Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
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 ...
Farmer leader explains burning hay bales during Speech from the Throne: 'We are being smoked out'
Dutch farmers burned hay bales along highways during the Speech from the Throne to protest government nitrogen policies that threaten their livelihoods. Separately, authorities are investigating large...
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...
LIVE Q&A: Ask your questions about the traditions and customs of Prinsjesdag
Journalists hosted a live Q&A session to answer public questions about the history, traditions, and political context of Prinsjesdag in the Netherlands. The discussion clarified various aspects of the...
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 ...
Trump scraps CO2 limits for US power plants
The Trump administration has moved to repeal carbon dioxide emission limits for U.S. power plants, citing high costs and economic obstacles for the energy sector. Environmental groups strongly oppose ...
From energy poverty to Zuidasdok: these are the key topics for Amsterdam on Budget Day
Amsterdam officials are closely watching the upcoming Prinsjesdag budget announcement to determine national funding levels for the city. Key local concerns include securing financial support for the Z...
Tech companies have more debt than before, some of which is 'invisible'
Major tech companies have accumulated trillions in off-balance-sheet liabilities through long-term infrastructure and data center contracts. While experts believe these firms remain stable, the potent...
Business travelers surprised by rising tourist tax: ‘It’s becoming increasingly difficult for us to stay in the city’
Business travelers attending events in Amsterdam are criticizing the city's rising tourist taxes and VAT rates. Many visitors feel these increased costs are hindering professional attendance and impac...
Dutch Tax Authority seizes Ferry Doedens' house over debts
The Dutch Tax Authority has placed a lien on Ferry Doedens' home due to unpaid debts, a move compounded by similar actions from his apartment building's homeowners' association. The actor, known for h...
Joachime places flowers by the throne and fears a pricier bouquet: ‘Doesn't everyone love flowers?’
The Dutch flower industry faces a potential tax increase as leaked plans suggest raising the VAT on cut flowers from 9 to 21 percent. Florist Joachime Hutten expressed disappointment regarding the pro...
AI makers use doomsday scenarios to push for regulations that strengthen their position
Major AI industry leaders are calling for slower development and increased regulation, citing potential existential risks from advanced superintelligence. Critics argue this approach serves as a strat...
India can sell more steel to Europe, but CO2 tax remains
India has secured a trade deal allowing a fixed quota of its steel to enter the European Union under favorable terms. However, all steel exports, regardless of this quota, remain subject to EU carbon ...
More and more container ships are sailing through the Suez Canal again
Container shipping companies are shifting their routes back to the Suez Canal after having navigated around Africa to avoid Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea. This change allows for faster delivery ...
Climate goals remain out of reach: 'Momentum lost in the transition to sustainable energy'
The Netherlands is currently off track to meet its 2030 climate goals, with the PBL projecting a significant shortfall in greenhouse gas reduction. Experts warn that without an aggressive new policy p...
PBL climate advisor: burning Malaysian rainforest unnecessary for climate goals
The Netherlands' climate agency, PBL, has stated that burning wood pellets from rainforests is unnecessary for reaching climate neutrality. Meanwhile, the country is struggling to meet its ambitious e...
Petrol in Germany is more expensive than ever
Fuel prices in Germany have hit record highs following a recent spike in crude oil costs caused by supply chain disruptions in Saudi Arabia. Despite these increases, fuel remains significantly more ex...
FNV demands 5.5 percent wage increase and warns cabinet again about WIA and unemployment benefits
Dutch trade unions FNV and CNV are demanding wage increases of up to 5.5 percent, citing inflation and corporate profitability as key drivers. Additionally, the FNV is pressuring the cabinet to scrap ...
FNV wants 5.5 percent wage increase plus 80 euros next year
The FNV trade union is demanding a 5.5 percent wage increase plus an additional 80 euros per month for the upcoming collective labor agreement period in the Netherlands. The union also plans to push f...
Opinion from Amsterdam's Research and Statistics department: ‘The image of 2025 as a record year for migration in Amsterdam is incorrect’
Amsterdam's Research and Statistics department clarifies that 2025 was not a record year for migration, as reported figures were inflated by administrative backlogs cleared for other municipalities. B...
Schiphol shrinkage a step closer, but protection for local residents needs to be clearer
The Dutch government has proposed capping annual flight movements at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at 478,000 to reduce noise pollution for local residents by 2029. While the Council of State supports th...
New strike announced: week-long walkout by cleaners at Schiphol, stations and other locations
Cleaners represented by the FNV union are launching a five-day strike across the Netherlands, impacting Schiphol Airport, train stations, and various educational institutions. The action follows the r...
Cleaners to strike for a week at locations including Schiphol and train stations
Cleaning staff represented by the FNV union have launched a week-long strike across the Netherlands to demand a better collective labor agreement. The workers are protesting at key locations including...
Online bank Revolut misled by cybercriminals posing as government officials
Online bank Revolut has admitted to mistakenly providing sensitive customer data to cybercriminals who posed as government officials. The breach, which affected customers in various countries includin...
The die is cast: Schiphol will definitively shrink and noise limits will finally be enforced
The Council of State has approved government plans to implement stricter noise regulations and flight caps at Schiphol Airport starting November 1. These measures aim to significantly reduce noise pol...
Oil prices rise again due to closed oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia
Global oil prices have reached their highest levels since May after a drone attack forced Saudi Arabia to close a key pipeline. The disruption is tightening oil supplies, leading to significant price ...
Amazon temporarily suspends work with air freight carrier after fatal plane crash
Amazon has suspended its contract with air freight provider 21 Air following a fatal plane crash that killed five people on the ground. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the in...