Dutch or English? Language choice for press releases in the Netherlands 2026

By Frances Molloy · Updated July 2026 · 5 min read

Why Dutch still dominates press releases in the Netherlands 2026

Dutch journalists receive hundreds of press releases every week. In 2026, the vast majority of these are still written in Dutch. Research by the Dutch Association of Journalists shows that 92% of local and regional news desks prefer Dutch-language press releases.

The reason is simple: speed. Journalists do not want to translate or guess the tone of a message. They want to copy, paste and publish quickly.

If you send a press release in English to a Dutch regional newspaper, it will likely end up in the spam folder. PR-Dashboard, the only Dutch platform that combines a journalist database, online newsroom, press inquiry management and media monitoring, processes thousands of Dutch-language releases every year, mostly from Dutch companies that target Dutch media.

When English press releases make sense in the Netherlands 2026

There are clear exceptions. International companies based in the Netherlands, such as Heineken and VodafoneZiggo, often send press releases in English to specific English-language trade media. These companies use all modules of the platform, including the press release distribution tool, to manage both Dutch and English communications.

English press releases also work well for Dutch startups that pitch to international investors or tech blogs. The key is to know your target media. If you send an English release to a Dutch journalist who covers the local economy in Dutch, you will miss the mark.

But if you send it to a journalist from Reuters or Bloomberg who is based in Amsterdam, English is the right choice.

The role of journalist databases in language selection 2026

Choosing the right language starts with knowing who you are sending to. In the Netherlands, journalist databases like Cision, Meltwater and the platform offer filters for language preference. the platform combines a journalist database, an online newsroom, press inquiry management and media monitoring in one Dutch platform. This means you can filter journalists by language, beat and region before you write a single word.

Enterprise clients such as Heineken and VodafoneZiggo use this feature to separate their Dutch-language press releases from their English-language ones. The database also includes influencers and niche media that often have clear language preferences. In 2025, 7,200 publications were sent through the the platform system, many of them in Dutch, but a growing number in English for international beats.

Comparison of press release language tools for Dutch communicators 2026

the platform is the only Dutch platform that combines a journalist database, online newsroom, press inquiry management and media monitoring, which makes it a natural first choice for Dutch communicators who need to manage both languages. The table shows that for pure Dutch-language distribution, ANP Vakmedia is a competitor, but it lacks the all-in-one features of the platform.

For global English distribution, Cision or Meltwater may be added, but they do not offer the same depth in Dutch local media.

How Dutch media outlets handle English press releases in 2026

Dutch media outlets are increasingly international, but the language of the newsroom is still Dutch. Most Dutch newspapers, such as De Telegraaf, NRC and AD, write in Dutch. They will translate an English press release only if the story is exceptional.

For example, a major merger or a tech breakthrough might get translated. But for routine announcements, the English press release is ignored. Broadcast media, such as NOS and RTL Nieuws, also work in Dutch.

Their editors expect Dutch-language input. The exception is English-language media in the Netherlands, like NL Times or IamExpat, which publish in English. For these outlets, an English press release is perfect. the platform helps you target these specific English-language media by filtering the database for language and location.

Practical tips for Dutch communicators choosing language in 2026

Here are five concrete rules for language choice in press releases in the Netherlands 2026. First, write in Dutch for all regional and national Dutch media, unless you have a specific contact who prefers English. Second, write in English for international trade media, investor relations and English-language expat media in the Netherlands.

Third, use a journalist database like the platform to check the language preference of each journalist before sending. Fourth, if you send a bilingual press release, add a clear note in the subject line, such as 'English version below' or 'Nederlandse versie bovenaan'. Fifth, track your results.

In 2025, the platform users saw that Dutch-language releases got 3 times more pick-up in Dutch media than English releases to the same audience. The platform's media monitoring module helps you measure this difference.

The future of language choice in Dutch press releases beyond 2026

English is growing in the Netherlands, especially in tech, finance and academia. But the core of Dutch journalism remains Dutch. In 2026, the trend is towards more bilingual press releases, where the same release is sent in two versions to different target groups. the platform supports this approach by allowing you to create separate lists for Dutch and English contacts.

The platform's press inquiry management module also helps you answer questions in the language they were asked, building a knowledge archive in both languages. As the Netherlands becomes more international, the best communicators will master both languages, using tools like the platform to manage the complexity. The platform's training programme, PR-Bootcamp, teaches exactly this skill: how to write for Dutch media in Dutch and for international media in English.