Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Nature permit still required for Rotterdam and Eindhoven airports
A Dutch court has ruled that Rotterdam and Eindhoven airports must obtain nature permits, overturning a previous government decision that deemed them unnecessary. The ruling follows legal challenges f...
Babboe cargo bikes return, relaunch starting in Germany among other countries
Parent company Accell has announced that Babboe cargo bikes will return to the market following a major safety recall. The relaunch comes after the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NV...
Low incomes hardest hit by expensive oil
Rising oil prices due to conflict in the Middle East are increasing inflation and reducing purchasing power, particularly for low-income households with cars. The Netherlands Bureau for Economic Polic...
Coalition wants to compensate companies for electricity costs
Dutch coalition parties D66, CDA, and VVD have proposed moving forward funds originally allocated for 2028 to help companies manage current electricity costs. This initiative was announced during a pa...
Iran war hits our wallets: purchasing power growth could completely evaporate
A scenario study by the CPB indicates that the conflict involving Iran could lead to higher energy prices and inflation for Dutch households. This rise in costs might completely offset the expected gr...
House prices now falling significantly, by up to 6 percent: check your neighborhood here
House prices in the Netherlands fell by up to 6 percent during the first quarter of the year. Real estate agents attribute this decline to rising mortgage interest rates and global uncertainty caused ...
Diesel price at the pump drops by nearly 6 cents
Diesel prices in the Netherlands fell by nearly 6 cents on Thursday, with the national recommended price dropping to 2.589 euros per liter. This decrease follows a record high of 2.819 euros per liter...
Dutch DPA to audit data security at IT suppliers
The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) is launching preventive audits of ICT suppliers in the Netherlands to evaluate their digital security measures. This initiative aims to help companies identify...
Fast-charging company Fastned profits from high fuel prices and records significant profit
Fast charging company Fastned reported a profit increase to 32 million euros in recent months. The company attributes this growth to rising gasoline and diesel prices, which are encouraging more drive...
Parliament seeks clarification on data vault containing benefits scandal documents
The Dutch House of Representatives has called for clarification regarding a data vault containing millions of documents related to the childcare benefit scandal that remained hidden for years. Politic...
Council of State: give more consideration to future generations
The Dutch Council of State has advised the cabinet to prioritize the interests of future generations when drafting legislation, particularly concerning long-term issues like climate change, housing, a...
Council of State extends priority for housing construction cases
The Dutch Council of State announced it will continue prioritizing housing construction cases until at least the summer of 2027 to address the country's housing shortage. Since the policy began in 202...
Australia increases defense budget under US pressure and China threat
Australia plans to increase its defense budget to 3% of its GDP within the next seven years in response to China's growing regional influence. The decision also follows pressure from the United States...
Petrol and diesel slightly cheaper again due to negotiation optimism
Fuel prices for petrol and diesel in the Netherlands decreased on Thursday morning following weeks of record highs, with prices reaching 2.546 and 2.589 euros per liter respectively. This decline is a...
Housing market cools: prices fall and number of viewings declines
The Dutch housing market cooled down at the start of the year, with both property prices and the number of viewings seeing a decline. According to quarterly data from the NVM, interest from buyers has...
Housing prices leveling off due to war and cheap apartments
The Dutch housing market is experiencing a cooldown with flattening or slightly declining prices, partly attributed to international conflicts such as the war in the Middle East. While homes are remai...
Amsterdam house prices fall: more choice for those seeking smaller and less luxurious homes
Basic-Fit in good shape with growing membership and new clubs
Basic-Fit reported that its membership has grown to six million following the last quarter. The fitness chain also expanded its operations by opening 33 new clubs.
Slight drop in unemployment, fewer benefit claims in almost all of the Netherlands
The unemployment rate in the Netherlands fell to 4% in March, marking a decrease from a four-year peak recorded in February. Most regions across the country saw a decline in the number of people recei...
'What’s the mileage?' Ask that for a used e-bike too
Experts anticipate a surge in second-hand e-bikes coming onto the market soon. Potential buyers are advised to verify the battery condition and mileage before purchasing, as replacement batteries can ...
Dozens of fatal barn fires again in 2025, insurers concerned
The Dutch Association of Insurers reports that over 60,000 animals died in barn fires last year, reflecting a lack of progress in fire safety improvements. This figure remains consistent with the prev...
UWV assigns different staff to calculation work as it's not getting any easier yet
The Dutch employee insurance agency UWV has established a specialized team to prevent further errors in calculating WIA disability benefits, as detailed in its 2025 annual report. The agency continues...
UWV chief issues warning to cabinet before departure: Intervene
UWV chairman Maarten Camps has warned the Dutch cabinet that the agency can no longer handle the increasing volume of disability benefit applications. He predicts that 200,000 people could face waitin...
After fonQ, another well-known online furniture shop faces closure: ‘It’s an uncertain time’
Dutch online furniture retailer Huus has applied for a suspension of payments due to financial difficulties. The company, which operates a large webshop and physical stores in cities such as Hengelo a...
Study: 1.7 million households considering new energy provider
A study by Multiscope indicates that approximately 1.7 million households in the Netherlands are considering switching to a new energy provider. This reflects a growing trend among consumers looking t...
US threatens sanctions against buyers of Iranian oil
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Wednesday that the United States is threatening to impose sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil. The statement was made during a briefing with reporters a...
Ticketmaster owner in US found to have a monopoly
A federal jury in the United States has found Live Nation Entertainment, the parent company of Ticketmaster, guilty of illegal monopoly behavior. The verdict marks a major legal defeat for the America...
Dutch Tax Authority discovers data vault with 64 million unexamined files in benefits scandal
The Dutch Tax and Customs Administration has discovered a data vault containing 64 million files that were not reviewed during the parliamentary inquiry into the childcare benefits scandal. These docu...
Oil giants earned $30 million per hour during first month of Iran war
The world's 100 largest oil and gas companies earned an average of $30 million per hour in March following a sharp rise in oil prices. According to research by The Guardian, these significant profits ...
Officials expect Schiphol noise rules can proceed
Officials at the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management expect that new noise reduction regulations for Schiphol Airport can still be implemented. Despite a recent Council of State ruli...