My fellow Americans! (and anyone else who reads this) Welcome to our short-and-sweet monthly newsletter, where we recap the top 5 news stories from the month. We look forward to helping you stay informed and connected with the latest news from this amazing (and sometimes weird) country!
1. Housing Prices
According to the NVM, the Netherlands housing market has seen its first year-on-year price drop in nine years. Mortgage rates tripled last year and the European economy is facing a mild recession, contributing to the shift. However, buyers now have more choice with double the number of houses for sale, compared to a year ago. The largest drops were in Amsterdam and Utrecht, while some areas still saw increases. The NVM has concerns over achieving its target of building 900,000 new houses by 2030, due to high costs, inflation and uncertainty.
2. Dutch American Friendship Treaty Visa
The IND announced that the price of the Dutch American Friendship Treaty Visa is being reduced from €1446 to €350. This price reduction takes effect the 1st of January, 2023. This price adjustment aims to equalize the application costs between certain residence permits. The new fees give a self-employed person equal opportunity (and the same cost) to that of an innovative start-up. Self-employed people applying for DAFT will no longer be required to pay nearly 4 times more.
3. Microchipped Cats?
The Netherlands is introducing a requirement for pet owners to have their house-cats microchipped and registered. It is intended to help return cats that have gone missing and reduce the number of stray cats. There are currently 2.9 million domestic cats in the Netherlands, with more than 60,000 reported missing each year. D66 proposed a compulsory microchip for cats in 2018, noting that fewer stray cats would result in fewer dead birds. A response from the Minister of Agriculture at the time promised to look into the chip requirement and the cat problem. The plans for a national chip and registration obligation are now being worked out.
4. KLM flight 755
KLM flight 755 from Ecuador to Amsterdam made history when a passenger gave birth mid-flight. “A few hours before landing in the Netherlands, her stomach hurt and she decided to go to the toilet. To her great surprise, after two contractions, she suddenly had a baby in her hands,” the hospital said. Two doctors and a nurse from Austria on were board, and were able to help the mother after this surprising delivery. The Mother and baby were admitted to the Spaarne Gasthuis Haarlem Zuid hospital and are doing well. Maximiliano, the new baby was named after one of these people, and is now on his way to Madrid with his mother. KLM is now ranked #1 for in-flight entertainment!
5. Schiphol Restrictions
Schiphol Airport has announced that it will be removing the restrictions it put on airlines to limit the number of departing passengers in time for the spring travel season and the May vacation period. The airport put the measure in place last year due to staff shortages at security checkpoints, which caused HUGE lines. A recruitment drive is underway to hire 850 new security officers, but the airport still has specific concerns about the 6 a.m. – 11 a.m. window on peak travel days. Schiphol is working with the airlines, baggage handlers and other parties to organize peak moments and spread out passengers to other times of day. If successful, the restrictions will end in March.
Until Next Month
Thanks for reading! Like what you see? Don’t like what you see? Let us know. We’re all about self improvement. If you’re looking for an opportunity to practice your Dutch, make sure to check out the Dutch version of our newsletter. We look forward to sharing more news with you next month. Until then, stay safe and informed!