Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Shipbuilder Damen unhappy with German withdrawal: 'Part was already finished'
Dutch shipbuilder Damen has expressed dissatisfaction following the German government's decision to cancel a contract for six frigates. The company stated that significant progress had already been ma...
Experts want clearer health agreements regarding state aid for Tata Steel
Experts are urging the Dutch government to establish clear health targets before providing billions in state aid to Tata Steel. They argue that the current agreements lack guarantees that the financia...
New PlayStation games will no longer be released on physical discs
Sony has announced that it will discontinue physical disc releases for new PlayStation games starting in January 2028. The company attributed this shift to the changing preferences of consumers who in...
'While supplies last' does not apply to new energy fund, but not everyone will receive funding
Dutch Minister Hans Vijlbrief announced the new Noodfonds Energie to support households facing high heating costs and low income. However, individuals who limit their energy usage to save money are cu...
We are searching everywhere for lithium, yet we nonchalantly ship 1,184,000 kilos in old batteries to China
Despite efforts to reduce dependency on foreign markets for critical minerals, the Netherlands exported over 1.1 million kilograms of lithium from recycled batteries to China in 2025. This export tren...
Inflation falls to 2.9 percent in June due to lower energy prices
Inflation in the Netherlands fell to 2.9 percent in June 2026, down from 3.5 percent in May. This decrease is primarily attributed to lower energy prices, according to preliminary data from the nation...
Eurozone inflation falls below 3 percent
Inflation in the eurozone decreased to 2.8 percent in June, down from 3.2 percent in May. This data was reported by the European statistical office, Eurostat.
Significant drop in inflation to 2.9 percent in June due to lower fuel prices
Inflation in the Netherlands dropped to 2.9 percent in June, primarily driven by a decline in fuel and energy prices. This unexpected decrease suggests that further interest rate hikes may not be nece...
New power grid rules could delay home renovations or sustainability upgrades
Starting July 1, Dutch homeowners planning to make their homes more sustainable may face delays if their projects require a heavier power connection. This is due to new regulations that prioritize soc...
Fewer new passenger cars registered in the first half of 2026
During the first half of 2026, 174,789 new passenger cars were registered in the Netherlands. This figure represents a 4.2 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2025.
Apple increases MacBook and iPad prices due to memory chip costs
Apple is increasing its global prices for MacBooks and iPads to compensate for the rising costs of memory chips driven by the AI boom. While these hardware prices are set to rise, the price of iPhones...
Criticism of finances and lack of culture in new Haarlemmermeer administration plans: 'Big ambitions, weak foundation'
The new Haarlemmermeer administration's coalition agreement has drawn criticism for its ambitious goals and weak financial substantiation. Opposition parties highlighted a lack of focus on culture and...
Code red due to extreme heat: what are your rights as an employee?
The Dutch meteorological institute KNMI has issued a code red warning due to extreme heat, raising questions about employee rights during such conditions. The article examines whether workers, includi...
Box 3 chaos has also reached the Senate, but clarity won't come until autumn
The Dutch Senate has begun debating the controversial Box 3 wealth tax legislation, though a final vote is expected to be delayed until autumn. This delay comes as the cabinet continues efforts to rep...
Albert Heijn to stop grocery deliveries after 3 PM Friday due to heat
Albert Heijn will stop grocery deliveries after 3:00 PM this Friday due to extreme heat forecasts. The decision follows a code red warning from the KNMI, as the supermarket chain aims to protect its e...
Significant drop in Haarlem severe weather damage last year, rainfall costs lowest since 2017
Private property damage caused by severe weather in Haarlem fell to 919,000 euros last year, reaching its lowest level since 2017. This figure represents a significant decrease compared to the previou...
Tata Steel names Herman van der Meyden as successor to Donald Pols
Herman van der Meyden has been appointed as the new director of communications and public affairs at Tata Steel. He succeeds Donald Pols, who was dismissed after just one day in the position following...
State Secretary yet to choose preferred option for Moerdijk
State Secretary Jo-Annes de Bat has postponed selecting a final plan for industrial and energy expansion near Moerdijk to further evaluate a scenario where the village remains intact. He intends to di...
Highest number of new social housing units in Amsterdam in 16 years, but concerns remain: ‘Permits sometimes take way too long’
Castricum swimming pool to cost nearly €1.8 million more: three parties demand clarity over missing information and design choices
Three political parties in Castricum are seeking urgent clarification from the municipal executive after the budget for a new swimming pool at Noord-End sports park reportedly increased by nearly 1.8 ...
Employees under 45 more likely to take sick leave for mental health issues
Employees under the age of 45 are increasingly experiencing absenteeism due to psychological issues such as burnout, anxiety, and extreme fatigue. Data shows that 60 percent of this age group was abse...
Defense and unions want 6.5 percent pay raise from September 1
The Dutch Ministry of Defense and labor unions have reached an agreement to increase the salaries of defense personnel by 6.5 percent starting September 1. The deal also includes an additional 2 perce...
PRO refuses to choose between preservation and disappearance of Moerdijk
Progressive Netherlands (PRO) MP Ani Zalinyan declined to take a definitive stance on the future of Moerdijk during a parliamentary debate, calling the choice between preservation or removal too simpl...
End to unwanted calls: companies may only call with permission
Starting July 1st, companies will only be permitted to call consumers and small businesses if they have given prior consent. This regulation, enforced by the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets ...
Gelderland sticks to 500-meter nitrogen zones
The Gelderland provincial government is maintaining 500-meter nitrogen reduction zones around the Veluwe and other vulnerable nature areas. Within these zones, new livestock farms are banned and exist...
EU disburses first €3.2 billion of loan to Ukraine
The European Union has disbursed the first 3.2 billion euros of a planned 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the transfer during a recovery c...
EU signs final agreement for trade deal with US
European Union member states have signed the final agreement for the first phase of a trade deal established with the United States last summer. This agreement ensures that the EU will not impose impo...
Door-to-door energy sellers: should you accept their offer?
The article discusses the common occurrence of door-to-door energy salespeople who use high-pressure tactics to offer supposedly exclusive, limited-time deals. It evaluates whether consumers should ac...
No refund for non-objectors to unlawful Box 3 tax, Supreme Court rules
The Dutch Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that taxpayers who did not file timely objections against the illegal box 3 wealth tax are not entitled to a refund. This decision confirms that compensation ...
People who did not object to Box 3 tax will not get their money back
The Dutch Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that taxpayers who failed to object on time to the unlawful box 3 tax levy will not receive refunds. This decision confirms that the government is not legally...