Dutch news in English and Dutch: best sources for expats (2026)
Stay informed at every Dutch level, from zero to advanced
Reddit threads from internationals in the Netherlands ask the same questions: where do I find trustworthy Dutch news in English? Which Dutch news site is good for language learners? What is the difference between NOS, NU.nl and RTL? This guide answers all of them, segmented by language level, so you can start reading about Dutch politics, society and daily life right now, wherever you are on your Dutch journey. It is also worth pairing this with our learn Dutch guide and language and integration guide for a complete picture.
The main outlets covered here are NOS, NU.nl, RTL Nieuws, DutchNews.nl and NL Times, plus regional broadcasters and quality newspapers such as NRC and de Volkskrant. You will also find tool recommendations and daily habits that actually work, based on what expat communities and Dutch language learners report using regularly.
If you are new to the Netherlands and still getting settled, the long-term integration guide explains why staying informed in Dutch, even imperfectly, matters more than most expats realise in year two and beyond.
Table of contents
At a glance: main Dutch and English news brands
These are the outlets that come up again and again when Dutch people and expats discuss reliable news sources.
Dutch-language (general news)
- NOS - Public broadcaster, 24/7 independent news across TV, radio, web and app. Often compared to the BBC.
- NU.nl - Largest Dutch online-only news platform and most-used news app. Short, fast updates and liveblogs.
- RTL Nieuws - Commercial TV news of RTL Nederland with daily bulletins and online coverage, reaching millions of viewers.
- NRC - In-depth politics, culture and long-form analysis. Plus de Volkskrant, Trouw, Het Parool and FD.
English-language (Netherlands-focused)
- DutchNews.nl - Leading provider of daily Dutch news and current affairs in English for internationals.
- NL Times - Netherlands news in English, providing daily English stories about the Netherlands.
Hybrid and translation options
- NOS in English - A Facebook page run by students who translate every NOS article into English. Not official NOS, but highly active and widely followed by expats who want Dutch public broadcaster coverage without the language barrier.
- Accessible-language newsletters - newsletters that re-tell Dutch news in simpler Dutch, shared frequently in expat and learner communities.
Level 0 Dutch: staying informed in English only
If you have just arrived and do not yet read Dutch, start with the English-language ecosystem. These sources cover the politics, housing, health and policy stories that affect your daily life as an expat.
Core English news options
Daily coverage of politics, society, housing, health and expat-relevant topics. Widely cited as the quality English source for internationals living in the Netherlands.
High-volume English news covering crime, transport, weather and policy. Brands itself as a one-stop English feed on the Netherlands with frequent daily updates.
Social feeds and newsletters
- NOS in English - a student-run Facebook page that translates every NOS article into English. Not official, but highly active and a favourite among expats who want Dutch public broadcaster coverage in English.
Expats on Reddit consistently mention DutchNews.nl and NL Times as their main English sources. Once major political stories come up, you can go deeper with our Dutch customs and etiquette guide to understand the cultural backdrop.
A1-A2 Dutch: learning with simplified news
When you can read some Dutch at A1-A2, language learners recommend moving to very short Dutch news plus translation tools rather than staying on English forever. Reading Dutch news, even imperfectly, is one of the fastest ways to build vocabulary in context. See our learn Dutch guide for study plans that combine news reading with tutors and apps.
Short headlines and concise articles with relatively simple sentence structures. Many learners use it as their first Dutch news app because push notifications keep the habit going.
Read the Dutch headlines on nos.nl, then use browser translation or the NOS in English Facebook page when you get stuck. Seeing the same story in Dutch and English builds comprehension fast.
Newsletters that intentionally use easier Dutch to cover the news are shared regularly in Dutch learner communities. Search expat Facebook groups and Reddit for current recommendations.
Community advice
Read daily, even if you only understand headlines and first sentences at first. Accepting that you will read the same story in English afterwards is a valid learning technique, not cheating. Consistency matters more than comprehension percentage at this stage.
Understand Dutch news faster
Find a Dutch tutor on Preply
A weekly session with a Dutch tutor accelerates news comprehension significantly. Tell your tutor you want to read NU.nl or NOS headlines in lessons. Preply has Dutch tutors from €10/hr with free trial lessons, filterable by expat experience and inburgering prep.
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B1-B2: full Dutch news diet
Once you are around B1-B2, you can consume mainstream Dutch news like locals do. Most Dutch people follow a combination of one quick daily source and one in-depth source.
Core general news mix
| Outlet | Type | Best for | App |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOS | Public broadcaster | Independent round-the-clock reporting, flagship 20:00 TV bulletin | ✓ |
| NU.nl | Online-only | Constantly updated headlines and liveblogs, most-used Dutch news app | ✓ |
| RTL Nieuws | Commercial TV | Private-sector alternative with business-heavy RTL Z output | ✓ |
| NRC | Quality newspaper | In-depth politics, culture and long-form analysis | ✓ |
| De Volkskrant | Quality newspaper | Broad centre-left paper with strong features and opinion | ✓ |
| Trouw | Quality newspaper | Society, ethics and religion-in-society focus | ✓ |
| Het Parool | City newspaper | Amsterdam-oriented with strong local coverage | ✓ |
| FD | Business newspaper | Finance and business news (Financieele Dagblad) | ✓ |
Note on De Telegraaf: Several communities warn against relying on De Telegraaf as a neutral reference. The papers listed above are the standard recommendations for balanced coverage of Dutch politics and society.
Regional and local news
Dutch people emphasise that regional broadcasters and local sites matter for understanding what is happening near you: new tram lines, local referendums, school and housing decisions. National news will not cover your neighbourhood's flooding complaint or the local market controversy.
North
Dutch: RTV Noord, Omroep Friesland, RTV Drenthe
English: No dedicated English source
East
Dutch: RTV Oost, Omroep Gelderland, Omroep Brabant
English: No dedicated English source
West / Randstad
Dutch: AT5 (Amsterdam), RTV Rijnmond (Rotterdam), Omroep West (The Hague)
English: AT5 has some English coverage
South
Dutch: Omroep Brabant, L1 (Limburg)
English: No dedicated English source
For city-specific information about expat life, see our Amsterdam expat guide, Rotterdam expat guide and The Hague expat guide.
English vs Dutch news: how bias and depth differ
Expat communities discussing English-language Dutch news tend to be nuanced. Many internationals appreciate DutchNews.nl and NL Times for making Dutch politics and policy accessible in English, especially during major events like elections and Covid measures.
At the same time, some Dutch users point out that English outlets can occasionally produce selective or simplified translations of original Dutch stories. The safest approach is to use English sources to understand what is going on, then verify bigger or controversial stories by skimming the original NOS or NU.nl article as well.
Strengths of English sources
- Immediately accessible, no language barrier
- Often focus on expat-relevant angles (housing, visa, tax)
- Faster to skim for the gist of major stories
- NOS in English (Facebook) translates every NOS article into English
Strengths of Dutch sources
- Full context and nuance of original reporting
- Access to all local and regional news
- Better for understanding Dutch political culture
- Essential for integration above B1 level
Tools and habits to stay informed
These are community-tested habits from expats who have built a consistent Dutch news reading practice.
Install two apps
One English (DutchNews.nl or NL Times via browser shortcut) and one Dutch (NU.nl or NOS). Having both on your phone reduces the friction of switching to Dutch when you have a moment.
Subscribe to 1-2 newsletters or push alerts
One English newsletter and one Dutch push alert (NU.nl is the easiest to set up) keeps you passively informed without having to actively seek news.
Follow at least one regional broadcaster
Find the regional public broadcaster for your province and follow them on social media or subscribe to their app. Regional news makes the Netherlands feel like home faster than national news.
Read in Dutch first, then in English for complex stories
For major stories (elections, housing policy, visa changes), try the Dutch first and fill gaps with English. This both improves language and reduces misunderstanding from translations.
For the language side of this, see our learn Dutch guide and language integration guide. For building the broader cultural knowledge to make sense of what you read, the Dutch culture and museums guide is a natural companion.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Dutch news sites in English?
Most expats and locals recommend a combination of DutchNews.nl and NL Times for daily English news about the Netherlands. For more context and background articles, add IamExpat and Expatica, which focus explicitly on internationals and expat-relevant policy.
Is NOS available in English?
NOS itself is Dutch-language only, but there is a popular student-run Facebook page called NOS in English that translates every NOS article into English. It is not officially affiliated with NOS, but it is highly active and widely followed by expats. Many combine it with DutchNews.nl or NL Times to cross-check major stories.
Which news sites are best if I am learning Dutch?
Reddit learners frequently suggest NU.nl for short, simple articles and push notifications, NOS headlines plus browser translation when you get stuck, and accessible-language newsletters that summarise Dutch news in easier Dutch, especially around A2 to B1. The idea is to read a little every day, even if you still rely on translation tools.
Which Dutch news outlets are considered high-quality and relatively neutral?
When asked for reputable, less sensational sources, Dutch people typically list NRC, Trouw, de Volkskrant, Het Parool, FD (Financieele Dagblad) and NOS. They often advise against relying solely on tabloid-style outlets like De Telegraaf if you want balanced coverage of politics and society.
Are DutchNews.nl and NL Times reliable?
They are widely used by internationals and recommended in multiple communities as primary English sources. Some Dutch users note that English-language sites can occasionally simplify or frame issues differently than the original Dutch coverage, so the safest approach is to treat them as solid first reads and cross-check key stories with NOS or NU.nl when in doubt.
How can I follow regional and local Dutch news?
Every province has its own regional public broadcaster (such as Omroep Brabant, RTV Oost, Omroep Gelderland, RTV Noord), and cities often have local papers like Het Parool for Amsterdam. There is no dedicated English-language regional news source for the north.
What is the best Dutch news app for expats?
For English: DutchNews.nl and NL Times both work well as browser shortcuts or PWAs. For Dutch practice: the NU.nl app is the most popular among expat language learners because articles are short, push alerts are easy to manage, and sentence structures are relatively accessible for A1-A2 readers.
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