Business News in English

Slight drop in unemployment, fewer benefit claims in almost all of the Netherlands

The unemployment rate in the Netherlands fell to 4% in March, marking a decrease from a four-year peak recorded in February. Most regions across the country saw a decline in the number of people recei...

Dozens of fatal barn fires again in 2025, insurers concerned

The Dutch Association of Insurers reports that over 60,000 animals died in barn fires last year, reflecting a lack of progress in fire safety improvements. This figure remains consistent with the prev...

After fonQ, another well-known online furniture shop faces closure: ‘It’s an uncertain time’

Dutch online furniture retailer Huus has applied for a suspension of payments due to financial difficulties. The company, which operates a large webshop and physical stores in cities such as Hengelo a...

Study: 1.7 million households considering new energy provider

A study by Multiscope indicates that approximately 1.7 million households in the Netherlands are considering switching to a new energy provider. This reflects a growing trend among consumers looking t...

Get a cup of coffee or matcha at Laundry Boy in the Jordaan while your laundry is being done

US threatens sanctions against buyers of Iranian oil

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Wednesday that the United States is threatening to impose sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil. The statement was made during a briefing with reporters a...

Ticketmaster owner in US found to have a monopoly

A federal jury in the United States has found Live Nation Entertainment, the parent company of Ticketmaster, guilty of illegal monopoly behavior. The verdict marks a major legal defeat for the America...

Russia threatens European drone sites, including in the Netherlands

The Russian Ministry of Defense has identified several European drone manufacturers as potential targets, warning that their support for Ukraine brings conflict with Russia closer. The list includes t...

Anita Witzier also to go freelance after 30 years at KRO-NCRV

Anita Witzier is leaving her permanent position at the Dutch broadcaster KRO-NCRV after nearly thirty years of service. Starting May 1, she will transition to a freelance role while continuing to deve...

Oil giants earned $30 million per hour during first month of Iran war

The world's 100 largest oil and gas companies earned an average of $30 million per hour in March following a sharp rise in oil prices. According to research by The Guardian, these significant profits ...

AP: 66 data breach reports following ChipSoft hack, including from company itself

The Dutch Data Protection Authority has received 66 data breach reports following a cyberattack on healthcare software provider ChipSoft. The reports include one filed by ChipSoft itself as the invest...

Officials expect Schiphol noise rules can proceed

Officials at the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management expect that new noise reduction regulations for Schiphol Airport can still be implemented. Despite a recent Council of State ruli...

Pizza delivery drivers in Amsterdam targeted in wave of robberies: six minors arrested

Police in Amsterdam have arrested six minors in connection with a surge of robberies targeting pizza delivery couriers in the Amsterdam-Zuidoost district. Authorities issued a warning regarding this e...

Pim Lammertse takes over Timboektoe in Velsen-Noord; 30-year-old entrepreneur to own two adjacent beach bars

Thirty-year-old entrepreneur Pim Lammertse is expanding his business by acquiring the Timboektoe beach pavilion in Velsen-Noord on May 1st. Having already taken over the adjacent Aloha pavilion in Feb...

Hard to swallow: this Haarlem restaurant is closing temporarily (but for a good reason)

Restaurant Mano in Haarlem will temporarily close its doors during the month of June. The closure is scheduled to allow for a planned renovation of the establishment.

Record low number of foreign companies settle in Amsterdam due to power grid and housing crises

140 hours community service demanded against Peter Gillis for assaulting ex Nicol

The Dutch Public Prosecution Service has demanded 140 hours of community service against reality star and entrepreneur Peter Gillis for the alleged assault of his former partner, Nicol Kremers. The pr...

FT: BBC to cut 2,000 jobs, about 10 percent of total

The BBC plans to cut approximately 2,000 jobs, representing about 10 percent of its total workforce, according to a report by the Financial Times. This move follows an earlier announcement regarding s...

Rising inflation leads to higher wage increases at the bargaining table

Rising inflation and the energy crisis following the start of the war in the Middle East have led to increasingly difficult collective bargaining negotiations. Unions are now pushing for higher wage i...

Poultry injuries before slaughter decreasing but still occur

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) reports that poultry animals, including chickens and ducks, continue to suffer injuries before being slaughtered. However, the regulat...

Spanish investigation identifies those responsible for major power outage

A Spanish Senate investigation has identified the government, grid operator, and energy regulator as responsible for a major power outage that occurred last year. This marks the first inquiry to assig...

PostNL remains the only party delivering letters and cards in the Netherlands

PostNL will remain the sole provider of the universal postal service in the Netherlands after the Ministry of Economic Affairs rejected bids from two other companies. The competing firms did not appea...

Greenhouses found to be leaking: Pesticide levels in water often too high

Pesticide leakage from greenhouses into Dutch waterways is decreasing but remains at levels that threaten aquatic life such as fish and insects. Although the official goal is to eliminate nearly all l...

Dutch Tesla owner goes viral with damage claim: ‘Friends say: do you realize who you’re taking on?’

Dutch Tesla owner Mischa Sigtermans is pursuing a claim against the company after paying 6,400 euros for self-driving software that is incompatible with older vehicle models. Despite recent approval f...

Public heating company closer through partnership with Diemen, significant funding still needed

Amsterdam, Alliander, and EBN have reached new agreements to establish a public heat company, with the municipality of Diemen joining the initiative to improve financial viability. The project aims to...

Frankfurt Airport sees decline in passenger numbers to Middle East

Frankfurt Airport has experienced a significant decline in passenger numbers traveling to the Middle East over the past month. This decrease is attributed to the ongoing conflict between Iran and the ...

Cate Blanchett to play convicted TV chef and businesswoman Martha Stewart in film

Cate Blanchett is set to portray Martha Stewart in an upcoming biographical film titled "Good Thing." The movie will explore the life of the famous television chef and businesswoman, including her tim...

Sales of efficient heat pumps rise due to high gas prices: 'Mainly a surge in air conditioners'

Heat pump sales in the Netherlands saw a significant increase in March following a slow start to the year, as high gas prices drive households to seek energy savings. The Heat Pump Association reports...

ING and EIB make €800 million available to SMEs for sustainability

ING and the European Investment Bank (EIB) are providing 800 million euros in loans to small and medium-sized enterprises in the Netherlands and Belgium. These funds are specifically intended for busi...

Aging workforce and rise in e-bikes: bicycle repairs can take weeks

Bike repair shops are experiencing wait times of several weeks due to an aging workforce and the increasing complexity of e-bike technology. Growing demand and a shortage of mechanics mean that same-d...