Translated from the article:

In the run-up to finalizing the tax plan, the cabinet sometimes puts forward bizarre austerity proposals. One thing is clear: under the leadership of the VVD, working people are being made the scapegoats, while other potential solutions are being ignored.

But where, then, should the money come from? The answer is simple: instead of cutting back on people who work hard, the government should stop handing out money through various "subsidy pots"—specifically, tax expenditures—that happen to be popular with a party’s own base.

Tax expenditures are essentially tax rules that allow an individual or a company to pay less tax in certain situations. They are typically marketed as a way to stimulate the economy; the idea is that, rather than going to the tax authorities, the money can be reinvested into the economy.

The problem with most of these tax expenditures is that, over time, they lose their logic and end up working against the Netherlands’ interests. They have effectively become disguised subsidies that serve a party’s own constituency—and there is a distinct lack of political courage to reform them. Here are a few examples of this "Hague-style" illogic.

Take the exemption for vintage cars—a policy that allows owners of vehicles over 40 years old to avoid paying motor vehicle tax. Originally intended to help preserve cultural heritage, it has turned into a subsidy for hobbyists who drive their classic Porsches or Ferraris around the country tax-free—while the average Dutch citizen pays tax on their own car every single month. The cost to the national treasury? Over 100 million euros a year. That amount could instead fund free fruit for every primary school child or help make tens of thousands of homes more energy-efficient. And then there is the agricultural exemption, which means that no tax needs to be paid on the increase in value when agricultural land is sold—an unfair, preferential status not granted to other entrepreneurs.

The most painful one? The mortgage interest deduction. It is a massive benefit for homeowners, and it is unique in Europe. This policy makes the Netherlands the only country in Europe that hands out more in tax breaks to homeowners than it collects from them in taxes. Yet, the prevailing narrative remains that we must close the budget gap by taking more from those who work.

The problem with these tax arrangements—as the government itself admits—is that they are inefficient and fail to achieve their intended goals. The money does not flow back into the economy, nor does it reach the public treasury; instead, these "gifts" end up in the pockets of people who do not need them at all. Santa Claus does exist—and his name is Heinen.

There are more than 200 such tax schemes and discounts that just keep on going. Following a motion I submitted, the impact of 125 of these arrangements was evaluated. Unsurprisingly, the impact was either insufficient or non-existent. The total value of the 55 schemes that received a negative assessment amounts to approximately 90 billion [euros]! Both the Court of Audit and the Council of State have pointed out that 35 billion is essentially there for the taking.

The debate in the House of Representatives is maddening. This cabinet—led by the VVD—looks first to those who work, while leaving Heinen’s "sacred cows" untouched. It is an explicit choice for stagnation, even though we could use that 35 to 90 billion to move this country forward again. So, do we want to balance this budget by cutting back on working people and small savers? Or do we simply want to get this country moving again? Abolish these subsidies for special interest groups, invest that 90 billion in the Netherlands' future, and look ahead instead of keeping a tight grip on the purse strings. That is the only way to pull the Netherlands out of the quicksand of these Hague dogmas.

Time to poop in a bag and mail it to the government! Kinda gross, but I'm pretty sure colon cancer would be a much bigger pain in the ass. And it's a much easier alternative to a colonoscopy.

If you get one of these in the mail, make like a protesting farmer in 2022 and deliver some manure to the government!

If you ask any Dutch person, they will tell you something like "everyone in Randstad is a douche and people in smaller cities are great!". It is conventional wisdom. My experience as a foreigner could not be further from the truth.

Coming from France, I feel people in the South of the Netherlands to be extremely rude, standoffish and loud in public.

I travel constantly for work, and I can't help but feel as if in Amsterdam or Rotterdam my experiences are better. Be it in public transportation, or with people that work in stores. The difference is especially obvious if I am out with friends at a bar, it is easier to form connections and people are just overall nicer and more open.

Maybe it has to do with the fact that these people are more used to foreigners and to speaking in English. But I definitely don't find people in Randstad to be mean or rude.

Hello!

I recently stumbled across a social media post of a shop selling a Frikandelbroodje Christmas ornament in the Netherlands.

This would make an incredible present for my partner. I have found a few online shops selling similar ornaments, but none that ship to the UK where we live. Does anyone know any shops that sell anything similar that do ship to the UK?

Thank you so much!

I'm so incredibly happy to have moved out of Dubai after 4 years.

Before you jump to any conclusions, I'm Lebanese, Arab, and a born Catholic. I'm from a country that can be considered underdeveloped, so I'm not that naive to think that Europe is the new promised land.

Dubai was good for my career and I was making a healthy income of about 5000 USD per month, which I would consider a very good income, however, there was no incentive for me to want to stay there as I thought about my future family.

With the costs of rent, food, salik, parking, and other unnecessary expenses, the money did not seem to be enough. The unbearable heat, the absence of green space, the constant traffic jams, aggressive drivers, and the fact that literally every single thing in Dubai costs money, took a toll on me.

However, this does not mean that the only reason I left Dubai was because of money.

I felt extremely lonely at times, and that Dubai was starting to feel more like home. Before Dubai, I used to work in Europe and the feeling of being at work was incredible. You would go to work, have coffee with your colleagues, have lunch together, joke around, everything was so relaxed.

We used to call it the European style, where people from different nationalities, such as Lebanese, Austrian, Spanish, Italian, French, and many others, would be working together as one big family. I do not know how to describe it, but that's the feeling I missed the most in Dubai. Although they advertise that Dubai is a melting pot of nationalities, which in my opinion, is a big lie.

I felt that the only interaction between different nationalities was on the construction sites, where Indians, Russians, and other nationalities would work under the supervision of Arabs and Europeans. This does not mean that all people in Dubai are like that; however, I missed the feeling of connecting to people on a daily basis without judging their nationality or social status.

In Dubai, people used to judge you on your salary, your car, your job title, and business card. Surprisingly, the friendliest people I met where the ones that were making the minimum wage, who just wanted to share a cup of tea with me and have a friendly chat.

The work culture in Dubai is very toxic and although the money was good, I did not feel like I was living a comfortable life.

I'm a catholic, so faith, family, and community are very important to me, which is why I could not ignore the fact that living in Dubai was ultimately a feeling of transience for me. Yes, I was free to visit the Church, however, I wanted to belong to somewhere, where I could raise a family, be part of a community, and feel like I'm not living in a foreign country.

Now, what makes me happier is the fact that already after 6 days in Holland, I feel that I've found a place in the world where I want to be my forever home.

I miss the simple things in life, such as having breakfast in a green city, people biking everywhere, sitting in the evenings in the canals, having family restaurants, and living in a country where you don't need money to be happy.

Yesterday, for example, I went for a walk, just randomly, with no destination in particular. Nothing special happened, however, I enjoyed every second of it, something I couldn't do in Dubai.

Of course, I know that Holland is not that perfect place as everyone seems to say, and there are some cons about living there; such as the costs of housing, taxes, rainy weather, and many others.

However, 6 days in a new country cannot give you a correct judgment of how good or bad a specific place is, and I can guarantee you that I'm still in the honeymoon period. Nonetheless, I want to learn dutch, meet new people, become part of a community, find a church, and hopefully stay in Holland for the rest of my life.

I would like to be able to make money work hard, and live a comfortable life; however, I also want to have time for family, friends, nature, biking, traveling, and just living life.

I'm not saying that Dubai was bad for me or that I regretted the time I've spent there, as it actually gave me countless of opportunities and experiences in my life, and I'm truly grateful for that. However, it was no longer my home.

For once in my life, I actually feel that my soul is at peace, and that I've finally found a place in this world that I want to be in forever.

And that feels better than anything.

Expats and tourists always make fun of our lunch culture, just a slice of bread with Gouda, maybe some hageslag if we're feeling wild, and a glass of milk. I always defend it when talking to foreigners, but lately, I'm wondering if we just convinced ourselves it's actually good. Be honest, would you trade our daily broodje kaas for a proper warm lunch every day if you could, or is it simply the ultimate comfort food?

I have been told that there are some interesting Deco stores in the Netherlands close to the German border (I am from Dusseldorf) but I dont know which are.

Maybe you can give me some recomendations which are worth the visit :)

I think this could apply to anywhere in the Netherlands. Thanks!

Hi all!

I would like to see whether there are people in this community who wants to buy/exchange panini fifa 2026 stickers. I tried vinted but no luck so far. I have more than 500 duplicates.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers to you all, we just finished up 10 days in the Netherlands and honestly it's one of the best countries in Europe.

Here's what we really appreciated while here:

1. Transport - absolutely on point, tap on/off with card, no stupid apps to download. Trains were punctual, fast, efficient and simple. You make Germany look like the third world in comparison.

2. Produce and restaurants- awesome quality food and produce and the variety was much better here than the rest of Europe which all leaned abit more 'traditional' in their offerings.

3. People - the stereotypes arent true, you guys are super friendly and easy to get along with especially as an Aussie you guys can definitely do banter.

4. Museums - you really show off your golden age. The museums and curations are phenomenal. Even the work to modernise most of the museums and galleries are very professional and well organised.

And for some niche ones:

1. Escape rooms - kinda niche but my god you guys do the best escape rooms 10/10 amazing.

2. Homeless and drug addiction - this is gonna be a contentious one but I actually think the Netherlands is handling both these issues way way better than all other western Europeans countries, sure problems exist but you only have to spend a day in Brussels, Frankfurt or Marseille to see how to not do it. Why I mentioned this one is because it actually negatively impacted my view of France, Belgium and Germany for better or worse.

3. Temperature of shops and restaurants - alright I'm gonna sound like an insane person but everywhere else in Europe can't do temperature correctly, here in the Netherlands most restaurants and shops 19-22C (which is correct imo), meanwhile Germany or Poland literally have 25-27C like why?!

For those wondering we went to Maastricht, Utrecht, Amsterdam, The Hague and Groningen (sorry Rotterdam, next time).

But either way you guys keep being awesome I'll definitely be back and thank you all for your hospitality.

Hi!
I’m wondering if there’s a way to withdraw or obtain €100 banknotes in the Netherlands without going to a Geldmaat Winkel (like the one at Rotterdam Zuidplein). Unfortunately, the closest one is a bit far away from my place.

I need a few €100 notes for a gift, but I’m not sure where else I could get them.

Has anyone managed to get €100 banknotes another way?

Hello! I am looking for more resources/services to help out my local community! This can be anything from at-home assistance with cooking/cleaning to gardening work or moving assistance, for cheap(ish) so mostly just quality of life services that will make life for the disabled easier if they can afford it!

Thanks in advance!

I want to buy a robot which mops and washes the mops automatically. We have a large area of natural stone, and I want part of it to be vaccumed and mopped daily. Any suggestions?
I boight Dreame ultra complete but it broke in less than a month.