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Essentially Amsterdam

Essentially Amsterdam Staff

Reporting by the Essentially Amsterdam newsroom. We cover the city every day for the people who live in it: transport, housing, policy, money and the things that change how a week in Amsterdam actually goes. Every story is written in our own words from the original reporting, and the newsroom that broke it is credited at the foot of the article. Corrections and news tips: editorial@essentiallyamsterdam.com

428 published pieces Corrections and tips: editorial@essentiallyamsterdam.com

  1. News Amsterdam mayor and aldermen receive salary increase following national civil service agreement

    Local government executives get a 2.7 percent pay rise tied to civil servant contracts, while municipal council members miss out.

    26 July 2026

  2. News Winkel 43 opens new kitchen for daily activity program

    The famous Jordan cafe has expanded into a neighboring building to create a dedicated baking space for people with disabilities.

    25 July 2026

  3. News Amsterdam reports dramatic rise in public nuisance complaints over past decade

    Data shows official reports of public nuisance have surged, though experts question if street behavior has actually worsened.

    25 July 2026

  4. News Amsterdam grid expansion at Hoogte Kadijk set to take eight years

    Upgrades to key electrical infrastructure in the Eastern Docklands will bring prolonged street disruptions and structural changes for nearby residents.

    25 July 2026

  5. News Bright fireball over Amsterdam identified as falling SpaceX satellite

    Skygazers across the city spotted a slow-moving streak of light, which experts say was a decommissioned Starlink satellite re-entering the atmosphere.

    25 July 2026

  6. News More Dutch residents shift to app-based identity verification for online services

    New figures show 38 percent of residents now use the DigiD app with a one-time ID check, though older generations remain slower to adopt the method.

    25 July 2026

  7. News Amsterdam considers charging taxi drivers to use Central Station rank

    The city is exploring a user-pay system to cover the cost of ongoing supervision and security at the station's troubled taxi hub.

    25 July 2026

  8. News Amsterdam threatens festival organizer with €250,000 fine over hard liquor sales

    City officials take action against Sona after rules were repeatedly violated at local dance events.

    25 July 2026

  9. News Age limit forces 20-year-old Amsterdam pub owner to navigate complex licensing rules

    A young entrepreneur taking over Bar Guzzo must work alongside older business partners until he turns 21 this autumn.

    25 July 2026

  10. News Three Calandlyceum students pass final exams after grading review

    A family friend spotted mistakes in the math papers of three secondary students in Amsterdam Nieuw-West who were initially told they had failed.

    25 July 2026

  11. News Mini Milkshake kicks off festival weekend in Westerpark

    The accessible daytime event welcomed hundreds of visitors to Westerpark ahead of the main Milkshake Festival.

    25 July 2026

  12. News Netherlands ranks 21st for expats as job perks balance housing struggles

    A new global survey shows international residents value the local work-life balance while continuing to face major challenges in the housing market.

    25 July 2026

  13. News Proposal to remove permanent conductors from Amsterdam trams draws criticism

    Staff representatives at public transit operator GVB fear that removing seated conductors from trams will hurt safety and increase fare evasion.

    25 July 2026

  14. News Amsterdam-based Bunq introduces Belgian bank accounts and Wero payment system

    The Dutch digital bank has expanded its features across Europe by offering local Belgian account numbers and integrating a new European payment network.

    25 July 2026

  15. News Temperatures in the Netherlands could reach 35 degrees next week

    : Weather forecasters expect a warm spell to hit the country, with mid-week temperatures pushing well above average.

    25 July 2026

  16. News Netherlands to introduce penalty points system for dangerous drivers

    Dutch police and prosecutors are launching a new points system aimed at keeping habitual traffic offenders off the road.

    25 July 2026

  17. News Dutch household energy expenses exceed 2022 levels as higher wages absorb the cost

    New banking data shows residents are spending more on energy and fuel than during the peak of the recent crisis, though rising incomes are softening the impact.

    24 July 2026

  18. News Unlicensed electric scooters still widespread on Dutch roads despite strict rules

    A year after new registration laws took effect, popular electric scooters remain illegal to ride on public streets.

    24 July 2026

  19. News KPN launches 5G home broadband for locations lacking fast fixed lines

    Dutch telecom provider KPN is offering home internet over its mobile network as a plug-and-play alternative for addresses without fiber.

    24 July 2026

  20. News Amsterdam hospitality group secures long-term future at W Hotel following legal disputes

    Hospitality operator Entourage has signed a new 20-year lease for its venues inside the W Hotel in central Amsterdam after months of financial restructuring and court battles.

    24 July 2026