Business News in English
Latest business headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Unions sidelined, business units sold off, or total control to Paris? KLM faces major overhaul
KLM is set to unveil four drastic restructuring scenarios this Thursday to address ongoing financial instability. Possible measures include limiting union power, divesting business units, or increasin...

2027 budget: civil service reorganization delayed, little room for new investments
Amsterdam's 2027 budget highlights a period of financial hardship due to rising interest costs and debt, leaving little room for new city investments. The local government is focusing on basic mainten...

Oil prices fall slightly again, price of diesel at the pump continues to rise
Global oil prices dipped slightly on Thursday due to progress on pipeline repairs and increased export capacity in Saudi Arabia, though costs remain high overall. Despite the crude price drop, diesel ...

Trump threatens to halt trade with EU over relationship with Canada
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed making Canada an associate member of the EU to deepen ties in trade and defense. Donald Trump has threatened to retaliate with severe im...

Unemployment remains virtually unchanged at 4 percent in August
Unemployment in the Netherlands held steady at 4 percent in August, continuing a slow upward trend that began in early 2023. While the number of active unemployment benefits rose slightly, the broader...

More and more people are not working, while the group of workers is not growing
The number of non-working people in the Netherlands is rising due to an aging population and stagnant workforce growth, placing increased financial pressure on the welfare state. While the labor marke...

Schiphol begins cleaning 200,000 tons of contaminated soil in PFAS 'car wash'
Schiphol Airport has launched an on-site soil cleaning facility to treat 200,000 tons of earth contaminated with PFAS from historical firefighting foam. The installation washes the soil to extract pol...

Sean Diddy Combs' lawyers quit defense over unpaid bills
Sean Diddy Combs' legal team has resigned from his defense in a 100 million dollar defamation lawsuit, citing unpaid bills and poor cooperation. Combs claimed the split was a business decision over bi...
US central bank raises interest rates to combat high inflation, first hike in over 3 years
The United States Federal Reserve has increased interest rates by a quarter percentage point to combat high inflation, marking the first such hike since July 2023. The decision sets the primary intere...
Ajax takes a gamble on new signing Yves Bissouma: perfect profile but comes with baggage
Ajax has signed midfielder Yves Bissouma after the transfer deadline to add versatility to their squad. While he fits the team's desired profile, concerns remain regarding his attitude and potential d...
US interest rates almost certain to rise, and we will feel it immediately in the Netherlands
The U.S. Federal Reserve faces pressure regarding a potential interest rate hike, with concerns over political backlash and financial market stability. Any decision made by the central bank is expecte...

Armani hires first creative director from outside the family
Armani has appointed its first non-family creative director, a former artistic leader from Versace, to oversee the Emporio Armani brand and accessories. This strategic shift follows the death of compa...

Ye sued by former employee for discrimination and wrongful termination
Former security guard Benjamin Provo has sued the rapper Ye, alleging racial discrimination and wrongful termination at the Donda Academy. Provo claims he was fired for refusing to cut his hair and th...

Nijkerk company loses case: ban on Israeli products remains
A Dutch court has upheld a ban on the import and sale of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements, rejecting a challenge from the Nijkerk-based Israel Products Center. The court determined that t...
From disputes with realtors to millions of visitors: how Funda became indispensable in the housing market
Funda is implementing controversial and expensive new presentation packages despite criticism from real estate agents. The housing platform maintains its dominant position in the Dutch market, leaving...

Inspectorate to reduce taxi inspections next year due to budget cuts
The Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) will reduce oversight in several areas, including the taxi industry, due to budget cuts and rising operational costs. The agency is shiftin...

Dutch petrol price hits record high after drone attack in Saudi Arabia
Petrol prices in the Netherlands have hit a record high of 2.726 euros per liter due to a drone attack on a critical Saudi Arabian oil pipeline. The resulting supply chain disruption, coupled with bro...

Part-time workers on minimum wage to see net income drop next year
Part-time workers earning minimum wage in the Netherlands are projected to see a decrease in their net monthly income next year due to government budget plans. While some full-time earners may see sli...
FNV: Schiphol security strike called off Wednesday following agreement on better working conditions
Trade unions FNV and CNV have called off a scheduled strike at Schiphol Airport after reaching an agreement with management to improve working conditions for security personnel. The deal introduces ma...
Dutch Rammstein concert promoter strikes mega deal with US entertainment giant
Dutch concert promoter Greenhouse Talent has formed a strategic partnership with the global entertainment giant AEG Presents. The company will retain its current management and brand name while gainin...

Prinsjesdag 2026: what the Budget Memorandum means for Amsterdam
The 2026 Dutch budget offers Amsterdam increased funding for housing construction and innovation but faces criticism from city officials for insufficient investment in climate, mental healthcare, and ...
Those hoping for lower energy bills will have to take action themselves: cabinet will not provide relief
The Dutch government has ruled out energy price caps or tax cuts despite a significant surge in gas and electricity rates. Households are expected to manage rising costs independently by investing in ...
What will you notice from the cabinet's plans? Ask our experts your questions
Following the release of the Miljoenennota and the national budget, AD readers are invited to participate in a live Q&A session tomorrow between 12:00 and 13:00. During this event, experts will answer...
This is what the cabinet is doing with your wallet: gifts now, a bill later
The Dutch cabinet's new budget provides minor purchasing power relief but introduces a net tax increase for citizens to fund defense and bridge fiscal gaps. While wage taxes rise, labor remains more h...

Unions and employers very gloomy about cabinet's budget plans
Dutch employers and labor unions have voiced strong criticism of the cabinet's budget plans, citing concerns over economic competitiveness and social security cuts. Employers warn that the current pol...

Saudi oil exports hindered by pipeline attack and Houthi advance
Saudi Arabia's oil exports are facing severe disruptions after a drone attack damaged the critical East-West pipeline, with repairs expected to take several weeks. Concurrently, Houthi rebels in Yemen...

NS makes exception: passengers get money back for delays caused by malfunctions
NS is offering compensation to passengers affected by Tuesday's train delays caused by reported sabotage at 27 locations across the Netherlands. While sabotage is typically considered a force majeure ...

Cleaners strike for second day, Schiphol and stations see little impact
Cleaners at Schiphol and Dutch train stations have launched a week-long strike, though the impact on operations remains limited. The protest follows the FNV union's rejection of a new collective labor...

Gasoline prices soar again, nearing last week's record
Fuel prices in the Netherlands have increased significantly, with diesel nearing its record high amid global market instability. The rise is primarily linked to a drone attack on a key Saudi Arabian o...

Buying a home is becoming increasingly difficult in Spain as well
Spain is facing an intensifying housing crisis as property prices continue to rise due to insufficient construction and growing population demand. The European Commission has proposed new legislation ...