between 12,000 and 15,000 bicycles from the canals.
Why are there bikes in the canals, anyway?
Well, mostly drunk people, to be honest. Visit any major Dutch city late on a Saturday night and you may get to witness the incredibly annoying drunkards throwing bikes in canals.
Of course, it’s not just beer that leads to this event. Often weather (like that crazy wind and rain) also forces bikes to slide into canals. It’s one reason why you probably shouldn’t swim in most Dutch canals.
Bikes must brave the weather even while we’re cosy indoors. Image: Pixabay
Introducing… bike fishermen!
So as a result, the profession of “bike fisherman” was born. Their job is to keep the canals clean and safe for the boats.
The job consists of going through the canals with a pretty awesome looking boat with its own hydraulic claw, connected to a crane that sits on the front of the boat, looking for bikes!
Once they pull the bikes from the water, they end up at a recycling center to be turned into beer cans — and the cycle of drunk bike throwing continues.
See it in action
Did you know that “bike fisherman” is a job? More importantly, have you ever seen one in action? Share with us in the comments!
England’s NHS is battling what they’re calling a “Worst Case Scenario December” with flu cases soaring, and Dutch experts have a clear message: it’s coming here too. The only question is when, not if.
The numbers from across the Channel are grim. Last week alone, 2,660 people were admitted to English hospitals with flu, an exceptionally high number for mid-December.
“This flu will undoubtedly come to the Netherlands. Viruses don’t care about national borders,” immunologist Ger Rijkers tells RTL Nieuws.
It’s all about the vaccine mismatch
The culprit is a mutation of the H3N2 virus. Calling it a “superflu” is a bit dramatic, but it is more contagious.
The real problem? This year’s flu vaccine isn’t perfectly matched to the dominant strain.
Each year, health authorities try to predict which flu variants will dominate based on patterns in Asia, where flu season starts earlier.
Sometimes those predictions don’t pan out, and that’s what’s happened this winter, Rijkers explains to RTL Nieuws.
“Fewer people have come into contact with it, meaning less immunity has built up,” says Ted van Essen, influenza expert and chairman of the Dutch Immunisation Foundation.
The elderly and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk, with the virus potentially triggering pneumonia and increasing heart attack risk in vulnerable groups.
Christmas gatherings could fuel the spread
With Christmas festivities approaching, families gathering indoors create perfect conditions for flu transmission.
“Christmas is a celebration for the flu virus,” Rijkers warns. “Without wanting to cause too much concern, I would say be careful.”
The good news? Flu vaccinations still offer protection against serious illness, and people can still get the shot.
Van Essen emphasises it’s particularly recommended for those with heart or lung conditions, or weakened immune systems.
Have you had your flu jab this year, or are you bracing for the inevitable? Share your flu season survival tips in the comments.
I have lived in a variety of places in my life. When I decided to move to Drenthe, I kept hearing comments from my friends and Dutch expats about all the unspoken rules in the Netherlands.
There are rules for the usual things like traffic and taxes. There are also rules for riding your bike, which, of course, make total sense given the absurd amount of them in this country.
What no one seemed able to explain was that there are a number of unspoken rules that everyone seems to understand and follow.
These rules are more directly related to the social aspect of living here in the Netherlands, and they seem to be engrained into the people, suggesting that they have been taught from a young age.
Now, most people who live in a law-abiding society tend not to like the rules they have to follow, but breaking them doesn’t necessarily cause anyone much anguish.
Nonetheless, these Dutch social rules are widely accepted and implemented, and the Dutchies really don’t appreciate it when you don’t follow them. 💁🏼♀️
So, here is my list of five unspoken rules in the Netherlands (in the event that you move to this wonderful country, you can blend in seamlessly and without committing any social faux pas!)
1. No one interrupts dinner!
Simple enough — the Dutch do not, under any circumstances, stop by, call, email, throw rocks, or even send pigeons to anyone’s home during the time of 6-7 PM.
You see, the Dutch take family dinner time very seriously, and almost always spend the time together around the table. You won’t find any TV trays here!
2. When answering your phone, you must always announce who you are to the caller
For example, I call my sister. She picks up her cell and says “Hello, this is Chris”. In Dutch, you would say “Hoi, met Chris”. Now I know it’s her: I mean, I just dialled her number, right?
But for some unknown reason, the Dutch have kept this formal way of phone etiquette. It also works the other way: when you are calling someone, you will announce who you are when they pick up.
Hi, I know you just called me, but I’m going to introduce myself anyway. Image: Depositphotos
As much as I was against it initially, as I thought it was just plain silly, I find myself doing it more often than not.
3. Always wave goodbye to your guests… furiously
This one is simple enough.
Once your guests leave, you should go to the door, or depending on the weather, you can go outside. You must then wave continually until they are out of your line of sight.
So as a rule of thumb: wave and wait, until the car or bike is out of sight! 👋🏼😴
4. Keep that eye contact: no shades
The Dutch tend to come across as blunt, but they are not trying to be rude, they just don’t beat around the bush.
They get straight to the point. In that context, they also like to make eye contact. They look directly at you and engage when they are in conversation. 🗣
This leads to a sort of odd sub-rule: removing your sunglasses when you speak with someone.
They don’t like it when your eyes are covered, as it comes across as rude. So next time you are chatting with someone, raise your shades and make intense eye contact! 👀
5. When in doubt, send a card
It seems like the Dutch are single-handedly keeping the card industry afloat.
They send cards for every occasion, although they are normally not very personal. Usually, a name signed on the inside is all you get. 🤔
We guess they let the cards speak for themselves.
Whether that card actually gets delivered is the question! Image: Depositphotos
So whether your new friend just had a baby, is recovering from an illness, or has just moved into their significant other’s house, always send a card. It’s just another one of those unspoken rules!
There are many more of these social rules, and as someone who has moved around a bit, we find that knowing these rules will help avoid offending your new friends or colleagues. A fun read is this Wikipedia article, which details many other social rules that you should be aware of!
Are there any unspoken rules we missed out on here? Let us know in the comments below!
Here’s a little secret: the KNM exam is one of the most underestimated among the Dutch inburgering (integration) exams.
It sounds so simple: knowledge of Dutch society (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij). All you have to do is answer questions about life in the Netherlands, right?
Well, yes and no. As someone who sat the exam in 2021 (and is literally paid to write about Dutch society), I was surprised at how in-depth some of the questions are. For example:*
Julia attends high school at the HAVO level. When she graduates, what kind of higher education can she pursue?
Your elderly neighbour has stomach pain. What should you advise them to do?
What is actief kiesrecht?
To make matters more difficult, you’ll answer 40 questions on your KNM exam — but you have no idea which questions. There are potentially endless combinations of questions that you could be asked.
That means the only way to be fully prepared for the exam is, well, to study. 🤯
Why people fail the KNM exam
Yes, people do fail the KNM exam. Scroll through any inburgeren group on Facebook, and you’ll see it happen. How?
Well, firstly, the multiple-choice exam requires surprisingly deep knowledge of Dutch society and systems (education, taxes, banking, police, and more) a la the questions above.
Secondly, the whole exam is in Dutch, and some words are surprisingly complicated for an A2 level.
Finally, most people study for the exam by leafing through textbooks filled with boring content and Dutch language that’s also way above an A2 level — the level often required for most of the other exams.
It’s time to say doei to textbooks when studying for the KNM exam. Image: Freepik
In one word: ugh. 😮💨
So, how can you ace the KNM integration exam while maintaining your sanity? A swift, entertaining, and comprehensive online course (of course).
The best way to prepare for the KNM exam: InburgeringOnline.nl
The future is here! Skip the late-night sessions with an outdated textbook and open your eyes to entertaining videos, online quizzes, and easy-to-understand Dutch from InburgeringOnline.nl.
Now, let’s be clear: this course won’t repair your relationship with your Aunt Maggie or help you drop five kilos.
All it can do is help you prepare for the KNM exam — and we think that’s pretty damn good. 😉
Here’s how it works:
Log in to the online course in your own time.
Watch a quick overview of how the course works from your new KNM study buddy, Bart, a bona fide Dutchie and experienced Dutch language teacher.
Work through each topic about Dutch society by watching lighthearted videos presented in simple Dutch and completing the related exercises.
Test yourself at the end and amaze yourself with your progress.
Profit! (Or pass the exam, whichever works).
Best of all, the content is entertaining and easy to follow. Leuk!
Bart’s KNM course is super easy to navigate. Image: InburgeringOnline.nl/Supplied
TIP: You don’t have to watch the videos to get the most benefit. Listen to them while cleaning, catching the train, or riding your bike too! Passive learning at its finest. 💪
Okay, but what makes it different?
You can buy a textbook if you like — we’re not your mum. But allow us to tell you why an online course may just make your day.
First up, the videos are fluff-free. They’re entertaining, but they only tell you what you need to learn — for both the exam but also for life in the Netherlands! ✅
Textbooks? Nah. An online course? Ja! Image: Depositphotos
Because the exam is in Dutch, so are the videos. However, the Dutch is ultra-clear and easy to understand, and any difficult words are translatedin real-time — so you’ll never find yourself lost.
If you’re still working on your language skills, you can slow down the videos, or if you’re an old pro, you can also speed them up. ⏰
Best of all, an online course lets you prepare entirely on your schedule.
You can smash it all out in a day, or you can focus on one section each night. Need to repeat or review a lesson? Geen probleem!
The proof is in the pudding
Yes, we know it’s all about reviews, right? Fortunately, past participants say ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Here’s one example:
“[The course] helped immensely to reduce the preparation time from many months to a few days,” says Kumar Malladi (44). “When I went to the exam, everyone around thought it was too tough, where I felt weird because I could answer most questions without any issue.”
He highly recommends the course “not just for passing exams but [also for] being able to actually start the journey in integrating.”
Preparing for the KNM exam with InburgeringOnline.nl
Alright, before you click away madly to InburgeringOnline.nl, you should read this because it will save you money.
You can get access to the KNM exam preparation course for a low monthly fee. But, if you need to take your other Dutch integration exams, the full package of Dutch integration courses is heavily discounted — and what’s more Dutch than loving a korting?
Here’s how:
If you order a six monthsubscription to the KNM course, you’ll save 20%.
If you order a full package on a six-month or a 12-month subscription, you’ll save 45% and get the KNM course absolutely free.
Does that save you valuable money to put in your piggy bank to buy a windmill one day? Yes, it does.
Have you taken the KNM exam? Tell us your experience in the comments below!
*Note: The example questions listed above are not real exam questions. Students who take the exams have to wear a hood, drink from a golden goblet, and vow never to disclose the actual questions on the exam, so we’ve created some similar questions instead.
After years of overwhelmed ambulance services, alcohol-fuelled chaos, and canal-side carnage, Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema is finally saying enough is enough.
King’s Day 2026 could look very different, with visitors from outside the city still welcome but “in lesser numbers.”
In a letter to the city council, Halsema sketched out a new vision for the annual orange-fest, one that prioritises safety and manageability over unbridled chaos.
Every 27th April, hundreds of thousands of revellers descend upon Amsterdam to celebrate the Dutch King’s birthday in a blur of orange outfits and questionable decisions. It’s a tradition that’s grown so massive that emergency services are now buckling under the pressure.
When the party gets too big
The problem is simple: Amsterdam’s King’s Day celebrations have become victims of their own success.
Tens of thousands of people from across the country pack into the city centre, leading to overcrowded streets, overflowing emergency services, and a generally unmanageable situation.
During the most recent edition, things became quite grim. The ambulance service reported an “uncontrollable number” of emergency calls, with dozens of urgent cases stuck on hold whilst paramedics struggled to reach people through the crowds.
“The pressure on operational parties is increasing,” Halsema wrote.
What’s changing for 2026
So what’s the plan? According to the AD, Halsema wants to transform parts of the city centre into “bounded festival areas”. Think the Westerstraat and Noordermarkt, where there’s space for proper events with some semblance of control.
“But not beyond that,” she emphasised, which is Amsterdam-speak for “please don’t turn every street into a makeshift rave.”
Visitors from outside Amsterdam will still be welcome, just not in the overwhelming numbers that have characterised recent years. It’s a diplomatic way of saying: maybe stay in your own gemeente (municipality) this time?
The city is also planning to make paid festivals on the outskirts more attractive by extending their end times to 10 PM.
On top of this, more mobile first-aid teams will cycle around the city, and there’ll be a crackdown on illegal alcohol sales and unlicensed street parties.
Will this actually happen?
The big question is whether these changes will ever become a reality. And if so, will they be implemented as soon as next year? According to the AD, this is still being considered.
However, in her letter, Halsema acknowledged that “actual change requires a multi-year approach”, which we’ll take as meaning Amsterdam on King’s Day 2026 is probably going to be just as chaotic as last year.
The mayor had considered more extreme scenarios, including “intensive intervention”. But she decided it was important to maintain space for celebration in the city centre, even if that celebration needs some boundaries.
Because let’s be honest: King’s Day without Amsterdam would be like Sinterklaas without pepernoten. Technically possible, but not quite the same.
Planning to celebrate King’s Day in Amsterdam next year? Let us know in the comments whether you think these changes will actually make a difference, or if it’s just rearranging the deck chairs on the Oranje-Titanic.
