Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Tata Steel in court, but what punishment do you give a company?
Inheritance tax must increase, professor argues: ‘It is the fairest tax we have’
Professor Bernard Schols argues that inheritance tax should be increased, describing it as the most equitable form of taxation. Public opinion in the Netherlands is shifting in favor of higher taxes o...
Unions to continue major strikes after summer: public transport to shut down again
Trade unions in the Netherlands are preparing for widespread strikes and large-scale industrial action following the summer break. The planned stoppages will affect multiple sectors, including public ...
Trump wants no more trade with Spain: 'Terrible partner'
U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to cease all trade with Spain, labeling the country a terrible partner. The Spanish government has responded to the announcemen...
Children aged 11 and under to travel for free on public transport across the Netherlands from 2027
Starting in 2027, children aged four to eleven will be able to travel for free on public transport throughout the Netherlands. This policy requires children to be accompanied by a paying passenger, su...
These are the most expensive and cheapest holiday countries in Europe
This article compares the costs of dining out across various European countries, noting that the Netherlands is among the most expensive destinations alongside Switzerland and Denmark. It provides an ...
Tata Steel prosecuted for intentional pollution following mass report by local residents
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service is prosecuting Tata Steel for intentional environmental pollution and violations of its duty of care. This legal action follows a mass complaint filed by local res...
China hopes for fair and equitable trade relationship with the Netherlands
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with Dutch Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma in Beijing to discuss trade relations. China expressed the hope that the Netherlands will establish a fair, equitable, an...
Consumer spending up nearly 2 percent in May, goods in demand
Dutch household consumption rose by 1.8 percent in May compared to the previous year, driven primarily by an increase in spending on goods. This growth follows a 1 percent increase in consumption reco...
Oil prices rise further after new US attacks on Iran
Oil prices have increased following new United States airstrikes against Iran. Additionally, the U.S. has revoked a license that previously allowed Iran to temporarily export oil.
More large deposit machines installed, users are positive
The number of large bulk deposit machines capable of processing dozens of bottles simultaneously is increasing rapidly in the Netherlands. Eighty new machines were installed in the first half of this ...
Cabinet may force companies to produce for defense if necessary
The Dutch government is introducing a new law that allows them to compel specific companies to produce essential goods for the military during emergency situations. Under this legislation, the cabinet...
US reimposes sanctions on Iranian oil following attacks on oil tankers
On Tuesday, the US Treasury Department revoked a license that had temporarily allowed Iran to export oil. This decision follows reported attacks on several oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
Plenty of Turkish weapons in Europe, but true cooperation with EU remains far off
The European defense industry needs strengthening, and Turkey has offered its support to Brussels in this effort. However, the European Union has not yet fully utilized this opportunity, potentially h...
Grid operators demand down payments from municipalities for construction projects, Amsterdam sounds alarm with G40
Mobile internet usage is declining, except at hacked Odido, which also seems to be gaining customers again
Recent research shows that smartphone data usage in the Netherlands slightly declined during the beginning of the year. However, Odido experienced an increase in data usage and a recovery in customer ...
European Parliament introduces stricter social security rules
The European Parliament has adopted new regulations aimed at combating social security fraud and improving cross-border cooperation among EU member states. These measures also focus on ensuring that w...
From Waalre and Deurne to Barneveld: towns outside the Randstad to see fastest growth by 2050
The Netherlands is projected to reach 19.6 million inhabitants by 2050, requiring significant housing expansion. While cities in the Randstad will grow, rural areas and towns outside this region are e...
New forecast: 4,320 new homes in Haarlem over the next five years, thousands more needed by 2050
A new report from research firm ABF forecasts that 4,320 new homes will be completed in Haarlem over the next five years. To accommodate continued population growth, thousands of additional residentia...
Permit granted for new data center in Amsterdam Southeast
A building permit has been issued for the first tower of a major Equinix data center in Amsterdam-Zuidoost, as the application preceded a local construction moratorium. While the facility is slated fo...
Small business owner stops sustainability efforts: Investments often cannot even be recouped
Data from Statistics Netherlands indicates a decline in sustainability investments among Dutch businesses, falling to 61 percent this year. Small and medium-sized enterprises are primarily responsible...
From webshop to lender: bol launches its own buy now, pay later service
Bol has established a separate credit company to manage its 'pay later' payment option. The e-commerce retailer intends to offer this service to other online stores in the future to expand consumer pa...
German brewers produce record amount of non-alcoholic beer
German breweries produced a record amount of non-alcoholic beer last year according to data from Destatis. While overall production of alcoholic beer remains higher, its output experienced a decline.
Young people no longer prefer working in hospitality during the summer
As the summer holidays begin in Northern Netherlands, student seasonal jobs remain a popular solution to labor shortages. However, there is a noticeable shift in preferences as young people are increa...
Malaise in our shopping basket due to soaring prices: we are buying less and are forced to choose cheaper brands
Dutch consumers are purchasing fewer groceries and opting for cheaper brands due to persistent high inflation over the past three years. Retail revenue growth is currently being driven by price increa...
Middle East conflict continues to disrupt global gas market
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global gas markets, leading to tighter supplies and higher prices. These conditions have resulted in decreased demand for gas, particularly...
ECB wants banks to create action plans against AI cyber threats
The European Central Bank is urging financial institutions to develop strategic action plans to counter the increasing cybersecurity risks posed by advanced AI systems. The regulator specifically high...
Cash remains widely accepted, but card-only is on the rise in major cities
While cash remains widely accepted for daily transactions in the Netherlands, the number of businesses transitioning to card-only payments is increasing in larger cities. Despite this trend, physical ...
NATO countries invest tens of billions in drone defense
NATO countries are investing 40 billion dollars over the next five years to improve drone defense systems. Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced the initiative in Ankara, citing the increasing freque...
How Nike suddenly lost its cool: ‘It has become your parents’ shoe’
Nike is currently facing a significant decline in popularity and financial performance as younger consumers shift their preferences toward rival brands like Adidas and New Balance. The once-dominant s...