June 2025: 6 things expats in the Netherlands need to know
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By Simone Jacobs
With the arrival of June, we bid farewell to spring and welcome summer in the Netherlands. From the weather to events, here’s what expats living in the Netherlands can expect in the new month.
1. NL-Alert test message to go out
On June 2, an NL-Alert test message will be sent out to residents in the Netherlands at around 12pm. The government is testing the Dutch alarm system on mobile phones to ensure that it works in the event of an emergency.
The message will clearly state that it is a test so that residents know that they do not have to do anything in response.
2. NATO summit takes place in The Hague
The NATO summit is being held in the Netherlands for the first time ever on June 24 and 25. Not only will it be the largest police operation in Dutch history, but it will also cause significant traffic disruptions to people living in and travelling through The Hague and its surrounding cities.
For this reason, drivers are being advised to avoid the Randstad area - including Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague - and to work from home as much as possible from June 23 until June 26. If you have to travel, residents are encouraged to use public transport.
3. Amsterdam’s big 750th birthday celebrations kick off
While Amsterdam kicked off its year-long party to celebrate its 750th birthday in October last year, the star of the show is set to take place on June 21: the festival on the A10 ring road.
Included on the big day will be a running event, parades, musical performances, art and cultural stages, and some couples will even be getting married on the motorway. In May, it was revealed that the festival would be a ticketed event to limit the number of attendees - the 280.000 free tickets were snapped up in no time.
4. Whit Monday, the last Dutch public holiday until December
After a month sprinkled with multiple public holidays, there will be just one extra day off in June for everyone living in the Netherlands. Whit Monday, or Tweede Pinksterdag in Dutch, will be on June 9 this year.
With this being the last public holiday in the Netherlands until December, Dutch residents are sure to make the most of the long weekend this June.
5. Summer arrives in the Netherlands
While some rain showers are predicted for the start of June, summer is officially almost here. Based on the astronomical calendar, summer in the Netherlands will arrive on Saturday, June 21 (the day of the summer solstice).
The weather might not be predictable, but some summer days above 25 degrees celsius are expected this month. It will be no time before we can head to the beach or spend the afternoons barbecuing in the sun!
6. Pride month returns to the Netherlands
June is Pride Month in the Netherlands and in many countries across the globe. For the entire month, the LGBTQIA+ community will be celebrated with several parades, demonstrations and events taking place across the country.
In the Netherlands, the colourful events celebrating love, inclusion, equality and diversity extend into July and even August, so everyone can get the chance to join in!
Editor for the Netherlands at IamExpat Media. Simone studied Genetics and Zoology at the University of Pretoria in South Africa before moving to the Netherlands, where she has been working as a writer and editor since 2022. One thing she loves more than creating content is consuming it, mainly by reading books by the dozen. Other than being a book dragon, she is also a nature lover and enjoys hiking and animal training. Read more