Economy News in English
Latest economy headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Employment centers to end maze of service desks for job seekers
New Work Centers are being established across the Netherlands to provide a simplified, accessible point of contact for job seekers and employers without the need for appointments. The initiative aims ...
Exhibition ‘750 Years of Market Rights’ opens at Museum Kennemerland in Beverwijk: ‘The number of objects is quite large’
Mayor Martijn Smit and youth ambassador Tamara opened the exhibition 'Markt en Macht, 750 jaar Marktrecht' at Museum Kennemerland in Beverwijk. The interactive display commemorates the 750th anniversa...
Brussels calls on member states to consider gas reserves for winter
The European Commission has urged EU member states to begin preparing their gas reserves for the upcoming winter due to the conflict in the Middle East. This measure is intended to protect citizens an...
Singapore calls Hormuz closure a crisis for Asian countries
Singapore's Foreign Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, warned that the disruption of fuel transport through the Strait of Hormuz due to conflict in the Middle East poses a major crisis for Asian economies...
Oil prices drop about 10 percent after Trump's remarks on Iran
Oil prices dropped by approximately 10 percent on Monday following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Iran. Trump announced a five-day pause on attacks against Iranian energy facilities ...
ACM fears VolkerWessels takeover could hinder competition
The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has expressed concerns that the acquisition of construction firm VolkerWessels by investment company HAL could negatively impact competition. The re...
Greece also helps citizens and farmers with high energy prices, Netherlands yet to act
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced a 300 million euro support package to help citizens and farmers cope with rising energy costs. The measures include subsidies for fuel and fertil...
Only 48 municipalities plan to extend hospitality hours during World Cup
Only 48 Dutch municipalities currently plan to extend opening hours for bars and cafes during the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The trade association Royal Hospitality Netherlands notes that many matches w...
With these devious tricks, TikTok and games like Roblox swindle you out of money: ‘People are defenseless’
Research from Wijzer in Geldzaken reveals that over 40% of Dutch teenagers spend significantly more money than intended on video games and apps due to manipulative design tactics. This overspending, o...
Largest drop in consumer confidence in years, little willingness to buy
Consumer confidence in the Netherlands saw its largest decline in four years this March, according to data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). The drop is driven by a worsening economic outlook and a d...
Coal plants ramp up during energy crisis, but experts warn the option is disappearing
Coal power plants are being used more frequently to provide cheaper electricity as gas prices rise due to conflict in the Middle East. However, energy experts warn that this reliance on coal is a temp...
Saving on groceries doesn't necessarily mean sacrificing taste: 'You don't have to eat differently, just smarter'
Budget expert Iris Newman explains that saving money on groceries does not require sacrificing taste or variety. By making smarter shopping and cooking choices, consumers can effectively manage rising...
Energy agency in talks with governments over release of extra oil
The International Energy Agency is consulting with governments in Asia and Europe regarding the release of additional oil reserves. This potential action follows a previous release of 400 million barr...
Record number of homes sold despite rising prices
Existing owner-occupied home prices in the Netherlands rose by an average of 5.4 percent in February compared to the same period last year. According to data from the CBS and Kadaster, house prices ar...
Slovenians limited to 50 liters of fuel per day
Slovenia has introduced a temporary 50-liter daily fuel limit for motorists due to shortages at gas stations. The supply issues are driven by high demand from Italian and Austrian drivers taking advan...
Spot the differences between this Belgian and Dutch gas station
Dutch gas stations near the border are facing financial hardship as thousands of motorists travel to Belgium daily for cheaper fuel. While Dutch pumps remain empty, queues are forming just a few kilom...
With every bomb falling in the Middle East, an environmental disaster unfolds
The ongoing conflict involving Israel and the United States against Iran has caused a significant environmental crisis within its first three weeks. Over four hundred environmental incidents have been...
Blow for theaters: Intermission beer and wine subject to high VAT rate
The Dutch Supreme Court has ruled that theaters must pay the standard high VAT rate on alcoholic beverages served during intermissions rather than the lower rate. This decision affects all theaters th...
Childcare 'discount' not yet enticing parents to work
The Dutch government is significantly increasing childcare subsidies ahead of a transition to nearly free childcare in 2029. Despite expectations that these financial incentives would encourage parent...
Recruiter says age is no issue as long as you fit the company vibe
Sixty-one-year-old Huub shared his experience applying to a younger company with career expert Anne-Marije Buckens, who focuses on job seekers over 50. Huub realized that while his age was not the pri...
Universities want to cut back on big tech, but switching takes years
Dutch universities are working to decrease their dependency on major American technology companies like Microsoft and Google in favor of European alternatives. While concrete steps are being taken, un...
Defense Ministry to hire over 1,000 for drone units
The Dutch army plans to integrate drone and counter-drone units into all its combat divisions, necessitating the recruitment of 1,000 to 1,200 new personnel. Chief of Defense Onno Eichelsheim announce...
How to save money on spring outfits: ‘Ask yourself: will I wear this at least 30 times?’
Fashion experts Sara Dubbeldam and Anke Vermeer offer advice on saving money on spring wardrobes as global conflicts contribute to rising living costs. They recommend a mindful approach to shopping, s...
Demolition in Kruisstraat: Jan Sikkes and Bristol rapidly dismantled
The former premises of the Jan Sikkes fabric store and Bristol discounter on Kruisstraat are being rapidly dismantled, with only the ground floor of the building set to remain. This demolition marks a...
Oil companies also fighting for scarce oil and gas
Oil companies like Shell are facing intense competition to secure scarce oil and gas supplies. Industry leaders highlight that they are currently navigating significant logistical challenges to ensure...
Demolition most likely scenario for part of troubled Zandvoort-Noord flats: ‘But only in five years’
Approximately 124 apartments on Lorentzstraat in Zandvoort-Noord are likely to be demolished in about five years due to long-standing issues with concrete rot. While other parts of the housing complex...
The Greenhouse | The battery revolution is coming and cannot start soon enough
Climate reporter Jeroen Kraan discusses the rapid rise of large-scale battery storage systems and their upcoming impact on the energy infrastructure. This shift is expected to significantly transform ...
Cees (71) in serious trouble after filing property tax objection through online agency
A 71-year-old man named Cees Groen from Spanbroek is facing financial trouble after seeking help from an online agency to object to his property valuation. He was shocked to receive a payment demand f...
The unprecedented breakthrough of 0.0: how the Dutch slowly but surely switched to alcohol-free beer
Alcohol-free beer has transformed from a ridiculed product into a significant commercial success within the Dutch beer market. Major brewers now see non-alcoholic options as a key growth opportunity a...
End of cheap energy? Why recovery from this crisis could take a long time
Rising oil and gas prices in Europe have sparked concerns about a prolonged energy crisis driven by the region's dependency on external supplies. Experts suggest the current situation is unprecedented...