Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
NS CEO Wouter Koolmees has not yet completed conductor training
NS CEO Wouter Koolmees has not yet completed the conductor training he committed to when taking office in 2022. He initially planned to work as a conductor to gain firsthand insight into the daily exp...
IMF critical of 'freedom contribution' and more pessimistic about Dutch economy
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lowered its growth expectations for the Dutch economy, citing a particularly uncertain outlook for the near future. The organization also criticized the gover...
Economic growth falls to 1 percent, IMF advises: tackle housing market!
The IMF reports that growth in the Dutch economy is expected to slow to 1% or lower this year, aligning with or falling below the European average. The organization identifies structural issues, parti...
Hacked lab failed to secure data properly, inspection finds
The Health and Youth Care Inspectorate found that the Clinical Diagnostics laboratory failed to adequately secure its data before being hacked last year. This breach allowed cybercriminals to steal me...
He hated it, now Revolut founder Storonsky is shaking up the entire banking world
Nikolay Storonsky, the founder of Revolut, is disrupting the traditional banking industry as his digital bank reaches 1.5 million customers in the Netherlands. Often compared to Jeff Bezos, Storonsky ...
NS CEO Wouter Koolmees reappointed for new four-year term
Wouter Koolmees has been reappointed as the CEO of the Dutch national railway company, NS, for a second four-year term. The former D66 politician is scheduled to begin his new tenure on November 1, 20...
EU imported record amount of Russian LNG at start of year
The European Union imported a record volume of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia during the first quarter of 2026. This increased reliance on LNG from both Russia and the United States has been ...
TUI sees traveler uncertainty due to war: almost half yet to book summer holidays
Travel organization TUI reports that nearly half of travelers have yet to book their summer holidays due to uncertainty caused by the conflict in the Middle East. As a result, hotel and resort booking...
Pension funds in new system lose money due to Middle East war
Major Dutch pension funds that transitioned to the new pension system experienced losses in the first quarter due to the Middle East conflict and falling interest rates. This downturn has negatively i...
Dutch people spend twice as much as fifty years ago
Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that Dutch citizens now have twice as much spending power as they did fifty years ago. This increase in national wealth is driven by higher wages and consistent ec...
Skyr is flying off the shelves, but is it actually better than regular quark?
Supermarkets in the Netherlands are facing shortages of the dairy product skyr due to a surge in demand driven by social media trends on Instagram and TikTok. Suppliers are currently struggling to kee...
Opportunity or threat for Akersloot Omnipark? Castricum municipality sees sports grounds as solution for housing shortage
The municipality of Castricum is considering the sports grounds of a local handball and tennis club in Akersloot as potential sites for flexible housing to address housing shortages. These locations a...
Parker Woodroof (41) moved from the US to Amsterdam: ‘We know we have stepped into a housing crisis and try to live modestly here’
Entrepreneurs achieve energy savings and reduce CO2 emissions
Dutch entrepreneurs significantly invested in energy-efficient technologies and installations last year, leading to substantial energy savings. These efforts resulted in a reduction in CO2 emissions a...
Trump's Golden Dome project costs $1.2 trillion
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that Donald Trump's Golden Dome project will cost approximately $1.2 trillion over the next twenty years. This evaluation provides a projected financial outlo...
Trump administration begins refunding billions to importers
The Trump administration has begun refunding more than $35.5 billion to importers after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the administration's import tariffs were illegal. The payouts are being distri...
Is sunbed lawsuit good news for frustrated Dutch vacationers?
A German family won a lawsuit and received 900 euros in compensation from their tour operator for failing to intervene in the practice of guests reserving pool sunbeds with towels. This ruling could s...
UK to help in Strait of Hormuz with mine robots and fighter jets
The United Kingdom is deploying military assets, including mine-countermeasure drones and fighter jets, to restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz following a blockade by Iran. Defense Minister John ...
Charging station manufacturer Alfen sees revenue rise, charging system sales fall
Dutch charging station manufacturer Alfen reported a 25% revenue increase in the first quarter of 2026, driven by growth in energy storage systems and smart electricity grids. Despite this overall gro...
Class action group rejects Odido response: Nearly half a million seek compensation
The organization leading a mass claim against telecom provider Odido has rejected the company's refusal to compensate victims of a major data leak. Nearly 500,000 individuals have already joined the l...
No support for coalition plan for corporate ‘freedom contribution’
A majority in the Dutch House of Representatives has rejected a coalition proposal to fund increased defense spending through higher disability insurance premiums for businesses. The opposition unanim...
End of zero-hours contracts nears after Dutch parliament vote
The Dutch House of Representatives has approved a law to phase out zero-hour contracts, aiming to provide greater protection for the country's 2.7 million flexible workers. This move marks a significa...
Unions ready for action, passengers will feel the impact
Dutch labor unions are preparing for a series of strikes this summer to protest proposed government cuts to social security. These actions are expected to significantly disrupt travel and could paraly...
Haarlem residents' healthcare costs rise for fourth year in a row
Residents of Haarlem spent nearly 510 million euros on healthcare in 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year of rising costs. According to data from Vektis, the five percent increase represents the ...
City prepares for Harry Styles concert series: Camping banned
British pop star Harry Styles is set to perform a record-breaking ten-concert series at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam, attracting nearly half a million fans. Authorities have banned fans from c...
Amsterdam makes progress in tackling housing crisis, but major challenges remain
Amsterdam is making progress in addressing its housing crisis by increasing the number of social housing units and reducing waiting times for applicants. Additionally, new measures have been implement...
More social housing in Amsterdam: waiting times slightly shorter but still nearly ten years
US prices rising at fastest pace in three years
The United States experienced its highest inflation in nearly three years this April, with prices for goods and services rising by 3.8% annually. This increase is largely driven by soaring fuel costs ...
Parliament wants to scrap expanded mortgage interest deduction, coalition divided
A majority in the Dutch House of Representatives has supported a motion to prevent the expansion of mortgage interest deductions. The proposal has caused a divide within the ruling coalition, with D66...
Drink producer Stëlz adjusts advertisement after criticism of new poster
The Amsterdam-based beverage producer Stélz has announced it will modify its latest advertising poster following public criticism. The company confirmed the decision after initial reporting by RTL Ni...