Are you one of the unfortunate internationals who has to travel with Ryanair to visit your parents? Well, just make sure that you’ve got the app, because your airport experience will get a whole lot more complicated without it.
From Wednesday, November 12, all Ryanair passengers will only be able to access their boarding pass through the app or mobile website. No more paper tickets allowed.
If you do show up with your printed boarding pass? In a move that reminds us of that time the whole world had a U2 album forcibly downloaded to their iTunes, you’ll be asked to ditch the paper and download the app.
Pushed to buy extras
According to Ryanair, making its customers use its app is more environmentally friendly and more cost-efficient for airports since checking in with the app tends to be easier.
However, according to AD, there may also be a financial motive (surprise, surprise), users report that the app often sends notifications pushing you to buy extras before you fly.
But there will be some exceptions
If you’re now panicking about explaining this change to your frequently flying grandmother, take a breath.
Ryanair has pointed to a few exceptions to this new rule. You won’t have to use a digital boarding pass and will receive a paper one at the airport if:
You have already checked in, but your phone has died.
If you lose your smartphone or tablet at the airport
If you have already checked in online, but you do not own a smartphone or tablet
And this isn’t going to work for every destination
However, in spite of Ryanair’s goals, for some countries and airports, a digital boarding pass simply isn’t possible.
For example, in Morocco and most airports in Turkey, it is only possible to check in using a printed boarding pass.
Let’s see how this new system works out in practice…
Whether you’re buying or renting a home in the Netherlands, there are many things that you can encounter that are… less than ideal.
Pests, leaks, mould, loud neighbours — the list goes on. Besides these things being pretty unwelcome in our homes, fixing or getting rid of them can be costly.
1. Your roof might start to leak 🔨
You may have heard, but believe it or not, it occasionally rains in the Netherlands! That, plus the old Dutch houses, can be a recipe for disaster (by which we mean a leak).
Once a roof leaks, it’s a pain to get it fixed. Image: Depositphotos
Then, you’re left with water damage, energy inefficiency, and a huge repair bill. How huge? Well, that depends.
Finding the leak itself can be €300 to €400 alone, and the costs of repair can easily run the bill over €1000.
Add to that all the costs of repairing the water damage to furniture around it, and your bill can easily run into the thousands. That’s a fat check.
The best way to prepare for a disaster in your home? Being insured. Univé’s home insurance policy lets you choose which risks you want to be covered for. And the best part? It takes just five minutes to set up!Find the best plan for you.
2. You could fall down your narrow Dutch stairs 🪂
The Dutch are often thin and tall, just like their homes. But what doesn’t make sense is how those steps can even contain more than half of their feet. How do they not fall down the stairs more often?!
These Dutch stairs don’t mess around! Image: DutchReview
Well, it can happen. These narrow and steep stairs can be a safety hazard, especially for us internationals who aren’t used to them. One misstep and — woops!
3. You might have some unwelcome guests 🐀
Many Dutch houses are a little too familiar with pests. Mice, moths, or rats, these little guys have no sense of privacy or personal space, and Dutch houses can be particularly susceptible to these pests.
They steal your food and don’t even pitch in on the grocery bill! How rude. Image: Depositphotos
This isn’t just gross; it can also be dangerous. These infestations can cause structural damage and health hazards for those in the infested houses. We doubt anyone wants to eat food that’s been chewed on by a mouse!
(Now it makes sense why cats are so popular in the Netherlands.)
4. You could damage things that aren’t yours 🪟
Accidents happen. Maybe when you were trying to move that couch up the stairs, its legs hit the wall, and now you have a dent. There goes a chunk of your rental deposit.
For example, sometimes your perfect pooch can do some damage. Image: Depositphotos
Or maybe you own your home and decided to give your place a funky renovation — and accidentally drilled a hole straight through to the next-door neighbour’s house.
We’re all human, and we all make mistakes. Sometimes, those come at a (literal) price. But that’s what liability insurance is for — covering you when you get yourself in a sticky situation. To find the best policy for you, compare plans on Univé’s site. Their plans cost as little as €3.63 per month!
5. Strangers might catch a glimpse of you in your birthday suit 🫢
The Dutch are famously somewhat opposed to curtains, and we get why. After living in the Netherlands for a while, you just want to make the most of Dutch daylight.
Those gorgeous windows tend to be left open… which can lead to accidental flashing. Image: Freepik
It’s all fun and games until you change your clothes after work and your neighbours become, um, a bit too familiar with you, if you know what we mean.
6. You could lock yourself out… in your pajamas 🔒
Speaking of being seen in a less-than-ideal outfit… One minute you’re just popping downstairs to grab your Thuisbezorgd delivery. The next, your front door swings shut behind you with a suspicious little *click*.
Yep, unlike in many other countries, Dutch front doors often lock automatically when they close. No turning required. And just like that, you’re officially locked out, in your PJs, holding nothing but a takeaway bag (and maybe your sense of regret).
Yes, this has happened to me multiple times. Image: Depositphotos
We hope you were clever enough to leave a spare key with your neighbour, otherwise you’re left with one option: calling the locksmith. And they’re not cheap.
7. You may have to deal with dampness… and mould 💧
As much as we love those big windows, they don’t always have the best insulation, which can lead to mould.
It’s pretty frustrating to have to deal with mould. Image: DutchReview
You try to keep it under control, but you can’t help but wonder if you’ll get your rental deposit back or if your landlord will blame you for it (God forbid they ever fix anything!).
But to be fair, mould can be expensive to fix. Whether it’s changing the windows or repainting the mouldy parts of your walls, it can cost some money. Why is being an adult so expensive?
8. You could have noisy neighbours 📣
The Netherlands is very densely populated, especially in the cities. As a result, people often have neighbours above them, beneath them, and to their left and right.
We’ve all been awake at 3 AM begging for silence. Image: Depositphotos
Sharing a wall with your neighbour can lead to some annoying situations. Maybe your shower-singing is a little louder than you realised, or maybe their attempts to learn the trumpet don’t seem to be going that well. Either way, someone is unhappy.
9. Your house could have structural issues 🏚️
Dutch houses are old. Like, really old. So, they can face structural problems like foundation issues, subsidence, or cracks in the walls.
Nothing worse than moving into a new place and finding out it’s got structural issues! Image: Depositphotos
The fact that they’re built on water doesn’t help with this issue either, and let’s face it, sometimes houses are just built cheaply.
All these things can lead to some pretty frustrating issues you’ll have to deal with — make sure your house is strong before you rent or buy it, or you could be facing a hefty bill!
10. Your doorbell may somehow be wired to your neighbour’s unit 🔕
Let’s say you’re waiting for a package. The app says it’s arrived. But your doorbell? Silent.
You can ring as long as you want, poor delivery man… Image: Freepik
Turns out many older Dutch buildings have ancient doorbell systems, and no one knows who maintains them. Sometimes, if a neighbour renovates or changes their own doorbell, it can break the connection for the whole building.
The result? It’s not uncommon for your doorbell to ring in your neighbour’s apartment, or vice versa — or for it to not ring anywhere at all. Until it’s fixed, we recommend you invest in a sticky note that reads “bel kapot (doorbell broken).”
11. You might have to deal with plumbing issues 🪠
We saved the best for last: plumbing. A toilet doesn’t flush, a sink drain is clogged, and there’s air in your pipes.
Sometimes, you need an expert. Image: Freepik
Sometimes, these things are just out of your control, especially because Dutch houses are built so close to each other. Often, apartments will share pipes, and suddenly, one person’s problem becomes everyone’s problem.
Clearly, a lot can go wrong in your Dutch home — but luckily their charm makes up for it. ✨
What’s the worst issue you’ve faced in your Dutch home? Tell us in the comments!
Before you move to a new country, the Netherlands or otherwise, you are sure to be showered with tips, tricks, anecdotes, recommendations, and more than a few warnings.
When I announced I was moving to the Netherlands, it went a little something like this:
Needless to say, not all of these comments were correct, relevant, or necessary. I saw two windmills in my first months, not a single tulip, and I have yet to be invited onto a boat. 💁
Moreover, my host of advisors managed to leave out some key aspects of life on this sinking land.
1. The Netherlands is actually a kingdom
The Kingdom of the Netherlands is the official title given to the sovereign state of the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten by King Willem-Alexander.
Dutch king, I mean, who knew? Likely a great number of people, yet I was not one of them. 🤓
The king and his family reside in the Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague. He is mostly a figurehead, but he is celebrated in true Dutch style* every April 27 on King’s Day.
The next step is to buy some lights as yours are, without a doubt, broken, out of battery, or non-existent. Run to SoLow, Kruidvat, HEMA, or Action only to find empty shelves where bike lights should be.
But fear not; even without lights, you can survive the checkpoint. You can, of course, avoid the suspect streets. But if that’s not an option, you have two more choices:
When you know the checkpoint is coming, hop off your bike and walk. Easy as pie!
If worst comes to the worst, throw yourself — bike and all — to the ground. In the chaos that follows, maybe, just maybe, your lack of lights will be forgotten.
Why in the world not? I’m still reeling from the embarrassment and confusion I experienced during my first several visits to Albert Heijn (a Dutch supermarket).
Although no card means no drunken contactloos pinnen (contactless payments). And believe me, THAT is a good thing. 🥴
Mention the word “Netherlands” anywhere outside of the Netherlands, and those around you will say one or all of the following: “weed!” “marijuana,” “roll a joint,” “420,” or “blaze it.”
And sure, that’s all cool, but do you know what’s cooler? Balloons.
Not just any balloons, but balloons filled with nitrous oxide. Or, as it is more commonly known, lachgas (laughing gas).
The gas is a depressant-type drug that slows down the brain, leading to feelings of euphoria, difficulty in thinking straight, and fits of uncontrollable laughter.
In short, it gives you one heck of a high, even if it lasts only for a few short minutes.
You’ll often see lads with a canister, doing laughing gas straight on the street. While the government has banned the sale of laughing gas at clubs and pubs, this trend isn’t going away anytime soon.
7. The Dutch are a little cat crazy
The Dutch are cat people. Almost as much as they are bike people. Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but truly, there are a lot of cats here.
Okay, I kind of want one too, now. Image: Depositphotos
Even the University of Groningen has its own cat — Professor Doerak, and yes, he has an Instagram fanbase.
8. People at home will only ask, “So, how’s life in Amsterdam then?“
When you tell people you are living in the Netherlands for the first time, you will likely share with them the name of the city you will be living in.
Let me tell you now, however, that you really shouldn’t have bothered. They will continue to assume you live in Amsterdam or, at best, that you live very close to Amsterdam.
9. You may just end up loving those Dutchies
Anyone can tell you thatthe Dutch are direct, blunt, and cut straight to the point.
But few told me about how nice Dutch people are! Waiters and shop assistants are always super friendly and make an effort to chat with customers.
You know what? That directness is kind of refreshing. Image: Freepik.
Every time the chain has fallen off my bike (many, many times), someone was always willing to help me or offer me a tissue for my oil-stained hands.
It warms your heart, which is great considering how cold it can be here. 🤗
10. Dutch food is… different
Before moving to the Netherlands, I didn’t have the slightest idea of what Dutch cuisine could possibly be like. I expected a blend of European cuisines, featuring things like Schnitzels, sausages, baguettes, and so on.
I guess, in some ways, I wasn’t too far off — but nothing could have prepared me for the culture shock I had when I first found out about bitterballen.
But hey, don’t knock it till you try it! Who knows? Maybe you’ll love them all. 😋
11. The wind will blow your socks off — literally
It makes sense that a flat, coastal country like the Netherlands gets some rough winds, right? Right, but I wasn’t really prepared for the sheer strength of them.
No wonder they have so many windmills! Image: Depositphotos
Will there be times when it feels like you can’t breathe because so much wind is flying into your face? Definitely.
Will pedalling your bike through it feel like the toughest workout you’ve ever done? Absolutely.
But will it make you feel alive? Hell yeah! 🌬️
What have you found surprising since living in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!
Ever felt like your schedule is a bit too full? Well, one Amsterdam woman has taken multitasking to levels we did not even know were possible.
This single mother of two managed to hold down four different jobs at the same time. But she also reported being sick at all of them. At once.
Four jobs, zero hours worked
Her main employer, Henkel, kept things supportive and continued to pay her salary throughout her two-year illness.
That meant an average of €5,014.33 per month for her 40-hour data scientist position.
Her first year of employment was fully paid, while she earned 70% of her salary for the second year. Not a bad safety net, if you ask us!
But while she was receiving her salary from Henkel, she was also on the payroll at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, working a 40-hour internship at ABN Amro for €600 per month, and earning another €2,854.57 gross monthly at Avery Dennison.
That adds up to contracts totalling 120 working hours per week. In reality, though, she did not work at any of them because she had called in sick everywhere.
Employer response and legal action
Eventually, Henkel discovered what was going on and asked her to repay the money they had paid her.
The woman insisted in court that Henkel knew about her other employment and had given permission.
AD reports that the judge didn’t buy her story, calling the claim “not only insufficiently substantiated, but also completely improbable.”
Dutch police are urgently searching for witnesses or any information on the suspect of a brutal rape in Beinsdorp, a small village in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer.
The attack happened at around 6:15 PM Wednesday, when an unknown man approached the victim as she was walking down Het Langepad in Beinsdorp.
The man allegedly dragged the victim into some nearby bushes and raped her. After the suspect left, the woman was able to contact the police.
Although the police immediately launched an investigation aided by a police dog and a helicopter, the suspect wasn’t found.
Have you seen this man?
According to the police bulletin, the suspect is described as a man with a light skin tone, a long, narrow head, and black hair. He reportedly speaks Dutch with a distinct foreign accent.
At the time of the assault, he was wearing black pants and a black bomber-style jacket.
Authorities are making an urgent appeal for anyone with information or camera footage from the area to contact them immediately.
You can either submit tips and evidence by filling out this police form, making an anonymous report on Meld Misdaad Anoniem, or calling the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 0800-6070.
Written by Seliz Demirci, employment lawyer at GMW lawyers.
Burnout can happen to anyone and almost always leads to an inability to work. It’s important to get the necessary medical help and focus on recovery. So, how can you do this in the Netherlands?
When dealing with burnout, many may first want to sit down and discuss how to tackle it with their employer.
However, as an international employee, it’s very important to be aware of your obligations and rights during sick leave in the Netherlands before you do so.
Before we get into the legal matters, it’s important to first determine whether or not you’re suffering from burnout. Reading an article about it? That might be indicator number one.
But seriously, tension at work can have a very real negative effect on your health and lead to burnout symptoms.
The first step is to determine whether you have symptoms of burnout. Image: Freepik
Consider, for example, long-term overwork — which is a regular occurrence in today’s tight labour market. This often leads to additional pressure on staff members.
It could also be that there’s a conflict between you and your manager or a colleague and, as a result of this, you may experience stress symptoms and become unable to perform your duties to the best of your abilities.
Developing heart disease, high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes,
Being more likely to get sick.
Recognise a few of these? You may be suffering from occupational burnout.
Burnout and Dutch labour law
In the Netherlands, your employer has a duty of care. This means Dutch law stipulates that an employer must observe good employment practices.
This is largely thanks to what is known as the Working Conditions Act (Arbowet), which is very important when it comes to protecting employees against health risks, including burnout.
Being burnt out doesn’t mean the end of your career in the Netherlands. You have many employee rights that will help you. Image: Freepik
The Working Conditions Act obliges employers to create and maintain a safe and healthy working environment. For example, the Act includes provisions on taking breaks and the maximum working hours an employee can work per week.
The prevention of psychosocial workload, which includes stress and burnout, also falls under the employer’s duty of care. No distinction is made in this respect. After all, burnout may manifest itself physically in some people, while it may manifest mentally in others.
Steps to take when you’re experiencing burnout
If you are experiencing burnout symptoms and can no longer perform your duties, the first step is simple.
Notify your employer
You can call in sick by sending your employer a message. Does your employment contract or staff handbook contain more specific instructions on calling in sick? Great, follow these.
It’s important to notify your employer of your burnout. Image: Freepik
However, what’s important to remember is that you do not have to give a reason for your illness when reporting sick.
Consult with a company doctor
So, what happens next? It’s up to your employer to involve the company doctor to assess your incapacity for work.
The company doctor is not a doctor who gives you medical treatment. Instead, they will:
Advise you and your employer about your incapacity for work,
the expected duration of your sick leave,
the extent to which you can or cannot perform your duties,
and whether there are any steps that can be taken to stimulate your return to work.
Follow the company doctor’s advice
As an employee, you are obliged to attend a consultation with the company doctor.
Making yourself unavailable to the company doctor, failure to attend consultations or not following their advice will be considered a violation of your reintegration obligations.
This can have consequences on your salary payments.
Sick leave in the Netherlands when struggling with burnout
Speaking of your salary, what happens to this when you’re burnt out? How will you keep a roof over your head? Let’s walk through your rights when it comes to sick leave in the Netherlands.
Under Dutch law, an employee is entitled to a continued payment of salary for up to 104 weeks of illness. By law, this must be at least 70% of your salary and correspond to at least the national minimum wage.
When you take sick leave for burnout in the Netherlands, you will receive at least 70% of your pay. Image: Freepik
However, this rule may be deviated from in the employee’s favour. For example, many employers agree with their employees to continue paying 100% of the salary in the first year of illness and 70% in the second year. However, they are not obliged to do this.
Just how much salary you receive depends on your specific employment situation. You should be able to find the stipulated provisions concerning pay during sick leave in your employment contract, an employee handbook or, if applicable, a collective labour agreement.
Can you be fired due to burnout?
In principle, a prohibition to terminate your employment contract applies during sick leave. Put simply, this means that your employment contract may not be terminated unless the termination is unrelated to your illness.
This is often difficult for employers to prove. As a result, the prohibition on termination during illness is interpreted broadly. This means the prohibition applies even if you are partially working and partially on sick leave — in other words, as long as you have not made a full recovery.
However, once you reach 104 weeks of illness, your employer no longer has to pay your salary and can terminate your employment due to long-term illness.
It must then be established that your employer has fulfilled their reintegration obligations and that no recovery is expected in the next 26 weeks.
Do you want to understand your obligations during sick leave better, hold your employer liable for your burnout, or is your employer not fulfilling their reintegration obligations? Reach out to GMW lawyers. They are happy to advise international employees of their rights.
What if your Dutch employer doesn’t support you?
If your employer doesn’t take your burnout seriously, it’s up to the company doctor to assess your situation and advise them.
If your employer doesn’t believe you’re suffering from burnout, you can turn to the company doctor. Image: Freepik
If the doctor agrees that you are suffering from burnout, then you can’t be obliged to return to work until the company doctor advises it.
If your employer doesn’t want to comply with the company doctor’s report, it’s time to seek legal advice.
Do you disagree with the company doctor’s advice? Then you can request a second opinion from another company doctor or ask for an expert’s opinion from the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV).
Reintegration after burnout
During your sick leave, you must remain available to your employer (unless the company doctor explicitly advises that this is not in the interest of your recovery) and you must cooperate in drawing up a reintegration plan.
As part of this plan, you may start with reintegration for a few hours a week and will be given a modified workload by your employer. This should always be in accordance with the advice of the company doctor.
The first track of reintegration
During reintegration, the first step is to see if suitable work can be found or organised for you with your current employer.
This could consist of doing part or all of your current job, but other work with your employer can also be considered. This is called the first track of reintegration.
Within this first track, the possibilities of adapting your work, making adjustments to your workplace, partially resuming your work or scheduling your shifts at different times are considered. These possibilities are included in the Action Plan for your reintegration.
The second track of reintegration
In the second year of sick leave, the so-called second track programme begins.
In the second track, the focus is not only on returning to your current employer but also to other suitable positions outside the organisation.
Burnout is never a pleasant experience, but that doesn’t mean you should immediately lose your job and your income.
In the Netherlands, you are protected by acts, unions and employment law, so familiarise yourself, take the steps you need to take, and — most importantly — take a break.
Have you experienced workplace burnout in the Netherlands? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.
You’ve probably heard all about the benefits of VPNs (virtual private networks), now we’re here with another big one: a killer Black Friday offer from Surfshark.
From hiding your search history to accessing antivirus software, there’s no easier way to keep your data safe than with Surfshark — especially with these deals. 👇
Surfshark is offering some truly “Jaw”-dropping Black Friday bundles! 🦈
Get a VPN at 87% off and three months free on a two-year plan with Surfshark Starter
Score three months free and 88% off with a VPN, anti-virus, and search and alert products with Surfshark One
Take advantage of three months free and 80% off all of the above products, plus Incogni, a useful tool that removes users’ personal information from data brokers’ databases on Surfshark One+
So, what exactly is a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?
A VPN is a type of software that protects your personal data from companies, hackers, government entities and more.
Safely browse the internet, whether it’s from the comfort of your home, travelling abroad, or at your favourite café. Image: Freepik
VPNs create a private and encrypted network that lets you access the internet safely while also protecting your information by constantly routing your data through the network rather than directly to your device.
Why should you get a VPN in the Netherlands?
Apart from being generally affordable and easy to use, VPNs come with several benefits that’ll make your internet experience much safer. 👇
VPNs protect your data from nosy companies and websites on public WiFi
The last thing you want is your bank details or family vacation photos circulating the web, whether it’s by accessing the internet while working at a café or accepting cookies from the shopping website you’re browsing.
A VPN provides an encrypted internet connection to your device, so none of your information can be tracked or accessed.
You won’t have to worry about potential hacks and cyber threats with a VPN. Image: Freepik
Everything from your emails and home address to your finances and burner TikTok account will be kept hidden from hackers and other prying eyes.
You can securely stream your favourite TV shows and movies
Ever had the sudden urge to watch Love Actually but realised Netflix Nederland doesn’t stream it anymore?
VPNs allow you to stream award-winning shows and movies safely, regardless of where you are.
Find something for the whole family to watch. Image: Freepik
You’ve opened yourself up to a whole new world of movie night options, and you won’t have to worry about any cyber threats to get your Grey’s Anatomy fix.
You’ll find the best deals for tickets, bookings, and more
Channel your inner Dutchie and find some nifty deals and discounts while using a VPN.
Online shopping websites like Amazon and ASOS track your location to offer different prices depending on where in the world they think you are.
For example, your search for hotel rooms will show more expensive results when you’re looking for them from the Netherlands, compared to if you were searching for them from the US:
The price when we search from within the Netherlands. Image: DutchReview
If you use a VPN to book from the United States, you’ll get a discount on the prices — and this is just the tip of the iceberg:
Now, that’s a significant difference. Image: DutchReview
Surfshark: your best pick for VPNs in the Netherlands
Now that you know the benefits of getting a VPN, here are some of the ways Surfshark can protect your data while you browse the internet safely.
You can use a Surfshark VPN on an unlimited number of devices
To avoid confusion and stress, one Surfshark subscription is enough to protect your entire household.
Sleek, easy to use, and accessible on all your devices. Image: Surfshark/Supplied
No hassles making different accounts or dealing with subscription tiers — one subscription will work on an unlimited number of devices.
Surfshark’s VPN is ultra high-tech
Surfshark’s VPN uses cutting-edge technology to ensure a smooth sailing online experience.
You can change your IP address every 10 minutes, making it more difficult for hackers and companies to track you and easier to prowl around for the best deals.
You’ll have plenty of choices for locations. Image: Surfshark/Supplied
The VPN also makes sure your internet runs fast while it’s encrypted without compromising security — you won’t ever have to choose between slow internet and unsecured connections again.
And speaking of unsecured connections, Surfshark has a built-in antivirus programme that scans files before downloading and opening them.
After all, you can never be too cautious when downloading stuff from the internet.
Surfshark offers one of the best VPNs for value
If there’s anything Dutchies love, it’s a good bargain — and Surfshark has exactly that.
In addition to its three affordable subscription tiers, each package offers you a whole host of built-in features: from an antivirus to a VPN to a secure browser… and more!
Your privacy is safer than ever
Depending on your subscription, you’ll even have access to Surfshark Alert.
This handy feature gives you real-time alerts if your data’s been leaked, as well as regular security reports on how your personal information has been processed.
If any of your personal details get leaked online, rest assured, Surfshark will alert you as soon as possible! Image: Surfshark/Supplied
Apart from protecting your data and information from external parties, Surfshark doesn’t monitor, track, or store any of your online activity.
You can get support at any time of the day
If you ever run into problems with Surfshark’s VPN, you’ll get access to 24/7 customer service.
You can check out their extensive FAQ, submit a request if the service isn’t living up to your expectations, and chat with a professional at the click of a button.
Ready to get secured? Surfshark has a range of products for all kinds of needs, equipped to provide the best services and keep your data under lock and key. Get the best VPN with Surfshark and their upcoming Black Friday deals!
The Dutch rail service has announced a 6.52% price increase, which will come into effect from January 2026 onwards.
The NS’ planned price hike will affect both regular rail tickets and seasonal tickets, but these aren’t the only changes chugging down the track.
Let’s run through what’s being proposed.
Pricier tickets, higher penalties, and fewer discounts
If you prefer travelling in first class during the week, the NS will now be increasing the surcharge on your ticket. This means that while both first-class and second-class tickets are getting pricier, we’ll see a starker price difference between the two during the week.
However, weekend first-class travel is actually getting relatively cheaper, as the NS attempts to fill those often-empty carriages.
And you’d better remember to check out once you’ve arrived at your destination, because the penalty for a missed check-out is jumping from €20 to €33.30 per train journey.
With higher penalties for missed check-outs, it pays to be careful when checking in and out at the station. Image: Depositphotos
Meanwhile, the NS is simplifying its subscription options by… axeing two of them. Yep, you read that right: both the Weekend Voordeel and Altijd Voordeel discounts will stop being sold from February 1, 2026, though current holders can keep using them until July 1.
Not everyone’s happy about it
Rover, the Dutch consumer organisation for public transport passengers, is pushing back against the NS’ decision. The organisation argues that while the NS is allowed to raise prices by this much, it’s not required to do so.
“NS is deliberately choosing to increase prices, while passengers get nothing in return,” says Rover director Freek Bos. Rover had initially advised the NS to limit their price increases to actual inflation rates.
But the NS isn’t the only party taking the full brunt of Rover’s criticism. The organisation also blames the government’s “yo-yo policy” of allocating funding to cushion fare hikes, then scrapping funding altogether.
“We’re seeing NS pass the shortfall on to passengers instead of investing in more attractive and affordable rail transport,” Bos continues.
What do you think of the NS’ price hike? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Is it a scene from a film, TV series, or a survival documentary? No, this poor sailor actually spent two and a half days stranded on an uninhabited Dutch island after his boat ran aground.
What started as a peaceful Friday evening sail turned into an unexpected survival challenge when the man’s anchor failed to hold near De Kreupel island on the IJsselmeer.
Strong winds pushed his boat onto the rocks, and it began sinking.
Stranded with no food, water, or supplies
Dutch maritime rescue station KNRM Andijk and the rescue service KNRM recounted the man’s ordeal in Facebook posts.
With no marifoon (maritime radio) or emergency flares in his supplies, and a dead phone battery, calling for help wasn’t an option.
Even worse? The man had no food, water, or shelter with him.
So he did what any resourceful sailor would do: fashioned a tent from his sail and waited. And waited. And waited. For two and a half days.
Helaas, with it being the end of the boating season and the weather predictably terrible, it was the absolute worst time for a solo-voyage-gone-wrong.
Rescue… at last!
No boats passed by until Sunday morning, when a yacht finally spotted the half-sunken wreck and alerted the Coast Guard.
KNRM Andijk’s rescue boat ‘t Span quickly sprang into action and retrieved the weakened man, who later admitted he thought he’d die there.
After a warm coffee, shower, and dry clothes at the KNRM Rescue Station Andijk, the sailor was taken to a hotel to process his unexpected island holiday.
In a country that’s described as overly bureaucratic, it’s not surprising that the Netherlands controls some things you wouldn’t expect them to.
From who can share houses, to where you can lock a burglar, and whether you can take an acorn from a forest tree — let’s jump right into the world of strange Dutch laws!
1. Locking a burglar in your toilet? Illegaal!
Picture this: a robber breaks into your house while you’re at home. In a burst of adrenaline and quick thinking, you trap them in the bathroom. 🪠
Don’t lock them in your own house! That wouldn’t be fair for the thief …🤣 Image: Depositphotos
Hoera, success! Well, nee.
By locking up that burglar and depriving them of the privilege of stealing your stuff, you’re simultaneously depriving the burglar of their liberty, and that’s against the law.
The bad news is: in the Netherlands, they’re still your family — even once the ink on your divorce papers has dried.
3. It’s illegal not to have lights and a bell on your bike (but helmets are optional)
In a lot of countries, this is the other way around, due to obvious safety reasons. And, of course, if you’re out with a small child, they usually have to wear some form of protection.
A helmet? We’ve never heard of that. Image: Depositphotos
Not in the Netherlands, though. In fact, a missing bell or light can land you a €75 fine here.
But as long as you have lights for visibility and a bell to attract attention, you’re good to go.
Is it safe or just stupid? The debate on whether we should all wear helmets continues for now. Luckily, the Netherlands does have great bike lanes, which definitely makes it a heck of a lot safer. 🤷♀️
If you’re wanting to get hitched on the canals of Amsterdam and neither of you is a registered resident, forget it.
No getting hitched, unless one of you is a resident, says Dutch law. Image: Freepik
In order to get married, the Netherlands requires at least one of the partners either be Dutch or to legally live in the Netherlands.
8. House sharing is technically not allowed
Three or more young singles are technically not allowed to live together, not without the required permit, at least. This is to prevent a load of house shares.
It’s a law that is pretty much never enforced, though, so it’s just pointless and bizarre and definitely doesn’t help the housing crisis.
9. It’s illegal to go into a coffeeshop if you’re under 18
It’s not illegal for individuals under 18 years old to go into a regular coffee shop or ‘café’. Coffeeshops in the Netherlands, however, are special.
While this sounds like a strange law, we think it’s great that trees are just as protected as canal-side houses! 🌳
11. Keep off the grass — by law
A walk in the park or a picnic on the grass? Not in Oldenzaal, and many other Dutch towns.
Who knew it was possible to study and commit a crime at the same time? Image: Depositphotos
Walking, sitting, or just generally hanging out beyond the designated paths in parks, public gardens, green areas, and lawns are technically not allowed — unless you get a permit from the municipality, of course.
12. Tenants have incredible protection when renting
A law that’s good for tenants and not so good for landlords, tenants have an incredible amount of protection. In fact, the landlord can’t kick you out unless a court rules that they can.
Pretty bizarre if you aren’t paying the rent and trashing the place. Great if you don’t want to be made homeless by your landlord for literally no reason.
While some are good, others are just bizarre. But after all, the Netherlands seems to be functioning quite well, so these 12 weird laws that the Netherlands has must be doing their job!
What other Dutch laws do you find weird or cool? Tell us in the comments below!
