Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Shadowy world behind freelancer marketplace: ‘He drains people completely dry’
The freelance platform ProLinker is being accused of fraudulent activities, including posting fake AI-generated job vacancies and failing to pay dozens of freelancers. The platform has also been linke...

Banning products from illegal Israeli settlements is (desired) symbolism
The Netherlands intends to ban products originating from Israeli settlements in the West Bank. While European consensus remains elusive, practical challenges regarding the identification and labeling ...
Molotov cocktails and death threats: AI rage now also targeting tech bosses
CEOs of major AI companies, such as Sam Altman of OpenAI and Dario Amodei of Anthropic, are now under heavy security protection due to increasing public anger. These executives are facing threats and ...

Cost of mobile data while traveling drops due to new eSIM providers
The rise of travel e-SIM providers is increasing competition and driving down roaming costs for mobile internet outside the EU. These digital alternatives are now offering larger data bundles and more...
Gert had been director of his family business for years, then he was done: 'There had to be more in the world'
After decades as the director of his family business, 58-year-old Gert decided to resign to travel and explore new experiences. He shared his story of taking on various side jobs in the Netherlands to...

Belgium bans imports from Israeli settlements
Belgium has announced an import ban on products originating from Israeli-occupied territories. The country took this unilateral action after the European Commission failed to implement a unified Europ...

Stricter rules for electric car manufacturers in Hungary
Hungary is planning to implement stricter environmental regulations and higher taxes for its electric vehicle manufacturing sector. This shift marks a departure from the previous policies that offered...

Screen Time | Teenagers recreate the Netherlands in Minecraft: 'It will never be finished'
In the 'Schermtijd' column, tech reporter Rutger Otto discusses a long-term project where teenagers are attempting to recreate the Netherlands within the game Minecraft. The endeavor has been ongoing ...
Reselling your own solar power could be a solution to the end of net metering, but it's not taking off
Reselling surplus solar energy to others was proposed as a solution to the upcoming expiration of the net metering scheme in the Netherlands. However, the implementation is failing to gain momentum du...

More first-time buyers use starter loans: 'Leads to higher prices'
The number of starter loans for first-time homebuyers in the Netherlands increased by 15 percent compared to the previous year. While these loans help young people enter the housing market, experts wa...

Trump threatens Canada with tariffs over 'filthy air' from wildfires
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on Canada, blaming the country for the smoke from wildfires drifting across the border. He described the situation as negligence and sugges...

Power grid vulnerable to cyberattack: 'Not a matter of if, but when'
Experts warn that the Dutch power grid is vulnerable to cyberattacks, which could lead to large-scale outages. Both major energy producers and consumer devices are considered potential targets, with o...
Shuffling of money, delays and a 1.1 billion euro deficit: it is now make-or-break for the Zuidasdok megaproject
Remy Harrewijn founded the Netherlands' first 'urban winery' with Chateau Amsterdam, but had to sell it to avoid bankruptcy

Brabant to revoke livestock farmers' nature permits, sparking opposition anger
The provincial government of North Brabant intends to revoke the environmental permits of five poultry farmers located near vulnerable nature areas to reduce nitrogen emissions. This decision has been...

300 of 950 jobs cut at Healthcare and Youth Care Inspectorate: 'Tough choices'
The Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ) in the Netherlands is cutting 300 out of its 950 jobs due to budget reductions. Inspector-General Monique Vogelzang stated that the organization will need ...
Why the fashion calendar is stalling due to longer heatwaves in the Netherlands
Clothing retailers in the Netherlands are struggling to keep up with consumer demand for summer apparel due to longer heatwaves. The misalignment between seasonal stock and current weather patterns is...

The Hague transport operator cancels all buses due to serious technical defect
The public transport company HTM in The Hague has canceled all bus services starting Friday evening due to a serious technical defect discovered in several vehicles. All buses are being taken out of s...

US lettuce company recalls products after major diarrhea outbreak
An American lettuce producer has initiated a product recall following a major diarrhea outbreak in the United States. The exact scale of the recall is currently unknown.

Defense personnel receive significant 6.5 percent pay raise
Military and civilian personnel at the Dutch Ministry of Defence will receive a 6.5 percent salary increase starting September 1, with an additional 2 percent raise planned for 2028. This measure is i...
In this Amsterdam-East neighborhood, neighbors share self-generated power to relieve the grid: ‘I get a push notification that I can charge my car a bit cheaper’

Holidaymakers pay more at the pump after new price hike
Fuel prices for gasoline and diesel have increased again just before the final major summer holiday travel wave. Travelers using caravans or campers will face higher costs, especially when refueling a...

Mortgage rates rise sharply due to developments in Iran and Ukraine
Mortgage interest rates in the Netherlands have increased significantly this week due to ongoing geopolitical tensions in Iran and Ukraine. Nearly all lenders have raised their rates, with several ins...

Failure of soy agreement threatens Amazon area the size of a third of the Netherlands
The collapse of a soy agreement earlier this year could lead to 1.4 million hectares of additional deforestation in the Amazon. The World Wide Fund for Nature warns that this loss, equivalent to one-t...

EU allows industry more emissions but maintains climate goals
Starting in 2031, the European Union will allow the industry more leeway for carbon emissions and lower costs in exchange for commitments to green production. Brussels aims to balance industrial compe...

Viaplay back in the black, but international ambitions are over
Streaming service Viaplay has reported its first profit in over two years as it recovers from a major financial crisis. As part of its strategy to curb international expansion, the company has also so...

Aerospace and defense have a mountain of orders but too few parts
The aviation and defense sectors are experiencing a significant increase in demand for new equipment. However, manufacturers are struggling to meet this record-high order volume due to ongoing shortag...

'Transit country' Belgium wants to charge for its roads, what will the Netherlands do?
The Belgian government has announced a mandatory vignette for road use starting next year. The article questions whether the Netherlands should follow this example, noting that Belgium acts as a trans...
ASML gives 44,500 employees a share package worth 20,000 euros
ASML has announced a retention plan offering employees a stock package worth 20,000 euros, provided they remain with the company until January 1, 2030. This initiative aims to maintain staff retention...

Dutch Consumers' Association threatens action over 'fake discounts' at Amazon and bol
The Dutch Consumers' Association (Consumentenbond) has accused Amazon and bol of using misleading 'fake discounts' on their platforms. The organization is threatening legal action against both retaile...