Business News in English
Latest business headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
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...
Prijsvrij and D-Reizen: Significant portion of stranded travelers back
Prijsvrij Vakanties and D-Reizen have begun repatriating stranded travelers from the Middle East to the Netherlands using scheduled flights. While a significant number of people have returned, hundred...
Waste dumping goes wrong at Tata Steel: pig iron and water cause explosions and fire
A waste disposal incident involving pig iron and water caused explosions and a fire at the Tata Steel site on Thursday evening. The event occurred near Harsco and resulted in significant commotion in ...
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 ...
One last cheese and a chat as Peter and Joan retire their cheese van
Peter and Joan, a couple from Velsen-Noord, are retiring and closing their mobile cheese bus business after years of service. On their final day, many loyal customers expressed their sadness and share...
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...
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...
Rachid Kaddour of Pure & Honest Meat in Weesp: ‘Halal rules determine how meat ends up on the plate’
Rachid Kaddour, owner of Puur & Eerlijk Vlees in Weesp, explains how halal regulations dictate the production of meat products during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The article highlights the proc...
Change= director gets 150 hours community service and suspended sentence for ‘gigantic’ tax return backlog
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...
Amsterdam Red Light District business owners: Do not implement coffeeshop ban for foreigners
Entrepreneurs and residents in Amsterdam's Red Light District have urged the city council not to implement a ban on foreign tourists in coffeeshops. They warn that the proposed measure would lead to a...
NS records profit from passenger transport for first time since 2019
Dutch Railways (NS) recorded a profit from passenger transport in 2023 for the first time since 2019. The financial recovery was driven by higher ticket and subscription prices, a slight increase in p...
Companies eye 178 billion mega-pot for defense contracts, but one hurdle remains
The Dutch government's plan to invest 178 billion euros in defense has triggered a surge in interest from companies seeking military contracts. Economists from Rabobank predict that revenue for these ...
Terraces fill up again: what about the prices this year?
As sunny weather returns, terraces across the Netherlands are filling up with customers enjoying outdoor dining and drinks. The article highlights the seasonal shift while raising questions about how ...
Jewelers more cautious as gold prices hit record highs: 'You get much less jewelry for your money'
Record-high gold prices are driving individuals to sell their old jewelry in large quantities while making new purchases less attractive for consumers. Jewelers and goldsmiths are becoming more cautio...
ACM intensifies oversight of energy market due to rising gas prices
The Netherlands' Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) is intensifying its oversight of the energy market in response to rising gas prices caused by instability in the Middle East. The regulator i...
Reader Question: Is PostNL allowed to record your ID details when picking up a parcel?
A reader's inquiry explores why PostNL service points record identification details when customers collect packages, contrasting this with the less stringent requirements for home deliveries. The arti...
Siem de Jong and Daniel de Ridder return to Ajax as technical managers
Former players Siem de Jong and Daniel de Ridder have returned to Ajax to serve as technical managers. They will work alongside Technical Director Jordi Cruijff in their new roles at the club.
Number of cancelled flights to Middle East continues to rise
Ongoing tensions in the Middle East are causing a significant increase in the number of cancelled flights to the region. This disruption is resulting in major travel issues for passengers as air traff...
South Holland requests power grid capacity for a quarter million homes
The province of South Holland has requested electricity grid capacity for approximately 250,000 new homes planned for construction through 2032. This collective application was submitted to grid opera...
New museums are increasingly becoming experiences: "This is our vortex tunnel"
Amsterdam is seeing a rise in 'experience museums' focused on social media photos and immersive activities rather than traditional art collections. While these commercial venues aim to make learning a...
New museums are increasingly becoming experiences: "This is our vortex tunnel"
Amsterdam is seeing a rise in commercial experience-based museums that prioritize immersive environments and social media appeal over traditional art collections. While critics argue these for-profit ...
Paying ransom after Odido hack would have been pointless, experts say
Telecom provider Odido refused to pay a ransom to the Shinyhunters hacking group following a data breach, despite facing criticism from affected customers. Cybersecurity experts and insiders support t...
Tourists seek more value for money and stay outside the city more often
A report by Amsterdam&partners reveals that a growing percentage of tourists visiting Amsterdam are opting to stay overnight outside the city or with friends to find better value for their money. This...
Closure of Stingray coffeeshop in Beverwijk now final: license revoked after incidents
The Council of State has upheld the decision to permanently close coffeeshop Stingray in Beverwijk by rejecting the owners' appeal. Mayor Martijn Smit's revocation of the operating permit and toleranc...