Economy News in English

Seven years on and still locked

The Netherlands has faced a seven-year legal stalemate regarding nitrogen emissions, which has caused significant uncertainty for the farming and industrial sectors. This crisis has also restricted ne...

Strait of Hormuz reopens, but shipping backlog not easily cleared

Following a declaration of intent between the US and Iran, the Strait of Hormuz has begun to reopen gradually for shipping. Experts warn that it could take several months to resolve the resulting mari...

14,000 new homes in four years, a new bridge over the Ringvaart, and neighborhood wardens: these are the plans for Haarlemmermeer

The new governing coalition of Haarlemmermeer has presented an agreement to build 14,000 new homes and improve infrastructure over the next four years. Key priorities include enhancing neighborhood sa...

Fewer ferries again this weekend due to skipper shortage

Amsterdam's public transport operator GVB will reduce ferry services this weekend due to a persistent shortage of skippers. Several routes, including those from Central Station to IJplein and Buikslot...

Von der Leyen wants clarity on EU budget in October

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU's multi-annual budget funding must be clarified by the next summit in October. Her announcement followed a meeting of EU leaders i...

Greening of Haarlem homes declines: fewer new insulation, heat pumps and solar panels

The adoption of sustainable home improvements in Haarlem has significantly declined, with solar panel installations reaching their lowest levels since 2017. Additionally, the number of subsidized heat...

From budgets to dormers: Amsterdam is the first municipality with a center where residents can view decision-making

New offshore vessel Windcat Haarlem offers crew cinema, gym and racing sims

Shipping company Windcat has launched the Windcat Haarlem, the third vessel in its series of six Commissioning Service Operations Vessels. The offshore ship is equipped with premium crew amenities, in...

Groningen increasingly considered for nuclear power plants against its will

The Dutch cabinet is considering Terneuzen and Eemshaven as potential locations for new nuclear power plants, despite strong opposition from the Groningen region. A final decision on the project is ex...

Nuclear power plants are coming, but what is a political promise worth?

The Dutch government has identified Zeeland and Groningen as the final two potential locations for new nuclear power plants. The inclusion of Groningen is controversial due to previous political promi...

CEO O'Leary to stay longer at Ryanair and could earn up to 153 million euros

Michael O'Leary has extended his contract as the CEO of Ryanair until April 2032. The deal could see the longtime leader, who has headed the airline since 1994, earn a bonus of up to 153 million euros...

Cabinet cuts infrastructure, ‘HSL and rail safety needed’

State Secretary Annet Bertram emphasized the necessity of repairs to the high-speed rail link between Amsterdam and Rotterdam and the adoption of a new European rail safety system. While the cabinet f...

Solar panel sales at record low, but minister sees no reason for action

Climate Minister Stientje van Veldhoven has declined to provide additional funding to stimulate the solar panel market despite sales reaching a record low. She suggested that citizens should evaluate ...

Haarlem prioritizes healthcare and education workers for rental housing

The city of Haarlem is extending and expanding a program that prioritizes healthcare, education, and childcare workers for rental housing. This decision follows a successful pilot project aimed at hel...

Port warns Amsterdam not to only look at itself: ‘We must be nice to The Hague, or they won't be nice to us’

From formateur to the new finance alderman: this is Hendrik Jan Biemond

Hendrik Jan Biemond has been appointed as Amsterdam's new Alderman for Finance, Art and Culture, and Animal Welfare. A former city council member and coalition formateur, Biemond intends to focus on e...

No trains Wednesday morning due to strike

The NS has confirmed that no trains will run on Wednesday morning between 04:00 and 08:00 due to a strike by the FNV union. Travelers are warned that disruptions may continue throughout the morning as...

Online purchases must be easy to cancel starting today

Webshops and apps across the European Union are now legally required to provide a clear function that allows consumers to easily reverse online purchases. This new regulation, which stems from EU legi...

Anonymous OV-chipkaart no longer for sale from July 1

Starting July 1, the anonymous OV-chipkaart will no longer be available for purchase as the technology has become outdated. Passengers can instead use debit cards or the new OV-pas to check in and out...

Another fine for Tata Steel over excessive emissions

Tata Steel faces potential fines of up to 1 million euros after the North Sea Canal Area Environmental Service issued a penalty for exceeding nitrogen oxide emission limits. The company has until Apri...

Fewer entry-level jobs due to AI? Employers blame entirely different problems

A study by the Dutch employer association AWVN indicates that the rise of AI is not the primary cause for a decrease in entry-level job hiring. Companies reducing junior positions cite other organizat...

Jetten: EU cannot continue with 1990s budget

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten called for a modernized EU multi-annual budget for 2028-2034, emphasizing a shift in focus toward competitiveness and security. Jetten argued that the current budgetary...

Gall & Gall employees strike again: dozens of stores could close

Employees of liquor store chain Gall & Gall are striking this Saturday and Sunday to demand a better collective labor agreement from parent company Ahold Delhaize. The industrial action is expected to...

Home battery sellers claim energy label improvements, but is it true? Here’s the deal

Home battery sellers are marketing the devices as a way to improve a property's energy label and value following recent regulatory changes. However, energy advisors and Milieu Centraal warn that these...

Pump prices slightly lower Friday, but refueling ‘still more expensive for months’ than before Middle East war

Fuel prices at the pump are expected to remain higher than they were before the conflict in the Middle East, despite a slight decrease on Friday. Experts predict that refueling will stay more expensiv...

Buying drinks for Oranje or Father's Day? Dozens of Gall & Gall stores closed this weekend

Dozens of Gall & Gall liquor stores across the Netherlands will remain closed this weekend as employees go on strike. The industrial action, announced by the FNV union, takes place during Father's Day...

More renewable energy from solar, wind and biomass consumed in 2025

The consumption of renewable energy from sources such as wind, solar power, and biomass increased by 11 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year. This growth highlights a significant rise in the ...

Cleaners also to strike next week against social security cuts

Cleaners in the Netherlands are planning to strike next week to protest the government's proposed cuts to social security. The industrial action includes a 24-hour strike in Utrecht on Wednesday and w...

Various sectors continue to suffer from aftermath of Middle East war

According to a new sector forecast by ABN AMRO, various economic sectors in the Netherlands continue to experience the negative effects of the conflict in the Middle East. Despite recent steps toward ...

Haarlem hotel sector horrified by 'V&D hotel': 'The market is currently worrying'

The Haarlem hotel sector has sent an urgent letter to the city council expressing strong opposition to the development of a large hotel in the former V&D building at Verwulft. Existing hotel owners wa...