Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Cabinet sees no reason for a total ban on camera glasses for now
The Dutch government has rejected a national ban on camera glasses, arguing that existing privacy laws and house rules are sufficient to regulate their use. Officials are currently awaiting a European...
Judge bans Lidl from selling imitations of Birkenstock sandals
A Dutch judge has ordered Lidl to halt the sale of imitation Birkenstock sandals, ruling that the supermarket chain infringed on the brand's protected footbed design. Lidl must now provide sales data ...
ABP to invest 1 billion euros in European tech companies over the next three years
ABP, a major Dutch pension fund, plans to invest 1 billion euros into European tech startups over the next three years to keep innovation and talent within the continent. The investment will target hi...
Hours of waiting, missed flights and damages for airlines: queue chaos at Schiphol border control is critical
The implementation of the new digital Entry/Exit System at Schiphol Airport has led to critical wait times and significant operational chaos. Travelers are facing missed flights and airlines are exper...
Minister pleased with massive residential towers near Arena: "Excellent accessible location"
Housing Minister Elanor Boekholt-O’Sullivan and Amsterdam officials have officially marked the construction start of Eleven Square, a major development near the Johan Cruijff Arena. The project will...
Chinese car brands give electric vehicle sales in EU a major boost
Electric vehicle sales in the European Union have grown significantly to reach a 21.7 percent market share, driven by government support and high fuel prices. While traditional carmakers face stagnant...
If you want start-ups, then help them: Minister Herbert puts demands on the table in Brussels
Dutch Minister Heleen Herbert is calling on the European Commission to relax state aid rules that currently prevent governments from subsidizing promising start-ups. Supported by ten other EU member s...
US-China trade truce extended by two months
The United States and China have extended their existing trade truce by two months to allow more time for potential negotiations. Despite the extension, the nations remain divided over import tariffs ...
More forced layoffs due to reorganizations, budget cuts, and conflicts
Forced layoffs due to reorganizations, budget cuts, and bankruptcies have increased, rising from 5 percent in 2022 to 8 percent in 2025. Workers who lose their jobs due to these economic factors or co...
Organization claims 'hundreds of millions' from Fortnite maker for pressuring children into purchases
The organization Stichting Massaschade & Consument is launching a mass claim against Epic Games, seeking hundreds of millions of euros for Dutch users who were pressured into making in-game purchases ...
Consumers buy less fuel due to high diesel and petrol prices
Dutch drivers are cutting fuel consumption by roughly 10 liters per month as prices remain high due to global supply disruptions and local tax increases. Although motorists are driving less and utiliz...
Employees increasingly dropping out due to stress-related complaints
Data from ArboNed and HumanCapitalCare shows a 12 percent rise in stress-related absenteeism among Dutch employees over the last year. Long-term absences represent the bulk of the issue, with stress-r...
Why engineering firm Arcadis showed Canadian WSP the door: ‘Fourfold lock on the door’
Engineering firm Arcadis has successfully resisted two acquisition attempts by the Canadian competitor WSP. The company maintained its independence after consistently rejecting the takeover bids.
The success of Dutch brand Rituals: not as cheap as Hema, not as expensive as luxury perfume
Rituals has achieved global success by positioning its cosmetic products between budget retail options and high-end luxury brands. This strategy has allowed the Dutch company to expand rapidly, establ...
Judge rules Wakker Dier advertisements can be displayed at NS stations
A court has ordered NS Stations to display advertisements from animal welfare group Wakker Dier after the company previously refused to show them. The organization is promoting its Eet Geen Dierendag ...
Alleged FBI hack could create dangerous situations for agents whose home addresses were leaked
The hacker group ShinyHunters claims to have accessed extensive personal data belonging to FBI agents and applicants after compromising a recruitment website. The hackers are demanding the removal of ...
Quarter of a million people sign up for nostalgic Hyves profile
The social network Hyves has relaunched thirteen years after its original decline, attracting over a quarter of a million sign-ups. Developed by Mediahuis, the platform intentionally avoids modern alg...
State buys shares in Borssele nuclear power plant to keep it open longer
The Dutch government plans to purchase a majority stake in the Borssele nuclear power plant for 115.7 million euros to ensure it can operate beyond 2033. This move aligns with national efforts to util...
Swedish meatballs and tableware: IKEA to launch small-format stores
IKEA is launching smaller, supermarket-sized stores in the Netherlands to provide better accessibility for customers by focusing on everyday household items and limited food offerings. These new locat...
375 tons of 'incorrect' wood seized over possible illegal logging in Gabon
Dutch authorities have seized 375 tons of timber suspected of being harvested illegally following an investigation into a company based in the northern Netherlands. The wood, intercepted with the help...
Rhine water levels near the German town of Kaub drop toward 1 meter again
Water levels on the Rhine near Kaub are dropping toward critical lows, threatening to severely disrupt freight shipping as vessels are forced to limit their cargo capacity. The low water levels are al...
Offices, homes, and nature: this is what 'Zuidas village' should look like
The City of Amsterdam is planning to transform the current ABN Amro office complex into a new, mixed-use neighborhood called Zuidas Village, which will integrate residential spaces, retail, and office...
Gasoline and diesel are very expensive, but we are not driving any slower
Dutch drivers are attempting to cut down on fuel costs by driving less frequently and avoiding short trips. However, they are not reducing their speed, as many continue to drive at 130 km/h on highway...
Global economy more resilient to Iran war than expected
The OECD reports that the global economy has proven more resilient to the conflict involving Iran than initially expected due to diversified energy sources and strategic reserve releases. While the gl...
Sixty parties interested in relaunch of Batavus and Babboe bicycle manufacturer
Sixty parties have submitted bids to purchase bicycle manufacturer Accell, which filed for bankruptcy in August due to mounting financial struggles and inventory issues. Meanwhile, creditors have file...
Cybercriminals extorting companies are now turning on each other
The cybercriminal gangs ShinyHunters and Clop are publicly feuding, with ShinyHunters hacking Clop's dark web site to demand a massive ransom. This conflict, which likely originates from a past disput...
Advisory body SER wants better employment support for newcomers
The Social and Economic Council (SER) is urging for improved employment support for newcomers in the Netherlands to help them integrate and fill labor shortages. The council suggests that municipaliti...
CBS: Dutch people have slightly more to spend
Statistics Netherlands reports that household disposable income rose by 0.7 percent in the second quarter of the year, driven by wage growth and higher benefit payments. Conversely, total mortgage deb...
Thousands of parents affected by benefits scandal still waiting for municipal aid
Thousands of families affected by the Dutch benefits scandal are experiencing significant delays in receiving municipal support in cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Almere. While authorities ar...
Dutch economy grows faster than expected as household spending increases
The Dutch economy grew faster in the first quarter than initially estimated, with growth reaching 0.4 percent for the quarter and 1.6 percent on an annual basis. This increase is mainly attributed to ...