rssNov 3, 2026, 07:18

Alderman rules out lower tourist tax in Weesp citing legal risks

Amsterdam Alderman Melanie van der Horst has rejected a proposal to lower tourist taxes for farms in Weesp, citing legal concerns and the risk of violating the principle of equality. The city government fears that offering tax differentiation would encourage other accommodation providers to demand similar exemptions.

Alderman Melanie van der Horst has announced that the local government will not lower tourist taxes for farms in Weesp, rejecting a proposal put forward by the CDA. The city administration cited concerns regarding legal risks and the principle of equality, noting that differentiating tax rates could lead to administrative complexity and potential challenges from other accommodation providers who might argue they face less tourism-related pressure in their own areas. The decision comes after a local dairy farmer requested tax relief for his guest accommodation back in September. Previously, the alderman had expressed openness to investigating potential exceptions for these rural businesses, but the current stance reflects a firm refusal to create a tiered tax structure. This development follows broader resistance to planned tax increases, which are set to rise from 12.5 percent to 16 percent next year and eventually reach 20 percent by 2031. Similar concerns regarding these hikes have also been voiced by politicians representing the Zuidoost district of Amsterdam, with the proposal expected to be debated further in the upcoming city council meeting.

Politics Economy Business Lifestyle Amsterdam

Read original ↗

Based on reporting by rss. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Stricter rules for holiday rentals to tackle nuisance in residential areas

New Dutch regulations taking effect November 1 require all vacation rental hosts to use a unique registration number and mandate that booking platforms share data with the government. This system is designed to help municipalities combat neighborhood nuisance and better monitor the impact of short-term rentals on the housing market.

Sietze (24) owns three coffee carts and pays himself 2,500 euros a month: ‘That’s partly based on what my friends earn’

Sietze Siebbeles, a twenty-four-year-old entrepreneur, has built a thriving business operating three coffee carts through diligent work. He pays himself a monthly salary of 2500 euros, choosing to prioritize reinvesting in his company over personal luxury spending.

Why are there suddenly so many turquoise cars in the city?

Hundreds of distinctive turquoise electric taxis from a Vietnamese company have appeared on the streets of Amsterdam since September. The firm is expanding its European presence, offering drivers unique employment terms while currently maintaining low pricing that experts expect to rise in the future.

VodafoneZiggo also wants to see more staff in the office and tightens rules

VodafoneZiggo is proposing a new policy that would require office-based employees to work from the office three days a week instead of the current two. The company has introduced a voluntary departure scheme for staff who cannot or do not wish to adhere to the increased office attendance requirements starting January 1.

Free public transport would cost hundreds of millions: "Furthermore, GVB cannot handle it"

Making public transport free in Amsterdam would cost an estimated 175 to 250 million euros annually, according to the city's executive board. The municipal government opposes the proposal from BIJ1 and the SP, citing budget constraints, potential capacity issues for the GVB, and concerns about decreased cycling and walking.