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The Dutch are coming

As the Netherlands increases its fees for higher education, Flanders is looking more and more appealing to Dutch students
Daniel Rys / BELGA

The numbers of Dutch students at Flemish universities has more than doubled over the last five years. Although alarm bells are not yet ringing, the Netherlands' fee changes of this year could cause an additional influx of Dutch students looking for an affordable education. The problem, though, say some university administrators, is not one of quantity – but quality.

“I’ve been mulling over Belgium,
Because everyone there laughs.
I’ve been mulling over Belgium,
Because the language is so soft.”

So sang the Dutch pop group Het Goede Doel in 1982, in a very odd song called “België”. And in fact, more and more young Dutch people are mulling over their neighbour to the south – for the purposes of higher education.

Alan Hope
(January 25, 2012)

Mortgage tax break will continue

Homeowners across Flanders are assured fiscal relief
© Belga

Homeowners with existing mortgages will continue to receive tax benefits even after the federal government hands responsibility for the system over to the regions in 2014, the Flemish government has promised. And anyone who takes out a mortgage to buy, build or renovate a home after 2014 in Flanders will also receive “fiscal support”.

The changes come as part of the package of measures agreed by the main parties when the long-awaited federal government was formed at the end of last year. Several responsibilities were transferred from the federal government to the regions, including housing policy.

Alan Hope
(January 25, 2012)