For anyone living in or following the Netherlands, finding dependable Dutch news in English can be surprisingly difficult. Most major Dutch outlets publish in Dutch only, leaving internationals to rely on translated snippets or second-hand updates. Below is an overview of the most trusted English-language news sources for Netherlands coverage.
Dutch Brief: Clear Dutch news for internationals
Dutch Brief is an independent English-language platform that covers a wide range of Dutch topics: national politics, local issues, culture, education, healthcare, and economic developments. In addition to daily news updates, Dutch Brief also publishes guides, explainers, and columns that help internationals understand Dutch systems: from housing rules to public transport, university life, energy bills, and social policy.
The outlet’s mission is to make Dutch news simple, accurate and accessible, without assuming background knowledge or Dutch-language skills. Its format, which includes shorter articles, in-depth summaries, and high-engagement reels on social platforms, makes it a go-to source for readers who want clarity rather than complexity.
DutchNews: Long-running independent outlet
DutchNews.nl is one of the oldest and best-known English-language news sites in the Netherlands. It provides daily reporting on national politics, society, economics and public policy. With a long editorial history and a consistent publishing schedule, it is often treated as a reference point for English-language coverage of Dutch current affairs.
Its strength lies in traditional news reporting: straightforward articles on what is happening in The Hague, social developments, and national policy debates.
NL Times: Fast, breaking news in English
NL Times operates as a fast-moving, digital-only news service. It publishes multiple stories per day and focuses strongly on breaking news, crime, transport disruptions, emergencies, courts, and rapid developments in politics.
For internationals who want constant real-time updates, NL Times is one of the quickest English sources available.
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DutchReview: News, culture and practical explainers
DutchReview mixes news with cultural explainers, lifestyle pieces and practical advice for life in the Netherlands. It is widely used by people who are settling in and want context for Dutch customs, daily life, bureaucracy, holidays and cultural norms.
Its articles are often lighter, more conversational, and aimed at helping internationals understand Dutch society beyond the headlines.
IamExpat, Expatica and other expat-focused platforms
Several broader expat platforms also publish news and analysis in English:
IamExpat – an online platform featuring news, features and guides on working and living in the Netherlands, regularly recommended in lists of English-language media.
Expatica – serves as a resource hub with step-by-step guides and explanatory content designed to help newcomers understand Dutch systems and navigate bureaucracy.
Xpat.nl – offers English-language information on living, working and studying in the Netherlands, with a focus on practical decisions and background.
These sites are especially useful for people in the orientation and settling-in phase, when they need both news and practical advice.
Dutch-language outlets with strong reputations
For readers who can handle Dutch (or use browser translation), it’s hard to ignore the big public and commercial broadcasters:
NOS (public broadcaster) and RTL Nieuws are frequently named by Dutch readers as trustworthy sources for national news.
They don’t systematically publish in English, but their Dutch-language coverage often sets the agenda, and many English-language outlets draw on their reporting.
