Economy News in English

88,000 fewer self-employed as companies opt for flex workers: ‘The only option left’

The number of flexible workers in the Netherlands has increased by 63,000 over the past year, while the number of self-employed individuals continues to decline. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports t...

More people facing financial worries and payment problems for the first time in years

A significant number of Dutch citizens are experiencing financial difficulties, with over half of young adults and low-income households struggling to make ends meet. This trend marks a rise in paymen...

After mayo and ketchup, margarine in sachets: a silent revolution in canteens and hospitality

Smilde Foods has introduced tear-off pouches for margarine to reduce plastic waste in company canteens and the catering sector. The Dutch company spent over a year developing the new packaging, which ...

Single mother Kim (44) earns 4,000 euros net, chooses not to receive alimony and sleeps on the sofa: ‘I am very proud of myself’

Hackers less successful against Dutch companies, but no end to data leaks in sight

Recent research indicates that Dutch companies were targeted by cyberattacks less frequently last year. Furthermore, even when attacks occurred, the resulting damage was less severe, though data breac...

Iraqi marshlands flourish after rainfall: return of water buffalo and fishing

Heavy spring rainfall has revitalized the Iraqi marshlands, allowing for the return of fishing and water buffaloes to the region. While the marshes act as a critical climate shock absorber, the ecosys...

Oil price drops, but diesel and petrol prices at the pump rise by 1 cent tomorrow: how is that possible?

Gasoline and diesel prices at Dutch gas stations are set to increase by a maximum of one cent on Tuesday. This price hike occurs despite a significant drop in global oil prices on the international ma...

End to solar panel subsidies: the sun rises for free, yet it still costs money

Starting in 2027, solar panel owners in the Netherlands will face increased costs as existing subsidies are phased out. Although solar energy itself is free, the financial benefits previously availabl...

Air conditioner demand quadruples after sweltering weekend

Demand for air conditioning units in the Netherlands has quadrupled following a sweltering weekend, according to local installers. Since 2020, annual sales in the country have consistently remained ab...

Protein powder popularity leads to stock market euphoria

The surging popularity of protein powder has triggered euphoria on the stock market, leading to large-scale acquisitions and multi-million euro investments. Since 2023, the price of whey protein isola...

FNV: Schiphol security guards have too little time for checks

The FNV union reports that over half of security guards at Schiphol Airport have insufficient time to perform safety checks correctly. This conclusion stems from an analysis of nearly 200 complaints f...

Zuiderbad no longer heated with natural gas

The historic Zuiderbad swimming pool in Amsterdam is transitioning away from natural gas by installing heat pumps and 263 solar panels, reducing its gas usage by 90%. This sustainability project for t...

New hospitality business coming behind Shell on the A9 near Heemskerk

A new catering establishment is set to open at the Akermaat parking area behind the Shell station on the A9 near Heemskerk. The local municipality has officially granted the necessary permit for the p...

Former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan dies at 100

Alan Greenspan, the former chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve who served from 1987 to 2006, has died at the age of 100. He passed away on Monday due to complications from Parkinson's disease.

Vance: Strait to be opened and IAEA to return to Iran

US Vice President JD Vance announced that the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened. Additionally, Iran has invited inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to conduct new inspections...

New alderman knows what it's like to pinch every penny: this is Araya Sumter

Araya Sumter has been appointed as a new alderman in Amsterdam, overseeing social justice, poverty relief, and diversity initiatives. Drawing from her personal history of financial hardship and her ca...

More strikes at FrieslandCampina for higher pay

Employees at FrieslandCampina dairy factories are launching a new round of strikes this week due to ongoing disputes over a new collective labor agreement. The FNV union has been organizing industrial...

A4 between Schiphol and Amsterdam and part of A10 South closed this weekend

Stricter interest-only mortgage rules hit older homeowners

Major Dutch banks have introduced stricter regulations for interest-only mortgages, which may prevent some older homeowners from moving or accessing their home equity. These changes are expected to im...

Auditor calls out Beverwijk: millions in budget fail to follow rules. Aagtenpark remediation is mandatory

An auditor has flagged the municipality of Beverwijk for failing to properly account for millions of euros in remediation costs for Aagtenpark in its budget. The issue arose because the remediation pl...

Zeelandic-Flemish concerns over nuclear power plants and other energy plans

The Biervliet Village Council in Terneuzen has expressed concerns over national government plans to potentially build two new nuclear power plants in the Paulinapolder area. Additionally, grid operato...

Retirees can withdraw part of pension as lump sum from 2029, but it is not without risk

Starting in 2029, retirees in the Netherlands will be allowed to withdraw a lump sum of up to 10 percent of their total pension pot upon retirement. While this provides immediate financial flexibility...

Recycle shop Droppie wants to expand to dozens of shopping centers

Recycle shop Droppie has announced plans to expand its operations by adding 70 new locations to shopping centers throughout the Netherlands. The shop, which currently operates in the country's four la...

Sugar tax pushes prices up: Beer soon more expensive due to soft drink tax

The Dutch government's proposed sugar tax for 2030 could lead to significant price increases for both soft drinks and beer. Alcohol excise duties may rise alongside the sugar tax, potentially adding u...

Dutch flock to car holidays due to war and higher prices: 'We won’t let it be taken away'

Due to the conflict in the Middle East and rising costs, Dutch travelers are increasingly choosing car vacations closer to home this year. According to the ANWB, people are prioritizing their holidays...

Energy companies build 'rust battery' that can supply four days of power

Battery startup Ore Energy and energy provider Budget Thuis are partnering to build the first large-scale 'rust battery' in the Netherlands. This innovative storage system is designed to provide elect...

Subscribers may not receive newspaper due to technical issues at FD printing plant

Subscribers of the Dutch financial newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad (FD) may not receive their physical paper on Monday due to technical issues at the printing plant. The newspaper announced the disr...

Construction and sustainability jobs are popular, but bakers are still needed

The UWV's annual job list reflects a high demand for sustainability-related professions such as insulation and sunshade installers. Despite the focus on green energy, traditional roles like bakers als...

House prices rise again: average sale price nears half a million

The average price of existing owner-occupied homes in the Netherlands rose by 4.4 percent in May compared to the previous year. While house prices are nearing half a million euros, the rate of increas...

From burning hay bales to stalled construction: why the nitrogen crisis is so explosive

The Dutch cabinet is expected to present a political solution to the country's ongoing nitrogen crisis this week. The article explores why the issue remains highly sensitive and whether the new measur...