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How to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the Netherlands (like a true Dutchie)

Enora Regnier
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How to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the Netherlands (like a true Dutchie)

It’s Valentine’s Day in the Netherlands and you’re dating a Dutchie. Not sure what to do or to gift them? If you’re thinking “nothing, or maybe a card,” then you may not be too far off!

If Valentine’s Day isn’t your favourite day ever, you’re not the only one: The Dutch are not the biggest fans, either.

Since numbers don’t lie, we can tell you two thirds of Dutchies in relationships report that they don’t celebrate this day! Most of them consider it to be just commercial nonsense — an obligation rather than a celebration.

So yes, you could say that there’s some truth to the stereotype that the Dutch are not heel romantic.

couple-having-breakfast-together-on-a-normal-day
For most Dutch couples, Valentine’s Day is just a normal day. Image: Depositphotos

How can you surprise your partner on Valentine’s Day in the Netherlands?

Of course, we understand if you want to prepare a V-day little surprise for your schatje (darling).

That’s why, as someone who has been dating a lovely Dutchman for many years, I’m bringing you a selection of tried and tested things you can do to make the day of love a little more special (without going overboard, of course). 💘

Keep it cliché (and cheap)

Let’s say you are dating one of those rare Dutchies that actually enjoys the celebration of love on Valentine’s Day.

You don’t want to do anything too major, but you also don’t want it off your radar completely.

We believe that even the tiniest bit of thought makes a gift memorable — so why not learn some Dutch pick-up lines to reignite that spark with your loved one? 😉

If you’d rather stick with the classics, then the Netherlands is the right place to do so: plenty of Dutch people offer cards to their partner on Valentine’s Day.

You’d also still be a great Valentine if you go for chocolates or wine, but your don’t go too expensive. The Dutch are a thrifty bunch, after all!

Say it with flowers

Second to a card and chocolates? Flowers. Flowers from the market, flowers from the store, even the flower shop itself — they’re all flowers, and they’re all yours. 💐

However, where the French or the English might give their Valentine red roses, the Dutch are more into mixed bouquets, keeping it classy and colourful.

couple-in-love-with-a-bouquet-of tulips-on-Valentine's-day-in-the-Netherlands
Of course, you can never go wrong with a bouquet of Dutch tulips! Image: Freepik

If you’re a florist, then this day is when you rake in all that sweet money. The number of pre-orders for flowers is enormous leading up to V-day.

According to Royal FloraHolland, they sell many more flowers in the early weeks of February than any other time of the year. In 2024, for instance, they sold 166 million roses in the two weeks before Valentine’s! 💐

Valentine’s Day activities in the Netherlands

If you want to do something a little special for V-day, there are a few things you could do.

For something a little extra, take a trip to the Dutch seaside, like Scheveningen, where we’ve compiled a whole list of activities that you could plan for your valentine. You could also try going out for an outdoor activity or a day trip, depending on your city.

Going-on-a-city-trip-with-your-partner-on-Valentine's-day
Going on a city trip on Valentine’s Day? Don’t forget to dress for the Dutch weather! Image: Pixabay

As the true foodies we are, rest assured we have plenty of food suggestions for you here at DutchReview. And even if you’re in the mood for something a little low-key, you can opt for some home-cooking — maybe even go for a Dutch meal?

If you are planning on going to the restaurant, it’s crucial to think ahead and make reservations. The Dutch might not spend the most on presents, but they sure enjoy a nice dinner date. 🍽️

The only thing you should absolutely not do on Valentine’s Day, is to send your date a Tikkie for whatever activity you end up doing (but we’re sure you already knew that!). 😉

READ MORE | Opinion: why you shouldn’t “go Dutch” this Valentine’s Day

Finding love in the Netherlands

If you’re still on the lookout for your dreamy Dutch Valentine, fear not — there are plenty of ways that you can find love in the Netherlands.

READ MORE | Finding love in the Netherlands: 5 ways to meet your very own ‘schatje’

In the meantime, let’s not underestimate self-care and treating yo-self to a nice solo V-day-date, instead of someone else. 🤗

What are your plans this Valentine’s Day? Will you be celebrating at all? Tell us in the comments below! 

The NS just announced its plans for 2027 (and more routes are on the cards)

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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The NS just announced its plans for 2027 (and more routes are on the cards)

Good news! The NS has unveiled plans to boost rail services in the north and east of the country, with a direct Groningen-Rotterdam connection and weekend upgrades for commuters heading to Amsterdam and beyond.

The Dutch rail operator has published its advisory proposal for the 2027 timetable, and those of us in the northern and eastern regions are going to be the big winners.

The changes include bringing back direct trains between cities in these regions, adding more weekend services, and using high-speed trains to cut journey times.

The direct Groningen-Rotterdam route returns

Commuters coming to and from the north can rejoice. One of the headline announcements is the return of a direct intercity between Groningen and Rotterdam, which disappeared at the end of 2024.

And this time around, the train will take a faster route via the high-speed line (HSL).

According to NS, trains from Groningen will travel via the Hanzelijn to Zwolle and Schiphol, then continue along the HSL to Rotterdam Centraal. The new ICNG trains (nicknamed “the Wasp”) can reach speeds of 200 kilometres per hour on the high-speed track.

Travel times could drop even further once speed limits on the Hanzelijn are increased.

Weekend improvements across multiple regions

However, that’s not all. The NS is also proposing several weekend service upgrades that’ll make Saturday and Sunday travel significantly easier for those heading to or from major cities.

Between Amersfoort and Deventer, intercity trains will run three times per hour on Saturdays and Sundays, up from two currently. This improves connections between these cities and Amsterdam in both directions.

READ MORE | Goodbye OV-chipkaart: Netherlands, meet the new OV-pas

Meanwhile, Amsterdam and The Hague will see extra early-morning and late-evening intercities on weekends, and trains between The Hague Centraal and Amsterdam Centraal will add stops at Voorhout and Hillegom stations during weekends, replacing a sprinter service on that route.

For commuters from The Hague, there’s more good news.

The number of sprinters between The Hague and Dordrecht will double on Sundays, jumping from two to four per hour. During weekdays, the current ten-minute sprinter service will continue.

Another change on the cards is the return of a direct peak-hour train between Enschede and Amsterdam Centraal, which would help commuters travelling between the east and the capital.

@dutchreview

A travel pass I can add to my Apple Wallet? Yes please.

♬ original sound – DutchReview

What happens next?

These are proposals, not confirmed changes. NS asks regional governments and passenger organisations for feedback on the new timetable every year, which it uses to refine its plans.

Rail infrastructure manager ProRail will then assess whether NS’s wishes are feasible, taking into account the needs of other passenger and freight operators. The final 2027 timetable will be announced in autumn.

Will these changes make your commute easier, or are you still waiting for better connections? Let us know in the comments!

Opinion: why you shouldn’t “go Dutch” this Valentine’s Day

Denitsa Prodanova
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Opinion: why you shouldn’t “go Dutch” this Valentine’s Day

Whether or not you’ve heard the phrase “going Dutch”, you probably instantly understand what this means. The Dutch are notoriously known for keeping tabs on every cent, and not shying away from sending you a Tikkie for last week’s borrel. Here’s why you should think twice before doing that this Valentine’s day. 

I had been living in the Netherlands for over three years when I first heard it. By that time, I had already experienced myself — and heard many stories about it — that dreaded moment at the end of dinner when the waiter comes with the bill.

What do the man and woman in the Netherlands expect from each other then? Is splitting the bill always acceptable?

Maybe it’s a cultural thing?

In many cultures, splitting the bill is not common practice at all, at least not for me, or many others coming from abroad to live in the Netherlands, or historically the majority of the Anglo-Saxon world from where the “going Dutch” phrase originally stemmed.

But why is this practice so ingrained in Dutch culture?

Coming from a country where everyone always insists (and almost fights) to foot the entire bill as a token of appreciation for the good time they have had, Dutch frugality was a bit of a shock for me. There are plenty of valid reasons to be conscious about how you spend your money, and the Dutch have mastered this with the invention of the Tikkie.

girl-using-Tikkie-on-phone
It sure is a handy invention. Image: DutchReview

Dutchies see paying their own bill as something natural; it’s a part of their ego and a show of the independence they pride themselves so much on. Unfortunately, this attitude ended up bleeding into a situation where I think it simply doesn’t belong — dating.

READ MORE | 15 things to expect on a date with a Dutchie

Dating is no time to be frugal because it is all about good impressions. That is why I support the good old way that men should be taking over the bill. It might be a Sisyphean task to explain why I find the Dutch way ineffective, but it might have something to do with making men lazy, and women, well, underappreciated.

Clichés that are ruining dating

If you have read this far and you still fail to see why you can’t just split the bill with your date, you might well be supporting one of the following clichés (which I think are ruining the dating scene):

Cliché 1

“Women today have a job and are independent. They don’t need a man to pay for everything while dating.”

Interesting, but here’s a 2026 spin on that: “Women today don’t need to prove that they have a job and are independent. They are entitled to prefer men that take the initiative.”

Dutch-couple-having-dinner-at-restaurant-making-a-toast-with-wine-on-Valentines-Day
There is nothing wrong with a woman who likes men who take charge and can be romantic! Image: Depositphotos

Cliché 2

“Many women will only date a guy who is rich, with high social status and will expect him to pay for everything.”

Maybe. And so, what? Many men will only date women who are good-looking. It’s a trade-off of qualities, and definitely not wrong if it’s made clear and both people are okay with it from the get-go.

Women are hard-wired to look for a stable partner who can contribute to a possible new family. Men, on the other hand, are instinctively attracted to healthy-looking women.

The point is, if you are using that cliché to shame women with different priorities than yours, it’s time to stop.

Cliché 3

“Being a gentleman and paying for dinner doesn’t impress the women of today.”

Yes, it does. It especially does today, when it’s rare to find a guy who knows how to treat a woman he likes.

It’s not all about the money; it’s the gesture behind paying the bill that counts. It’s a show of appreciation and understanding of the effort that their date put into herself to look her best on that day with you. And, to an extent is a way of showing your financial stability, which is always impressive.

Dutch-man-paying-for-dinner-with-his-date-in-a-restaurant
Paying for the bill, especially on a first date or Valentine’s Day, should be normalised! Image: Depositphotos

Why you shouldn’t go Dutch as a woman

If you are a woman in the Netherlands and it’s usual for you to suggest splitting the bill, ask yourself why you do that. Does it help fulfill your sense of independence, do you think it will impress him, or do you just feel awkward accepting him paying for the whole dinner?

Have you considered that you could be just perpetuating this new “norm” to fit into Dutch culture?

It’s normal for humans to want to belong, and we even go a long way to conform to what is generally accepted in society. But sometimes, it’s worth questioning whether these ideals serve their original purpose anymore.

Couple-are-on-a-date-on-Valentines-Day-holding-champagne-glasses
First dates shouldn’t be for worrying about splitting the bill for dinner. Image: Freepik

Women who openly express a desire to be only with financially stable men are looked down upon. Debunking clichés that are meant to put shame on some women is a crucial part of establishing new norms of behaviour.

If you are like me, going Dutch on a date just wouldn’t send the right message. The law of attraction states that the feelings and desires you project, attract the same back at you.

It is best to be focused on what kind of relationship you want and, ultimately, what kind of man you wish to attract. First dates are a way of establishing how you want to be treated right from the start.

Why you shouldn’t go Dutch as a man

Simply because €34 will not make you any richer. You might argue that those dinners and drinks out add up, and if it weren’t for them, you could be driving that new scooter now. Possibly, but your new scooter will not impress her. Consistent and thoughtful gestures will.

To avoid surprises, carefully choose the place yourself according to your budget, so you don’t have to monitor her order, or, even worse, veto a meal or drink.

Couple-during-dinner-in-restaurant-sending-Tikkie-and-splitting-the-bill
Imagine: you’re finishing a date and then get a Tikkie request sent to your phone! Image: Freepik

BONUS: What to do if she insists on paying:

Show her this article. If she just offers to pay: say no. Especially if you like her, do not accept. I would never offer that, but some women like to test the grounds.

Okay, but what if the date goes wrong?

It happens… a lot.

If you are a woman and you are having a horrible time, that would be a situation where paying your own part makes sense. You don’t want any gestures; you just want to leave. Understandable.

If you are a guy and your date goes wrong, be a class act, follow the advice above and eventually leave. Ghost if you need to. But really, do not send a Tikkie.

Will you be going Dutch this Valentine’s Day? Tell us in the comments below! 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of DutchReview.

Jutta Leerdam wins the Netherlands its first gold at the Winter Olympics

Kriti Swarup
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Jutta Leerdam wins the Netherlands its first gold at the Winter Olympics

The Netherlands just struck gold (and silver) at a nail-biting speed skating race at the Winter Olympics in Milan.

On Monday evening, Jutta Leerdam and Femke Kok battled it out in the women’s 1000m speed skating final.

Finishing in 1 minute, 12 seconds, and 31 milliseconds, Leerdam broke the Olympic record, edging Kok into silver by less than half a second.

Finally, the Netherlands had its first medal of Milano Cortina 2026 — and it came from the sport the Dutch know best.

Experts “run out of superlatives”

According to NOS, speed skating coaches and veterans were in disbelief at Leerdam’s performance.

Speed skating analyst Mark Tuitert thought Kok’s race was unbeatable. Watching Leerdam face that impossible pressure, he says, “This is the most beautiful 1,000 metres I’ve ever witnessed live.”

Meanwhile, a legend in Dutch speed skating, Ireen Wüst, says…

“If you can do this when Femke Kok just rode so incredibly hard in front of you… Stay true to yourself, maintain a certain calmness in your mind, keep the faith and confidence that you can do this too, and even faster, then you are truly by far the best.”

Mounting pressure

Aside from racing the clock, Leerdam faced a lot of pressure before her race.

Three-time Olympic champion Marianne Timmer knows pressure. But Leerdam faced even more, she tells NOS.

Aside from sponsor expectations, there was a media frenzy around Jake Paul, her influencer-turned-boxer fiancé. He was “shouting and saying they’d win gold,” said Timmer.

There was also backlash over a private jet: Leerdam ditched the team flight for one provided by a Quote 500 member.

And obviously, the Olympics themselves.

@jakepaul I’M SO PROUD OF YOU @Jutta Leerdam ♬ original sound – Jake Paul

“You have to be able to handle that much baggage and pressure,” Timmer said. “And if you do, you’ve silenced everyone.”

Royal congratulations

After the race, Leerdam and Kok had a chat with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, reports RTL Nieuws.

“We’ve won the first medals for the Netherlands, haven’t we?” Leerdam asked the royals.

“No, that’s right,” the king confirmed.

Leerdam couldn’t resist a jab at the men’s team. “See, those women are doing it again. The men just have to push through a bit more.”

King Willem-Alexander laughed and doubled down: “Look at the Dutch rankings in Paris if you take the women out. We’d be nowhere.”

“We just have so many good women,” he adds.

He’s not wrong. Dutch women have been carrying the team for years, and Milano Cortina 2026 is proving no different.

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Contaminated baby food? Dozens of parents in the Netherlands report sick babies

DutchReview Crew
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Contaminated baby food? Dozens of parents in the Netherlands report sick babies

Following recent recalls by Nestlé and Danone, up to thirty reports have been made in the Netherlands from parents whose children have fallen ill after eating baby food.

Dozens of callers described to RTL Nieuws’s tip line how their children had become seriously unwell from store-bought baby food.

Nestlé and Danone issued a recall last month due to the presence of cereulide in the products, a toxic substance.

Nutrilon, a Dutch subsidiary of Danone Nutricia, issued a recall as well this past weekend in response to the incident.

What happened?

Parents calling both RTL Nieuws and the NVWA in the last few weeks reported that their children were experiencing symptoms of gastrointestinal distress after consuming the Nutrilon products.

Apparently, some children became so unwell that they were hospitalised, reports RTL Nieuws.

Celeuride ingestion can cause sudden nausea, abdominal cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Nutrilon’s recall applies to 14 types of baby food and 44 batches of product.

Parents have been advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre to be vigilant and not to use these products for the time being.

But is it too little, too late?

What is Cereulide?

Cereulide is a toxin produced by a more commonly known bacteria called Bacillus cereus, which can exist and thrive in products like rice, pasta, and dairy.

Cereulide itself is also largely heat-resistant, which makes it much harder to get rid of once it has contaminated a product, according to Reuters.

In other words, even if the parents heat up their infant formula or boil it, it’s unlikely the food would be toxin-free.

Danone dodges claims

Despite issuing a recall, Danone is tiptoeing around accountability.

In talks with the NVWA, the company clarified that no cases have been officially linked to the Nutrilon product line, and that the link is therefore unconfirmed.

According to RTL Nieuws, they also said they didn’t receive complaints from any affected parents prior to the recall.

The company also emphasised its strict safety standards and regular quality inspections.

The European Food and Safety Authority, however, seems to think more inspections and regulations are needed.

Following the first recalls, the agency established an acute reference dose for celeuride in infants, as well as concentrations in infant formula that should be marked as a potential safety concern.

Ultimately, the goal is to “help EU risk managers determine when products should be withdrawn.”

What do you think of the recalls? Let us know in the comments!

The new Dutch cabinet just dropped: here are the ministers of ‘Jetten 1’

Abuzer van Leeuwen 🇳🇱
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The new Dutch cabinet just dropped: here are the ministers of ‘Jetten 1’

After three months of coalition talks, the full roster of ministers and state secretaries who will make up the Netherlands’ new minority cabinet is now known. There are quite a few fresh faces.

The lineup was completed yesterday with the final D66 nominees announced. Let’s break this list down.

Minister for Agriculture

First up, 34-year-old Jaimi van Essen of D66 has been appointed as the Minister for Agriculture.

According to NOS, Van Essen, currently a climate councillor in Deventer, is expected to tackle one of the government’s toughest challenges: solving the nitrogen crisis whilst reducing the number of farms.

That challenge is sure to cause some upheaval, to say the least. D66 has previously advocated halving the livestock population, a position farming organisations haven’t forgotten. Let‘s see if the farmers’ riots will return.

Minister for Defence

The VVD secured the Defence portfolio, with Dilan Yeşilgöz stepping into the role.

The current Defence Minister, Ruben Brekelmans, will head to parliament to lead the VVD faction in the Tweede Kamer (House of Representatives).

Ministers of Finance and Health

Finance Minister Eelco Heinen keeps his position for the VVD, whilst VVD’s Sophie Hermans takes on the challenge of the Health Ministry.

She is expected to be responsible for implementing the coalition’s planned healthcare reforms (aka drastic cuts).

Minister of Social Affairs

For D66, veteran Hans Vijlbrief will become Minister of Social Affairs. He has the unenviable task of selling Social Security reforms that include raising the retirement age and shortening benefit durations.

Vijlbrief previously served as a state secretary handling earthquake damage compensation and the closure of gas extraction operations in the Groningen province.

Digital Economy and housing

The coalition also announced that cyber expert Willemijn Aerdts of D66 will become State Secretary for Digital Economy, while D66’s Elanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan, now a high-ranking military officer with the rank of lieutenant general, will oversee Housing and Spatial Planning.

The ambitious goal is to build 100,000 homes annually; perhaps she can also leverage her military experience to remove red tape and move things forward.

A cabinet with no ministerial veterans from the CDA

One striking detail about this cabinet? Not a single CDA nominee has previous ministerial experience.

The party’s candidates bring expertise from roles as provincial deputies, MPs, MEPs, and corporate positions, but none have sat at a ministerial desk before.

According to NOS, this “new generation” approach fits with CDA leader Henri Bontenbal’s vision, who stated last week that fresh faces were essential for the party’s direction.

Overall, 12 of the 28 cabinet candidates across all three parties have previous ministerial experience — but that number drops significantly when you look at the CDA specifically.

What happens next: security screenings and the ‘bordesfoto‘

All candidates will undergo security screenings and interviews with Jetten before the official royal swearing-in.

The cabinet aims for a February 23 ceremony, though that date is not yet confirmed. They will then get their picture taken with the king, as is tradition.

One notable absence from this process? Parliamentary hearings with candidates. These were introduced two years ago but were recently scrapped after the PVV withdrew support, leaving no majority to continue them.

As readers will recall from the coalition agreement announcement two weeks ago, this will be a minority cabinet with just 66 seats in the 150-seat parliament.

Every single piece of legislation will require convincing opposition parties to vote along, so there will be no guaranteed majorities, no easy wins, and we’ll just have to see if anything materialises.

The complete starting cabinet lineup of Jetten 1

Here’s everyone who’ll be running the Netherlands (or at least trying to):

General Affairs

  • Rob Jetten (D66) — Prime Minister

Foreign Affairs

  • Tom Berendsen (CDA) — Minister of Foreign Affairs
  • Sjoerd Sjoerdsma (D66) — Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation

Justice and Security

  • David van Weel (VVD) — Minister of Justice and Security
  • Claudia van Bruggen (D66) — State Secretary of Justice and Security (legal protection and prison system)
  • Bart van den Brink (CDA) — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Asylum and Migration

Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations

  • Pieter Heerma (CDA) — Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations
  • Eric van der Burg (VVD) — State Secretary of Home Affairs (kingdom relations and effective governance)
  • Elanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan (D66) — Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning

Education, Culture and Science:

  • Rianne Letschert (D66) — Minister of Education, Culture and Science
  • Judith Tielen (VVD) — State Secretary of Education, Culture and Science

Finance

  • Eelco Heinen (VVD) — Minister of Finance
  • Nathalie van Berkel (D66) — State Secretary of Finance
  • Sandra Palmen (independent) — State Secretary for Allowances Recovery

Defence

  • Dilan Yeşilgöz (VVD) — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence
  • Derk Boswijk (CDA) — State Secretary of Defence

Infrastructure and Water Management

  • Vincent Karremans (VVD) — Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management
  • Annet Bertram (CDA) — State Secretary of Infrastructure and Water Management

Economic Affairs and Climate

  • Heleen Herbert (CDA) — Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate
  • Willemijn Aerdts (D66) — State Secretary of Economic Affairs (digital economy and sovereignty)
  • Stientje van Veldhoven (D66) — Minister of Climate and Green Growth
  • Jo-Annes de Bat (CDA) — State Secretary of Climate and Green Growth

Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature

  • Jaimi van Essen (D66) — Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature
  • Silvio Erkens (VVD) — State Secretary of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature

Social Affairs and Employment

  • Hans Vijlbrief (D66) — Minister of Social Affairs and Employment
  • Thierry Aartsen (VVD) — Minister of Work and Participation

Health, Welfare and Sport

  • Sophie Hermans (VVD) — Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport
  • Mirjam Sterk (CDA) — Minister of Long-term Care, Youth and Sport

Think this minority cabinet will actually get things done, or are we in for endless political negotiations? Share your predictions in the comments.

Flying into Schiphol? Expect major delays on Tuesday

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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Flying into Schiphol? Expect major delays on Tuesday

If you’re landing at Schiphol tomorrow afternoon, you might want to mentally add an extra hour (or two) to your journey home. Dutch customs officers are protesting in a unique way.

How? They’ll be carrying out checks on the baggage of all arriving passengers.

Yep, between 12:00 and 1:30 PM tomorrow (Tuesday, February 10), every single traveller collecting their checked luggage at Schiphol is expected to face a customs inspection.

That includes you, even if you have nothing to declare and would normally walk straight out of the baggage hall.

The action, announced by trade unions FNV, CNV, and AC Rijksvakbonden, is part of a broader campaign for higher civil service salaries. Rotterdam and Vlissingen ports will also see extra customs checks tomorrow.

Why customs officers are taking action

The unions are protesting against the government’s so-called nullijn (zero line) policy, which freezes salaries for all civil servants in 2026 with no inflation adjustment.

The nullijn was implemented by the outgoing cabinet as a cost-saving measure and is expected to save around €600 million annually.

According to FNV, customs officers work alongside police, the Marechaussee (military police), and fire services to secure Dutch borders. And yet, those other services received pay increases, while customs workers received none.

“It’s inexplicable,” FNV Overheid official Jasper de Jong tells Transport Online.

This is a stand against the government, not travellers

The unions acknowledge their action will cause disruption and want travellers to know it’s not about them, but the government.

“We genuinely find this unpleasant,” the FNV writes in a statement. “Customs officers care about their work and society. This action is explicitly not a conflict with Schiphol or with travellers, but with the national government that is letting down its own workers.”

@dutchreview Training for a marathon without knowing, thanks @Schiphol Airport AMS #dutchtok #netherlands #fy #fyp #dutchreview #livingnl #holland #schiphol ♬ original sound – The Flying Welshman

Are you flying through Schiphol tomorrow? Share your customs control experience in the comments below.

Fewer people are travelling to the US from the Netherlands

Kriti Swarup
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2
Fewer people are travelling to the US from the Netherlands

As passengers report empty planes, flight bookings from Schiphol to the US have dipped by nearly a quarter. But why? Many can hazard a guess.

Donald Trump has been busy lately: trying to annex Greenland, deporting Dutch people from the States, kidnapping Venezuela’s president, and deploying ICE.

It’s no wonder Nederlanders want nothing to do with the “land of the free.”

Reports by AD and The Financial Times suggest the US president’s recent actions could certainly be a factor.

Bookings to the US take a noticeable hit

Aside from travellers reporting empty rows on US-bound flights, there’s abundant data showing the US’ drop in popularity as a travel destination.

Aviation data from Cirium shows that bookings from major European airports to the US have dropped significantly for July.

Schiphol is among the hardest hit, with a 23% decline compared to the same month last year.

Meanwhile, data from the International Air Transport Association from 2025 shows that air traffic grew the least between Europe and the US: a measly 2.8%.

When NOS surveyed travel companies two weeks ago, their answer was clear. Bookings to the US are down 20%.

READ MORE | Skip the World Cup, kick America out of NATO, and more: Dutch experts call to “Boycott USA”

Given the fact that the World Cup is still planned for July, the timing of the decline is especially jarring.

Trump’s political moves and stricter visas deter travellers

While we cannot control Trump’s politics, avoiding the US entirely is a choice many seem to be making.

According to the NOS, travel agents are citing Trump’s capture of Maduro, threats towards Greenland, and ICE as reasons why travellers are reluctant to make the journey to the US.

The Netherlands isn’t the only country having this reaction. According to YouGov, Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain are also seeing fewer travellers to the US, attributing this trend to a negative view of the US.

And the US is feeling the repercussions of this.

The Financial Times reports that 11 million fewer tourists travelled to the US in 2025 compared to the year before. This has cost Americans roughly $50 billion in lost revenue. Yikes.

Part of the drop also comes down to tighter US visa rules, which have made entry from countries like Brazil and Thailand impossible.

Translation: Flights to the US are empty. Thx to the Donald.

What does this mean for your travel plans?

Anyone who missed the “boycott the US” memo and still wants to fly stateside this summer is in luck, according to travel website Thrifty Traveler.

Air capacity between Europe and the US is over 2% higher this July compared to last year. And with fewer people booking seats, this can only mean one thing: cheaper tickets.

Meanwhile, flights between Europe and Asia jumped by a whopping 11.8%, suggesting many Europeans are redirecting their travel plans eastward.

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False spring alert! Winter weather isn’t finished in the Netherlands just yet

Kriti Swarup
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False spring alert! Winter weather isn’t finished in the Netherlands just yet

After a blissful weekend of double-digit temperatures, the coming week returns with rain, slippery conditions, and possibly even wet snow.

You might be tempted to ditch the winter coat, but don’t be fooled.

It will remain dry until Monday with plenty of sun, but conditions will reverse by next weekend.

Here’s what’s coming, according to Weeronline.

Starting with a taste of spring

According to Weeronline, the Netherlands will stay dry until at least Monday. Expect plenty of sunshine and daytime temperatures around 10 degrees Celsius.

Northern areas like Groningen, Leeuwarden, and Assen will be a bit colder, with highs between 3 and 7 degrees Celsius. Still, the weather should be quite manageable.

Then, it’s time for rain

However, after a sunny and calm start on Tuesday, cloud cover will increase throughout the afternoon. Rain moving in from the southwest will kick off a much wetter, gloomier stretch of the winter season.

By Wednesday and Thursday, the sun will disappear behind rain showers. However, the Northeast will be milder than usual, with temperatures of around 9 degrees.

And for those of us in the south, we can enjoy up to 12 degrees — from under our umbrellas.

@abel_the_joker1 Imagine experiencing all four seasons in one day😂 Welcome to the Netherlands 🇳🇱 #netherlands #nederland #weather #fyp #dutchweather ♬ original sound – Abel_The_Joker

An icy snap returns for the weekend

As soon as the weekend hits, temperatures will drop sharply.

While daytime highs will hover just above freezing, nights bring light frost, especially inland. Due to the cold temperature, rain showers may even turn into wet snow.

Slippery roads are likely to return, and weather warnings could follow if conditions deteriorate.

According to the Climate Adaptation Platform Netherlands, there is only one culprit behind wetter winters: climate change. Since 1906, winter precipitation has increased by approximately 26%.

As the coming week fills your days with grey skies and rain, we leave you with one piece of advice: enjoy the sun while it lasts, and keep your woollies within reach!

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Dutch Quirk #116: Have a great work-life balance

Lea Shamaa 🇺🇸🇱🇧
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Dutch Quirk #116: Have a great work-life balance

You can call the Dutch out on many things, but you have to admit that they really know how to balance their work and social lives. 

In the Netherlands, full-time workers devote an average of almost 64% of their day to leisure and personal care, according to the OECD.

This amounts to a total of 15.4 hours of non-work activities each day — heel rustig! ✨

What is it?

Finding a balance between work and leisure can prove to be very challenging, especially when working starts to become your life! 🙄

From managing social activities to making time for their personal lives, the Dutch excel at both. 

Indeed, long working hours can harm personal health, increase stress levels, and put safety at risk.

The Dutch know when to stop working, which is probably why they are so happy! 

@letsdoubledutch im fine 😜 #worklifebalance #worklifestruggle #hustleculture #hustlecultureistoxic #hustleculturedropout #americanworkculture #americansbelike #worktolivenotlivetowork #livetowork #dutchies #dutchiesbelike #dutchtiktok #europeansummer #europeanworkculture #expatsinthenetherlands #expatlife #expatsinamsterdam #letsdoubledutch ♬ original sound – Double Dutch

Why do they do it?

For starters, the Dutch have a strong sense of community and care deeply about the people in their work environment. 🤝

But they’re also really good at setting clear boundaries between work and personal lives. 

It’s very normal to grab a drink with co-workers on a terrajse right after work, especially when the sun’s out ☀️— lekker biertje?

READ MORE |  What is borrelen? The Dutch art of going for a drink with co-workers

On top of that, the Dutch are social butterflies who love talking to each other about things other than work. 

Why is it quirky? 

The Dutch are big on flexibility. This doesn’t mean work hours are completely mishandled, though. Quite the opposite! 

The Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet) requires employers to record all hours worked by employees and to allow employees to consult their working schedules. 

If we compare the Netherlands to other countries, the Dutch don’t give themselves too much work to do every day.

For example, the United States has very strict working hours, typically totaling 60 hours. 

READ MORE | Vacation, free time and working hours in the Netherlands: all you need to know

In the Netherlands, flexible work is really common, which is great if you have irregular working hours. And if you need a getaway but still have some work left to do, consider a workation!

Should you join in? 

Absolutely! We can learn a lot from the Dutchies when it comes to maintaining a healthy balance between work life and your personal life. 

How has your work-life balance experience been in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!

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