Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Vlaams Belang may not simply use IKEA brand for campaign
The European Court of Justice has ruled that the political party Vlaams Belang cannot claim freedom of expression to justify using IKEA's branding for its immigration policy campaign. The court stated...
In Amsterdam it wasn't gold that glittered in the past, but diamonds
Amsterdam was historically the center of the diamond processing industry, establishing a strong reputation and generating significant wealth. The city became a global hub for the craft, solidifying it...
UK also bans trade in goods from Israeli settlements
The United Kingdom has joined several other European nations in banning trade involving goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank to protest their ongoing expansion. The Netherlands has also ann...
Growth of solar panels stalls: yields increasingly under pressure
Solar panel growth in the Netherlands is slowing due to the upcoming removal of net-metering benefits and new fees charged by energy suppliers. Furthermore, grid congestion is hindering the developmen...
Gas and go: gas station owners report more fuel theft
Gas station operators are facing a notable rise in incidents where drivers leave without paying for fuel, an increase attributed partly to high costs. While some cases are accidental, data shows a sig...
Brussels wants to move away from lowest-price tendering; greening and innovation to carry more weight
The European Commission is introducing new rules for public procurement that move away from prioritizing the lowest price in favor of quality, sustainability, and innovation. This shift aims to utiliz...
Amsterdam loses 38 percent of its highly sought-after business hotel guests: ‘Bad for the business climate’
Research from ABN Amro reveals that Amsterdam has lost 38 percent of its business hotel guests. Although tourists are filling the resulting vacancies, they generally spend significantly less than corp...
Fed up with your job after two weeks in the sun? That's not so crazy
Many employees frequently reconsider their career paths after returning from summer vacations, leading to a surge in job applications during September and October. Experts advise against immediately s...
Tessa (37) earns 3700 euros a month and saves on clothes and groceries, but not on swimming lessons: 'If they finish faster, it costs the same in the end'
Bank employee Tessa van Ravenzwaaij earns a monthly income of over 5,000 euros including benefits, which helps her comfortably cover her family's rent and daily expenses. While she actively saves mone...
Odido employee falls for phishing site: police share conversation with hack suspect for the first time
Dutch police have released audio of a phone call where a suspect impersonated an IT worker to trick an Odido employee into compromising company security. This successful phishing attack led to a massi...
Wealthier than mom and dad? Younger generations usually have more money than their parents
Data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) shows that younger generations are generally wealthier than their parents were at the same age. Millennials are more likely to own a home and have savings compar...
'Rare' fruits and vegetables still barely leave the farm
About 15 percent of produce grown in the Netherlands is discarded annually because it fails to meet strict supermarket standards for size and appearance. While waste-reduction organizations are active...
Soap opera over large wind turbines: Amsterdam bites the dust again after 17 years
The Province of North Holland has blocked Amsterdam's long-standing plans to build three large wind turbines near the Coenplein, citing serious concerns over traffic safety. The decision complicates e...
Live: Nationwide public transport strike | Schiphol remains partially accessible during public transport strike
A 24-hour nationwide public transport strike in the Netherlands has concluded, with normal service schedules resuming on Thursday. The protest, led by unions to oppose proposed social security cuts, c...
Many austerity plans have been scrapped: is the public transport strike still necessary?
Labor unions FNV and CNV have scheduled a public transport strike for Wednesday to protest cabinet austerity plans regarding social security. Political reporter Hans van Soest addresses questions abou...
Netherlands' water strategy needs radical change and will cost billions: 'No quick fix'
A new Delta Program report warns that the Netherlands needs a radical and costly shift in water management strategy to combat the accelerating impacts of climate change. The proposed measures, estimat...
Boss recognizes employee (26) on TV crime show and fires him, but it costs him dearly
A Utrecht-based employer was ordered to pay over 24,000 euros in damages after firing a 26-year-old employee he incorrectly identified as a suspect on a crime television show. The court ruled the dism...
Archive with one hundred hours of Oasis recordings could fetch 1.8 million euros
A collection of one hundred hours of rare Oasis recordings, spanning from 1994 to 2001, is being auctioned with an estimated value of up to 1.8 million euros. Although the buyer will own the physical ...
Antibiotic use in Dutch livestock farming drops again
The Dutch government has established a new agreement with the veal industry to reduce the number of high-antibiotic-use farms by 50 percent by 2032. This move aims to build on a 77.2 percent reduction...
Hotel in 'Kinkerbuurt hole' approved after years-long battle, but neighborhood continues fight
Despite a favorable ruling from the Council of State for a long-stay hotel in Amsterdam's Kinkerbuurt, local residents are continuing their decade-long protest against the development. Opponents hope ...
Volkswagen converts factory for defense production
Volkswagen will stop vehicle production at its Osnabruck plant next year to transition the facility into a manufacturing hub for defense equipment. The partnership with the defense firm Rafael aims to...
Former executive of Belgian chipmaker suspected of spying for China
A former executive of the bankrupt Belgian chipmaker Belgan has been arrested on charges of espionage and fraud for allegedly leaking trade secrets to a Chinese company. Prosecutors suggest that the c...
Eurozone economy grows stronger than expected thanks to Ireland
The eurozone economy experienced stronger-than-expected growth, reaching 1.2 percent annually due to a substantial 10 percent surge in Ireland's output. While the broader European Union also saw growt...
Why rising national debt is now making your mortgage and loans more expensive
Rising national debt levels and persistent inflation are driving up interest rates as investors demand higher risk premiums on bonds. This trend, exacerbated by heavy investment in artificial intellig...
Police to release suspect's statement on Odido hack tonight
Dutch police are set to release an audio recording of a suspect who gained access to Odido's internal systems by impersonating an IT worker. Authorities have confirmed the voice is authentic and hope ...
French wine harvest set to be one of the worst in thirty years
France is facing one of its worst wine harvests in three decades due to severe drought and extreme heat conditions across the region. While Southern Europe struggles with the adverse effects of climat...
Production of Dutch flying car can begin: set to take flight in 2028
Dutch company PAL-V has received production certification from EASA for its flying car, the PAL-V Liberty. The vehicle is expected to receive full type certification within eighteen months, with plans...
Companies increasingly choosing air freight due to war and AI
Global businesses are shifting toward air freight to ensure faster delivery of critical goods amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure. This logistics...
ABN AMRO employees to also walk off the job on Tuesday
About 150 ABN AMRO staff members are planning a one-day strike on Tuesday to protest proposed government cuts to social benefits like unemployment and disability insurance. The union-led action highli...
Younger generations generally wealthier than predecessors despite difficult housing market
Recent data from Statistics Netherlands indicates that younger generations generally enjoy higher purchasing power and wealth than their predecessors, despite difficulties in the housing market. Altho...