Economy News in English

Couple living in tent on Kloveniersburgwal for months

A homeless couple has been living in a tent on the Kloveniersburgwal in Amsterdam for several months, prompting the city to initiate a formal process for its removal. While local residents generally e...

New Princess Beatrix School building in Heemstede significantly more expensive due to rising construction costs, more students, and more expensive materials

The construction of the new Prinses Beatrix School in Heemstede is expected to be significantly more expensive than originally planned. The municipal executive has requested an additional 1.4 million ...

Amsterdam distributes 2,000 emergency kits to low-income residents

The municipality of Amsterdam will distribute 2,000 emergency kits to low-income households registered with the Food Bank starting this summer. These kits, containing items like emergency radios and f...

First cars also becoming home batteries: 'Helps against overloaded power grid'

Electric vehicles can now be used as home batteries to supply energy back to the power grid, helping to alleviate grid congestion. This new technology is currently limited to a single car brand and on...

Schiphol queues resolved, but behind-the-scenes problems remain

Queues at Schiphol Airport have subsided as of Tuesday, though some travelers arrived early following the previous day's delays. Despite the calm in departure halls, the FNV union has established a re...

Expensive fertilizer threatens European harvest, Brussels provides financial aid

The European Commission has presented an action plan to provide financial support to farmers struggling with high fertilizer prices. The aid package is intended to be ready before summer to protect th...

Tata Steel finds workaround for cheaper steel exports to US via UK

Tata Steel Netherlands has found a way to export steel to the United States with lower import tariffs by using a British sister company. This strategy allows Dutch steel to qualify for reduced US duti...

Two men from Haarlemmermeer and Hillegom arrested for bank helpdesk fraud

Police have arrested two men, aged 21 and 18, from Haarlemmermeer and Hillegom on suspicion of bank helpdesk fraud. Both suspects are currently in custody and being questioned as part of an ongoing in...

Petrol price now also above 2 euros per liter in Belgium

The maximum gasoline price in Belgium rose above 2 euros per liter on Wednesday, marking the first time prices have crossed this threshold since July 2022.

Popular Swatch watches pulled from Dutch stores following sales chaos

Swatch has removed its new Royal Pop watches from three stores in the Netherlands due to safety concerns for staff and customers following chaotic sales. Sales of the collection will resume once the c...

More passengers via Schiphol despite Middle East war

Schiphol Airport recorded an increase in passenger numbers in April compared to the previous year, despite a decrease in travel to and from the Middle East. The decline in regional traffic was caused ...

Auditor finds €67 million in discrepancies in Amsterdam’s financial statements: 'Basics not in order'

Millionth inhabitant expected in 2035, East growing fastest

Amsterdam is projected to reach one million inhabitants by late 2035, with the city's population currently standing at 940,000. Growth is primarily driven by international migration, with the fastest ...

IKEA introduces lingonberry-flavored Swedish meatball lollipop

IKEA is releasing a limited-edition Swedish meatball-flavored lollipop with lingonberry after a positive response to what began as an April Fool's joke. The unique candy will be distributed as a one-t...

Amsterdam to distribute 2,000 emergency packages to low-income residents, Halsema points to The Hague for more funding

Milieudefensie hopes Supreme Court forces Shell to reduce CO2 emissions

Milieudefensie and Shell are appearing before the Dutch Supreme Court this Friday for the final judgment in their landmark climate case. The environmental organization hopes the court will legally man...

HEMA sees revenue and profit rise thanks to renovated stores

HEMA reported increased turnover and profit in 2025, attributing the growth to successful store renovations and enhanced product sustainability. CEO Saskia Egas Reparaz highlighted that the updated st...

100-year-old Hema reports profit for fifth consecutive year: ‘We want to be the number 1 gift shop’

Hema has reported increased turnover and profit for the fifth consecutive year as it celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025. CEO Saskia Egas Reparaz attributes the growth to successful store renovat...

Thailand ends 60-day visa-free travel for tourists

The Thai government has decided to end its 60-day visa-free travel policy, a measure originally introduced to boost tourism. This change affects travelers from 93 countries, including visitors from th...

Son of Mango founder arrested in connection with father's death

Jonathan Andic, the owner of the Spanish fashion chain Mango, has been arrested in connection with the 2024 death of his father, Isak Andic. The Mango founder died following a fall from a cliff while ...

Netherlands produces less recycled plastic, climate goals under pressure

The production of recycled plastic in the Netherlands is declining as high energy prices prevent manufacturers from making essential investments. This slowdown threatens the country's transition to a ...

One man's trash is another man's treasure

During the Week Without Waste, residents and organizations are showcasing creative ways to reuse and repair items that would otherwise be thrown away. The initiative encourages giving products like fu...

Dutch face longer waits for new cancer drugs: 'Unacceptable for such a wealthy country'

Access to new cancer treatments in the Netherlands is declining, with only 41% of medications approved in Europe over the last four years expected to be available to patients by 2025. This represents ...

These travel expert tips will make your holiday affordable: ‘It can save hundreds of euros’

Travel experts, including tourism strategist Isabel Mosk, share tips for booking affordable summer vacations as Google search interest for holidays peaks in May. The advice focuses on strategies for f...

What do Mercedes and BMW have to do with Shell? This German ruling could turn the ‘climate case of the century’ on its head

A recent ruling by the German Federal Court of Justice in climate-related lawsuits against Mercedes and BMW could impact the final outcome of the legal battle between Milieudefensie and Shell. This Ge...

Banned pesticides found in Jumbo and Albert Heijn rice and tea

Food watchdog Foodwatch discovered residues of EU-banned pesticides in rice, tea, and various herbs sold at Dutch supermarkets Jumbo and Albert Heijn. The investigation involved testing 64 different p...

ATM bombings are making a comeback: Only a matter of time before there are casualties

Amsterdam has seen a resurgence in ATM bombings this year, with eight incidents reported after a year of no such crimes. Criminals are increasingly targeting sealbag deposit machines with powerful exp...

Report: sex workers intimidated and exploited, no oversight

A report by the Sex Work Reporting and Advice Point (SMAP) reveals that sex workers in the Netherlands face poor working conditions, intimidation, and exploitation. The organization criticizes the gov...

Successful business, but Elvan lies awake at night over tax returns: ‘I put everything off’

Elvan, a 38-year-old entrepreneur, struggles with severe anxiety and procrastination regarding her business tax returns and financial administration. Despite projecting a successful and curated life o...

Discrimination test to prevent new benefits scandal will not be mandatory

Dutch Interior Minister Pieter Heerma announced that government organizations will not be legally required to use a discrimination test designed to prevent future scandals. Although approximately fort...