rssJan 3, 2026, 06:00

Should the civil service be swept clean or is bureaucratic bloat exaggerated?

Amsterdam is planning to reorganize its civil service following criticism over "administrative obesity" and concerns that its 22,000-person workforce, the largest in the Netherlands, is inefficient and costly. The city government aims to streamline decision-making and reduce personnel costs by €15 million annually starting in 2027 to address the growing ratio of 20 civil servants per 1,000 residents.

Politics Economy Amsterdam

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Based on reporting by rss. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Years of illegal use of Schiphol: environmental groups and local residents take legal action over cabinet plans

A coalition of environmental groups and residents has challenged new government regulations for Schiphol Airport at the Council of State. The plaintiffs claim the rules legitimize years of illegal operations and are seeking a mandatory reduction in flight numbers.

Outdated information used in documents on tourist and advertising taxes

The Amsterdam city council has delayed voting on tax regulation changes after officials discovered that outdated versions of the documents were inadvertently used. Finance Alderman Hendrik Jan Biemond apologized for the errors, which included technical inaccuracies in the definitions of tourist and advertising taxes, and rescheduled the vote for December.

Private landlords are renting out fewer properties in the city: "A problem for students"

Private rental properties in Amsterdam have decreased by 18 percent in three years as landlords sell their units due to new rent control laws and increased taxation. While this shift favors buyers, it creates a significant housing crisis for students and individuals who cannot afford to purchase property in the city.

Seizure of 'Antifa server' at US request leads to questions and concerns

Dutch authorities have seized a server belonging to the Italian hosting provider Autistici/Inventati at the request of the United States. The U.S. government classifies the company as a terrorist entity, sparking concerns among Dutch digital rights groups and industry associations regarding the precedent for such cross-border legal actions.

No funding for Zuidasdok megaproject in new cabinet plans

The Dutch government has frozen funding for the northern part of the Zuidasdok project to prioritize the maintenance of existing national infrastructure. This decision delays one of the country's largest development projects, sparking concerns in Amsterdam over long-term economic and accessibility impacts.