Business News in English
Latest business headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.

Professor: Time to worry about the business climate in Amsterdam
The number of foreign companies establishing themselves in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area has continued to decline, with only 39 new arrivals in 2025. While city officials are prioritizing high-quali...

Cans and bottles can now also be returned at gas stations off the highway
Statiegeld Nederland and Shell have formed a partnership to allow consumers to return deposit cans and bottles at gas stations located off the highway. This initiative aims to make recycling more acce...

Several hospitality businesses no longer have valid permits: enforcement and supervision catch-up in Velsen
The municipality of Velsen is conducting a comprehensive review of hospitality permits to improve oversight and enforcement within the sector. While the goal to inspect all commercial establishments b...

Reader question: Kees Schaap keeps having battery trouble. When does your warranty end?
A reader named Kees Schaap seeks advice on consumer rights regarding car batteries that repeatedly fail within the legal warranty period. The inquiry focuses on whether a consumer is entitled to a new...

Enhanced castle feel at renovated Stayokay in Assumburg Castle, new bridge to lure garden visitors: 'They book for the experience'
The Stayokay hostel in Slot Assumburg, Heemskerk, has reopened following an extensive renovation designed to enhance the historic "castle experience" for guests. Manager Michiel Broos noted that while...

New interim board of Hoofddorp Pioniers tries to turn tide in dispute with stadium operator ETO, conflict cautiously fading: ‘The battle between us is unnecessary’
The Hoofddorp Pioniers baseball club and stadium operator ETO are moving toward resolving a long-standing dispute over a new operating agreement. Following the appointment of an interim board at the c...
Chamber of Commerce: Fewer business closures and more startups for first time in 2.5 years
The Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK) reports that the number of businesses closing fell in the first quarter of this year for the first time in 2.5 years. Additionally, there was an increase in the num...

ANWB: Different May holiday choices due to global unrest
Dutch travelers are increasingly choosing European destinations for their May holidays due to global instability, with 94% staying within the continent. According to the ANWB holiday monitor, interest...
Amsterdam fails to attract international companies: ‘We are not doing nearly as well as we think’
De Hypotheker: average mortgage rate hits two-year high
The average mortgage interest rate in the Netherlands has reached its highest level in over two years, according to reports from De Hypotheker. This rise is primarily driven by increasing capital mark...
Flight cancellations are just the beginning: ‘Europe has only six weeks of jet fuel left’
KLM will cancel 160 flights starting in late April as the International Energy Agency warns that Europe has only six weeks of jet fuel reserves remaining. This fuel shortage is expected to trigger a b...

Majority of Dutch Parliament supports better pay for top athletes, VVD wants business sector to contribute
A majority of the Dutch Parliament supports a proposal by NOC*NSF to increase the income of elite athletes. While there is political backing for the plan, the VVD party advocates for the additional fu...

People keep credit cards in their pockets due to economic uncertainty
Dutch consumers are using their credit cards less frequently due to economic and geopolitical uncertainty following the start of the conflict in the Middle East. According to data from Visa Netherland...

Referral to dermatologist for laser tattoo removal. 'I’m not removing it. I’m going over it'
The rapid growth of tattoo shops has led to an increase in customers seeking to cover up or modify older designs they regret. Professionals in the industry observe a stylistic transition from traditio...

Medical patient data also stolen in ChipSoft hack
Hackers stole medical patient data during a cyberattack on ChipSoft, a major software provider for the healthcare sector. The company confirmed the theft of sensitive information on Thursday following...

Meat fraud involving beef heads in Brabant, NVWA conducts raid
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) raided a meat company in Nuenen on suspicion of meat fraud and document falsification. Three employees were arrested for allegedly trading m...

Greenpeace hopes Dutch court overturns multi-million dollar US fine
Greenpeace and US pipeline company Energy Transfer appeared in an Amsterdam court to dispute a multi-million dollar fine issued against the environmental group in the United States. Greenpeace is chal...

Three arrested after series of shopliftings in Hoofddorp
Police arrested three individuals on Thursday afternoon at Burgemeester van Stamplein in Hoofddorp. The suspects are accused of committing a series of shopliftings within the local shopping district.

Pubs allowed to stay open overnight for late World Cup matches this summer
Bars in Amsterdam will be allowed to extend their opening hours from June 11 to July 19 to broadcast late-night FIFA World Cup matches held in North America. Mayor Femke Halsema specified that while e...

We're back and that's great! Bars and restaurants can stay open longer during the World Cup
Hospitality businesses in Amsterdam are permitted to extend their opening hours during the World Cup to accommodate late-night football matches. This change allows fans to watch the games in local pub...
KLM cancels 160 flights at Schiphol due to rising fuel prices
KLM will cancel 160 flights to and from Schiphol Airport over the coming month. The airline is reducing its schedule in response to rising kerosene prices.

KLM cancels 160 European flights due to high fuel costs
KLM has cancelled 160 European flights scheduled for the coming month due to rising fuel costs. The airline stated that these routes are no longer profitable because of the high price of kerosene.

KLM cancels 160 European flights due to rising fuel prices
KLM is cancelling 160 European flights to and from Schiphol Airport next month due to rising fuel prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East. These cancellations represent less than one percent ...
Amazon video doorbells now recognize your face – ‘undesirable’, says regulator
Amazon is introducing AI-powered facial recognition technology to its video doorbells, which the company claims will store data securely. However, the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) has expresse...

Mores support center: inappropriate behavior still a structural problem in media sector
Support point Mores concludes in its first monitor report that undesirable behavior remains a structural problem within the cultural, creative, and media sectors. While a foundation for improvement ha...

Domino's considers bodycams for delivery drivers after dozens of 'pizza robbery' reports
Domino's is considering equipping its delivery drivers in Amsterdam with bodycams following a significant increase in 'pizza robberies' in the city's Zuidoost district. Police have arrested six minors...

At De Pastafabriek they know: don't scoop sauce onto the pasta, let them ‘marry’ in the pan instead
De Pastafabriek, located in a former shipping maintenance building, emphasizes authentic Italian cooking techniques such as mixing pasta and sauce together in the pan. The establishment highlights the...

Housing construction stalls due to full power grid, Utrecht faces connection freeze
The Dutch Association of Real Estate Agents (NVM) warns that housing construction may slow down due to upcoming changes in power grid connection priorities. A potential connection stop in Utrecht curr...

Labor Inspectorate finds nine illegal workers in BBQ restaurant raid
The Dutch Labor Inspection discovered nine illegal workers during a raid at a barbecue restaurant in Amsterdam-West last Thursday. More than half of the fourteen staff members lacked valid work permit...
Cabinet: no more animal transport on sweltering days, only allowed up to 30 degrees
The Dutch cabinet has announced a ban on the transport of livestock, including pigs, chickens, and cows, when temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius. State Secretary Silvio Erkens stated the measure i...