Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Limburg maintains opposition to new Iron Rhine railway line
The province of Limburg maintains its opposition to a new freight rail connection, known as the Iron Rhine, between Belgium and Germany through Dutch territory. Local authorities argue that the enviro...
Emirates resumes daily flights from Dubai to Schiphol starting Saturday
Emirates will resume daily flights from Dubai to dozens of destinations, including Schiphol Airport, starting this Saturday. The service was previously suspended due to regional tensions in the Middle...
Beemster cheese voted world's best: 'Aged, but smooth'
The Dutch cheese Beemster Royaal Grand Cru was named the best cheese in the world at a competition held in Wisconsin, USA. It secured the top title after competing against more than 3,300 other entrie...
Global drug and money laundering network dismantled, 15 arrests
An international law enforcement operation known as Operation Candy has dismantled a global drug smuggling and money laundering network, leading to fifteen arrests. Europol reported the seizure of 1,2...
Months of delay for Tata Steel sustainability plan permit
Tata Steel's sustainability plans are facing several months of delay as the province of North Holland and the environmental agency require more information to assess the permit application. The evalua...
Operation successful, patient dead – students have almost no housing alternatives
Dutch Cabinet clear on reopening Groningen gas fields: 'We're not going to do it'
The Dutch cabinet has confirmed it will not keep the Groningen gas field open, even for emergency situations. Interior Minister Pieter Heerma stated that the government feels a 'debt of honor' to the ...
Cabinet reiterates: gas extraction from Groningen field will not happen
The Dutch cabinet has reaffirmed that gas extraction from the Groningen field will not be resumed. Ministers stated that the field will be closed as planned, maintaining the previously established sch...
NS takes critical look at strike compensation
The Dutch railway operator NS is evaluating its current compensation scheme for passengers affected by train strikes, according to its annual report. Currently, travelers can receive up to 25 euros fo...
Gas power plants were used more often last year during dips in solar and wind energy
Gas-fired power plants in the Netherlands significantly increased their natural gas consumption last year to compensate for fluctuations in solar and wind energy supply. This led to a 6.2 percent incr...
Queen Máxima visits NS Train Modernization in Haarlem
Queen Máxima and Minister Stientje van Veldhoven visited NS Train Modernization in Haarlem on Wednesday as part of Circular Economy Week. They observed how old double-decker trains are being refurbis...
Hungarian PM stops transport to Ukraine over pipeline
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has announced that he is halting the transport of essential goods to Ukraine. This move is a retaliatory measure against Ukraine's decision to block the supply o...
Diesel price reaches record high, gasoline price also nears peak
The national recommended price for diesel in the Netherlands has reached a record high of 2.375 euros per liter, matching levels seen four years ago. Gasoline prices are also increasing, though at a s...
Portugal fined millions for failing to protect Iberian species
Portugal has been fined millions of euros for failing to adequately protect thousands of unique animal and plant species, including the gold-striped salamander and the Iberian wolf. Despite having yea...
US states sue over new Trump tariffs
A group of 24 U.S. states has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump's recently imposed 10% import tariffs. The states argue that the president is acting unlawfully by ignoring a previous ruli...
Lower revenue for auto industry in 2025, but more electric cars sold
The automotive and motorcycle industry saw a 2.6 percent decrease in revenue in 2025 compared to the previous year, with importers and heavy vehicle sectors experiencing the most significant declines....
Solutions for housing shortage and strengthening neighborhoods in Beverwijk and Heemskerk: New performance agreements between municipalities and housing corporations
The municipalities of Heemskerk and Beverwijk have established new performance agreements with housing corporations and tenant organizations for the 2026–2029 period. These agreements prioritize add...
Ministry forbids municipalities from restricting steel slag themselves
The Dutch government has prohibited municipalities from implementing their own bans on the use of steel slag, requiring local restrictions to be reversed by the end of the year. Local officials have e...
Vijlbrief: Emotion over breaking pension agreement underestimated
Minister Hans Vijlbrief admitted that the Dutch cabinet underestimated the emotional response to breaking an agreement within the national pension accord. Speaking on the talk show 'Pauw & De Wit,' he...
Support for defense billions also met with criticism: 'Actually meant for state pensions'
Most political parties in the Dutch House of Representatives support the allocation of billions of additional euros to Defense, though concerns remain regarding the funding source and how the money wi...
Veggie burgers can keep their name, but vegetarian chicken and steak will soon be banned
The European Parliament and member states have reached an agreement to restrict the use of meat-related terms for plant-based products. While terms like "veggie burger" and "tofu sausage" will remain ...
Experts surprised by cabinet response to US VAT software: ‘Distraction’
Experts are criticizing the Dutch government's decision to hire an American software company to manage VAT collection, calling the official justifications a diversionary maneuver. While State Secretar...
Build, build, build: Hundreds of new homes per year in Velsen
The municipality of Velsen has prioritized housing and livability in its 2022-2026 council program. Since 2022, 530 new homes have been completed, with an additional 1,250 units planned for the coming...
15,000 cruise passengers and 20,000 seafarers stranded in the Persian Gulf
Approximately 15,000 cruise passengers and 20,000 seafarers are currently stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The United Nations' International Maritime Organi...
Druzhba oil pipeline may be out of service for another six weeks
The Druzhba oil pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia through Ukraine, is expected to remain out of service for four to six weeks following damage. Ukrainian President Volodym...
Is it wise to look to Groningen again in the gas crisis? This is what the gas expert says
Following a 67 percent increase in gas prices due to Middle East unrest, the Dutch House of Representatives is considering resuming gas drilling in Groningen. Expert Martien Visser addresses key quest...
Enexis significantly expands power grid, but electricity demand grows even faster
Grid operator Enexis invested a record 1.9 billion euros in the electricity grid last year to support the energy transition. Despite this investment, the grid remains congested in many areas as demand...
Coen van Oostrom succeeds Ingrid Thijssen as chair of employers' organization VNO-NCW
Coen van Oostrom has been appointed as the new chairman of the Dutch employers' organization VNO-NCW. He succeeds Ingrid Thijssen, who served in the role for nearly six years before becoming the chair...
Travelers pay top price: direct flights to Far East nearly unaffordable
Direct flight prices to Far East destinations like Bangkok and Singapore have skyrocketed, with tickets often costing between 2,000 and 3,000 euros. This price surge is attributed to reduced capacity ...
NS passengers faced an unprecedented number of disruptions last year
NS CEO Wouter Koolmees acknowledged in the annual report that train passengers faced an unprecedented number of unexpected disruptions over the past year. Additionally, the report noted that trains we...