The Dutch Council of State has advised against a proposal to explicitly outlaw ethnic profiling, stating it offers insufficient added value as the practice is already prohibited. The advisory body believes the bill would complicate the existing legal framework rather than clarify it, despite acknowledging that ethnic profiling still occurs.
The Netherlands has signed a contract for three additional NH90 NFH helicopters for the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force, featuring the latest Block-1 (Software Release 3) upgrades. This acquisition, with an option for two more, aims to enhance maritime capabilities, including anti-submarine warfare, and is expected to be delivered by 2030.
Dutch migration minister David Van Weel has welcomed a new EU agreement on rules for returning third-country nationals staying illegally in the bloc. The deal, part of the broader EU Migration Pact, introduces EU-wide return procedures, allows for 'return hubs' outside the EU, and mandates cooperation from individuals facing return decisions.
Na een anonieme tip heeft de Amsterdamse politie op 30 november honderden kilo's illegaal vuurwerk en verboden wapens ontdekt in een garagebox direct onder het politiebureau Overtoomsesluis en in een nabijgelegen appartement. De vondst, die als 'levensgevaarlijk' werd bestempeld, leidde tot de afzetting van de omgeving en een lopend onderzoek.
The Netherlands will raise the Value Added Tax (VAT) on accommodation services from 9% to 21% starting January 1, 2026. This move, part of the 2026 Tax Plan, aims to boost government revenue but faces strong opposition from the tourism sector, which warns of reduced visitor numbers and economic repercussions.
The 'Kick Out Black Pete' (KOZP) movement has declared victory in its 15-year campaign against the blackface tradition of Zwarte Piet in the Netherlands. The group, led by Jerry Afriyie, announced it would cease operations, citing a significant shift towards 'Sooty Petes' and a decline in traditional blackface portrayals across the country.
The Netherlands has deployed 300 troops, two Patriot missile defense systems, a NASAMS unit, and counter-drone systems to a critical NATO logistics hub in Rzeszów, eastern Poland. The six-month mission, operational from December 1, 2025, aims to protect military aid routes to Ukraine and deter potential Russian threats.
Over 900 local officials in Limburg, Netherlands, have published a full-page advertisement appealing for respect and an end to threats and intimidation. The appeal comes amidst a surge in hostility, particularly concerning plans for new refugee centers, which officials say is hindering democratic processes and forcing some politicians into protection.
A significant bird flu outbreak has been confirmed on multiple poultry farms and a petting zoo in the Netherlands, particularly in regions bordering Germany. The highly pathogenic virus has led to the culling of hundreds of thousands of birds and the imposition of strict 10-kilometer transport bans and restricted zones by both Dutch and German authorities to curb further spread. The resurgence of avian influenza in October 2025, after a six-month hiatus, is raising concerns about the poultry industry and potential price increases.
The Netherlands will extend its reduced excise duties on petrol, diesel, and LPG until January 1, 2027, averting a planned price increase. This measure, costing the treasury approximately €1.6 billion, aims to maintain affordable fuel prices. Separately, Dutch MPs previously allocated €420 million to public transport to prevent fare increases.
The Netherlands plans a significant military infrastructure expansion across 56 locations, driven by global security concerns, particularly in Eastern Europe. The plan, set for a final government decision in December 2025, includes new F-35 bases and barracks, with completion aimed for 2040. This initiative is part of a broader defense budget increase and personnel growth to 100,000 by 2030.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is set to visit The Hague, Netherlands, on November 25, 2025, to participate in the 30th Session of the Conference of the States Parties (CSP-30) of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The annual meeting, running from November 24-28, focuses on the implementation and compliance of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
RespectFarms has launched the world's first pilot cultivated meat farm in Zuid-Holland, Netherlands, on dairy farmer Corné van Leeuwen's property. This groundbreaking initiative, supported by EU and provincial government funding, aims to integrate cultivated meat production directly into existing farms, marking a significant step towards sustainable and decentralized food systems. An experience center is planned for Spring 2026.
Dutch lawmakers have voiced significant concerns regarding US tech giant Kyndryl's planned acquisition of Solvinity, a key cloud provider for critical government digital services in the Netherlands. The acquisition, announced in early November 2025, has sparked fears over data security, digital sovereignty, and the implications of the US CLOUD Act on sensitive Dutch government data.
The Dutch government has suspended its order to seize control of Nexperia, a chipmaker owned by China's Wingtech Technology. This decision follows constructive talks with Chinese authorities and aims to resolve a dispute that had impacted global semiconductor supply chains, particularly for the automotive industry.
Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, Vincent Karremans, has defended the Netherlands' six-week standoff with Beijing over chipmaker Nexperia, stating he has 'no regrets' and calling the dispute a 'wake-up call to Europe' regarding critical technology dependencies. The intervention, aimed at preventing technology transfer to China, led to significant disruptions in the global automotive supply chain.
German automaker BMW is being sued in the Netherlands by consumer associations Consumentenbond and Car Claim Foundation. The lawsuit alleges BMW used software to manipulate diesel emissions tests in approximately 100,000 vehicles, making them appear cleaner than they are in real-world driving conditions. The groups demand compensation and vehicle recalls.
The Netherlands has announced it will return a 3,500-year-old stone head sculpture, depicting an official from Pharaoh Thutmose III's reign, to Egypt. The artifact, believed to have been looted during the 2011 Arab Spring, was discovered at a Dutch art fair in 2022 and is expected to be handed over by the end of 2025.
The Dutch government and semiconductor firm Nexperia have declined to comment on media reports suggesting the White House plans to announce a resumption of chip shipments from Nexperia's Chinese facilities. This follows a period of disrupted supply chains due to geopolitical tensions and export controls, significantly impacting the global automotive industry.
Dutch health inspectors have issued a stark warning about the rise of illicit online pharmacies selling prescription-only ADHD medication and painkillers without valid prescriptions. The Inspectie Gezondheidszorg en Jeugd (IGJ) reported a significant increase in complaints, highlighting severe health risks from unregulated and potentially counterfeit drugs.
