Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Lawsuit against carmaker Stellantis over defeat devices in motorhomes
Several Dutch consumer and camping organizations have filed a legal claim against car manufacturer Stellantis regarding the use of illegal defeat devices in camper vans. The groups are demanding that ...
Air France-KLM bids for Portuguese airline TAP
Air France-KLM has officially submitted a bid to acquire the Portuguese airline TAP. The Franco-Dutch aviation group has long expressed interest in this takeover as part of its expansion strategy.
Next-day mail delivery to become much more expensive: cards must be dropped off at parcel points
Starting July 12, PostNL will require customers to drop off next-day delivery mail at designated parcel points instead of traditional orange mailboxes. Additionally, the cost of sending mourning mail ...
Truckers slow traffic on highways in protest against high fuel prices
Truck drivers in the Netherlands are staging protests on several major highways this Thursday morning to demonstrate against rising fuel prices. The slow-moving convoys are causing significant traffic...
Housing for migrant workers increasingly dire: property owners fill municipal policy vacuum
The housing situation for migrant workers in the Zuid-Kennemerland and IJmond regions has become increasingly critical due to a lack of coordinated municipal policy. Social consultancy Public Result c...
Malaysian civil servants to work from home due to fuel prices
The Malaysian government has ordered civil servants to work from home in an effort to reduce fuel consumption and lower prices. This measure follows a sharp increase in fuel costs caused by the confli...
Financial markets react to Trump's threats: oil prices surge, Bitcoin value drops
Financial markets reacted strongly to a television speech by Donald Trump, in which he threatened an escalation of the conflict in Iran. As a result, oil prices rose sharply on Thursday while Asian st...
Oil prices surge after Trump speech on Iran war escalation
Oil prices rose significantly on Thursday following threats of an escalation in the conflict with Iran by US President Donald Trump. The price surge reflects market reactions to the possibility of inc...
Majority of savers: Do not invest money in porn and gambling industries
A majority of savers oppose bank investments in the gambling and pornography industries, with women demonstrating a higher level of ethical concern than men. The survey findings also indicate that wom...
Near-record number of applications for home sustainability loans
The National Heat Fund reported a 73% increase in loan applications for home sustainability in March compared to the same month last year. This surge brings the number of requests close to record leve...
Employers call for calm in collective bargaining: 'High wage demands not wise'
Dutch employers are calling for moderation in wage demands during collective bargaining negotiations as inflation continues to rise. They warn that high labor costs and geopolitical tensions are alrea...
No trains between Schiphol and Leiden due to stranded train
Architect Van Bergen on Bergen building plans: Add quality, not just bricks
Architect Michael van Bergen, winner of the 2025 Amsterdam prize for best housing project, shared his insights on housing developments in his hometown of Bergen. He emphasized that construction projec...
Priority mail price hike: funeral card doubles in price
Starting in July, PostNL will significantly increase rates for 24-hour delivery services, including bereavement cards and medical mail. These items will cost several euros per piece as the postal serv...
PostNL to deliver letters within two days from July 12
Starting July 12, PostNL will shift its standard letter delivery from next-day to within two days to ensure service reliability and manage high operational costs. This change follows a government deci...
Stuck in a ‘foreign’ city: many people can no longer return to their roots
Many people are finding it increasingly difficult to move back to the regions where they grew up due to a lack of affordable housing. This trend leaves individuals stuck in cities away from their root...
Astronauts begin first trip to the moon since 1972
Four astronauts have launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on the Artemis II mission, marking the first human flight toward the moon since 1972. The rocket took off on Wednesday night, initiating a h...
World Bank, IEA and IMF to collaborate over economic impact of Iran war
The World Bank, International Energy Agency, and International Monetary Fund are establishing a coordination group to manage the global economic impact of the conflict in the Middle East. This initiat...
Protesters see ghost hotel in North as symbol of vacancy: ‘It is a political choice’
Chocolate company De Bonte Koe looks beyond the holidays: ‘Chocolate connects’
The Schiedam-based family business De Bonte Koe has been nominated for the National Entrepreneur Prize for its innovative approach to chocolate making. The company focuses on year-round customer engag...
Yet another energy crisis, now we’re finally buying that heat pump
A second energy crisis in five years has triggered a significant surge in demand for heat pumps in the Netherlands. The high volume of interest has led some companies to scale back their advertising e...
Cuba on the brink of collapse as US cuts it off from the rest of the world
Cuba's economy is on the brink of collapse and faces a potential humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing United States blockade. The communist government in Havana is losing its grip as it can no longe...
iDeal successor protects consumers, but businesses fear high costs
Wero, the successor to the iDeal payment system, aims to enhance consumer protection, but businesses and payment providers express concern over potential cost increases. In response to these developme...
Cabinet accommodates startups in new Box 3 system after fierce criticism
The Dutch cabinet is planning to introduce tax benefits for startups and scale-ups following criticism of the new box 3 tax system. The proposal includes redefining early-stage companies and easing ta...
Foreign ministers of 'Hormuz coalition' meet for the first time
Foreign ministers from a 35-nation coalition are holding their first video meeting to discuss strategies for ending the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Dutch Minister Tom Berendsen and his i...
No NOC*NSF funding for Zandvoort figure skating pair Tsiba and Danilova, but support for Alkmaar bobsledder Wesselink
NOC NSF has announced the distribution of Olympic winter sport budgets for 2026-2030, with no financial support allocated to figure skaters Michel Tsiba and Daria Danilova. In contrast, Dave Wesselink...
Mega data centers near Haarlemmermeer villages to be operational in three years
Plans for four large data centers in Haarlemmermeer are moving forward, with the facilities in Rozenburg and Schiphol-Rijk expected to be operational within three years. The projects have sparked loca...
Record number of hospitality businesses forced to close immediately due to pests
A record number of catering establishments in the Netherlands were forced to close due to pest infestations during the first quarter of 2026. Inspectors expressed concern after a video of rats in an A...
Netherlands' largest pension fund exits tech firm doing business with ICE
The Netherlands' largest pension fund, ABP, has announced its decision to divest from the American technology firm Palantir. The move follows concerns regarding Palantir's contracts with the U.S. Immi...
Trump's remarks on ending the war have immediate impact: oil and gas prices fall, stocks surge
Donald Trump's prediction that the war against Iran could end within two to three weeks has triggered a significant reaction in global markets. Following his statements, international oil and gas pric...