Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Battle over Spaarnwoude funding reignites: Haarlem and Haarlemmermeer take on Amsterdam and Velsen
The municipality of Haarlem is raising concerns over a funding shortage for the Spaarnwoude recreation area, specifically for the years 2028 and 2029. While Haarlem and Haarlemmermeer are pushing for ...
Webshop withdrawal buttons still missing, which could benefit consumers
Starting June 19, webshops and apps are legally required to feature a clearly visible button allowing consumers to cancel purchases within 14 days. Many retailers have yet to comply with this regulati...
Rental market for the ‘happy few’: square meter prices double and supply plummets
The private rental market in the Netherlands has seen square meter prices double over the past fifteen years while the supply of available homes has drastically decreased. According to a report by ren...
Big business lawyer and idealistic social democrat: this is the new Finance alderman Hendrik Jan Biemond
Company behind DigiD appeals takeover ban
Solvinity, the company responsible for the DigiD authentication system, is appealing a government decision to block its acquisition by the American firm Kyndryl. State Secretary Willemijn Aerdts prohi...
Study: Socioeconomically disadvantaged receive harsher sentences
A study by the Research and Data Center (WODC) has found that socio-economically disadvantaged suspects in the Netherlands receive harsher sentences on average than those who are more affluent. This r...
Trump prevents Europe from protecting itself against hackers with powerful AI model: ‘Bloodbath looms’
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has restricted the export of the powerful AI software Mythos, preventing Europe from using it to defend against major cyberattacks. The European Union has criticized...
'Fifty guilders from nursing home for Hollandse Nieuwe': Playful stunt by Waasdorp fishmonger at start of herring season
Fish shop Nico Waasdorp in IJmuiden celebrated the start of the herring season by selling 'Hollandse Nieuwe' for one Dutch guilder each, approximately 45 euro cents. The promotion is a playful respons...
Nitrogen plans leaked: fewer cows and stricter measures near nature reserves
The Dutch government plans to implement stricter nitrogen regulations requiring livestock farms within one kilometer of major nature reserves to significantly downsize. This measure aims to address na...
Six people aged 15 to 30 arrested in bank helpdesk fraud investigation
Borrowing instead of buying at Dille & Kamille: ‘We are implementing a different way of consuming’
The retail chain Dille & Kamille is launching a new initiative that allows customers to borrow household items, such as pasta machines, instead of purchasing them. This service is intended to promote ...
More Haarlem residents unable to work for second year in a row, highest number since 2017
The number of Haarlem residents receiving disability benefits has risen for the second year in a row, reaching its highest point since 2017. This increase was identified in recent data released by Sta...
SpaceX overtakes Amazon to become world's fifth most valuable company
SpaceX's market valuation has briefly surpassed both Amazon and Microsoft, making Elon Musk's aerospace company one of the five most valuable firms in the world. The company is currently engaged in a ...
Stricter EU rules for meat substitute labels: 'steak' only for real meat
The European Parliament has approved new regulations to ensure that terms like steak, chicken breast, and bacon are used exclusively for animal-based products. These rules aim to create clearer labeli...
Tax Authority unnecessarily burdens people with excessive assessments
The Dutch Tax and Customs Administration is overcharging individuals who fail to file tax returns by overestimating their income in automatic assessments. This practice results in unfairly high tax bi...
Gas storage now almost half of required winter level
Energy Minister Stientje van Veldhoven announced that Dutch gas reserves have reached approximately half the capacity needed for a typical winter. She confirmed that the process of filling the reservo...
European Parliament approves lower tariffs on US products
A majority of the European Parliament has voted to lower import tariffs on various American products. This decision is intended to prevent U.S. President Donald Trump from imposing new trade tariffs o...
Source: G7 agrees on new energy sanctions against Russia
The G7 nations have reached an agreement to impose new energy sanctions on Russia in an effort to increase international pressure. The consensus was established during a meeting of world leaders held ...
Battle for extra days off at Albert Heijn: part-timers want ‘forbidden’ labor agreement rule
Five part-time employees at an Albert Heijn distribution center challenged a collective labor agreement rule that awards extra vacation days only to those working more than 32 hours per week. Although...
Ideal age for first smartphone? 12, say parents – up from 10
Most Dutch parents now consider 12 to be the ideal age for a child to receive their first smartphone, an increase from the previous preference of 10 years. This shift is driven by concerns regarding e...
New app helps parents guide children with their first phone
The new Dutch app Startphone has been launched to help parents guide their children as they begin using their first smartphones. The app gradually unlocks features based on the child's age and parenta...
EU bans extra hand luggage fees
The European Union has reached an agreement to eliminate extra fees for small carry-on luggage on flights within member states. This deal between EU countries and the European Parliament aims to stand...
Court rules Temper workers are agency workers, not self-employed
The Amsterdam Court of Appeal ruled on Tuesday that individuals working through the platform Temper are temporary employees rather than independent contractors. This decision could have significant le...
1.5 million for renovation of northern half of Henri Dunant Square
The municipality of Hillegom has allocated 1.5 million euros for the renovation of the northern section of Henri Dunantplein. The project will include installing new paving and adding more greenery to...
Greylag geese cause €46 million in crop damage; wolves also contributing to rising wildlife claims
Financial damage caused by wildlife in the Netherlands has risen significantly, with payouts for wolf attacks on livestock quadrupling over the past two years. According to data from BIJ12, geese cont...
Oil price at three-month low but not yet back to previous levels
Oil prices reached a three-month low on Tuesday amid hopes for a peace agreement between Iran and the United States. Experts note that more specific details of the agreement are necessary to determine...
Energy companies making misleading climate claims, says Dutch consumers' association
The Dutch Consumers' Association has accused several energy companies, including ANWB, Greenchoice, and Vattenfall, of making misleading climate claims by portraying gas as a clean or sustainable ener...
Wealth of world's 500 richest grows by 290 billion euros in one day
The world's 500 wealthiest individuals saw their collective fortune increase by $336 billion (€290 billion) in a single day following gains in the stock market. According to the Bloomberg Billionair...
EU: Ticket prices must be more transparent, compensation for 3-hour delay remains
The European Parliament and EU member states have reached an agreement to update air passenger rights, ensuring that travelers retain their right to compensation for flight delays of three hours or mo...
Sanne and Tom paid over 12,000 euros for childcare but did not apply for allowance
Dutch parents Sanne and Tom spent over 12,000 euros on childcare for their daughter without applying for government subsidies. Despite their high income, they chose to pay the full amount themselves t...