Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Coalition agreement between PRO and D66 imminent: "Implementation must be much better"
A coalition agreement between PRO Amsterdam and D66 is expected to be finalized within a few weeks, focusing on improving the execution of city policies. Due to limited financial resources, the upcomi...
Plans for urn crypt under Amsterdam’s Westerkerk: search for ‘founders’ with €10,000 contribution
Give farmers and housing priority over Lelystad Airport, says Dutch House of Representatives
A majority of the Dutch House of Representatives has called on the government to prioritize permit-less farmers and housing construction over the development of Lelystad Airport. The decision mandates...
Car becomes mobile home battery and can lower energy bills
Renault is introducing the electric Renault 4 and 5 models, which feature technology that allows the vehicles to serve as mobile home batteries. This initiative is designed to help manage power grid c...
First 32 kilometers of Dutch hydrogen network completed for industry
The first 32-kilometer section of the Dutch national hydrogen network was completed on Wednesday, connecting the Maasvlakte to Pernis. This pipeline serves as a critical infrastructure link designed t...
Kanaaldijk redevelopment in IJmuiden to start in spring 2027 with road widening and new roundabout
The redevelopment of the Kanaaldijk in IJmuiden is scheduled to begin in spring 2027 following the approval of a final design. The project involves widening the road and replacing the intersection at ...
Every prime minister wants it, it never works: why the number of civil servants keeps growing
Every Dutch prime minister aims to reduce the number of civil servants, yet the size of the central government continues to grow annually. The article explores why this trend persists despite consiste...
Good news: You can soon park your bike for free for longer in Amsterdam
Starting June 1st, cyclists in Amsterdam will be able to park their bikes in indoor garages for free for a longer duration. This initiative aims to reduce street clutter by encouraging residents and v...
Xi and Putin united in criticism of Trump, but gas pipeline deal remains elusive
During a joint statement in Beijing, Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin condemned the defense policies of US President Donald Trump as reckless. Despite their diplomatic alignment, China and Rus...
Oliebollen permit system overhauled; more certainty for business owners
The City of Amsterdam is overhauling its permit system for seasonal vendors to provide more long-term certainty while complying with European regulations. Oliebollen vendors will now receive 10-year p...
Union announces nationwide public transport strike if government fails to meet demands
The FNV union has announced a nationwide public transport strike scheduled for the early morning of June 24. This action serves as a protest against government cuts to social security and will proceed...
Revolutionary Guard reports passage of 26 ships near Hormuz
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard reported that 26 cargo ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz in a coordinated manner over a 24-hour period. The IRG asserts control over the strategic waterway and ...
Zeeman attracts more customers buying more expensive items
Zeeman reported increased revenue in 2025 despite a decrease in the total volume of items sold compared to the previous year. The budget retailer is successfully attracting customers with higher spend...
Amsterdam transport company shut down after repeated violations
Disneyland sued by visitor for using facial recognition
A visitor is suing Disneyland in the United States for allegedly using facial recognition technology without clearly informing guests. The lawsuit claims the park collected sensitive data during a fam...
Dutch civil servants agree to pay rise and one-time payment
Dutch civil servants have agreed to a new collective labor agreement featuring a 2.7 percent wage increase and a one-time payment. Employees in lower income scales will receive 1,400 euros, while thos...
Banks fully commit to European cryptocurrency: Rabobank and ABN Amro also join
Rabobank and ABN Amro have joined a group of European banks to launch a euro-denominated stablecoin. This initiative aims to provide a European alternative to the stablecoin market currently dominated...
NATO countries reject fixed percentage for Ukraine aid
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte's proposal for European member states to allocate a fixed 0.25 percent of their GDP to support Ukraine has been rejected. NATO countries are currently unwilling to co...
Ukraine receives first 3.2 billion of EU loan
The European Commission announced that Ukraine will receive the first 3.2 billion euro installment of a 90 billion euro EU loan. This initial payment is scheduled to be disbursed before July 1st.
Is there a limit to Action's growth? 'Many people just get happy from a garden gnome'
Dutch discount retailer Action is experiencing rapid international success and is currently planning an expansion into the United States. The company maintains that pausing its growth is not an option...
Construction of flexible housing falling short, says Court of Audit
The Netherlands Court of Audit has criticized the national government's progress on flexible housing, labeling the current policy as moderate. Despite targets to build 15,000 temporary homes annually,...
Court of Audit: Taxpayers (again) not getting value for money
The Netherlands Court of Audit's annual accountability report concludes that the cabinet consistently promises more than it can deliver, resulting in missed short-term and long-term goals. The auditor...
Heinen wants talks between Defense and Court of Audit on procurement
Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen has called for the Ministry of Defense and the Court of Audit to resolve ongoing issues regarding procurement procedures. He intends to facilitate a meeting between...
Court of Audit: safety plans exist mainly on paper
The Dutch Court of Audit has warned that while the government allocates significant funding for security, the effectiveness of these investments remains uncertain. The audit highlights that the Nation...
'The last taboo' lifted by new pay transparency law. Pay gap also tackled. 'Which employer says no to that?'
A new pay transparency law will take effect next year, allowing employees to request information about their colleagues' salaries. The legislation aims to break the social taboo surrounding financial ...
UK eases sanctions on certain Russian products
The United Kingdom has eased sanctions on specific Russian energy products, allowing the import of diesel and kerosene refined abroad from Russian crude oil. This policy shift permits these refined fu...
Unclear where billions in defense funds are being spent
The Dutch Ministry of Defense is facing criticism for a lack of transparency regarding the expenditure of billions of euros on equipment and services. Reports indicate that the department frequently u...
Despite cabinet plans, the number of civil servants continues to rise
The number of civil servants in the Dutch central government continues to rise despite successive cabinets' efforts to reduce staffing levels. According to a report by the Netherlands Court of Audit, ...
Defense takes risks with procurement without a tender
The Netherlands Court of Audit warned that the Ministry of Defense is taking significant risks by bypassing public tender procedures and awarding procurement contracts directly. President Pieter Duise...
FNV announces nationwide public transport strikes
The Dutch trade union FNV has announced a nationwide work stoppage in public transport across the Netherlands. The specific date for the strike is expected to be revealed later this Wednesday.