Economy News in English

Billion-euro deficit for bridges and roads: why borrowing more money is not a good idea

Economists are warning against increasing the national debt in the Netherlands to fund urgent maintenance for roads, bridges, and dikes. While some politicians in The Hague advocate for borrowing more...

10 companies join Bol and Bijenkorf in reporting data breach at partner Ceva

The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) reports that customer data from 12 companies may have been compromised following a cyberattack on logistics partner Ceva Logistics. Among the affected business...

Bicycle manufacturer Accell, parent company of Batavus, Sparta and Babboe, files for bankruptcy

The Dutch bicycle manufacturer Accell, which produces well-known brands such as Batavus, Sparta, and Koga, has been declared bankrupt by a court in Amsterdam. This ruling puts the future of these prom...

Natural disasters cause 87 billion euros in damage in the first half of 2026

Natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, and wildfires, caused 87 billion euros in global damages during the first half of 2026. According to data from the reinsurer Swiss Re, these figures a...

Ordering from webshop de Bijenkorf barely possible anymore

The Dutch department store de Bijenkorf is currently experiencing significant issues with its online ordering system. Customers are only able to purchase items that are currently in stock at physical ...

After 64 years of mint chocolate, After Eight introduces new flavors

After Eight is expanding its product range for the first time in 64 years by introducing three new flavors. The classic mint chocolates will now be joined by caramel, orange, and raspberry variants.

Eclipse glasses flying off the shelves: We are being flooded with calls

Eclipse glasses are rapidly selling out across Amsterdam as residents prepare for an upcoming partial solar eclipse. Experts warn that looking directly at the sun without proper eye protection can cau...

Fuel prices rise again as hopes for peace fade

Fuel prices at the pump in the Netherlands have risen again after a short period of decline. This increase is driven by rising oil prices due to diminishing hopes for a quick reopening of the Strait o...

Trump's company loses $238 million and sells accelerated access to tweets

Trump Media and Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, reported a loss of $238 million between April and June. This figure represents a significant increase compared to the company's fi...

Life is more than three percent more expensive than a year ago

According to final figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics, the cost of living in the Netherlands rose by an average of 3.2 percent in July compared to the same month last year.

Daily life 3.2 percent more expensive in July due to high fuel and energy prices

Inflation in the Netherlands reached 3.2 percent in July, according to final figures from Statistics Netherlands. Rising fuel and energy costs are the primary drivers behind this increase in the cost ...

Another data breach: credit card details stolen from printer Simian

Printing company Simian has confirmed a data breach resulting in the potential exposure of personal information belonging to Dutch and Belgian customers. A smaller subset of these customers also had t...

Alderman knew about Oostbrug cost explosion before election but withheld information

Amsterdam Alderman Melanie van der Horst withheld information about a massive cost increase for the proposed Oostbrug project until after the March 2026 municipal elections. Documents reveal that the ...

House prices fell in six municipalities, sharpest rise in Achterhoek

While housing prices continue to rise across much of the Netherlands, six municipalities saw a decrease in home prices during the second quarter compared to the previous year. Conversely, the municipa...

Are residents of Haarlem happy with their international fame in The New York Times?

The New York Times has featured Haarlem as a tourist alternative to Amsterdam, sparking debate among local residents regarding potential overcrowding and quality of life. While the local government an...

Wiam el Aouati (19) receives 1519 euros and hopes for more financial education for youth: 'My money tip: never use Klarna'

The coming weeks are critical: which roads, bridges, and railways can actually be replaced?

The Dutch government, led by Minister Vincent Karremans, is currently reviewing transportation projects due to significant budget deficits. This autumn, authorities will decide which infrastructure pl...

New York wants to raise 500 million with pied-à-terre tax for ‘safer streets and cleaner parks’: is that an idea for Amsterdam too?

Michael (40) puts blue envelopes away hoping problems will disappear: ‘I know it’s not smart’

Michael, a 40-year-old man, experiences significant stress from financial responsibilities, leading him to ignore official correspondence from the tax authorities. Although he has long believed he is ...

Nout Wellink on the lobby for Klaas Knot at the ECB: 'This is not a matter of making a few phone calls'

Former De Nederlandsche Bank president Nout Wellink explains that securing a top position at the European Central Bank requires extensive diplomatic effort rather than simple casual lobbying. He empha...

KLM adjusts catering on European flights, cheese sandwich to be removed

Starting in October, KLM will update its catering services on European flights. Passengers will no longer receive a complimentary cheese sandwich but will instead have the option to order meals in adv...

London mayor wants more space for pubs and nightclubs

London Mayor Sadiq Khan is opposing plans by the Westminster district to restrict the opening of new bars and nightclubs in popular nightlife areas. Khan argues that the city should instead create mor...

Getting sick on vacation: how to get your vacation days back

Falling ill during a vacation does not necessarily mean losing your vacation days. Employees in the Netherlands have legal protections that allow them to reclaim days spent sick while on leave.

Cabinet holiday stress: unions camping out, budget shortfall and no friends in the opposition yet

The Dutch cabinet is facing significant pressure while preparing the upcoming budget ahead of Prinsjesdag. Ministers are struggling with financial shortages and a lack of support from the opposition.

Bijenkorf orders face weeks of delays due to cyberattack

Department store chain de Bijenkorf is experiencing significant shipping delays due to a cyberattack at their logistics partner, CEVA Logistics. Customers have been informed that orders placed current...

Bijenkorf customers must wait until at least September for packages due to data breach

Customers ordering from the Bijenkorf webshop must wait until at least September 3 for their packages. This delay follows a security incident at the company's logistics partner, Ceva Logistics.

Will the Netherlands get another ECB president after Duisenberg? Klaas Knot is on course, but so is a Spaniard

Klaas Knot, the former president of De Nederlandsche Bank, is a strong candidate to become the next president of the European Central Bank. The Dutch Ministry of Finance has confirmed it would support...

Trump lashes out at oil companies over high fuel prices

Former US President Donald Trump has called on major oil companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron to lower fuel prices. He argues that these corporations are profiting excessively from current high oil m...

Earliest grape harvest ever in Spain due to extreme heat, climate having an impact

Vineyard workers in Catalonia, Spain, have begun the grape harvest as early as July 22 due to record-breaking summer heat. This marks the earliest start to the harvest in Spanish history, reflecting t...

Rhine hits record low, river splitting threatens German inland shipping

The Rhine river has reached a record-low water level at the Dutch border, threatening navigation further downstream. This situation could have significant negative consequences for the inland shipping...