I was scrolling through my calendar last week and realized something: if you follow FIRE — Financial Independence, Retire Early — there are not many real-world gatherings where people actually meet face-to-face. So when I saw a new Dutch-language meetup landing in Utrecht this October, it felt worth passing along.
The basics
Event: Utrecht on FIRE – Financial Horror Edition
Date: 31 October 2026
Time: 12:00 doors open, 21:00 closing
Location: Utrecht — Leidse Rijn (exact address sent to ticket holders)
Language: Dutch
Ticket price: €25
Your ticket covers snacks and drinks throughout the day. There is no lunch or dinner included, so plan accordingly.
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What the schedule looks like
The day runs from 13:00 to about 17:45 for the main program, with drinks after. Here is how it breaks down:
- 13:00–13:15 — Welcome and agenda
- 13:15–14:00 — Financial Horror Stories (bring your own if you’d like to share)
- 14:00–14:30 — Coffee break
- 14:30–15:00 — Breakout sessions, part one. Five tracks available: FIRE for beginners, FIRE for entrepreneurs, estate planning with FIRE/kids/inheritances, getting your partner on board, and life after FIRE.
- 15:00–15:30 — Coffee break
- 15:30–16:00 — Breakout sessions, part two (same five tracks)
- 16:00–16:30 — Coffee break
- 16:30–17:30 — Taxes: current and future state of Box 2 & 3 (Dutch tax system)
- 17:30–17:45 — Wrap-up
- 17:45–19:00 — Drinks
- 19:00–20:00 — Optional pizzas (extra cost, not included in the €25 ticket)
If you do not speak Dutch, the breakout topics are fairly universal. The tax session, however, will be Netherlands-specific.
Ticketing and refunds
You can buy your ticket here: Utrecht on FIRE tickets.
A few practical notes:
- Refunds are available until 14 days before the event. Eventbrite charges about €1–€1.5 per ticket for the processing fee, which is yours to cover.
- If the event sells out, a waiting list opens up automatically. You will be notified if a spot becomes available.
The organizers run these meetups entirely as volunteers — no profit intent, just cost recovery. That explains the refund policy and the small processing fee.
Worth It?
If you speak Dutch or are based in the Netherlands: worth it. €25 for a full day of FIRE talks, breakout sessions, and networking is a solid price — especially when volunteers put this together from scratch.
If English-only: it depends. The core topics (FIRE basics, estate planning, couples) translate well even if you catch only half the conversation. But the tax deep-dive on Box 2 & 3 will fly over your head unless you already know the Dutch system.
FAQ
Is there a dedicated site for all FIRE meetups in the Netherlands?
Yes — firemeetups.nl is the central hub for news, updates, and ticket sales. The site is in Dutch only.
Can I suggest my own FIRE meetup to be listed?
The organizers accept submissions by email. If you run a local event, reach out through the firemeetups.nl contact form and they will add it.
Is lunch included in the ticket price?
No. The €25 covers snacks and drinks throughout the day but not lunch or dinner. Optional pizzas are available from 19:00 at an additional cost.
A note from Dana
I have always thought FIRE feels more real when you talk about it with actual people in a room — horror stories and all. This meetup’s theme is spot on. If you are anywhere near Utrecht, the €25 entry price is easy to justify for an afternoon of honest money conversations.